No Sound or Transducer Output, Sound Distorted

Product(s): Measure · Primus · Unity
Applies to version: All current versions
Audience: External – Customers
Difficulty: Advanced
Estimated resolution time: 20–40 minutes
Last updated: 2026-06-27
Article type: Troubleshooting guide

Quick summary

No sound is produced, or a transducer is not functioning as expected in Primus, Measure, or Unity. This guide walks you through a full diagnostic sequence to isolate and resolve the issue.

⚙️ Before you begin

Have your Primus/Measure/Unity hardware connected and powered on.
Make sure you have administrator access to the PC running the software.
Note your software version number (go to Help → About in the software).

Step 1: Check for Waves MaxxAudio

Is Waves MaxxAudio running or enabled on this PC?

✅ Yes → Take these steps:

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
Find any Waves MaxxAudio process and click End Task.
Go to Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program and remove Waves MaxxAudio.

→ Check if the issue is resolved. If yes - you're done ✓. If no - continue to Step 2. * ❌ No → Proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Test with an alternate transducer or board

Have you tested with a different transducer or board?

✅ Yes → Proceed to Step 3.
❌ No → Take these steps:

Swap in a different transducer or board from your stock.
Repeat the sound test.

→ Check if the issue is resolved. If yes - the original transducer or board is likely faulty; contact Auditdata Support. If no - continue to Step 3.

Step 3: Verify Windows sound settings

Is Primus/Measure/Unity set as the default playback device in Windows?

✅ Yes → Proceed to Step 4.
❌ No → Take these steps:

Right-click the speaker icon in the Windows taskbar → Open Sound settings.
Under Output, select the Primus/Measure/Unity device.
Go to Control Panel → Sound, right-click the device → Set as Default Device.
On the Enhancements tab, check Disable all enhancements → OK.

→ Check if the issue is resolved. If yes - you're done ✓. If no - continue to Step 4.

Step 4: Reinstall audio drivers

Have the audio drivers been reinstalled recently?

✅ Yes → Proceed to Step 5.
❌ No → Take these steps:

Open Device Manager (right-click Start → Device Manager).
Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
Right-click each audio device → Uninstall device. Check Delete the driver software for this device when prompted.
To remove hidden drivers: click View → Show hidden devices, then uninstall any hidden audio devices the same way.
Restart the PC and allow Windows to auto-reinstall drivers.

→ Check if the issue is resolved. If yes - you're done ✓. If no - continue to Step 5.

Step 5: Check for Dell Optimizer (Dell PCs only)

Is Dell Optimizer installed on this PC?

✅ Yes → Take these steps:

Go to Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program.
Find Dell Optimizer and uninstall it.
Restart the PC.

→ Check if the issue is resolved. If yes - you're done ✓. If no - continue to Step 6. * ❌ No → Proceed to Step 6.

Step 6: Verify software version

Is the installed Primus/Measure/Unity software up to date?

✅ Yes → Proceed to Step 7.
❌ No → Update to the latest version. Contact Auditdata Support or visit the customer portal to get the latest installer.

→ Check if the issue is resolved. If yes - you're done ✓. If no - continue to Step 7.

Step 7: Perform free field loudspeaker calibration

Has free field loudspeaker calibration been completed?

✅ Yes → Proceed to Step 8.
❌ No → Take these steps:

In the software, go to Tools → Sound Field Calibration.
Select the correct loudspeaker that matches your physical setup.
Place the speaker exactly 1 metre from the measurement microphone.
Make sure the room is quiet, then run the calibration.

→ Check if the issue is resolved. If yes - you're done ✓. If no - continue to Step 8.

Step 8: Confirm all connections

Are all required cables securely connected?

✅ Yes → Proceed to Step 9.
❌ No → Reconnect all cables: USB, power supply, audio cables, and any accessories. Make sure each connector is fully seated.

→ Check if the issue is resolved. If yes - you're done ✓. If no - continue to Step 9.

Step 9: Isolate the transducer

Have you disconnected all other transducers and tested with just one?

✅ Yes → Proceed to Step 10.
❌ No → Disconnect every transducer except the one you are testing. Retry the sound test.

→ Check if the issue is resolved. If yes - one of the disconnected transducers is causing a conflict; reconnect them one at a time to find the faulty device. If no - continue to Step 10.

Step 10: Test with a different USB cable and port

Have you tried a different USB cable and a different USB port directly on the PC?

✅ Yes → Proceed to Step 11.
❌ No → Take these steps:

Replace the USB cable with a known working cable.
Connect to a different USB port directly on the PC - not via a hub or extension.

→ Check if the issue is resolved. If yes - you're done ✓. If no - continue to Step 11.

Step 11: Remove USB hubs and extension cables

Is the unit connected directly to the PC?

✅ Yes → Proceed to Step 12.
❌ No → Disconnect all USB hubs and extension cables. Plug the unit directly into a USB port on the PC.

→ Check if the issue is resolved. If yes - you're done ✓. If no - continue to Step 12.

Step 12: Switch to a different board port

Have you tried a different AC port on the board (e.g., AC1 → AC2)?

✅ Yes → Proceed to the escalation path below.
❌ No → Disconnect the transducer and reconnect it to an alternate AC port on the board.

→ Check if the issue is resolved. If yes - you're done ✓. If no - proceed to the escalation path below.

🔺 Escalation path

If none of the above steps resolved the issue, contact Auditdata Support.

Please have ready:

Product name and version number
Device model and serial number
Firmware version
Your account name and contact details
Which steps above you already tried
Exact error messages or codes shown
Screenshots if available

✅ Expected outcome

After completing these steps, your transducer should produce clear, undistorted sound at the expected output level through Primus, Measure, or Unity. The device should appear as the active playback device in Windows Sound settings.

📝 Additional notes

Waves MaxxAudio and Dell Optimizer are common hidden causes of sound problems on Dell PCs - check Step 1 and Step 5 first if you are on a Dell system.
After any driver reinstallation, always restart the PC fully before relaunching the software.
Related articles: Deleting Waves MaxxAudio driver from Windows audio drivers · Audio Drivers Re-installation in Windows · No Sound from Loudspeakers

Need more help? Visit the Auditdata Help Centre or contact our support team.