Audio Popping/Crackling. [SOLVED]

Hello all,

I'm new here-- I'm a ProTools user and have a dedicated setup for my production work, etc., but decided I'd like to get something VERY basic set up on my laptop so I can do some nice on-the-fly scratch demoing, anywhere, any time, without the need to hook a bunch of crap up.  That is, I've just got a little $200 Sony stereo microphone and my computer, and would like to keep it at that (i.e., no external interface) so I can record on a moments notice with zero setup time, anywhere I'd like.  Nothing fancy, and never more than one track at a time.

I downloaded the Sonar Producer X2 trial, which I'm loving the interface, etc., and can play and edit preexisting stuff like a breeze.  But when I go to track fresh audio, there's this relentless popping/crackling sound, almost rhythmic (like somebody's tapping on something the whole time), and I can't for the life of me get rid of it.  My computer is LOADED, 16GB RAM, quad-core CPU, solid internal sound card, etc., and even when I use the simple Windows Audio Recorder, the sound is fantastic; clean, loud and present, as it should be.  When i record in Sonar, however, it's far quieter, FAR noisier, and then of course the relentless crackling...

I've read almost every thread out there, on all kinds of different sites, and this issue seems pretty common, yet I haven't found one person who actually was able to get it sorted out.  I'd love to buy this software, but if I can't get it to work, no-go..  FYI, I have SoundForge on here as well and it records like a champ, just not a multi-track interface like Sonar.  I'm only wanting to lay down one track at a time, and I'll never be stacking more than 3-4 tracks anyway.  I can even live with the added noise, etc., but not the crackling! Hoping somebody out there can help! Here are some notes:

*I've maxed out the buffer size (all the way to "safe"), as well as bump the I/O buffers to 512.
*I've re-installed my sound drivers and ensured they're up to date.
*I've checked CPU usage, barely putting a dent in it.
*I've tried using an alternate microphone, and the computer's mic as well; no luck.
*I have only the bare essentials running in the background on my computer.
*I've tried headphones, monitors, and the laptop speakers; the pops are audible in all three, and not with any other software/playback.
*I've adjusted the Windows mic sensitivity/input, as well as my sound card's "mic boost" options, etc. (disabled all software options).
*I've disabled anti-virus and anti-malware, just in case.  Nope.
*What's really odd is the quiet first few seconds of audio doesn't have the popping (but the background noise/hiss is certainly there), but the second I start playing something, it shows up (background noise stays the same).

Is there just something silly I'm missing here? It just doesn't make sense to me that-- as so many replies in various posts have suggested-- I'd need a "better" sound card when it records fine in any other software, in fact the sound is far superior.  That makes zero sense, and this software (at its price point) should be able to handle something as simple as single, mono tracking? I can keep using SoundForge, or some junk like Audacity, but this suite is really sharp and has GREAT features... I'd love to make this happen!

Hoping somebody out there can help! The only "clue" I have, and I doubt it's related, is that the Windows MIDI device icon shows up in the taskbar even though I'm not using MIDI devices, but my guess is that it's for clocking?

I'm at a loss!

--Sloan

I've spent countless hours on this but haven't gotten anywhere.

First off, this is not the X2 forum it's for 8.5 and older. But audio issues will be the same. 

Sorry but Sonar rarely runs on nothing less than good ASIO drivers which come with professional audio interfaces. It doesn't even seem to like USB mikes. 

A simple set up will just have to include an audio interface. 

OR

Try Reaper. 
Or Audacity. 

Also download and run the DPCLAT meter to check for background processes that cause issues. Normally on a laptop you disable the Wireless card and Battery management.  

If all your doing is recording with a mike , why not one of these. I get mine tomorrow for my 60th from my Daughter. ( my wife has ordered a set of Yamaha DTX400K digital drums too! :) 

These 2 models are 4 track. The Tascam DR 40 has balanced
 inputs for doing board mixes.  

 http://www.musiciansfrien...table-digital-recorder

I also like this one The Zoom H2 because it comes with Wave lab 7 LE which I need and was going to pay $100 for anyhow. 

http://www.musiciansfrien...oom-h2n-handy-recorder


They are both cheaper on Amazon. ( $150)  I don't know which one I'll get until tomorrow as I added both to my wish list. 

Just a thought

Try and set your bit rates for Sonar to the same that your sound card is set to (or Card to Sonar)

LOL  Yeah,

Maybe he forgot how to get back to the forum

WONDERFUL!!!  and welcome back

Yeah, in Cakes video they addressed that.

 Glad ya got it sorted out.  Have fun and post us some stuff to listen to in the Songs Forum

MME MODE      is using the OS drivers which is also  what you need to use the Wavetable synths. You just won't have access to Sonars soft synths. 


You can also try ASIO4all which a few people claim is a good driver for generic work.