How do i hook up my mackie mr5 speakers to my interface? Should i plug the cables in the trs (balanced ) section at the back of the speakers

Yes, get some TRS to XLR (Male) cables or adapters and plug them into either the monitor or alt outs, set your routing and levels and away you go.

Check the input level. Sounds like the signal is being clipped.

Without more information of your speakers and amps we can't really help you. The Mackie board puts out line-level signals and that should drive any connected amp or powered speaker to the full capability. Make sure you are using BALANCED interconnect lines either XLR or TRS cables. Use of TS unbalanced cables costs you 6 DB and also noise pickup. Make sure ALL your gear, amps, speakers etc are powered from a SINGLE receptacle or power conditioning module. Normally you will use the AUX outputs of the mixer by way of TRS cables or balanced lines in a snake to power amplifiers onstage which then connect to the stage monitors. If you have powered monitors the returns of the aux to the stage go to the powered monitors. A heavy duty extension cord brings power back from thee stage power to the mixer.

Just use balanced audio interconnect cables (XLR or TRS) between the mixer and the M-Audio interface.

Balanced audio interconnects (either XLR or TRS cables from the mixer and then balanced audio interconnects from the amp daisy chain inputs to the existing speaker inputs. If the amps do not have linked input jacks, then use TRS type WYE connectors at the inputs. Then use speaker rated cables from the amps to the passive speakers.

Make sure you are using BALANCED audio line to the speaker AND your mixer is powered from the SAME receptacle as this speaker. One MAY have to run an extension cord back to the mixer and othe equipment, but this must be done to reduce noise and also for equipment safety. Multiple recepatacles in a building have grounding issues that can generate noise or worse damage equipment due to ground loops. If you DJ mixer does NOT have balanced outputs, use DI boxes so you can use balanced lines to your speakers. Your cables will either be XLR or 1/4 inch TRS types, not just TS type.

The first thing: You MUST use ACTIVE speakers and monitors as the unit does NOT have power amplifiers within it. You will use BALANCED XLR or TRS cables to the POWERED speakers. ALL interconnected equipment will be powered from teh same receptacle or source. You did not tell us what model speakers and monitors you are using so I can't tell you more until you tell us that info.

Swap speakers to find if the problem is the speaker. If the problem follows the speaker it will require repairing.

try hooking headphones to the output and see if the crackling is still there.

then, try it with the speakers, at a lower computer voume level and higher speaker volume level. perhaps the headphone output is too loud and distorting in the speaker inputs.

Thought I answered this. Using balanced TRS cables, connect the powered speakers to the Main L and R 1/4 inch jacks on the top of the unit.