Weird distortion under Stereo Mix?

[Gew]

Hi!

I have a ASUS motherboard with integrated VIA VT1708S chipset for audio. By default Windows 7 installs the generic Microsoft driver, which does not include Stereo Mix. Of course, I installed the correct drivers. However, I'm getting these strange artifacts. Hear this sample out. It's not a matter of clipping, I've tried sliding the input/output levels respectively down really much. The artifacts remains. I've also tried disabling all other recording devices except for Stereo Mix. Default device, default communication device, all set accordingly. Nothing beats this nut. Any ideas? I'd be much thankful.

 

[fireberd]

I have a recording studio (I use Sonar X2 Producer). I don't hear anything or at least can't tell, in the sample clip.

The ASUS site, for this model PC lists RealTek as the integrated audio chip. ASUS - Barebone PC- ASUS T3-P5G31A

Many RealTek systems come with an option for "Enhancements" such as reverb, echo, etc. Make sure you have them disabled, if yours has these.

 

[Gew]

Sorry, system specifications revolve an older system of mine. This is actually a M4A78T-E motherboard, whish uses the mentioned VIA chipset. And really, you can't hear the "buzzing" noise in the sample? At least to my ear it's pretty clear, and I'm not even close to an audiophile. It's a sample from one of the three songs that are included in Windows Media Player (Windows 7 Edition), so you could easily compare, if you're on a W7 box. Other ideas?

 

[Gew]

Tried another sample, using different software. Now, I recorded the simple "Test" sound coming from my output device, and recorded using Windows 7's own "Sound Recorder" (I used Audacity for the earlier sample). So, hear this sample out, and please tell me you don't hear the distortion?

 

[Essexboy]

And really, you can't hear the "buzzing" noise in the sample? At least to my ear it's pretty clear, and I'm not even close to an audiophile.

I can hear it really clearly in both samples, that would drive me nuts

I had a similar problem when using the "correct" VIA drivers for my MB although mine also gave a "pop" at the start of any application that fired a sound.
I went back to the MS drivers and the problems went away, so I guess it's buggy drivers. However sometime over the last week, Windows decided to update the drivers by itself to the VIA ones and my sound is now fine.

 

[fireberd]

I hear that "noise". Try the suggestions or fixes from Essexboy and see if that helps, as it sounds like he has had the same problem, assuming yours is not a "ground loop" hum problem.