mark hillis

HI,

I have been using Magix Studio with an inexpensive mic for experimental music recording on my PC for awhile...got a new Dell, upgraded memory and newer Soundblaster Live and when I record a track and play it back I get a buzz/static sound. I don't know if it's interference or what. I've been on Dell's support line but no resolution yet. Don't know much about mics but this is the same mic I used on previous computer with no problem. I've been told that perhaps I need a mic with battery power rather than the one I'm using. I've tried every setting change I can find, my windows mixer has everything muted except mic in and volume. I've read about environmental frequency problems and all kinds of stuff...Any directions for me? Could it must be the mic even though it worked fine with the older version Soundblaster card?

dai

welcome to the forum
try the kx drivers
http://www.kxproject.com
some have reported success in eliminating the problem by using them

Cyb

Dai,

What if the chassis was causing the pops and ticks and other staticy type catch words. SB Live 24-bit, P4, SCSI PCI, ATI PCIE gfx, front and back ports (via a cable connected to the SB Live). Front and back ports produce static. Disconnect the cable from the soundcard to the front ports, no static. Take apart the chassis and disconnect the little card in the front of the computer which holds a second mic/line-in and line-out port, 4 USBs, and firewire port and the front and back work beautifully. I have no option to "not use" the front ports. Evidently the chassis is creating some sort of ground loop. Let me know if you've ever heard of this and if you know of a solution off of the top of your head.

Cyb

dai

i don't know there have been a number of posts on the problem and yours is the first one to narrow it down
it sounds like a bad connection or a short have you been in touch with creative support they must be aware of the problem,there have been to many posts about it for them not to have had complaints even if it is not their fault
http://dmzweb3.europe.creative.com:8...,Case=obj(2538)
every time i check the link it tells me it does not exist so i will paste it
Creative Sound Cards - Essential Troubleshooting
If you have difficulty installing a new Sound Blaster audio product
Sound card used to function properly, but since installation of new software or hardware it does not work
No sound from your Sound Blaster card
Speaker problems
Bad or Poor Sound Quality
Remove all unnecessary hardware to free up resources
Disable all unused on-board devices (e.g. onboard sound, serial ports)
System Performance: Try a more moderate setting if your system is set up for maximum performance. (possible settings: "Turbo", "Optimal", "Normal", etc.)
VGA Shared Memory Size: Try increasing this if you have an onboard graphics card
AGP Aperture Size (MB): Set this to half the system's RAM or lower
Peer Concurrency: Toggle this setting
PCI 2.1 Support: PCI 2.1 must be enabled
Spread Spectrum Control: Toggle this setting
PCI Latency Timer: Try different values, starting with 32
Memory Hole: Toggle this setting
AGP Fast Writes: Enable this setting if your graphics card supports it
PNP(Plug and Play) Aware OS: Try setting this to No
Update the BIOS of your system, if none of the above steps solve the problem
Try lowering the Hardware Acceleration of the Graphics Card:

Windows 9x:
Right-click on My Computer, choose Properties - Performance - Graphics (set down 1 notch, then restart the system; if necessary, repeat procedure)

Windows XP/2000:
Right-click on your desktop, choose Properties - Settings - Advanced - Troubleshoot (set down 1 notch, then restart the system; if necessary, repeat procedure
Error Messages
Sound Blaster Software

Cyb

Dai,

Yes, we have been in touch with Creative, they are the ones that had us disconnect the front board away from the chassis and we discovered that the chassis is what is creating the ground loop/noise. The PC manufacturing company (no names necessary) is working to put out a different piece that the board will rest in as to solve the grounding problem.
If anyone that you know having the problem is using the Abit IC7 Motherboard (I may have the wrong Manufacturer, it was a late night when I discovered this), they have addressed this issue in a long, long, long thread found on their website. Evidently the motherboard was creating the problem and they are RMA'ing those things left and right. They are sending everyone an updated motherboard with a new revision number or something.
If those same people that you know are trying to use the front ports, tell them to take their chassis apart and leave the card hanging in the air, connected only by the cables. Tell them to make sure the card is not touching any metal whatsoever. If they still have the problem, it may be the motherboard. If not, it's the chassis. At least that's what we've discovered.

Cyb

dai

ok thanks