Crackling sound with audio?

[Camsauce]

I am using several different audio production programs, and whenever I listen to anything, I get a crackling sound out of my speakers and headphones. I have Finale, Sonar 8 Producer, VirtualDJ, and of course itunes and windows media player. Whenever I listen to music, whether through my speakers or in the headphones, there is a crackling noise that gets louder when audio is played. It is there a little bit when nothing is going on, but gets worse when I play music. I do have a MOTU firewire audio interface, that when i plug into, it gives clean audio. So my question is: what could cause this? my guess is the audio card... is there a quick fix or do I need a new one? If anyone can shed light on this that would be great.

[GZsound]

Sounds to me like a clocking issue.

You need to make sure your interface and your software are all talking nicely to each other.

So, if you are recording at 48khz 24 bit and your on board sound card only supports 44.1 khz 16 bit, you will get digital noise. You also may need to make sure what clock you are using.

Sounds like the Motu unit is using internal clock when you use it as the interface, and your resolution is set the same on the Motu unit and your DAW.

[Camsauce]

So that cleared up the problems in Sonar 8... But even when just listening to music from itunes or virtual dj, there is the crackling sound. Do you think there might be a need for a new audio card?

[itsplayed]

Check for resource sharing....is the MOTU the only soundcard installed?
What OS are you running with?

[Camsauce]

Im running windows xp. No, the card the computer came with is still there, its called SB Audigy 2 (?). But even when the Motu is turned off or not connected it still does the crackling. But im pretty sure it still relates to the MOTU, because it didnt start doing this until I started using it with this computer.

[itsplayed]

Originally Posted by Camsauce

Im running windows xp. No, the card the computer came with is still there, its called SB Audigy 2 (?). But even when the Motu is turned off or not connected it still does the crackling. But im pretty sure it still relates to the MOTU, because it didnt start doing this until I started using it with this computer.

Uninstall the software for both devices, shut the system down and physically remove the Soundblaster card. Reinstall the Motu card and then reinstall the Soundblaster.

[Camsauce]

So I tried that... Got everything uninstalled... And it still has the crackling sound. I havent even plugged in the MOTU unit yet, still just the soundblaster card. Where else could the problem stem from?

Thanks,
Cam

[kope]

1. Check is it mice in on audigy muted. They also use sometimes 20 db booster for mice - if you find this switch off.
2. If it not mice in then you have problem with power supply. This kind of noise it could happened when is bad contact on minus pole and is probably on card at self (is only possibility) .
3. Try to change settings for Audigy in Windows for sound quality should be 24 bits 48 KHz (Audigy works on 48KHz)
4. Try cold beer (lots of beer), maybe this noise will become nice

[Camsauce]

So new development in the issue... I opened up my CPU, took out the audio card from its slot and put it into a different pci slot, and it was fixed! No more crackling! But then... It gradually started to come back. Just little ticks here and there, but now it sounds like a crackling fire. So the issue re-developed, with no other devices besides the one card in. And I dont know where it comes from. Great.

[helix2048]

It is a bad sound card. Either leave it out or purchase another sound card. My digital interface uses a PCI card for the input cables. I removed my sound card because the driver was causing conflicts with the good sound card.

On another note, I have had a few soundblaster cards and they all seem to die within a couple years. The parts they use in them are real cheap. If you want to use a soundcard for everyday sounds, try looking up some usb ones. They run pretty cheap on ebay or at stores like Fry's or MicroCenter.

[keyjslider]

This question is mostly addresed for Helix: let's say I've got a good sound card and the internal PC motherboard soundcard, I have deactivated the last in the Windows settings. Is it still, nevertheless, able to add interference with a good soundcard?

[keyjslider]

The all above seems like accumulation of noise-producing static electricity)))

[GZsound]

Originally Posted by keyjslider

This question is mostly addresed for Helix: let's say I've got a good sound card and the internal PC motherboard soundcard, I have deactivated the last in the Windows settings. Is it still, nevertheless, able to add interference with a good soundcard?

Once you have the on board sound card disabled, it should have no effect whatosever on the audio of another soundcard.

The main problem with on board sound cards is that they are normally made of parts that cost pennies and audio quality isn't even on their list of features.

Also, the environment inside the computer is noisy already and a cheap soundcard can pick up stray noise easily.

My suggestion is to forget Soundblaster/Audigy type cards and buy something professional if you want professional audio. Even a $35 USB soundcard will sound better than most Audigy/Soundblaster units.

[keyjslider]

Thanks a lot