MP3's click (and crackle), something screws the FILES

dnlxl · 12-06-2008, 05:41 PM

And this is how that sounds:
http://allineed.hit.bg/aghrt.mp3
Rhythmical, mensurable clicks!...

All that began when I replaced my old harddisk some time ago.
I was thinking that it was the new hdd that causes the problem, but now I dont know

Yesterday I bought a new one, installed new Windows XPSP3 on it, the same thing goes on....

I use my PC mostly for music, so that's a HUGE issue for me,
PLEASE help

dnlxl · 12-06-2008, 07:49 PM

Sound Blaster Live! 5.1

dnlxl · 12-06-2008, 07:50 PM

Sound Blaster Live! 5.1

polishpaul · 12-07-2008, 04:56 AM

Are these MP3's recorded on your system? Could the interference be added while ripping? Can you take known good MP3's from elsewhere and play them - do they have the click as well?

dnlxl · 12-07-2008, 06:39 AM

No, no matter how I get the mp3's on my computer I get the clicks (and distortion of high frequencies).
Directly downloading mp3's, extracting mp3's from .rar's / .zip's, copying the files from a CD, always.
Also, on the sample mp3 I uploaded, the first track is the song, the second is the song's instrumental, totatally different mp3. No matter the version of the mp3 of a particular song the clicks are always the same (even on a song instrumental).

dnlxl · 12-07-2008, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polishpaul

Are these MP3's recorded on your system? Could the interference be added while ripping? Can you take known good MP3's from elsewhere and play them - do they have the click as well?

No, no matter how I get the mp3's on my computer I get the clicks (and distortion of high frequencies).
Directly downloading mp3's, extracting mp3's from .rar's / .zip's, copying the files from a CD, always.
Also, on the sample mp3 I uploaded, the first track is the song, the second is the song's instrumental, totatally different mp3. No matter the version of the mp3 of a particular song the clicks are always the same (even on a song instrumental).

**Pauldo** · 12-07-2008, 01:02 PM

What's your motherboard make/model #>

Have you tried moving your soundcard to a different pci slot?

Pauldo

polishpaul · 12-07-2008, 01:32 PM

hmm... That is a stumper... how about trying headphones (maybe the speakers are having issues?).

Also, could it be a noise on the AC line, or even some kind of RF interference from something else around you? Do you have lots of equipment connected to the same circuit in the house as the computer?

Oh wait a minute... that can't be.

The sample you uploaded has the clicks IN THE RECORDING - even i can hear. So it can't be what i just mentioned... Its the MP3 itself. OR did you record that sample on your PC for us and now it has clicks? Are you absolutely sure that an MP3 you download has the same problem? What about listening to other things, CD, web-broadcast?

Maybe reinstalling audio drivers can help?

dnlxl · 12-07-2008, 06:18 PM

EliteGroup ECS 848P-A MainBoard P4 FSB 800

Yes, I've moved the sound card to different slots, I left it in the bottom one and my hdd is at the top cd-rom place, no success at all.

btw. Today I've installed Ubuntu Linux, same thing, it's a hardware related problem for sure.

Thanks Pauldo for replying.

dnlxl · 12-07-2008, 06:43 PM

I'm 1 year+ sure since I'm into instrumentals/beatmaking I work with mp3's constantly, the whole situation is like a damn curse to me

I've tried all the available sb live drivers... Even under Ubuntu Linux it is still the same.
btw. same goes for video files too, they are always screwed (.avi's mpg's etc.)

I've been asked on another thread - my motherboard is
EliteGroup ECS 848P-A MainBoard P4 FSB 800

polishpaul · 12-07-2008, 07:55 PM

I'm not questioning your expertise

I mean, heck, who provides a graph and an actual example!

I'm just trying to go through certain steps to gather info. Please answer these questions - this allows me to help you troubleshoot.

Ok, what concerns me is that the MP3 you gave us has the problem, and I can hear it on my PC. This would indicate the MP3 as the fault. Did you record this on your PC for us If so then we captured the noise that your PC is getting hit with and the MP3 is not the problem.
Also, you haven't told us if another speakers or headphones exhibit the same problem Please try another set and see if the problem is still there.
What about other equipment that you have - it is possible some of your other recording equipment may be creating interference in some way. This can be wireless, cable crosstalk, AC power noise, cable shielding noise. (speakers, cables and mikes may pick some stuff up). Please describe your setup in detail

and just to make sure i'm on the same page... what i'm hearing is a very quiet POP that's occuring at the same exact beat as the music. This sounds like an old vinyl record pop - is this what we're talking about here? Its exactly on the beat with the song. Also, i don't hear it at the beginning of the song.. only when the beats get going...

One more edit.. An idea just popped into my mind... are you sure you don't have any audio filters/effects on to create an old time vinyl sound effect? I know my audio card has special effects that make it sound like a hallway, underwater etc. Check those too maybe???

12-06-2008, 05:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
dnlxl Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 7 OS: XP SP3	MP3's click (and crackle), something screws the FILES And this is how that sounds: http://allineed.hit.bg/aghrt.mp3 Rhythmical, mensurable clicks!... All that began when I replaced my old harddisk some time ago. I was thinking that it was the new hdd that causes the problem, but now I dont know Yesterday I bought a new one, installed new Windows XPSP3 on it, the same thing goes on.... I use my PC mostly for music, so that's a HUGE issue for me, PLEASE help

12-06-2008, 07:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
dnlxl Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 7 OS: XP SP3	Re: MP3's click (and crackle), something screws the FILES Sound Blaster Live! 5.1

12-06-2008, 07:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
dnlxl Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 7 OS: XP SP3	Re: MP3's click (and crackle), something screws the FILES Sound Blaster Live! 5.1

12-07-2008, 04:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
polishpaul Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Warsaw, Poland / Newark, DE USA Posts: 152 OS: WIN: XP, XP64, Vista64, Server 2003, Server 2008, 95 (for old games). Linux: vaious flavors	Re: MP3's click (and crackle), something screws the FILES Are these MP3's recorded on your system? Could the interference be added while ripping? Can you take known good MP3's from elsewhere and play them - do they have the click as well?

12-07-2008, 06:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
dnlxl Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 7 OS: XP SP3	Re: MP3's click (and crackle), something screws the FILES No, no matter how I get the mp3's on my computer I get the clicks (and distortion of high frequencies). Directly downloading mp3's, extracting mp3's from .rar's / .zip's, copying the files from a CD, always. Also, on the sample mp3 I uploaded, the first track is the song, the second is the song's instrumental, totatally different mp3. No matter the version of the mp3 of a particular song the clicks are always the same (even on a song instrumental).

12-07-2008, 01:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pauldo Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 1,444 OS: winXP Pro sp3 My System	Re: MP3's click (and crackle), something screws the FILES What's your motherboard make/model #> Have you tried moving your soundcard to a different pci slot? Pauldo __________________ SystemSpec \| Power Supply Info \| How to Post a Screen shot \| Speedfan[/center]

12-07-2008, 01:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
polishpaul Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Warsaw, Poland / Newark, DE USA Posts: 152 OS: WIN: XP, XP64, Vista64, Server 2003, Server 2008, 95 (for old games). Linux: vaious flavors	Re: MP3's click (and crackle), something screws the FILES hmm... That is a stumper... how about trying headphones (maybe the speakers are having issues?). Also, could it be a noise on the AC line, or even some kind of RF interference from something else around you? Do you have lots of equipment connected to the same circuit in the house as the computer? Oh wait a minute... that can't be. The sample you uploaded has the clicks IN THE RECORDING - even i can hear. So it can't be what i just mentioned... Its the MP3 itself. OR did you record that sample on your PC for us and now it has clicks? Are you absolutely sure that an MP3 you download has the same problem? What about listening to other things, CD, web-broadcast? Maybe reinstalling audio drivers can help?

12-07-2008, 06:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
dnlxl Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 7 OS: XP SP3	Re: MP3's click (and crackle), something screws the FILES EliteGroup ECS 848P-A MainBoard P4 FSB 800 Yes, I've moved the sound card to different slots, I left it in the bottom one and my hdd is at the top cd-rom place, no success at all. btw. Today I've installed Ubuntu Linux, same thing, it's a hardware related problem for sure. Thanks Pauldo for replying. Last edited by dnlxl; 12-07-2008 at 06:23 PM.

12-07-2008, 06:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
dnlxl Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 7 OS: XP SP3	Re: MP3's click (and crackle), something screws the FILES I'm 1 year+ sure since I'm into instrumentals/beatmaking I work with mp3's constantly, the whole situation is like a damn curse to me I've tried all the available sb live drivers... Even under Ubuntu Linux it is still the same. btw. same goes for video files too, they are always screwed (.avi's mpg's etc.) I've been asked on another thread - my motherboard is EliteGroup ECS 848P-A MainBoard P4 FSB 800

12-07-2008, 07:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
polishpaul Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Warsaw, Poland / Newark, DE USA Posts: 152 OS: WIN: XP, XP64, Vista64, Server 2003, Server 2008, 95 (for old games). Linux: vaious flavors	Re: MP3's click (and crackle), something screws the FILES I'm not questioning your expertise I mean, heck, who provides a graph and an actual example! I'm just trying to go through certain steps to gather info. Please answer these questions - this allows me to help you troubleshoot. Ok, what concerns me is that the MP3 you gave us has the problem, and I can hear it on my PC. This would indicate the MP3 as the fault. Did you record this on your PC for us If so then we captured the noise that your PC is getting hit with and the MP3 is not the problem. Also, you haven't told us if another speakers or headphones exhibit the same problem Please try another set and see if the problem is still there. What about other equipment that you have - it is possible some of your other recording equipment may be creating interference in some way. This can be wireless, cable crosstalk, AC power noise, cable shielding noise. (speakers, cables and mikes may pick some stuff up). Please describe your setup in detail and just to make sure i'm on the same page... what i'm hearing is a very quiet POP that's occuring at the same exact beat as the music. This sounds like an old vinyl record pop - is this what we're talking about here? Its exactly on the beat with the song. Also, i don't hear it at the beginning of the song.. only when the beats get going... One more edit.. An idea just popped into my mind... are you sure you don't have any audio filters/effects on to create an old time vinyl sound effect? I know my audio card has special effects that make it sound like a hallway, underwater etc. Check those too maybe??? Last edited by polishpaul; 12-07-2008 at 07:59 PM.