Crackling & dropouts with older USB external audio interfaces in Predator Helios Neo 16

ecinut · January 21

More of a general question but since I'm using a Predator Helios Neo 16, I'll ask it here. I bought this unit for video/photo editing and audio DAW (workstation) using Cakewalk by Bandlab, and for software synth usage. The Realtek headphone works fine, but either of the external interfaces produces lots of crackling/dropouts from all sources: WAV playback, YouTube streaming, and Cakewalk projects.

I've uninstalled/re-installed the interface drivers, made sure all relevant bit depth/sample rates match, but no-go. I'll see if I can get help from the manufacturer websites, as the closest answer I've found here dates back to 2019 I think and basically says uninstall/reinstall ALL audio drivers, not just for the devices in question, which sounds like it's a procedure that might disable the entire laptop audio if done incorrectly (Realtek has a LOT of files on the Acer support download.)

External interface units are old, which may mean it's a Windows 11 problem: M-Audio M-track 2x2, and Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 Mk I (the original unit)

If anyone is successfully using an external USB/Thunderbolt interface with a Predator Helios Neo 16, please let me know the model, it might be simplest to just buy a new interface if I know one actually will solve the problem.

[Edited the thread to add model number to the title]

ecinut · May 12

Thank you eGomes, I took a look at the link you provided but idling doesn't seem to be a likely cause, as the dropouts are obviously going on when USB devices are active.

I did try a proposed solution earlier tonight that I had read online pros and cons about, which is using an external USB hub (in my case, my ancient inexpensive multiport by Targus) and that seems to have fixed the problem. A huge relief, and so I'll put that out there to anyone else. It's a cheap and (it if works for you) useful fix, as it also expands the number of devices you can connect.

ecinut · January 23

Very quiet out there…

More searching online points to this being a Windows 11 problem, but if any of you are using a USB audio interface successfully with this specific laptop, I would love to know what manufacturer and model. I'd prefer to buy my way out of the problem and not go down rabbit holes with drivers and configurations.

eGomes · January 23

Hi @ecinut,

#1 Use LatencyMon tool to identify possible causes of audio latencies (highest execution times DPCs and ISRs, hard pagefaults);

#2 You can also, try to adjust registry entries ConservationIdleTime and PerformanceIdleTime to fix audio (delay / popping / crackling) issues with specific audio device:

https://blog.immatt.com/2020/01/16/thinkpad-x1-extreme-gen-2-popping-audio-problem-and-solution/

ecinut · January 25

Thank you for the reply and the link. The Thinkpad X1 post describes a pre and post playback problem, but mine is continuous throughout the WAV playback, internet audio streaming, and soft-synth performance. I'll keep your suggestions in mind.

eGomes · January 25

It's possible that these crackling / dropouts issues are being caused by "USB 3 Link Power Management".

With the help of the link below you can configure it:

How to Add or Remove "USB 3 Link Power Management" from Power Options in Windows

If you wish, attach the dxdiag tool log (.TXT file) here:

How to Extract Information from the DirectX* Diagnostic Tool

ecinut · May 12

Thank you eGomes, I took a look at the link you provided but idling doesn't seem to be a likely cause, as the dropouts are obviously going on when USB devices are active.

I did try a proposed solution earlier tonight that I had read online pros and cons about, which is using an external USB hub (in my case, my ancient inexpensive multiport by Targus) and that seems to have fixed the problem. A huge relief, and so I'll put that out there to anyone else. It's a cheap and (it if works for you) useful fix, as it also expands the number of devices you can connect.