Solved Sound Cracking (Z77-D3H)

[fireberd]

The issue on this thread turned out to be the USB headset and not something with the PC hardware or Windows.

Pops and crackles, or either one by itself, is a common complaint. If you scan through the many posts here you will see you are not alone. Problem is, there is no "one fix" for the problem. The DPC latency tester on both of my new systems consistently runs under 100usec. One is a Gigabyte Z77X UD5H with an i7 3770 CPU that I use in my recording studio system and the other is an ASRock Z77 Professional motherboard and an i5 3550 CPU. Both have RealTek integrated sound for PC audio applications (I don't use the RealTek when the PC is used for my recording studio) and I don't have the pops/crackles problem.

 

[BogusBoo]

Hi,

Sorry for the late reply guys, i switched ISPs, had net problems :/

Solace, It does sound somewhat like that, i have isolated the problem to my headphones (Plantronics 780). I found something that works for now, but causes a new problem:

- Uninstall All Headphone Drivers (Plantronics 780)

- Insert USB Headphones into USB 3.0 Slot

- Sound crackling should be gone, but you can not use 7.1 Surround (which comes with headphones).

- Introduces a new problem. Sound will randomly cut out.

fireberd, will not close the thread yet. I have requested a warranty replacement, i still wish to find if it is my paticular set of Headphones or if it's the brand/drivers.

 

[fireberd]

I'll keep this on my open watch list until you get the final resolution (bad headset or compatibility issue).

 

[BogusBoo]

Hi,

The sound crackling disappears when i use USB 3, it reappears with usb 2 though. I have a new problem, which is, of course, bearable but extremely annoying.

My sound randomly cuts out (with USB 3.0, not 2.0 but 2.0 has crackling) after some time, reinserting the usb of the headphones back into the socket fixes it temporarily, but it comes back in a short course of time. Disabling and Re-Enabling in device manager also does the same, temporary fix. I have done everything i can think of, including reinstalling the headset drivers, keeping them uninstalled, installed etc to no avail.

Any ideas what is happening now? Thanks

 

[fireberd]

This now sounds like some type of possible hardware or USB driver issue rather than an actual "sound" issue.

The problem has manifested itself as some type of sound issue but in fact it is not "sound".

My Gigabyte Z77X UD5H USB 3.0 controller has an Intel driver. The other USB have the built in Microsoft drivers. If you haven't installed any driver updates, including the Intel motherboard chipset drivers, that would be a good place to start. Check the Gigabyte downloads for your specific motherboard.

 

[BogusBoo]

Hey,

I have installed and reinstalled all the USB Drivers i can find (Etron USB 3.0 and Intel 3.0), the problem is still here, even when using the latest from the website or DVD.

 

[fireberd]

I don't remember, but does audio either to the PC speakers or a regular headset do this? Also, without looking back over this thread, did I have you try the DPC latency checker to see if shows up anything? DPC Latency Checker

We are basically back at square one.

 

[BogusBoo]

Hi,

I'll track my next sound cutoff with the DPC Latency Checker. It does not happen with speakers, only with my USB Connection. It does not happen with my keyboard or mouse which are USB.

EDIT: Cutoff was not recorded in DPC latency checker

 

[fireberd]

You probably would not notice the apparent problem with many USB devices such as the keyboard and mouse.

 

[BogusBoo]

Yeah.

I left my PC on for around 10 Hours, with my pc playing music (headphones muted), no disconnection.

I have also noticed this hardly happens when i'm not playing a game.

 

[fireberd]

I'm not sure where or which way to go with this, now. But, it does appear its not actually the sound module but something else interferring with or causing the problems.

 

[BogusBoo]

I noticed that my sound, as i said before, does not disconnect on USB 2.0, but crackling is there instead. I don't really have any way of finding out if it's a problem with my headphones + usb 3, since no other computers i have are usb 3.0.

I have no other audio devices used right now either, and i have not had a reply from warranty. Hopefully they'll reply soon, it has been 2 weeks.

 

[fireberd]

Two weeks is too long. The should have responded in at least two working days.

 

[BogusBoo]

Yeah, i'm really suprised. They told me to give some proof of purchase, i emailed it back to them and i never got a reply (they said between 5-7 working days).

EDIT: I just got this error. "Windows Media Player cannot play the file because there is a problem with your sound device. There might not be a sound device installed on your computer, it might be in use by another program, or it might not be functioning properly."

When my sound cuts out, media player starts malfunctioning and so does windows when concerning Playback devices or any audio/hardware monitor software.

Also, mic still works..!??

 

[fireberd]

I wish I could offer some more help but I'm out of suggestions. But, I'm convinced its not actually a sound device problem but something else interferring or interrupting the sound and causing the problem.

 

[BogusBoo]

Hi,

I got a reply from warranty, with instructions how to send it back. I'll try the headset on some other computers, etc and uninstall/reinstall some programs, i doubt i'll come up with something but here goes nothing.

EDIT: Some more info about my problem

When recording with fraps, while hearing crackling (USB 2.0), there is no signs of crackling whatsoever in the end product. It does not record any kind of crackling.

When playing games, and if my audio crashes (USB 3.0), sometimes the game freezes (same with windows applications).

I went through and stopped/ended almost every process/service that was not connected to windows, to no avail (USB 2.0)

 

[fireberd]

With system crashing that really indicates either a hardware problem on the motherboard (could even be memory or CPU), or a add on card such as Video card causing the problem. Or a software conflict causing the problem. Either way it doesn't look like a problem with the PC's sound device.

You could elminate the Video Card (and/or the PCIe bus) by physically removing the video card and use the Intel video built into the CPU. My gigabyte motherboard has a DVI connection on the motherboard I/O panel, and what I'm using for Graphics, although I don't do much gaming. I think the i5 has the Intel HD3000 video (but not sure of what HD version the i5's have).

 

[BogusBoo]

Hey fireberd,

I might try and connect a spare NVIDIA Card i have, but i doubt the problem is with the video card.

I tried multiple USB Hubs, including a very secure one to stop it disconnecting accidentally, but it still has problems.

I'm currently using it in USB 3.0, with the usb hub to headset usb right below my monitor in a very, very crude, makeshift, emotionally disturbing and sad position where i can reconnect the usb as soon as the sound crashes (sad).

One thing i noticed, is that when i first used the usb hub, i didn't notice any crackling (in usb 2.0) for a few hours, then it came and did not leave.

I really have no clue what is going on with my PC at the moment, between the bluescreening and sound crackling/crashing, i'm really stumped.

I'll give the headphones another go on a different PC today (usb 2).

EDIT: Also, in my Device Manager, there is an unrecognized "Other Devices" - "Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller". Not sure if its connected, but worth a mention.

 

[fireberd]

I would send it back for the warranty service (hopefully replacement).

 

[BogusBoo]

Thanks, i'll do that asap and hope for the best.

again, thanks a lot for all your help