Popping noise - my soundcard or motherboard?

[Keyz316]

Hey all -

I've just begun getting into softsynths and VST instruments, and I've noticed that when ever I play either a really thick patch or a strong chord some crackling/popping noise starts in the background. I've tried plugging my headphones (AKG K240M's) direct into my (cheap - Soundblaster Live value) soundcard and I still get the same (I thought at first it was my aging stereo-system causing it, but guess not). The problem is present with and without headphones. So maybe it's the soundcard (hopefully, since I plan on getting something much better in a week or two). The other things I could think it might be are my midi interface (USB Midiman Midisport 2x2), or my motherboard, which is an Asus A7V266-E (it has a VIA KT266A chipset - which I understood was "beyond" the audio-and-via-nightmares I've heard about... plus this board was being used at the time I built my system a few months ago by DawBox.com - not sure what boards they use now - before they displayed the exact ones they offer, now I can't find them).

Anyhow, if anyone can offer any advice on what is causing this and how to fix it, that would be great. My full system specs are below for your reference.

System Configuration:
AMD Athlon XP 1800+
Asus A7V266-E motherboard
512MB DDR2100 RAM from Crucial (1 DIMM)
Matrox Millenium G400 AGP 32MB Dualhead
Soundblaster Live Value
2 Maxtor D740X 40GB 7200RPM drives (1 system, 1 data)
Sony Spressa CRX140S SCSI burner
Accton EN1207D Ethernet adapter
Antec SX-840 case
USB Midiman Midisport 2x2
-- Controller: Ensoniq ZR-76 keyboard
Windows 2000 Professional (non-ACPI)
*All recent drivers/bios

Thanks!

[Roland Master]

You may be experiencing latency problems with the softsynth or VST instrument. Try increasing the buffering.

[LC]

Well I don't think it's the latency directly but yes it is the buffer. You get pops and noisyness when it's set too small. Increasing it might help but will increase your latency as well.

[eko1512]

It's the soundcard
Latency and buffers don't get along. Sounblaster sucks at both. Definately get another soundcard

Ermis

[Prince Makaha]

I've configured and troubleshooted DAWS since the early 1990s and it's almost always either an IRQ conflict or a device is sharing an IRQ with another device that requires lots of resources. Newer systems use ACPI and devices share IRQs. This is why so many people have problems using those usb audio interfaces. Imagine pumping audio through a usb interface while your sound card shares the same irq. PCI steering has it's limitations and it's better used in office systems.

[Hidden]

Am not sure if you are the one who e-mailed me recently, but anyway: I had a similar problem, and after disabling my 2 fast ethernet cards, the pop sounds disappeared. I tweaked the card settings a bit, set tresh to max (CNet) and 100 full duplex so that the system would not have to check using the autosense all the time. The soundcard has it´s own irq and I re-installed Win2k as a Standard PC system (both control panel and BIOS).

Hope this helps.

BTW: My next motherboard will NOT have a VIA chipset.. but Intel. Intel CPU and Intel chipset. Best combination.

[Boom]

Originally posted by Keyz316
The other things I could think it might be are my midi interface (USB Midiman Midisport 2x2), or my motherboard, which is an Asus A7V266-E (it has a VIA KT266A chipset - which I understood was "beyond" the audio-and-via-nightmares I've heard about... plus this board was being used at the time I built my system a few months ago by DawBox.com - not sure what boards they use now - before they displayed the exact ones they offer, now I can't find them).


Thanks!

Try plugging your keyboard into the SB Live's game port and unplug the Midisport to see if the problem is still there. If you dont use anything else USB disable USB in your device manager. IMHO USB and digital audio doesnt really mix and it can cause alot of problems. Its not your motherboard, but could be your soundcard.

[wetwareinterface]

its definately your buffer settings under the asio control panel. you should be at a latency somewhere near 70-100 ms with the live. if you tried to boost your performance below that mark your gonna get popping and clicking sounds. the live is not a good asio card at all (unless you hack the drivers to the emu aps series)

[Styrerra]

Originally posted by Hidden
Am not sure if you are the one who e-mailed me recently, but anyway: I had a similar problem, and after disabling my 2 fast ethernet cards, the pop sounds disappeared. I tweaked the card settings a bit, set tresh to max (CNet) and 100 full duplex so that the system would not have to check using the autosense all the time. The soundcard has it´s own irq and I re-installed Win2k as a Standard PC system (both control panel and BIOS).

Hope this helps.

BTW: My next motherboard will NOT have a VIA chipset.. but Intel. Intel CPU and Intel chipset. Best combination.

Also check the air in your tires!



J\K

check you buffer settings and reply if worked or this will go on.

I think the APS drivers don't work for 2K if I remember correctly

[Hidden]

Darned I forgot to mention the brake lights! :D