Breaking/Cracking Sound Problem (whilst recording or streaming)

mr.lambert · 07-13-2007, 05:42 AM

Hi there!!

i've recently come about a very serious (in my view :P) issue with my soundcard? (not 100% if it's the source)

i use such digital studios as Adobe Audition and Fruity Loops.
in the last few months, when either streaming or recording, the music/sound seems to get ahead of itself and break up, crack, stop - basically fall apart.
it feels like it hasn't 'buffered' enough?

i've just got 1.5mb RAM, and wiped my computer clean, and i've still got the same problem. is this my soundcard? if so... would i need to upgrade it??

many thanks!!!

95five-0 · 07-13-2007, 07:24 AM

There a few things you should try before getting new soundcard. First I would run a defrag on you computer. Next I would go to the manufactures website and download the lastest drivers for your sound card. If you do not know the make a model you can download everest (link in my signature). If this doesn't solve the problem try a different input cable. Let us know what you find.

mr.lambert · 07-13-2007, 10:56 AM

many thanks for the reply!

defrag.. i've only just wiped my computer.. should it still be defragmented??
drivers.. i'll have a look for updates

and cable, i have a high quality input, but.. a very low quality adaptor.. (to make it 3.5mm...)

i'll let you know about the updates!

**koala** · 07-13-2007, 11:07 AM

Do you have an ASIO driver installed, and is it configured in your audio software options to improve latency?

Click 'Project Brief' in the above link for instructions.

mr.lambert · 07-13-2007, 11:08 AM

i think... i just installed one today actually :S

just aquired Fruity Loops, and it comes with it?
is that the same thing?
many thanks

just looked at it..

should i increase my buffer size?
and the latency compensation...?
thanks! :)

**koala** · 07-13-2007, 11:10 AM

Check the version numbers of the ASIO drivers. If you have a recent version of Fruity Loops, then the included driver will be fine. You just need to configure it.

Do you have any other programs running while sound editing?

mr.lambert · 07-13-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koala

Check the version numbers of the ASIO drivers. If you have a recent version of Fruity Loops, then the included driver will be fine. You just need to configure it.

Do you have any other programs running while sound editing?

okay.

just asked some questions above ^

thats the only main problem.. the 'latency' or breaking/cracking..

**koala** · 07-13-2007, 11:16 AM

Set it to use the Hardware Buffer.

If you're working with 16bit sound files, tick the box for 'Force WDM driver to 16bit'.

What make/model is your soundcard, or if it's onboard what is the make/model of your motherboard?

Is your soundcard driver WDM compatible?

Try doubling the buffer size.

I'm not sure about the latency compensation options, but I guess higher numbers will give more accurate synchronisation and better latency.

mr.lambert · 07-13-2007, 11:20 AM

many thanks again.

im a bit confused about getting drivers..
everest says i hold:
an Intel AC'97 (82801DB ICH4)

and

windows MIDI out/wave in/wave out/mixer

im guessing its the first yes?

how can i find an up-to-date one?
i cant find it on the intel support site...!

**koala** · 07-13-2007, 11:23 AM

You can install the correct AC97 driver from your motherboard CD if you still have it. If not, then post back with the motherboard name from Everest. Go to Computer > Summary > Motherboard > Motherboard name/chipset.

mr.lambert · 07-13-2007, 11:24 AM

okay, i'll do my best.

really - thanks for this - means alot!

ebackhus · 07-13-2007, 01:25 PM

My laptop's audio will crackle once it gets too hot. If your machine doesn't have adequate cooling that may be the issue. You may also want to try turning down hardware acceleration. It can help, trust me.

mr.lambert · 07-14-2007, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebackhus

My laptop's audio will crackle once it gets too hot. If your machine doesn't have adequate cooling that may be the issue. You may also want to try turning down hardware acceleration. It can help, trust me.

okay.. so the acceleration was on full - and i've taken it down one step. that seem okay?

and also (sorry about these questions...)
someone in another forum suggested this:

Make sure you have no IRQ conflicts

Under the device manager tab, click view>Resources by connection>IRQ.
Make sure that your key hardware i.e video card, sound card or any other devices you have, have their own IRQ number. At the very minimum, make sure your video card and sound card have their own number and that nothing else has it.

If they do share a number, you have to power down and swap PCI slots. It sucks but it works.

if any of you know about this, is the following okay?

graphics controller:
PCI bus 0, device 2, function 0,

sound card:
PCI bus 0, device 31, function 5.

im guessing they're shared.. and i have to swap them??

many thanks

07-13-2007, 05:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
mr.lambert Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: XP	Breaking/Cracking Sound Problem (whilst recording or streaming) Hi there!! i've recently come about a very serious (in my view :P) issue with my soundcard? (not 100% if it's the source) i use such digital studios as Adobe Audition and Fruity Loops. in the last few months, when either streaming or recording, the music/sound seems to get ahead of itself and break up, crack, stop - basically fall apart. it feels like it hasn't 'buffered' enough? i've just got 1.5mb RAM, and wiped my computer clean, and i've still got the same problem. is this my soundcard? if so... would i need to upgrade it?? many thanks!!!

07-13-2007, 07:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
95five-0 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Corinth, TX Posts: 1,339 OS: 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008	Re: Breaking/Cracking Sound Problem (whilst recording or streaming) There a few things you should try before getting new soundcard. First I would run a defrag on you computer. Next I would go to the manufactures website and download the lastest drivers for your sound card. If you do not know the make a model you can download everest (link in my signature). If this doesn't solve the problem try a different input cable. Let us know what you find. __________________ "If it's really a supercomputer, how come the bullets don't bounce off when I shoot it ?" <<PC Pitstop>><< AVG Free>><<Spybot>><<Everest 2.0>><<Trend Micro House Call>><<HijackThis How-to>>

07-13-2007, 10:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
mr.lambert Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: XP	Re: Breaking/Cracking Sound Problem (whilst recording or streaming) many thanks for the reply! defrag.. i've only just wiped my computer.. should it still be defragmented?? drivers.. i'll have a look for updates and cable, i have a high quality input, but.. a very low quality adaptor.. (to make it 3.5mm...) i'll let you know about the updates!

07-13-2007, 11:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,341 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Breaking/Cracking Sound Problem (whilst recording or streaming) Do you have an ASIO driver installed, and is it configured in your audio software options to improve latency? Click 'Project Brief' in the above link for instructions. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here Last edited by koala; 07-13-2007 at 11:08 AM.

07-13-2007, 11:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
mr.lambert Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: XP	Re: Breaking/Cracking Sound Problem (whilst recording or streaming) i think... i just installed one today actually :S just aquired Fruity Loops, and it comes with it? is that the same thing? many thanks just looked at it.. should i increase my buffer size? and the latency compensation...? thanks! :) Last edited by mr.lambert; 07-13-2007 at 11:09 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost - Please wait 24 hours before bumping your thread

07-13-2007, 11:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,341 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Breaking/Cracking Sound Problem (whilst recording or streaming) Check the version numbers of the ASIO drivers. If you have a recent version of Fruity Loops, then the included driver will be fine. You just need to configure it. Do you have any other programs running while sound editing? __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

07-13-2007, 11:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,341 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Breaking/Cracking Sound Problem (whilst recording or streaming) Set it to use the Hardware Buffer. If you're working with 16bit sound files, tick the box for 'Force WDM driver to 16bit'. What make/model is your soundcard, or if it's onboard what is the make/model of your motherboard? Is your soundcard driver WDM compatible? Try doubling the buffer size. I'm not sure about the latency compensation options, but I guess higher numbers will give more accurate synchronisation and better latency. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here Last edited by koala; 07-13-2007 at 11:17 AM.

07-13-2007, 11:20 AM	#9 (permalink)
mr.lambert Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: XP	Re: Breaking/Cracking Sound Problem (whilst recording or streaming) many thanks again. im a bit confused about getting drivers.. everest says i hold: an Intel AC'97 (82801DB ICH4) and windows MIDI out/wave in/wave out/mixer im guessing its the first yes? how can i find an up-to-date one? i cant find it on the intel support site...!

07-13-2007, 11:23 AM	#10 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,341 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Breaking/Cracking Sound Problem (whilst recording or streaming) You can install the correct AC97 driver from your motherboard CD if you still have it. If not, then post back with the motherboard name from Everest. Go to Computer > Summary > Motherboard > Motherboard name/chipset. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

07-13-2007, 11:24 AM	#11 (permalink)
mr.lambert Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 OS: XP	Re: Breaking/Cracking Sound Problem (whilst recording or streaming) okay, i'll do my best. really - thanks for this - means alot!

07-13-2007, 01:25 PM	#12 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,254 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Breaking/Cracking Sound Problem (whilst recording or streaming) My laptop's audio will crackle once it gets too hot. If your machine doesn't have adequate cooling that may be the issue. You may also want to try turning down hardware acceleration. It can help, trust me. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.