Problems With Audio (Crackling/Popping)

[TripleBBB93]

I am having issues with my audio, particularly if I redline or go off track. When in redline (even by a little bit) I am getting a lot of crackling/popping in the sound. When I go off track, the sound quality is quite poor and doesn't sound like any game play videos I have watched. I would say the overall sound experience is poorer than the game play videos I have watched, but is particulary bad when redlining. Basically anytime there is a spike in sound, a get the crackling.

Setup is Win 7, Core i5-3570 and 660ti GPU connected to a Denon receiver through HDMI. No overclocking. This computer is usually used as my HTPC and I have absolutely no problems playing movies through KODI into full surround sound or playing itunes into stereo.

I have also tried using headphones, but the problem continues to exist.

This is my first pc game and the first time I have used Steam so I am unable to tell if there is a problem with other games. I have used the system to play Dolphine wii emulator, but only for wii sports and I have had no sound issues.

More detail and things I have tried:
All sound enhancements are turned off
I have lowered all the volumes within the game
I have lowered the volume within sound settings in Windows
I have lowered visual settings to try and get the GPU to no work as hard. However, sometimes my motherboard goes above 60 degrees centigrade.
Gameplay remains smooth when audio crackles and remains above 60 FPS
Music on menu screens sounds fine
I have tried on my desktop computer (i7 2600k, 560ti) through the attached speakers with all low visual settings and have the same problem
Drivers are all up to date
If I watch a replay of my gameplay, the sound problems are still there.

Yes, yes, I know if I drive better I can avoid redlining and going off track to improve the audio experience, but even with this I feel like the quality is not 100%.

My next step is to try a better GPU, but I would rather not spend the money if I can fix the problem through proper settings.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

[WildKarrde]

Sounds like a bad soundcard to me. Do you use HDMI audio?

[Zeanix]

I have the same problem, really bad audio. Im using a headset.

[TripleBBB93]

I am using HDMI out from the video card, though the problem also exists when I use a headset (throught he realtek drivers on the motherboard) and on a second computer. I have upgraded to a GTX970 and the problem still exists. On the plus side the new card allows for higher settings and the motherboard temp has dropped significantly. However, the sound still detracts from the overall experience and at times almost makes the game unplayable.

[Daytrader]

Yeh very bad sound for me and my mates on the xbox one, hit something or go on grass and sound all distorts.

[Ponjimon]

It's even worse for me: If the sound starts to crackle, the FPS will drop and if I don't stop immedieately or pause the game, it eventually will freeze my whole PC ...

[ZioYuri78]

Sorry for necroposting, same issue here, any solution?

[AgentRuby]

What sound bit and hz are you using Zio? Then again I think with me it depended on the car. I don't remember which car had crackling but I think it might be car specific.

Other than that my audio is great. I do use a Creative SBA RX sound card with my Kenwood hometheater system running optically at 48hz with 5.1 surround sound.

With headphones I run it at 48hz but with 24-bit sound and I select acoustic for avanced EQ.

I think it may have been one of the earlier cars that I tried. Possibly one of the LMP's or a GT3 car that may have been crackling. Not heard it since though.

[ZioYuri78]

Originally posted by AgentRuby:

What sound bit and hz are you using Zio? Then again I think with me it depended on the car. I don't remember which car had crackling but I think it might be car specific.

Other than that my audio is great. I do use a Creative SBA RX sound card with my Kenwood hometheater system running optically at 48hz with 5.1 surround sound.

With headphones I run it at 48hz but with 24-bit sound and I select acoustic for avanced EQ.

I think it may have been one of the earlier cars that I tried. Possibly one of the LMP's or a GT3 car that may have been crackling. Not heard it since though.

I'm using the motherboard built-in sound card, the MB is an ASUS Z97-A, actually the problem happen with the McLaren C12 GT3.

[Mr Crisp]

The audiable difference between 16-bit and 24-bit audio to the ear is zero- literally no difference can be heard. It doesn't matter how many times someone will claim that a 24-bit sounds `better` or `higher resolution` or `clearer` than 16-bit because this is nonsense.

Its not humanly possible in theory or in practise under any conditions to be able to tell the difference, unless you are able to tell the difference between some white noise and white noise that is below the noise floor of your environment.

If you do play a 24-bit then a 16-bit audio clip and hear a difference either something has been done to the audio making it actually different or you are expecting a difference, therefore you hear a difference, the placebo effect is strong.

Just put your soundcard to 16-bit 44.1hz or 48hz if you like a lot of video- anything above this is totally pointless unless you are producing high quality audio on a DAW.