Sudden drop in sound quality

Amer · Jul 23, 2005, 11:46 PM

Where to begin..

Ok.

As is the situation with approximately 99.999% of my computer problems, I have no idea what the cause is, and the solution to this particular problem has proved to be rather elusive.

I don't know what the hell is going on.

One minute everything sounded great, and the next, everything sounds like crap, and it has ever since.

The only way to describe the problem to someone that has a general understanding of sound, would be to say that thse is a general lack of tone on all frequencies and the bit rate is somehow lower (like 96 or 100kbs). Almost like the mid-range is turned up too far.

That's about as much detail I can go into, other than no matter what I do/try/tweak, it just doesn't sound right, and my musician friend agrees.

Is there a way of removing and reinstalling everything sound related, without reformatting my hard drive?

I am to believe that this is software related, as I have tried two soundcards (onboard and PCI SB Live 5.1) and two sets of good quality speakers and head phones, and yet the problem remains present in all speaker/soundcard combinations.

This might have had something to do with the installation and ultimately, the removal of, microsoft .Net framework. I needed it to use a certain program.. but yeah, that's a possiblity.

This is my current configuration, for all those wondering:

ASUS A7N8X mb (BIOS Rev. 1007)
AMD 2500+ XP
512mb DDR (will be replaced soon)
Windows XP Pro - SP2
Maxtor 7200rpm 80gb/8mb cache
ATi Radeon 9600XT
Sound Blaster Live! 5.1
Onboard sound is disabled in control panel.

It's nothing spectacular, but it does what I ask it to (most of the time).

If I wasn't in a constant strive for perfect music quality, or dependant on the sound of my engine and tires in certain racing games, this probably wouldn't be a huge deal.

However, I am, and.. it is.

If it means having a chance at fixing this problem, I will answer as many questions as I can.

Thank you for reading, even if you have no input on this, because simply reading this far is proof that you initially had interest in helping.

My most sincere gratitude.

-B.

**dj_stick** · Jul 23, 2005, 11:59 PM

"The only way to describe the problem to someone that has a general understanding of sound, would be to say that thse is a general lack of tone on all frequencies and the bit rate is somehow lower (like 96 or 100kbs). Almost like the mid-range is turned up too far."

i have heard this all too often - usually caused by dodgy connection

try replacing the speaker cables and try re-seating the connection at the sockets on both ends

EDIT: i just read that it occured on multiple cards and output device combinations

in that case make sure that hardware acceleration is set to full in the sounds control panel -> speaker settings -> advanced section

Amer · Jul 27, 2005, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

make sure that hardware acceleration is set to full in the sounds control panel -> speaker settings -> advanced section

It is.

I don't know what is causing this.

All I would like to do is remove everything on this computer to do with sound and reinstall it.

Steps to go about this would be appreciated.

Otherwise, all I can foresee is backing up everything I have and reformatting.

This problem is too deep for my understanding. Thus why I'm asking here.

jiiteepee · Jul 28, 2005, 12:27 PM

Your .NET install may have mixed something (installed/leaved some files not 100% compatible even if you uninstalled .NET).

This can be a codec issue too. Have you booted once into 'Safe Mode' since it usually fixes corrupted sources (files, registry,...). Also, can you reinstall / update all audiocodecs you have installed.

Also you can try to fix it by (re)installing latest directX 9.0c, MS mediaplayer, ...

jiiteepee

Amer · Jul 29, 2005, 08:58 AM

Another thing that characterizes this problem is when the pitch of the sound increases beyond a certain point, it becomes staticky and like.. indecernable from the rest of the sounds. Plus it's a draw on the rest of the sounds/music cuz it's like flaw that stands out (contradiction).

I think I'll take this as a lesson and just avoid installing anything related to Microsoft.

That was a joke, but seriously.. I didn't really need to install that framework stuff.

I just went off on some huge paragraph (sentence) that was seemingly nothing more than a train of thought that conveyed itself through my fingers and onto the screen for me to read.

I am so awake.

Jul 23, 2005, 11:46 PM	#1
Amer DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 50 Rep Power: 0	Sudden drop in sound quality Where to begin.. Ok. As is the situation with approximately 99.999% of my computer problems, I have no idea what the cause is, and the solution to this particular problem has proved to be rather elusive. I don't know what the hell is going on. One minute everything sounded great, and the next, everything sounds like crap, and it has ever since. The only way to describe the problem to someone that has a general understanding of sound, would be to say that thse is a general lack of tone on all frequencies and the bit rate is somehow lower (like 96 or 100kbs). Almost like the mid-range is turned up too far. That's about as much detail I can go into, other than no matter what I do/try/tweak, it just doesn't sound right, and my musician friend agrees. Is there a way of removing and reinstalling everything sound related, without reformatting my hard drive? I am to believe that this is software related, as I have tried two soundcards (onboard and PCI SB Live 5.1) and two sets of good quality speakers and head phones, and yet the problem remains present in all speaker/soundcard combinations. This might have had something to do with the installation and ultimately, the removal of, microsoft .Net framework. I needed it to use a certain program.. but yeah, that's a possiblity. This is my current configuration, for all those wondering: ASUS A7N8X mb (BIOS Rev. 1007) AMD 2500+ XP 512mb DDR (will be replaced soon) Windows XP Pro - SP2 Maxtor 7200rpm 80gb/8mb cache ATi Radeon 9600XT Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 Onboard sound is disabled in control panel. It's nothing spectacular, but it does what I ask it to (most of the time). If I wasn't in a constant strive for perfect music quality, or dependant on the sound of my engine and tires in certain racing games, this probably wouldn't be a huge deal. However, I am, and.. it is. If it means having a chance at fixing this problem, I will answer as many questions as I can. Thank you for reading, even if you have no input on this, because simply reading this far is proof that you initially had interest in helping. My most sincere gratitude. -B.

Jul 28, 2005, 12:27 PM	#4
jiiteepee HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: FI Posts: 400 Rep Power: 0	Your .NET install may have mixed something (installed/leaved some files not 100% compatible even if you uninstalled .NET). This can be a codec issue too. Have you booted once into 'Safe Mode' since it usually fixes corrupted sources (files, registry,...). Also, can you reinstall / update all audiocodecs you have installed. Also you can try to fix it by (re)installing latest directX 9.0c, MS mediaplayer, ... jiiteepee

Jul 29, 2005, 08:58 AM	Thread Starter #5
Amer DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 50 Rep Power: 0	Another thing that characterizes this problem is when the pitch of the sound increases beyond a certain point, it becomes staticky and like.. indecernable from the rest of the sounds. Plus it's a draw on the rest of the sounds/music cuz it's like flaw that stands out (contradiction). I think I'll take this as a lesson and just avoid installing anything related to Microsoft. That was a joke, but seriously.. I didn't really need to install that framework stuff. I just went off on some huge paragraph (sentence) that was seemingly nothing more than a train of thought that conveyed itself through my fingers and onto the screen for me to read. I am so awake.