A very odd audio issue

This is a recent problem, as it's been happening for about three of four days so far. Sometimes, when I listen to any audio file, be it an .mp3, an .ogg or even a pure .wav, it can clearly be heard that the volume oscillates during playback.

I don't really have a clue on what's causing this. The volume increases and decreases rapidly, in a matter of 2 or 3 seconds. The strange thing is that it happens in an absolutely random way, no matter what player I use or what track I start.

It's getting rather annoying, so I'd be very grateful if someone could shed light on such weirdness. By the way, my soundcard is integrated within the motherboard - it's an ASUS Realtek AC 97. Thanks in advance.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Have you tried other sound speakers/headphones? Have you checked the wiring connections? What media player are you using? Do you have any idea what codecs you have installed? Do you have the same problem with video files (the audio in them)? Do you have a good set of hardware drivers installed?

This is necessary to help troubleshoot, so please do answer all the questions.

Cheers!

There's nowhere I can't reach.

It could be dying. Unlikely, though possible. A barebones standard PCI soundcard will set you back next to nothing so it wouldn't be that much of a problem.

Though that is an idea, if you can get hold of a sound card and try using that and it's fine, then you know it's something up with your AC`97. The chip is natively supported in XP so I don't think it'd be a driver issue.

I had a pretty similar problem but the other way around. My PCI soundcard started to go really funky in terms of what it was outputting and eventually went completely. My Computer still recognises it if I insert it but I can't hear anything and the PC can't hear it either (recording itself). So I just switched over to my on-board sound.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

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Have you tried other sound speakers/headphones? Have you checked the wiring connections?

Yes, it happens even if I plug a pair of headphones. The wirings seem to be fine. For sure I didn't modify or touch them in any form.

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What media player are you using?

I use foobar2000 almost all the time. Lately, I've been switching to winamp, with the hope it was the player's fault. But, to no avail. It happens with winamp, as well.

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Do you have any idea what codecs you have installed?

Well, I'll look up for more details. One thing I recall is that I did install the CCCP codec package. But it was a long time ago, so I don't think that's responsible for such effects.

Now that I think of it, I've recently installed VDMsound (for abandonware sound emulation). Could that be, by chance, the source of my problems?

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Do you have the same problem with video files (the audio in them)? Do you have a good set of hardware drivers installed?

The problem doesn't concern at all video files and my hardware drivers are up-to-date.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Is the volume actually lowering, but otherwise sounds normal or does the sound have a muffled sound to it?

I was speaking idiomatically.

If video isn't having the same problems, then it sounds like a filter/codec issue.

Download and install GSpot. Open an MP3/WAV/OGG file with Gspot, and click the render button in the bottom corner. This will show you what happens inside your computer to play the file. You can also use one of the drop down menus to see what codecs/filters you have installed.

Post what info you find here, and we'll see if this turns up anything.

BTW: You are running Windows XP Sp2, yes?

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

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Is the volume actually lowering, but otherwise sounds normal or does the sound have a muffled sound to it?

The volume evidently lowers, but its quality is perceivably unaffected. No muffling, no buzz, just an oscillating intensity in the volume.

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You are running Windows XP Sp2, yes?

Yes, I've always used that as the OS for this machine.

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Download and install GSpot. Open an MP3/WAV/OGG file with Gspot, and click the render button in the bottom corner. This will show you what happens inside your computer to play the file. You can also use one of the drop down menus to see what codecs/filters you have installed.

Post what info you find here, and we'll see if this turns up anything.

This is what I got with an .ogg:
- AUDIO PATH: (S) --> Ogg Splitter --> Vorbis Decoder --> (R)
- FILTERS USED: Ogg Splitter, Vorbis Decoder, Default DirectSound Device.

This is what I got with an .mp3:
- AUDIO PATH: (S) --> MPEG-I Stream Splitter --> ffdshow Audio Decoder --> (R)
- FILTERS USED: MPEG-I Stream Splitter, ffdshow Audio Decoder, Default DirectSound Device.

Hope it is of some help, though I'll restate that no new codec were installed recently. CCCP, that includes ffdshow, was installed about one year ago.

FELIPE NO

Hmmmmm...

I guess the only thing that really flags in my mind is the VDMsound you installed. Is it possible for you to uninstall that program easily, test playing your files again, and reinstall if it is not the problem?

I assume you have DirectX 9.0c installed, or better, have you done anything with DirectX stuff like installing a DirectX emulator? Older versions of directx have directshow in them, so this might be part of the issue.

Also, just thought of this, be sure that you have all programs shut down except for your audio player when testing. Another program could be conflicting with the playback (especially PC emulation).

Sorry, I wish I could just tell you what's wrong, but this seems to be a very odd case. Sometimes, it just happens like that, and tasks just won't work properly. (for me, I can't get VMR9 video rendering to work for the life of me:aargh: )

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I need to update some details about this annoying issue of mine.

Apparently, and I'm quite surprised to say the least, the problem occurs even on video files - even on YouTube. Besides, it happens the most when I manually try to change the volume. It gets adjusted, then after about 2 seconds there goes the oscillation.

I'll now try re-installing the Sound Manager of my soundcard. Let's see if it turns out any good.

EDIT: I re-did the installation. Unfortunately, the problem still occurs - especially when I go touch the volume bar of my 5.1 speaker set. I'm thinking, could it be some kind of residuous line command in the registry (maybe it was left over from my VDMsound installation)?
In that case, could you suggest me a registry cleaner software? I'd make an attempt.

Jam it back in, in the dark.