Help: sound card crackles/static noise

This has been driving me nuts for too long, so I’m seeking for external advices on how to fix this: since I’ve put up my desktop I’ve been having this cracking / static noise in my speakers and headphones.

At first I thought this was due to my old monitors not being shielded (Fostex PM0.4), but I recently switched to Genelec 8020 which are shielded, and the issue remained. I also switched my cables from unbalanced to balanced thinking that it might be interference noise, same.

Yesterday I made more tests and tried to use an USB isolator in case it was a ground issue, as my NI Komplete Audio 6 MK1 sound card is USB powered, but no luck. This is where I also checked with headphones (I almost never plug them in my sound card) and the static is here too!

So it’s definitely not cables, not related to power as I tried to power it up from a power bank and the noise is there too. Strangely, is only occurs on the outputs, as when recording any audio through the preamps, there’s no static at all in the recordings.

So I’ve come to this conclusion, is my soundcard dead or is there anything else that I missed? :frowning:

Here’s a recording of the noise, greatly amplified so don’t pay attention to my macbook fans in the background, it’s the light crackle noise which I’m talking about:

Thanks for your help.

…sorry to say so, but u can really stop bothering…it’s ur “interface”, which happens to be even cheaper than ANY behringer converters, in combination with bad usb ports from ur hosting computer…

find some interface that is not buspowered only…

Could you develop a bit on that? Sure it’s not that new, but it didn’t seem a bad choice when I bought it, and the audio quality (when it didn’t have this crackle) was pretty good, at least way better than the M-Audio or Alesis audio interface I used before.

As for bad USB ports, it’s unlikely, especially since I tried multiple one and I can reproduce the issue without connecting to the computer at all, with an USB power bank (which should eliminate all potential sources of interference and bad ground).

That’s one of my requirement though if I need to buy a new one, as I’ll also be using it with a laptop for live gig, and I don’t want an extra adaptor for traveling.

Any suggestion for replacement cards within a reasonable price (200-300 euros)? I don’t need many inputs, just regular midi in/out, at least 2 good inputs with preamps, balanced outputs and direct monitoring.

…bought this for my son…solid, worx, won’t let u down…
it’s class compliant and therefor needs no further drivers installed, runs with everything, buspowered and runs on low latency…
ni hardware remains tricky and is lowest consumer level…

Did you try increasing your buffer in the audio settings?

It’s crackling even when there’s no sound in Mac os. I tried forcing different sampling rates but no luck. The noise isn’t constant, sometimes it stops, sometimes it’s really loud.
On the main outputs it’s more noticeable on the right speaker, but on headphones the noise is plain center.

Or properly isolated. More expensive ones like the RME Babyface Pros do it right.

Years ago I had a Komplete Audio 6 Mk1, like the one you have. I used to get some sort of noise as well. I wasn’t too loud, but it was noticeable at times. I remember thinking it was the wiring or speakers or something else, as I usually live in old buildings around Chicago. I have upgraded and used a couple of different interfaces since then, and no noise. They also offered noticeable improvements sound-wise.

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Thanks for your feedbacks.

I’m think of either replacing it for a Focuswrite Scarlett 4i4 or a MOTU M4, both seems to fit my needs but the MOTU is slightly more expensive, though it seems a bit better. Any opinions on these options?

I have not used either of those interfaces. The ones I have used the most and can recommend are the MOTU 828es, and the Audient ID-44.

…converters and THE overall interface basic quality is one of the three big points in all this where each more penny u invest will pay out big time…

it’s one of those things where u always end up spending more money if u tend to go cheap in first place instead of investing once for real…
if ur sure, audio is ur thing, wait a second and then put ur money on the obviously better horse here…otherwise u’ll always end up in a loophole again and again…to only find u invest after a few more fast and cheaper decisions to finally pick the real thing anyways…

focusrite is another a little better but not really solutions…
totally fine if u just wanna get along with it…but meanwhile nothing but another inbetween option…
while given the fact, that anything is better than ni interfaces…

dunno how many inputs u need…but if u can hold ur money together for a little longer and then invest in something proper…
this is, for example, first level of final solutions when it comes to proper converters and serious audioworkflow…while also covering the also and usually underestimated point of monitor controling in one go foreva…and never any latency issues also included…

I agree with @reeloy that in the interface game, you generally tend to get what you pay for. And in my experience, it’s not just the overall A/D converter quality, but the quality of things like monitoring and headphone amps, the D/A quality. One thing I noticed as I upgraded interfaces was that it was much quicker for me to dial in a mix I was happy with. Granted, I am not a professional mixer, I only mix my own music, but it turns out the Komplete Audio 6 was a serious crutch in that department for me.

Thanks for the advices. I went with the Motu M4, I’ll see how it goes.