So, weird problem. I've started using a new set of plugins (Waves Gold Bundle). For the most part, everything is great. Especially when I start out creating an FX chain preset. I start getting this odd problem where this "glorpy" sounding popping/clicking noise happens during playback, but only when a track has its FX rack active, and only when there isn't an actual clip in that part of the track. When there is a clip being played in a track, no problem. When the FX rack is off, no problem. But when there is no clip, playback is rolling, and the FX rack is on, glorpy popping. It's weird, and it comes and goes, but it only seems to happen after I insert an FX chain preset, not if I'm building the chain from the ground up. 
 
Has anyone else seen this issue? My version is 2016.12.

Have you tried to increase the buffer size?

I have seen a vaguely similar issue -- popping where there is no clip. Related to plugin load balancing.

What kind of soundcard are you using ?

you may have a hot plugin that is clipping your audio. Turn them all off then on one at a time until you find it. it could be a combo of a few as well..
 
peace
 
EDIT: Yup, this kept happening today, just on tracks I recorded today where active... I rolled back. No help.
I wasted an hour going over the rest of the normal "WTH" trouble shooting. I finally figured it out...
Back to recording! :)

Actually that was the first thing I tried. Interestingly enough, it seems like the issue is weirder than I thought. Somehow, audio from other tracks is bleeding into the tracks that are experiencing the noise problem, and that is the noise I'm hearing.

Must have missed my soundcard question

Scarlett 18i20 1st gen.

Plugin load balancing question?