Audio crackling starts only when streaming; Windows Sound Recorder is also affected

N

natsuco

New Member
Hello,

I'm experiencing short audio dropouts/crackling with a USB audio interface when streaming with OBS. I have done several tests to isolate the problem, but I have not been able to identify the cause.

System

  • Windows 11 Home 25H2 (Build 26200.9445)
  • OBS Studio 32.2.2
  • M-Audio M-Track Duo HD
  • M-Audio Windows driver v1.0.1
  • Shure SM58 via XLR
  • OBS: 48 kHz
  • Windows M-Track Duo HD input/output: 24-bit / 48 kHz
  • M-Audio Control Panel: 48 kHz
  • Buffer size: 256 samples
  • Exclusive Mode: disabled
  • "Use Device Timestamps": disabled
Problem

The microphone sounds clean when I use OBS for local recording only.

However, when I click Start Streaming, short intermittent audio dropouts/crackling begin.

The important part is that the problem is not limited to the YouTube stream or OBS recording.

I tested the following:

  • OBS local recording only → clean
  • OBS streaming → crackling/dropouts
  • OBS streaming + OBS local recording simultaneously → both contain the dropouts
  • OBS streaming + Windows Sound Recorder recording the same M-Track Duo HD input → Windows Sound Recorder also contains the dropouts
  • During the same streaming test, hardware monitoring through the M-Track Duo HD's DIRECT MONO output → completely clean
  • YouTube 1080p playback over the same wired network + Windows Sound Recorder, with OBS not running → clean
So the analog microphone/preamp path appears to be clean. The problem seems to begin somewhere in the PC-side digital audio path when OBS starts streaming.

Things I have already tested

  • Confirmed Windows, M-Audio and OBS are all running at 48 kHz
  • Buffer size 256 → 528 samples: no improvement
  • Streaming video encoder NVENC H.264 → x264: no improvement
  • Disabled OBS compressor/limiter filters: no improvement
  • Temporarily disabled the Wi-Fi adapter while using wired Ethernet: no improvement
  • The M-Track Duo HD remains connected to Windows during the current crackling/dropout problem
  • OBS Statistics did not show meaningful rendering, encoding, or network dropped frames
I also tested 16-bit / 48 kHz for the Windows input, but the streaming problem still occurred, so I returned to 24-bit / 48 kHz.

Reproduction log

https://obsproject.com/logs/7hyof933h7xOiX6W

This is the important log from a session where the problem was reproduced.

In this log, OBS is set to 48 kHz and the M-Track Duo HD input is successfully initialized at 48000 Hz. Streaming starts at 13:42:24, and a simultaneous local recording starts at 13:42:35.

I do not see an obvious audio buffering, device invalidation, or device reinitialization error in the log.

What I find particularly strange is that starting the OBS stream also causes the same dropouts to appear in a simultaneous recording made with Windows Sound Recorder, while the M-Track Duo HD's direct hardware monitoring remains completely clean.

Could starting the OBS streaming output be affecting the Windows/WASAPI or USB audio path in some way?

Is there any additional diagnostic information or specific test I should provide?

Thank you for your help.
 
This is beyond OBS since your audio is not working while using local audio recorder too.

It's most likely Realtek Ethernet controller/driver due to how windows prioritizes things.
Look for drivers on your motherboard manufacturer's site.
 
Thank you for your reply.

I checked the Ethernet driver as you suggested.

My Ethernet adapter is a Realtek Gaming GbE Family Controller, and the current driver version is 10.73.815.2024.

My PC is an HP Victus 15L TG02-2002jp. I checked HP's driver page for this model series, but it currently lists Windows 11 versions only up to 24H2, while my system is running Windows 11 25H2. Because I could not confirm a suitable newer driver for my current system from HP, I have not changed the Ethernet driver yet.

I also did one additional test.

I completely disconnected the M-Audio M-Track Duo HD and used a headset microphone connected to the PC's Realtek audio instead. With the same OBS streaming settings and the same wired Ethernet connection, the crackling/dropouts did not occur.

When I use the M-Track Duo HD, the problem occurs when streaming, but with the headset microphone the stream is clean.

Given these results, what would you recommend I try next to resolve the issue?

I would appreciate your advice. Thank you.
 
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