Question / Help Weird Audio Noise Interference that only appears while streaming?

[Jaxel]

So I have my mixer... which is running everything audio. If I listen on the mixer (without streaming), the game audio, and the mics... everything comes in perfectly clear without any issues.

The moment I click "start streaming" or "preview stream" in OBS, I suddenly hear noise in the background. This doesn't happen in audio programs like Skype or Curse Voice... Its all about the video, the moment video show sup on the screen, the noise shows up... Which means it also exists in XSplit.

When I turn off the stream, the noise goes away. Is this normal? Could this be fixed with a analog to USB converter?

 

[dodgepong]

Are you inputting the mixer via USB? How are you listening to the mixer? Phones out?

If you're using a USB webcam, it could certainly be an issue with USB saturation.

 

[Jaxel]

No... I'm using the analog input mic input on the PC...

 

[dodgepong]

Are you plugging it into the built-in sound card on your motherboard, or a discrete sound card?

 

[Jaxel]

This is basically my workflow:

I am listening at the headphone distro. With everything plugged into the built-in sound card on my motherboard mic input. With the stream off, there is no interference. The moment I click "preview stream", the interference instantly begins.

If I unplug the line from the headphone amp to the PC, the interference goes away. This tells me the interference is coming in from the PC; since audio cables are technically unidirectional.

This is why I'm wondering if I get a analog audio to USB converter, would this solve the interference problem.

 

[Jaxel]

Possibly something like this?

 

[dodgepong]

The first thing that comes to mind is interference from a power cable, perhaps. When you start streaming, your computer starts drawing more power, which might amplify existing interference that already exists but is inaudible. I may just be making that up though.

I know motherboard sound cards are infamous for their interference, which is why I use a discrete sound card in my computer for my mixer input. I can't guarantee that a USB sound card will fix it, but it's possible. (That's what a USB audio converter is, essentially: a USB sound card).