Posting this problem - and its solution - here, in case it helps anyone who experiences a similar problem in the future. I recently used my 2021 MacBook Pro running Sequoia OS 15.7.3 to perform a multitrack recording using the QU-16’s USB-B port at the rear of the desk. Unfortunately the recording was unusable due to a periodic static surge that was recorded to all channels. The static would start off at a very lower level then significantly increase in amplitude over the space of a few seconds, then the cycle would begin again. I read somewhere on the A&H forum that USB bus compatibility issues with some computers and the QU-16 surfaced around 2018, with A&H releasing updated firmware to combat the problem. I checked to see what firmware the QU-16 was running; it was V1.9 Rev. 4537 from 2016. The owner of the desk updated to the latest firmware - V1.99 - at my request, then I tried another multitrack recording with my MacBook. Lo and behold, no more static problems baked into my recording!