realtek audio pop when audio plays, subwoofer thump


  1. Posts : 57
    Windows 7 64 bit Professional
       #1

    realtek audio pop when audio plays, subwoofer thump


    https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthrea...or-audio-files

    The issue:
    With realtek drivers from either realtek OR the Asus site, I get audio pops/thumps anytime audio is played from idle. Windows navigation's "click" noise turns into a super short "tick" After 10 seconds idle, it's a louder "tick", and when an audio channel is kept open, stuff sounds normal. Even opening a webpage that opens an audio channel makes a nasty crunch sound.

    I am on the new ROG Asus Hero Alpha with a 6700k, stock settings in BIOS.

    5.1 speakers I am using:

    Amazon.com: Logitech Surround Sound Speakers Z506: Electronics....

    Also used my previous builds speakers that never had any issues (good ol' dell):
    http://stuartconnections.com/products/Computers/Periphe...

    *Windows default audio drivers work 100% normal*

    This forum also describes my issue:
    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2317852

    I have done the following:

    Stock BIOS
    Updated BIOS
    Don't even have my GPU in yet, but that works fine and doesn't change anything
    Tried multiple drivers, each time clean uninstall/install
    Reformatted countless times
    Removed all interference/wireless stuff
    Used previous builds PSU and 2 new ones
    Swapped all components muliple times
    Used different outlets/plugged all into same surge protector strip / tried different surge protector strips
    Tried many different drivers/MEI code updates from intel from their own site
    Playing with all audio settings / volume levels
    Disabled any audio settings not being used, no micophone
    Ran PC at performance, turned minimum cpu usage to 100%, disabled C states, speedstep, or any power saving features, EIST disabled.
    I have not installed AI suite, I am literally running the bare minimum
    Tried different sets of speakers, all speakers work everywhere else normal anyway (speakers confirmed working)
    I have the hyper evo heatsink and put it on lightly so it's not pressing hard down on the CPU just to eliminate that being an issue
    I have removed USB's, ethernet cable
    Used different cables, checked all cables, used the minimal cables/hardware (no extra HD's or fans)
    Tested PSU with PSU tester AND Multimeter, as well as the outlets
    I've done basically everything you can find on the internet about this issue, I may have not listed all here.
    I know my DPC latency was low, there weren't any crazy abnormal spikes

    Literally, this only happens with the realtek/Asus drivers, so hardware should be fine, especially since I went through replacements.

    I'm running G.Skill RAM that others in another thread are using without any audio issues. RAM has been stress tested, and is running at stock. They are in the correct, suggested slots. I am running the 6700k at STOCK. All stock BIOS 1402. BIOS updated without an issue. Windows 7 64x pro is installed correctly on my SSD. Only the SSD is plugged in and the M8HA is installed on a bench. I have a 850w corsair PSU.

    I have swapped through 3 CPU's, 5 mobo's, 2 PSU's, as well as trying my previous builds one, 2 sets of ram, and an extra replacement on the M8HA. I get the same issue each time. I have used the hardware on a Gigabyte, and an MSI, both which did not have this audio "tick" sound. They did have a sizzle sound anytime an audio channel opened though. This has been going on for months. The gigabyte had that constant hissing sound through headphones when the CPU was doing calculations, so basically all the time. Moving the mouse across the screen made it hiss louder. MSI and Asus don't do that hissing. Could this all lead to a ground issue? My outlets seem fine and the grounding is working, plus no other devices have issues.

    Asus admitted to this problem to me over the phone multiple times, as well as looking online at it to further investigate. Technical support suggested me after a week, to make sure the correct colored cables are plugged into the correct colored ports on the motherboard...

    What could possible be causing this? I have read a lot on power management relating to it. I ask people if they're on stock or OCing, because if you OC you may be keeping the power higher, so on idle it doesn't power down much. I see a lot too on people having laptops with this issue and they can disable power management on their realtek settings. Desktops don't have this. I tried doing it through registry but those registry files didn't exist for power management.

    Here are links to the audio files. Quality isn't the best but listen closely between the "ticks" and regular full window "clicks" I also mimicked the "thump" that plays I think through the bass, because my phone wouldn't pick it up, I mimicked it in a separate file because this "thump" plays right before the audio channel opens.

    Tick1:https://clyp.it/5evymx2y

    Tick2 (good clear ticks):https://clyp.it/q1aura1a

    Thump noise (it's a settle "thump" so bear with me):https://clyp.it/2fkyj3ad

    Regular windows click noise with windows default/audio channel open (full long regular click we all know navigating through folders):https://clyp.it/cctps45v

    Please bear with the quality, it sounds so much worse in person for what I am talking of, but just this is to understand it further.

    Please someone help me with this. I've been through so many replacements just to eliminate hardware, and now it's literally down to the drivers, unless some hardware is really bad and hiding good. All points to the drivers, and specifically realtek (all other drivers work with windows default audio driver)

    I really hope enough people can help troubleshoot this. I just don't get how some are running a similar set up and have no audio issues.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
       #2

    From the link you listed, it looks like using a separate sound card fixed the problem, thus it would go back to the on-board sound.
    All the changing you did wasn't really needed. The CPU, memory, power supply probably have zero to do with it.
    I doubt that the drivers are the problem too. I would suspect something to do with the hardware implementation of the Realtek sound chip.

    There are inexpensive USB sound cards available and you can verify that its the sound on the motherboard with one of those. (Disable the on-board sound in the BIOS when you use a separate sound card to avoid any potential sound conflict).
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 57
    Windows 7 64 bit Professional
    Thread Starter
       #3

    fireberd said:
    From the link you listed, it looks like using a separate sound card fixed the problem, thus it would go back to the on-board sound.
    All the changing you did wasn't really needed. The CPU, memory, power supply probably have zero to do with it.
    I doubt that the drivers are the problem too. I would suspect something to do with the hardware implementation of the Realtek sound chip.

    There are inexpensive USB sound cards available and you can verify that its the sound on the motherboard with one of those. (Disable the on-board sound in the BIOS when you use a separate sound card to avoid any potential sound conflict).
    Well, on the ROG forums, plenty of people claim they don't have the issue and are using the asus/realtek drivers, even at stock BIOS and some are even using the same hardware as I, other than the hard drive may be different.

    You say it's the hardware implementation of the Realtek sound chip, well, why did I get this issue on the newer versions of realtek drivers on the MSI board too? Also on multiple replacement boards? So EACH board, across multiple brands, have implemented Realtek sound chip improperly? Also, on an older version of realtek, I think it was 7X02 or 7X09, I forget the version, when I had the MSI board, it had no audio pop, but the sizzle on opening audio channels. With newer versions of realtek drivers, it gave the audio pop and the sizzle.

    When I went back to my previous PC, which never had any issues, I updated the realtek drivers on the old PC and noticed it would have this audio issue, but very rare occurrences of it.. I never had it before.. The speakers worked before without any issue, and my other 5.1 speakers have the same issue. It's not the speakers, and shouldn't be my hardware. I did drop my SSD when I was switching it to the new build, but I don't think that could be the issue. It works as it normally would.

    I still believe it's a power management issue or that the audio is powered down then when it plays/opens a channel it pops. if I have windows media player running or paused, audio sounds normal.

    I may buy this:
    ASUS Xonar DGX 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Express x1 Interface Gaming Audio Card - Newegg.com

    Literally just to test if it changes anything. If it works fine, I still believe it'd be a driver issue with realtek. I don't want any issues like that, because I like using the onboard audio. I don't like having extra stuff. The audio sounds great while in-game since it keeps the audio channel open. I don't need more hardware in my PC.

    What other suggestions do you have? I know you helped me a month or two ago on this issue. Thank you.

    EDIT:
    Realtek HD Audio Pop noise before and after sound. - Drivers - Windows 7
    This short thread also helps describe some more about my issue. Except, I'm not on a laptop, I'm on a desktop.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
       #4

    I have the latest Realtek drivers on two desktop systems (both with ASRock Z77 motherboards (different models)) and neither has the problem. I know others that are using the latest Realtek drivers and not having the problem, and others that I've helped on forums with Realtek and not having the problem.

    Have you tried the generic, basic function, Windows installed High Definition Audio drivers? If not give them a try and see what happens. Go to the Device Manager, uninstall the Realtek and also check the box to uninstall the drivers. Reboot the PC and when Windows starts it will detect and reinstall the sound using the High Definition Drivers. If there are pops with these drivers that eliminates the Realtek drivers as the problem.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 57
    Windows 7 64 bit Professional
    Thread Starter
       #5

    fireberd said:
    I have the latest Realtek drivers on two desktop systems (both with ASRock Z77 motherboards (different models)) and neither has the problem. I know others that are using the latest Realtek drivers and not having the problem, and others that I've helped on forums with Realtek and not having the problem.

    Have you tried the generic, basic function, Windows installed High Definition Audio drivers? If not give them a try and see what happens. Go to the Device Manager, uninstall the Realtek and also check the box to uninstall the drivers. Reboot the PC and when Windows starts it will detect and reinstall the sound using the High Definition Drivers. If there are pops with these drivers that eliminates the Realtek drivers as the problem.
    That's why it's odd!

    I have used Windows High Definition Audio drivers. I have done that a long time ago to further troubleshoot. I also used drivesweeper to get rid of any left over files, and strictly used the Windows High Definition Audio drivers, and I get 0 issues. Literally, audio is 100% normal, no pops, no sizzles, full and clear. I can use surround even and it works in games.

    I just want realtek because using that gives better quality and power (when an audio channel is kept open obviously, games sound great!) I have also strictly used 2.79 off realtek's site, and I have tried uninstalling Asus Sonicmaster software, so only realtek is there, and still the same issue.

    This is why I say it's a driver issue. Windows audio works perfectly fine.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
       #6

    OK. It goes back to the hardware and power. I'm eliminating the Realtek as not ALL PC's do this. I'm a musician (and former amp tech) and many guitar amps will "pop" when its powered on. This sounds like a similar action.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 57
    Windows 7 64 bit Professional
    Thread Starter
       #7

    fireberd said:
    OK. It goes back to the hardware and power. I'm eliminating the Realtek as not ALL PC's do this. I'm a musician (and former amp tech) and many guitar amps will "pop" when its powered on. This sounds like a similar action.
    Yes, that's why it's all so odd.

    Yeah, I am familiar with the amp popping when powered on. PC speakers do that too if they're on and you turn the PC on. The Asus board I have has a de-pop relay so speakers don't make a huge popping noise on start up / shut down.

    I agree it has to do with some power management. I have disabled the C states and Intel Speedstep too, to reduce any power fluctuations, but that didn't work. It's just odd too seeing the Gigabyte and MSI boards I tried have the similar issue, but different. Gigabyte had no pop, but hissing noise through headphones on CPU usage, MSI had no pop (on an older realtek version), but a sizzle on audio channels opening.

    What else can you suggest I do?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
       #8

    I had a Gigabyte Z77 motherboard (gone as it had many problems but not audio - Gigabyte replaced it under warranty but the replacement wasn't any better) and Realtek and no problems with an ASUS Z77 motherboard, but I had a power supply fail and take out that board.

    I have three clients, I support, that all have HP PC's and Realtek and no problems (two I know for sure have latest Realtek drivers).

    I'm lost as to what to try next. As you have tweaked things, I would reset everything back to defaults and see what happens.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 57
    Windows 7 64 bit Professional
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Everything is at stock settings and I have thr most minimal hardware installed. I'll try the Asus sound card, it's not expensive and will do for now. Hopefully it works. I won't be happy about it though. I'll also give Asus another phone call
      My Computer


 

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