You only mention "plugged into the desk" This implies an audio cable?? the power supply?
Have you tried disconecting the USB cable?
I get a crackling noise in my system , only when the audio engin is running, just like you are discribing. Every move you make with a mouse causes a buzzing too.
I slowly eliminated each component and swapped out gear and I isolated it to my old Yamaha P 2100 Power amp. Go figure. Remove the power amp from the chain , crackling gone.
But my point is you need to isolate each component. The Drum module has a headphone output ,, right? try that in stand alone.
Then hook up the USB cable..
Then try a different computer...on and on