#Really annoying audio problem Linux

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

ancient acorn
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So I give up on trying to find a solution for this. Let me preface by stating, this only happens in Linux, Windows does not have this problem.

My issue comes in the form of popping, cracking, scratching, high-pitch pop sounds when the CPU is under any kind of load. This happens under Pulse and Pipewire and Linux kernels from 5.10 to 6.0+. It happens under Fedora, Mint, Debian, Ubuntu, Suse, Arch, NIXOS, and Gentoo. It occurs less under Xorg (likely because it is less CPU intensive) but still occurs.

My main audio source is the Schiit Stack (Schiit DAC and accompanying AMP). I have also does direct AUX out AND bluetooth with the same problem (bluetooth is done through a cheap TPlink BT5.0 dongle).

I have tried so many different options I have lost count. Everything from the obvious like rebooting (works very temporarily), to changing the default-sample-rate and alternate-sample-rate to 48000 in pulse and default.clock.rate to 48000 in pipe. Even adjusting the nice level. Again I have done many more over the last 3 months of troubleshooting, so if you offer a suggesting, I will likely remember if I tried.

My current setup is Ubuntu 22.04
AMD 5700G
B550M Aorus Pro Rev. 1
AMD 6700xt
32gb 3200mhz DDR4

Again, this is not an issue in Windows, only Linux. And it does this even on a fresh install of Linux.

steel orbit
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Havu you tried updating the bios on your motherboard?

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Also, Where are you doing direct aux from? Gpu, motherboard, or do you have a sound card?

ancient acorn
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Updating the Bios was not something I have done yet. Will give that a try.

I am using motherboard audio out

ancient acorn
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Updated bios and even reset the bios and no luck. However, I found out when I use my IGPU I cannot detect the issue.

ancient acorn
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So now to make things even stranger, if OBS is recording, the issue is gone completely.

azure yarrow
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It's amplifying electrical noise. Using a ferrite ring can help limit that. Otherwise reinstall drivers and buy a headphone that has a built in ferrite ring. Linux drivers are sometimes hit or miss and this kind of thing can happen.

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Ironically, the signal is probably cleaner with linux than windows, which is why it is more noticable at lower volumes. If you crank the volume on windows, I bet you'll hear the feedback when the cpu is under heavy load.

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It's most likely a filter (or lack thereof) issue.

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But, it's a filter issue stemming from a lack of driver and software support.

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Love Ubuntu, but using any Linux distro has its challenges, for sure.

ancient acorn
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Problem is, it isn't an issue under windows, no matter the load. I have tested with very similar situations as I do in Linux and I don't get the same problems in Windows. It isn't just slightly noticeable in Linux, it can be deafening at times. Also, the issues does not occur when OBS is recording or if I use my IGPU, only my primary GPU as I have just come to find out.

azure yarrow
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Prob graphics drivers then, if it's fine with Windows

ancient acorn
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It's very frustrating to say the least.

azure yarrow
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Yeah, a ferrite ring should still reduce the noise, even with a bad driver, but it's most likely a driver issue, as cable, ports, and hardware is all the same with the other OS, which most likely has better drivers.

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You could play around with Linux sound settings and see if you can filter the noise somehow through software.

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a good filter could help

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but that's compensating for the issue, and more of a workaround, rather than a fix.