I need a GURU for this one!

[DJ_Zath]

hello to all! I need a real EXPERT with Windows to figure this one out!

I have SCOURED the web for an answer- but have gotten NOWHERE FAST... and I'm pretty much at the end of my rope!

I don't blame OBS, exactly- but it uses FFMPEG for audio-encoding (and I also use FFMPEG externally to stream FLAC to my servers separately)

I was hoping that, since OBS uses FFMPEG perhaps someone here MIGHT have an idea as to what I should try...

now, you have heard this all before, I'm sure... and I have read MANY posts about this... issue... where the audio is basically DESTROYED after a few minutes after starting OBS and/or FFMPEG (externally).

I have tried EVERYTHING too- you-name-it... from disabling "enhancements" (well, my audio card doesn't have or support them!) to practically reinstalling/refreshing windows to the absolute ability that I can! let me try to explain:

since I run a radio station/service (of sorts), I have an APPLIANCE rather than a "do it all" PC , this machine doesn't surf, open emails, run Steam, etc (you get the idea!) all it does is PLAY MUSIC and STREAM it to my servers through a private VPN this box is running Windows EMBEDDED and uses dedicated hardware to achieve its purpose the interface hardware (sound card, to be exact) is considered high-end (not a creative or realtek jobbie) and boasts a render of 24 bits @ 192 KHz which is then sampled down to 48 KHz for OBS and 44.1 KHz for the flac feed. when I start the system, all is good.. that is, until I start FFMPEG OR OBS and then it just TEARS THE AUDIO TO SHREADS after about 3 minutes or so... this includes BOTH upstream AND downstream... it starts out slight- little clicks- that get worse and worse and worse until it is totally unlistenable! if I KILL audiodg.exe (using task manager) the issue will go away for a few minutes- but then it starts all over again! if I don't catch it in time, it will get progressively worse and worse where, then Windows BSoDs and the whole thing comes crashing down!

so, I then try Ubuntu.. sure! and though it shows v30 in ubuntu, it LOOKS like v12 with simple graphics and text, fonts, etc.. but, then the SOUND engine in Ubuntu is just BAD... unstable and Pipewire and Pulseaudio continue to FIGHT OVER the sound devices (video / camera too) and randomly DROP them from the system DURING A BROADCAST! (the infamous "disappearing resources bug" in *nix - but that is another animal for another thread!)

back to the issue- its like a fast crackly static that starts out barely-noticeable... but soon turns into loud crackly fire-like STATIC.. more and more and more.... then BSoD!

Tests show that as long as FFMPEG/OBS aren't started, the issue doesn't crop up AT ALL for HOURS (or more?).. its just that it STARTS after a few minutes after OBS and/or FFMPEG are started.

I was hoping someone out there can give me some ideas where to look/what to check rather than "turn off audio enhancements" etc..

the system Specs are:

850 watt PSU
Gigabyte "durable III" motherboard
Intel i9 (not sure which generation) running 3.5 GHz with 32 Gigs RAM - 64 bit windows 7 embedded with latest update package (July 2025)
Nvidia Titan video card with NVENC enabled (video can easily-do 60 FPS but it is currently set to 30 FPS (it had a BlackMagic Intensity cap card in it, but the card went bad and was pulled and a simple C920 webcam is in there for now.. later I'll be adding an elgato card))
ESI Audio Systems "julia" sound interface with full-balanced in and out feeding a Mackie 32 channel audio console through 322 DSP audio engine processors in a fully-integrated rack. (whew!)
NS4FX DJ Controller (midi interface)
betabrite LED marquee sign with interface (displays song titles and random messages)
System is air-cooled (water block pump stopped working, so i have a few honking fans in there!)

I can't think of what else to tell ya! the install is clean and free of viruses and/or malware (since it doesn't surf and is basically air-gapped from the internet) I just spent the last 2 days fully-(re)installing the OS and updating Windows and all that jazz... but the issue still persists!

if theres anything ELSE you want to know, just ask heh (you can also find me on twitch or kick (and a few other places); Kick is your best bet! and if you show up there, I'll demonstrate the issue for ya! https://kick.com/warp-radio )

sorry if I seem odd- I'm REALLY tired as I write this post! heh

thanks in advance!

DJ Zath - WARP Radio Network

 

[DJ_Zath]

hello to all! I need a real EXPERT with Windows to figure this one out!

I have SCOURED the web for an answer- but have gotten NOWHERE FAST... and I'm pretty much at the end of my rope!

I don't blame OBS, exactly- but it uses FFMPEG for audio-encoding (and I also use FFMPEG externally to stream FLAC to my servers separately)

I was hoping that, since OBS uses FFMPEG perhaps someone here MIGHT have an idea as to what I should try...

now, you have heard this all before, I'm sure... and I have read MANY posts about this... issue... where the audio is basically DESTROYED after a few minutes after starting OBS and/or FFMPEG (externally).

I have tried EVERYTHING too- you-name-it... from disabling "enhancements" (well, my audio card doesn't have or support them!) to practically reinstalling/refreshing windows to the absolute ability that I can! let me try to explain:

since I run a radio station/service (of sorts), I have an APPLIANCE rather than a "do it all" PC , this machine doesn't surf, open emails, run Steam, etc (you get the idea!) all it does is PLAY MUSIC and STREAM it to my servers through a private VPN this box is running Windows EMBEDDED and uses dedicated hardware to achieve its purpose the interface hardware (sound card, to be exact) is considered high-end (not a creative or realtek jobbie) and boasts a render of 24 bits @ 192 KHz which is then sampled down to 48 KHz for OBS and 44.1 KHz for the flac feed. when I start the system, all is good.. that is, until I start FFMPEG OR OBS and then it just TEARS THE AUDIO TO SHREADS after about 3 minutes or so... this includes BOTH upstream AND downstream... it starts out slight- little clicks- that get worse and worse and worse until it is totally unlistenable! if I KILL audiodg.exe (using task manager) the issue will go away for a few minutes- but then it starts all over again! if I don't catch it in time, it will get progressively worse and worse where, then Windows BSoDs and the whole thing comes crashing down!

so, I then try Ubuntu.. sure! and though it shows v30 in ubuntu, it LOOKS like v12 with simple graphics and text, fonts, etc.. but, then the SOUND engine in Ubuntu is just BAD... unstable and Pipewire and Pulseaudio continue to FIGHT OVER the sound devices (video / camera too) and randomly DROP them from the system DURING A BROADCAST! (the infamous "disappearing resources bug" in *nix - but that is another animal for another thread!)

back to the issue- its like a fast crackly static that starts out barely-noticeable... but soon turns into loud crackly fire-like STATIC.. more and more and more.... then BSoD!

Tests show that as long as FFMPEG/OBS aren't started, the issue doesn't crop up AT ALL for HOURS (or more?).. its just that it STARTS after a few minutes after OBS and/or FFMPEG are started.

I was hoping someone out there can give me some ideas where to look/what to check rather than "turn off audio enhancements" etc..

the system Specs are:

850 watt PSU
Gigabyte "durable III" motherboard
Intel i9 (not sure which generation) running 3.5 GHz with 32 Gigs RAM - 64 bit windows 7 embedded with latest update package (July 2025)
Nvidia Titan video card with NVENC enabled (video can easily-do 60 FPS but it is currently set to 30 FPS (it had a BlackMagic Intensity cap card in it, but the card went bad and was pulled and a simple C920 webcam is in there for now.. later I'll be adding an elgato card))
ESI Audio Systems "julia" sound interface with full-balanced in and out feeding a Mackie 32 channel audio console through 322 DSP audio engine processors in a fully-integrated rack. (whew!)
NS4FX DJ Controller (midi interface)
betabrite LED marquee sign with interface (displays song titles and random messages)
System is air-cooled (water block pump stopped working, so i have a few honking fans in there!)

I can't think of what else to tell ya! the install is clean and free of viruses and/or malware (since it doesn't surf and is basically air-gapped from the internet) I just spent the last 2 days fully-(re)installing the OS and updating Windows and all that jazz... but the issue still persists!

if theres anything ELSE you want to know, just ask heh (you can also find me on twitch or kick (and a few other places); Kick is your best bet! and if you show up there, I'll demonstrate the issue for ya! https://kick.com/warp-radio )

sorry if I seem odd- I'm REALLY tired as I write this post! heh

thanks in advance!

DJ Zath - WARP Radio Network

oops! I forgot to attach a log! here it is...

 

[DJ_Zath]

hello to all! I need a real EXPERT with Windows to figure this one out!

I have SCOURED the web for an answer- but have gotten NOWHERE FAST... and I'm pretty much at the end of my rope!

I don't blame OBS, exactly- but it uses FFMPEG for audio-encoding (and I also use FFMPEG externally to stream FLAC to my servers separately)

I was hoping that, since OBS uses FFMPEG perhaps someone here MIGHT have an idea as to what I should try...

now, you have heard this all before, I'm sure... and I have read MANY posts about this... issue... where the audio is basically DESTROYED after a few minutes after starting OBS and/or FFMPEG (externally).

I have tried EVERYTHING too- you-name-it... from disabling "enhancements" (well, my audio card doesn't have or support them!) to practically reinstalling/refreshing windows to the absolute ability that I can! let me try to explain:

since I run a radio station/service (of sorts), I have an APPLIANCE rather than a "do it all" PC , this machine doesn't surf, open emails, run Steam, etc (you get the idea!) all it does is PLAY MUSIC and STREAM it to my servers through a private VPN this box is running Windows EMBEDDED and uses dedicated hardware to achieve its purpose the interface hardware (sound card, to be exact) is considered high-end (not a creative or realtek jobbie) and boasts a render of 24 bits @ 192 KHz which is then sampled down to 48 KHz for OBS and 44.1 KHz for the flac feed. when I start the system, all is good.. that is, until I start FFMPEG OR OBS and then it just TEARS THE AUDIO TO SHREADS after about 3 minutes or so... this includes BOTH upstream AND downstream... it starts out slight- little clicks- that get worse and worse and worse until it is totally unlistenable! if I KILL audiodg.exe (using task manager) the issue will go away for a few minutes- but then it starts all over again! if I don't catch it in time, it will get progressively worse and worse where, then Windows BSoDs and the whole thing comes crashing down!

so, I then try Ubuntu.. sure! and though it shows v30 in ubuntu, it LOOKS like v12 with simple graphics and text, fonts, etc.. but, then the SOUND engine in Ubuntu is just BAD... unstable and Pipewire and Pulseaudio continue to FIGHT OVER the sound devices (video / camera too) and randomly DROP them from the system DURING A BROADCAST! (the infamous "disappearing resources bug" in *nix - but that is another animal for another thread!)

back to the issue- its like a fast crackly static that starts out barely-noticeable... but soon turns into loud crackly fire-like STATIC.. more and more and more.... then BSoD!

Tests show that as long as FFMPEG/OBS aren't started, the issue doesn't crop up AT ALL for HOURS (or more?).. its just that it STARTS after a few minutes after OBS and/or FFMPEG are started.

I was hoping someone out there can give me some ideas where to look/what to check rather than "turn off audio enhancements" etc..

the system Specs are:

850 watt PSU
Gigabyte "durable III" motherboard
Intel i9 (not sure which generation) running 3.5 GHz with 32 Gigs RAM - 64 bit windows 7 embedded with latest update package (July 2025)
Nvidia Titan video card with NVENC enabled (video can easily-do 60 FPS but it is currently set to 30 FPS (it had a BlackMagic Intensity cap card in it, but the card went bad and was pulled and a simple C920 webcam is in there for now.. later I'll be adding an elgato card))
ESI Audio Systems "julia" sound interface with full-balanced in and out feeding a Mackie 32 channel audio console through 322 DSP audio engine processors in a fully-integrated rack. (whew!)
NS4FX DJ Controller (midi interface)
betabrite LED marquee sign with interface (displays song titles and random messages)
System is air-cooled (water block pump stopped working, so i have a few honking fans in there!)

I can't think of what else to tell ya! the install is clean and free of viruses and/or malware (since it doesn't surf and is basically air-gapped from the internet) I just spent the last 2 days fully-(re)installing the OS and updating Windows and all that jazz... but the issue still persists!

if theres anything ELSE you want to know, just ask heh (you can also find me on twitch or kick (and a few other places); Kick is your best bet! and if you show up there, I'll demonstrate the issue for ya! https://kick.com/warp-radio )

sorry if I seem odd- I'm REALLY tired as I write this post! heh

thanks in advance!

DJ Zath - WARP Radio Network

lets try that again (I sent the WRONG log above... THIS one should be the CORRECT (and current) log

growl...

(admins please delete the above log!)

 

[koala]

then it just TEARS THE AUDIO TO SHREADS after about 3 minutes or so... this includes BOTH upstream AND downstream... it starts out slight- little clicks- that get worse and worse and worse until it is totally unlistenable! if I KILL audiodg.exe (using task manager) the issue will go away for a few minutes- but then it starts all over again! if I don't catch it in time, it will get progressively worse and worse where, then Windows BSoDs and the whole thing comes crashing down!

If this was a current PC system with audio issues connected to audiodg.exe (a Windows service executable), I would say: "try to update your audio device driver from the mainboard support website").

However, since you're running 15 year old hardware on a ancient Windows 7 (out of service for 5+ years), with hardware or driver issues (BSOD is a sign of hardware or driver issues), I cannot say anything except "retire this system".

 

[rockbottom]

Windows Version: 6.1 Build 7601 (release: unavailable; revision: 27819; 64-bit)

 

[DJ_Zath]

hello there and thanks for your replies!

I have to mention, again, that this is an appliance. or a "specially-built machine for a specific purpose"; in this case, its a program playout system for a broadcast radio station. The version of Windows 7 EMBEDDED that it is running IS STILL UP TO DATE and receives official patches and updates (from Microsoft) and will continue to receive them for another 3 years.

I did, however, "modify" the install by adding video capture support and a GPU along with OBS and it all worked FLAWLESSLY up until around 6 months ago. I'm NOT sure, exactly, WHY it is failing NOW, but OBS and FFMPEG seem to be directly-involved with this issue and I was hoping that, perhaps, someone on here could give me an insight or direction to where to go, next.

of course I have updated the drivers to the best that I can, I even was instructed to DOWNGRADE the sound drivers to the VISTA version (by the card manufacturer) which improved the fault, slightly... but I see that more of a "band aid" rather than a proper solution (the card comes from ESI Audiotechnik GMBH Germany). all other drivers ARE as "up-to-date" as they can be.

Also, I have TRIED updating the HARDWARE itself with a BRAND NEW (circa 2024) motherboard AND even ran Windows 11 (NOT embedded) with a "black lion" audio interface (prosumer grade) and it preforms like "a glorified Chinese piece of dog%^$" and can NOT hold up to the stringent standards for broadcast quality! it sounds like a pocket transistor radio when compared to the machine that it is meant to replace which was engineered for broadcast in the first place.

trust me, if I could replace the hardware, I most-certainly WOULD but, alas, I'm stuck with what I have... and I have to get it working (again, it DID work up to 6 or so months ago... ). I have updated specific elements, of the system, such as the PSU and stuff, sure... but I NEED a PCI slot which is quite IMPOSSIBLE (and EXPENSIVE) to acquire/replace. and these USB audio interfaces don't quite "meet the spec" either especially with their thin-sounding [lack of] bass and crackly treble response and with Windows 11 CONSTANTLY DROPPING the damn thing to update/replace the USB drivers up to 3 times every other day! UGHH! NOTE: OBS DOES WORK in that system- beit Windows 11 and its consumer-grade audio/video-handling issues and, therefore, doesn't warrant mention in this thread.

I will mention, again, that OBS, in itself, appears to be working (and is VERY STABLE) in the windows 7 system... AND I do NOT think that OBS itself is responsible for the audio stuttering issues, HOWEVER, I do know (and VERIFIED) that OBS (and/or FFMPEG) seem to "aggravate" the issue when they start up. I was merely attempting to acquire some advice as to what ELSE I can check besides (turning off enhancements" and disabling "exclusive mode" and all that.. I even went through "mmdevices" in the system registry and all.. its all GOOD for what I can see! I was wondering if there are other places in the registry, for example, that I can check such as a place where timing is set and/or where audiodg internal settings are kept, etc (I can't find ANYTHING in searches about that!)

I'm currently listening to the system right now as I write this post... and it is CRYSTAL CLEAR because FFMPEG and/or OBS wasn't started; only the system playout modules are running.

again, thanks for taking the time to read my rant and responding. this is NOT a typical "my audio is crackly" complaint.. there is something ELSE going on and I'm way PAST the obvious!

thats why I need a GURU for this one!

-DjZ-