Realtek HD Audio Problem!! <<Now getting serious!!!>>>

[TaterTots618]

Hello!

I am using a Razer Kraken Pro headset. Here for reference! VVVVVVVVVVVV

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Razer-Kraken-Analog-Gaming-Headset/dp/B00ZIA5J94/ref=sr_1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1475968997&sr=1-2&keywords=razer+kraken+pro

And I am using Realtek HD Audio Manager. The whole audio on the microphone and headphones is messed up completely.

The headphones have a strange echo like noise and the microphone does not work at all. 🙁

Does anyone have any 'top tips' on how to fix the issue??

Thanks for answers!!!


(Also for anyone that wants to know, I do have the Razer Surround activated. Ask for screenshots if they're needed...)

 

[amtseung]

Sounds like driver conflict.

Either run only the Realtek suite, or only the Razer suite. Razer software is not known for playing nice with other software (Synapse is a major PITA).

You've probably got some sound enhancements running on the realtek side of things, making a weird echoing, fake reverb sound. The microphone not working is also probably a conflict issue.

I hope someone who owns a Razer Kraken can help you further. I personally avoid USB headsets/headphones like the plague.

 

[TaterTots618]

I hope someone who owns a Razer Kraken can help you further. I personally avoid USB headsets/headphones like the plague. [/quotemsg]

Sorry for confusion. This is not the USB headset. This is the set with the headphone and microphone jacks. Anything different to say with that information?

 

[amtseung]

I'm not sure of what you've tried to remedy the situation or not, but we can start with the basics.

Did you plug the jacks into the right ports, all the way in? Is this plugged into the front panel audio or directly into the back of the motherboard? Is this a PC or a laptop?

Did you select the correct audio devices in the Windows audio device manager thing? Have you toyed with the levels? Is the strange echoing caused by a strange feedback loop of a device listening to another device? Is there a recommended Razer software to use the kraken with? Like I said before, if there's a Razer specific piece of software, disable Realtek and run only the Razer software. If Razer doesn't have a specific software, disable realtek anyway, and see if the problems don't go away. I've personally had enough problems with realtek drivers causing me a massive headache that I always uninstall their driver bundles anyway.

 

[TaterTots618]

It is a desktop computer, I did plug in the front panel audio. However, it worked fine with some regular speakers I found so I'm sure that disabling the Realtek audio manager will work. Probably should get a sound card anyways! I may have toyed around with levels though in my endeavours of trying to get it back to normal.

 

[amtseung]

A sound card, or even an external DAC, may not fix the problem if it's caused by conflicting (or in Realtek's case, horribad) drivers.

I personally have my doubts over modern sound cards. They don't isolate anything, nor are they usually any better built than a motherboard's onboard audio, especially in the last few years. Then again, I'm personally on XLR headphones stuffed into a tube amp (hooray for diy kits), but the audio source is still the motherboard's onboard audio.

Stick the headset straight into the motherboard to eliminate the front panel audio being a potential source of the problem, at least for now.

 

[TaterTots618]

A sound card, or even an external DAC, may not fix the problem if it's caused by conflicting (or in Realtek's case, horribad) drivers.

I personally have my doubts over modern sound cards. They don't isolate anything, nor are they usually any better built than a motherboard's onboard audio, especially in the last few years. Then again, I'm personally on XLR headphones stuffed into a tube amp (hooray for diy kits), but the audio source is still the motherboard's onboard audio.

Stick the headset straight into the motherboard to eliminate the front panel audio being a potential source of the problem, at least for now.

 

[TaterTots618]

I know this is stupid but which colour jacks do I use for the headphone and microphone options? I don't want any more headaches as it is! 😛

 

[amtseung]

Uhhhhhhh

For normal motherboards, it's something like green for audio out, pink for microphone in, and blue for line in. Some motherboards are nicely color coordinated so all the audio jacks are black (like mine). You just have to stare at the back and see where the labels are, or read the motherboard manual.

Audio in port is usually in the center of the top row of 3, with mic in to the left, and line in to the right. At least, all 4 motherboards in my closet and the one currently in my PC are like that.

 

[codygriffy]

Suggested by Darkbreeze


Did you eliminate all these already?

- Be sure the microphone is fully extended when in use. If you try to use the mic in the stored position you will pick up sounds from your speakers.

- Ensure that ""Listen to this device"" is not selected under Control Panel >Sound > Recording > Properties > Listen

- Check that your sensitivity levels are not set to max or boosted too much under Control Panel >Sound > Recording > Properties > Levels

- Ensure that only one voice chat application is in use while in-game

- Check that you are configured to use the proper microphone under Control Panel >Sound > Recording > Select proper Microphone > Set Default Device/Communications Device

- Ensure your computer supports the combined audio jack. If not, please use the included audio/mic splitter cable.


I've seen this before on some units that had audio jacks that were not the "combined" type. You might want to verify with your case or motherboard documentation. Maybe try the other jack, front or back, and see if the problem is resolved or exists on both.