[Links Fixed]
I recently struggled with a difficult click/pop issue with my laptop over USB to an external dac, and found a fix (in my case, it required replacing the laptop power supply).
I thought I'd share the results of my investigation. Hopefully it may help others struggling with similar issues. This info is scattered all over the web, consolidating best bits here.
DPC latency checker DPC Latency Checker
- Look for DPC latency spikes. If they coincide with glitches:
Latency Mon Resplendence Software - LatencyMon: suitability checker for real-time audio and other tasks Resplendence Software - LatencyMon: suitability checker for real-time audio and other tasks
- Use it to find drivers that cause excess dpc latency and focus on fixing these: go to drivers tab, sort under highest execution (ms)
- List of common driver issues: Solving DPC Latency Issues - SweetCare
Fixed Windows 7 Sound (Popping, Cracking & Skipping) | Fixed Windows 7 Sound (Popping, Cracking & Skipping) | Corey DeGrandchamp
- Playback devices-> choose dac-> properties-> enhancements tab->disable all sound effects
- if both the ethernet port and wireless were active at the same time, I would get multiple svchost.exe spikes and the system would skip. I use wireless at my house so I disabled the ethernet port, since then no problems.
- Disabling everything in Network Connections except for the Wi-fi adapter stopped the cracking right off.
- Disable nvidia geforce powerizer
Optimizing Windows for Audio – Ableton
- Update drivers
- Use large audio buffers
- Run->Msconfig->disable unnecessary start up programs
- If graphics problem, Torches utility of PC but: Run-> SystemPropertiesPerformance ->Visual Effects tab->Adjust for best performance
- Turn off internet disable Anti-Virus
- disable Bluetooth
- Power options: Control Panel -> System and Security -> Power Options-> High Performance
- Control Panel ->System and Security ->System -> Device Manager -> Right Click each USB Root Hub->Choose Properties -> Power Management-> Make sure "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power " is unticked.
- Generally not recommended as it makes PC run hot and fan to spool up, but if cpu is bottleneck: Power Options -> Change Plan Setting -> Change Advanced Plan Setting -> Processor Power Management-> Set Minimum Processor State to 100%.
awful clicking audio on PC - General Banter - We Are The Music Makers Forums
- update bios
- update foobar
- turn off wifi and antivirus
- increase asio/wasapi process priority in foobar
- disable system sounds
- Try Wasapi event
https://www.cantabilesoftware.com/glitchfree/
- More drastic changes that will affect PC operation but may fix issue
Other
- Start > Settings > Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance Settings > Advanced Tab > Adjust for best performance of Background Services
- Paul McGowan (PS Audio): connect the computer to the Dac through a USB hub, .. offers a degree of isolation between the computer and the DAC, though its not complete
- 3 prong ac brick for laptop may cause ground loops leading to issues. Replace with double insulated power brick
Other resources
https://support.audient.com/hc/en-us/articles/202335209-Optimising-Windows-Computers-For-Audio
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/eradicating-pc-audio-clicks-pops
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/optimising-latency-pc-audio-interface
https://support.native-instruments....1729-Windows-Tuning-Tips-for-Audio-Processing
https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/en/technology/usb-audio-optimizing-windows-directsound-wasapi-asio
[MODS: I accidentally posted this in DACs section, please delete over there and keep here]
I recently struggled with a difficult click/pop issue with my laptop over USB to an external dac, and found a fix (in my case, it required replacing the laptop power supply).
I thought I'd share the results of my investigation. Hopefully it may help others struggling with similar issues. This info is scattered all over the web, consolidating best bits here.
DPC latency checker DPC Latency Checker
- Look for DPC latency spikes. If they coincide with glitches:
Latency Mon Resplendence Software - LatencyMon: suitability checker for real-time audio and other tasks Resplendence Software - LatencyMon: suitability checker for real-time audio and other tasks
- Use it to find drivers that cause excess dpc latency and focus on fixing these: go to drivers tab, sort under highest execution (ms)
- List of common driver issues: Solving DPC Latency Issues - SweetCare
Fixed Windows 7 Sound (Popping, Cracking & Skipping) | Fixed Windows 7 Sound (Popping, Cracking & Skipping) | Corey DeGrandchamp
- Playback devices-> choose dac-> properties-> enhancements tab->disable all sound effects
- if both the ethernet port and wireless were active at the same time, I would get multiple svchost.exe spikes and the system would skip. I use wireless at my house so I disabled the ethernet port, since then no problems.
- Disabling everything in Network Connections except for the Wi-fi adapter stopped the cracking right off.
- Disable nvidia geforce powerizer
Optimizing Windows for Audio – Ableton
- Update drivers
- Use large audio buffers
- Run->Msconfig->disable unnecessary start up programs
- If graphics problem, Torches utility of PC but: Run-> SystemPropertiesPerformance ->Visual Effects tab->Adjust for best performance
- Turn off internet disable Anti-Virus
- disable Bluetooth
- Power options: Control Panel -> System and Security -> Power Options-> High Performance
- Control Panel ->System and Security ->System -> Device Manager -> Right Click each USB Root Hub->Choose Properties -> Power Management-> Make sure "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power " is unticked.
- Generally not recommended as it makes PC run hot and fan to spool up, but if cpu is bottleneck: Power Options -> Change Plan Setting -> Change Advanced Plan Setting -> Processor Power Management-> Set Minimum Processor State to 100%.
awful clicking audio on PC - General Banter - We Are The Music Makers Forums
- update bios
- update foobar
- turn off wifi and antivirus
- increase asio/wasapi process priority in foobar
- disable system sounds
- Try Wasapi event
https://www.cantabilesoftware.com/glitchfree/
- More drastic changes that will affect PC operation but may fix issue
Other
- Start > Settings > Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance Settings > Advanced Tab > Adjust for best performance of Background Services
- Paul McGowan (PS Audio): connect the computer to the Dac through a USB hub, .. offers a degree of isolation between the computer and the DAC, though its not complete
- 3 prong ac brick for laptop may cause ground loops leading to issues. Replace with double insulated power brick
Other resources
https://support.audient.com/hc/en-us/articles/202335209-Optimising-Windows-Computers-For-Audio
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/eradicating-pc-audio-clicks-pops
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/optimising-latency-pc-audio-interface
https://support.native-instruments....1729-Windows-Tuning-Tips-for-Audio-Processing
https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/en/technology/usb-audio-optimizing-windows-directsound-wasapi-asio
[MODS: I accidentally posted this in DACs section, please delete over there and keep here]
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