Question / Help Detroit: Become Human (PC) - crackling audio issues (microphone)

[Caledorn]

Hey everyone

I'm trying to record Detroit: Become Human on my PC using OBS (v24.0.3 64bit). There seems to be something funky with the specific game engine Quantic Dream has used, as I am first of all unable to capture the game via Game Capture, must use Display Capture instead. That by itself is not really an issue though. The real issue is that when I record there is crackling distortions in my voiceover through my Blue Yeti microphone.

The issue only exists in Detroit: Become Human. I have tested several other games, and I record several other games on a daily basis with no audio issues at all. I have also tried disabling the rea-filters I am using, with no success. The issue weirdly enough only exists if I record while the game is in focus. If the game is not in focus and I record, my voice sounds just fine, even with the game audio in the background.

Does anyone have any suggestions of possible solutions?

Log file of last recording attached.

- Caledorn

 

[Caledorn]

Here is a short unlisted video on my channel that shows what the issue sounds like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itc5PjL7HIw

 

[carlmmii]

I notice you're using Virtual Cable. Where does that fall in your audio chain?

Also, what does your CPU usage look like while the game is in focus?

 

[Suur]

I have exactly the same issue with this game. I do have the exact same microphone, running off of Voicemeeter Banana. Looking for a solution to this problem.

 

[Vitala]

Same issue here with Detroit game and Blue Yeti mic. Only bought the game to play it on stream and heavily disappointed with this issue :( Looking for any suggestions

 

[Makamahappa]

Same here using Quadcast mic. Any suggestions?

 

[Caledorn]

I notice you're using Virtual Cable. Where does that fall in your audio chain?

Also, what does your CPU usage look like while the game is in focus?

I'm pretty sure it's not hardware-related, but that it's engine/specific-game-related. The Virtual Cable is the VoiceMeeter Virtual Cable, which is the link between my output audio devices (computer->speakers/headset), while the Yeti is just being used directly into OBS. Also the CPU usage is as expected - full load on one core, and some load on the other cores.

I've seen many people have issues with massive frame drops/lag in the game, which incidentally I also encountered - but that was fixed rather easily by changing to Borderless Windowed mode. BW-mode still does not allow OBS to do a proper Game Capture, so I still have to do Display Capture (but thankfully W10 has Focus Assist, so that any accidental notifications are suppressed). That in itself, together with the audio issues, suggest even further that there is an issue with OBS not cooperating with the game - probably due to some proprietary stuff Quantic Dream is using in their engine.

The solution I've found is inconvenient, but it works for recording at least. I am using my laptop to record the audio while I play the game on my desktop, and then render the voicetrack together with the recorded game videos. It's clunky - but at least it works, and I have to render my videos regardless due to the end screen I use, so not a major annoyance.

 

[Verner]

A similar problem with this game. I use Blue Yeti + Voicemeter Banana + HI FI Virtual Cable + Minihost Modular + VST plagins.

Ryzen 5 2600x / 32 gb 3200 / 1070 strix OC / stream gpu Quadro P400

 

[vburel]

some recommendations:
1- REBOOT after any audio driver installation, also USB device installation.
2- Check that you Virtual Audio Device are well installed: https://forum.vb-audio.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=688
3- Check that you Voicemeeter output A1 device is running stable: https://forum.vb-audio.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=451

for any other problem, feel free to use our different resources support:
https://www.vb-audio.com/Services/support.htm

 

[vontoddenstein]

OK, this is a thing, because I've been having this problem too. Although I am on Streamlabs OBS, not standard. Streaming it on PC and using Potato. It only happens on this game.

 

[vontoddenstein]

some recommendations:
1- REBOOT after any audio driver installation, also USB device installation.
2- Check that you Virtual Audio Device are well installed: https://forum.vb-audio.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=688
3- Check that you Voicemeeter output A1 device is running stable: https://forum.vb-audio.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=451

for any other problem, feel free to use our different resources support:
https://www.vb-audio.com/Services/support.htm

This is generic advice that often doesnt solve the problem. (I've checked everything and restarted the engine etc.) This particular problem relates to a particular game. I cannot repeat the problem on game capture with Ghost Recon but does occur with Window Capture of Detroit Become Human.

 

[vburel]

for game sound, we recommend to let the game play back audio in default audio device, with a Voicemeeter virtual input set as default playback device in Windows Sound Dialog box.

 

[vontoddenstein]

for game sound, we recommend to let the game play back audio in default audio device, with a Voicemeeter virtual input set as default playback device in Windows Sound Dialog box.

This is currently the way mine is set up. I am running mind through Voicemeeter VAIO3 for example. Why is it only on this one game and not the other? Clearly that is not a generic configuration issue.

 

[vontoddenstein]

This is currently the way mine is set up. I am running mind through Voicemeeter VAIO3 for example. Why is it only on this one game and not the other? Clearly that is not a generic configuration issue.

I will add to this that I have completely reinstalled Voicemeeter AND the cables and rebooted multiple times. I cannot get the VoiceMod Virtual Audio devices to change to 48K from 44.1. So that is a mismatch but everything else is 48k. I've added my overall Potato GUI as well as the settings window.
I might stress yet again; this is for Detroit Become Human ONLY. This does not happen on the other game I stream regularly, Ghost Recon: Breakpoint.

 

[vburel]

in Share mode 'S', Voicemeeter uses Microphone with the default format defined in the Windows Sound Dialog box (recording device -> properties -> advanced thumbnail).

 

[vontoddenstein]

I don't know what this means, is this a request, a suggestion? This is what I have for the box to which you refer:

Are you saying I should check this box that says 'Allow applications....' I don't know why the other box is greyed out. I have changed all of these settings and never had it work. I have used 48K everywhere, I have used 44.1k everywhere.

 

[VanSnipes]

Hey, so I created an account just because of this issue.
I had the same Problems with voice crackling no matter what...


Solution:
I finally fixed it by using my usb ports on my pc and not my hub.
That's it and i can't believe it, because i've never had this problem before...
I hope I could help someone.

And i'm using voicemeter banana with an auna usb mic.

 

[vig4rio]

I have exactly this problem, Blue Yeti with Detroid Become Human. I found that it's not just a problem with OBS, but with the microphone, for all other recording software as well.

It seems that this problem does not occur in Headset Microphones, I tested it and it was working. The bad thing is not being able to use a condenser microphone to make livestreams, which would increase the quality.

I'll look for solutions, if I find it, I'll comment again here

 

[Arual]

Here's someone else with the same problem. Hopefully someone will find a solution as soon as possible.

 

[Frenzybrz]

Having the same issue. tried everything including, DDU the drivers, and trying new studio and game ready driver..
in the end i think the problem has to do with the blue yeti mic, as i had no problems with my headset mic, other than sounding like im talking from inside a tin can.. if anyone finds a fix id be happy to hear it