Buzzing interface with Headset (analogue)

Mr Arky

Mr Arky

Mr Arky

Associate
Joined
21 Sep 2012
Posts
293
I've tried both from and back ports, but the Back Ports buzzing are much louder than the front ports, both with and without an extender.

But it only occurs when playing a GAME, and also I've gone through multiple USB headsets, and all had the same problem but worse, as they would be all the time and mainly had a hissing sound.

I've moved my power supply plug to its own plug socket that's in the wall, not in an plug extender, clear of of other cables.
And the computer itself is above carpet on a pc stand with with wheels, not sure if thats important.

Inside the PC, I've moved cables around with the headset on, and theres no overlapping of cables. (I have pictures if needed)

Im using the Razer Kraken Analogue.

Or, is there anything I could buy to fix this? like a filter or soundcard maybe, if thats the case it would have to be guaranteed to fix as thats why I would be buying it, but would like to try alternatives first.

This has been going on for ages, the buzzing in general, so any help will be greeaaatly appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Basically, your GPU is chucking out more EMI (electromagnetic interference) when it's working hard (gaming). EMI is the bane of sound devices within a PC case. A sound card might solve the problem, as they generally have better shielding. A sound card with an EMI shield (retail Soundblaster Z, Xonar D2X, etc) may be better again, but there is no guarantee as they can also be affected.

As for a USB headset having the same issue: It's likely that the USB power circuit is also affected.

An external sound card is an option, but if this is affecting all USB ports, there is a good chance it will also affect any USB sound card.

The only real guaranteed method that will work is to use an external DAC/amp connected via optical. Optical uses light pulses so there are no wires to carry any electrical signal.

May be worth trying a sound card first, as this will be the cheapest solution if it works. If it's no better, return it as not fit for purpose. You could go straight for a DAC/amp with optical input, but you are possibly looking at £100, so it depends what you want to spend.
 
It's probably electro magnetic interference (EMI) from your graphics card being picked up by the motherboard and there is no guaranteed solution.

An internal sound card is going to be just as susceptible to EMI as your motherboard, although a shielded one like the STX or ZxR may do better but as it sounds like you have a very severe case even that might not be enough.

One way of getting rid of it would be to use a USB Isolator and either run a USB Headset or better still, an external sound card like the Asus U7 or you could take the optical route as Marsman suggested which would have an even better chance but I don't know of any external sound cards that have optical inputs apart from the X7 and that's a mere £329.99.

USB Ground Loop Isolator:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olimex-USB-...0023&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+ground+loop+isolator
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies, hmm looks like I have a couple of things to try then.
I will give it a shot.

looking at that USB Isolator first, I'm guessing I'll try that to begin with.
Although I'm using the jack inputs on my computer with my headset is there a chance the isolator could fix it then?

cheers
 
rids57 said:
One way of getting rid of it would be to use a USB Isolator and either run a USB Headset or better still, an external sound card like the Asus U7 or you could take the optical route as Marsman suggested which would have an even better chance but I don't know of any external sound cards that have optical inputs apart from the X7 and that's a mere £329.99.

USB Ground Loop Isolator:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olimex-USB-...0023&sr=8-1&keywords=usb+ground+loop+isolator
Click to expand...

That USB ground loop isolator is worth a shot. I'd forgotten about those.

I think the Creative external X-Fi HD might have optical input; but the problem is that being a sound card, it needs drivers to work, which means USB connection to the PC. If the USB isolator makes no difference, then optical input is of no use, as the X-Fi HD would still be using USB to operate.

X7 is really more a DAC/amp than a sound card, although I think Creative label as an audio processor, which is probably about right as it's more than just a DAC and amp. It can operate without software which is a huge bonus!

Actually, I wonder if the external X-Fi HD can too. Maybe not as that is for PC use, whereas the X7 can be used with consoles and other devices.
 
Is the USB Isolator the same thing as Skytronic Ground Loop Isolator? as the USB one is costs a lot more than the Skytronic one, and the skytronic isolator has better reviews but its got jack/analogue. ty
 
Last edited:
It's different. The Skytronic one is analogue only. USB is digital.

Whether or not it's worth trying the analogue one, for connecting your analogue headset to the onboard audio, I don't know. Given it's cost, it may be worth trying. You'd need some converter cables as well, as it uses RCA connections.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom