Stereo Mix Distortion (Win7x64 HT Striker 7.1)

[ThatEnglishDude]

Hey Seven forums,

So I finally got the infamous Stereo Mix to work. Well, sorta. I have an issue whereby my spoken voice will be clear, yet the computer sounds are really...scratchy and distorted. As if it's being played too loud (yet it's volume is fine - without the scratching of course)

The odd thing is, I'll do a test record and it will be fine. I won't touch NOTHING, do another test and the problem will return. I have tried setting my playback volume and recording volume of the stereo mix to 60%, as with FME (Flash Media Encoder) recording volume. Turning it any lower just makes both my voice, and the computer too quiet to distinguish.

Using the latest drivers on a HT Striker 7.1 Sound Card.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[fireberd]

I have a Striker 7.1 sound card.

Have you tried setting the microphone recording level, instead of the Stereo Mix recording level? Also, have you tried using the Windows Sound Recorder rather than whatever you are using?

Is the recorded mic voice the ONLY playback problem?

 

[ThatEnglishDude]

Thank you for your response,

I've tried what you suggested but it makes no difference. Any other suggestions?

 

[ThatEnglishDude]

Here's an example of what I mean. Note how it's scratchy. The actual sound of the music is fine otherwise.

 

[fireberd]

Yes, it sounds distorted and overdriven. If you play a commercial music CD or some other music, not generated on your PC is it OK or is it distorted too?

I have a home recording studio using Sonar (X1). If I record something too high and it distorts and clips it will sound like what you have.

One other thought, have you disabled the on board Realtek integrated audio? Make sure it's disabled in the BIOS or it can conflict and even cause the problem you are hearing. I worked with a user on the Dell Users Forum that was getting distortion with a newly installed SoundBlaster sound card and it turned out the user had not disabled the integrated audio and as soon as he did the distortion problem went away.

 

[ThatEnglishDude]

When I do a sample of my voice (or anything being recorded through the physical microphone) it sounds perfect. So I guess it's to do with audio volume levels.

I've messed with these volume settings and nothing seems to make a difference. Lowering the volume just makes everything quiet, and the static is still there. Any other ideas? What makes it frustrating is that FRAPS performs this same operation seamlessly and with no problem whatsoever. I don't even need to enable stereo mix.

I've even tried unmuting the microphone slider on the first image, but it changes nothing and if anything - makes it worse. I've even tried setting everything to the same volume - but nothing.

I made another discovery. Since reinstalling the HT drivers yesterday - Even if I disable stereo mix, I have a strange issue whereby I'll be playing music, then if my Skype program bleeps from receiving a new message, or any other sound comes through - my music will mute, and after the sound byte from the program has ended, the music will return but in lower volume, without me changing anything.

 

[ThatEnglishDude]

Maybe something in the Xear3D settings is causing it. (Btw I turned off Azalia audio in BIOS and some of the unavailable playback devices are no longer showing - which is good. But it still does the distort effect, so...it's not good)

So as you can see on this clip - http://www.justin.tv/madoverdose/b/283144743 it works fine

Then I tried streaming with a friend watching and the song I played sounded really static like. It's so frustrating. I'll do say 3 tests and it will work flawlessly, then the fourth time (or even fifth) it will just randomly decide to not work again.

 

[fireberd]

You have only been referencing microphone recording and the problem. As I asked previously, what happens when you play a commercial music CD? or some other known good audio file? Do you get the noise or distortion on that?

 

[fireberd]

Update, I looked at my Striker control panel. I do not have any DSP Effect. DTS is not shown in my DSP Mode block.
I am not using any Effects.

 

[ThatEnglishDude]

The sound distorts from anything coming from the PC. Not just music. It just happens really sporadically. As for the Striker options, everything is now disabled but no luck still. Could you post your (presumably working) screenshots for the control panel.

 

[fireberd]

Here is my Striker 7.1 control panel.

 

[ThatEnglishDude]

Changing my settings to match yours didn't help things either. Could it simply be the headset?

I just do not understand why it will perhaps work for a short while, then out of nowhere just change and become distorted again.

 

[fireberd]

The next time it happens, wiggle the headset plug, that is plugged into the PC and see if that fixes it. Could be bad connection. If it only happens with this headset, try a different one or try this headset into a different computer.

 

[ThatEnglishDude]

Fireberd, thank you for your continued support.

I tried what you suggested, I tried a different pair of headphones and it worked once or twice, then it just started doing what it used to. I then tried both pairs on the front panel audio jacks. I honestly have no idea where to go from here. Anyone else have this issue?

 

[fireberd]

What happens if you remove the Striker 7.1 sound card (just remove the card, don't uninstall the drivers) and go back to the RealTek audio? Do you also get the distortion/noise with the RealTek?

 

[ThatEnglishDude]

Haha, it's funny you mention that. I just spent the last 30 minutes or so doing that very thing and I didn't see your message.

I unplugged the soundcard and enabled Realtek through the BIOS. I got playback (which sounded pretty awful to be honest) but my microphone refused to work. It would constantly show around 3 green bars despite me not talking and wouldn't actually record anything. I then uninstalled HT Striker and used the Realtek drivers found on the sticky located at the top of this forum. No difference. (Yes, of course I moved the headset jacks into the motherboard jacks lol) but like I said, no luck.

I then thought maybe it was the PCI-E port. So I plugged the sound card into another slot and reinstalled HT Striker, removed Realtek and disabled it from BIOS, went to test..and..........NO CHANGE. My best guess would be something is dodgy with the card, or my Windows installation - I dunno.

But hey, I DO have one question:

Upon searching through my computer parts box, I come across a digital optical sound cable. I'm only really bringing this up because I purchased a new 27" Samsung monitor yesterday (it's amazing!) and noticed it has it's own optical port, and sound profile which I am able to choose from playback options. Now obviously, the monitor has no speakers. My question is, can this cable be used in any way in conjunction with my headset in order to create this desirable Stereo Mix effect? Really, what can I do with this cable. All I can see doing is plugging it from the back of the monitor to my sound card...but why would I?

I plugged it into the monitors 'DIGITAL AUDIO OUT' port to my Digital Port on the Sound card and I can hear sound through my headset with it, but there seems to be no difference whatsoever.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Do you have "listen to this device" checked on the listen tab of stereo mix properties? If so, uncheck it.

 

[ThatEnglishDude]

That is all unchecked!

 

[ThatEnglishDude]

No more suggestions then?

 

[Sardonicus]

I would double check all connections.
Make sure you don't have an exposed connector or anything medal touching part of the motherboard.
You might try a partial re-assembly.