Audigy NX/FC3 : Sound crackling / distortion

Hey, I have a problem with sound distortion when using my Audigy NX (USB) soundcard in Fedora Core 3. Sound works fine in Windows XP Pro. I am using ALSA and I believe I have the latest RPMs installed for it. I have tried changing settings in alsamixer with no results. If anyone knows how to fix this I would really appreciate it.

Kernel: 2.6.9-1.681_FC3 i686

cat /etc/modprobe.conf

alias eth0 r8169 Gigabit Ethernet driver 1.1.2
alias snd-card-0 snd-intel8x0
options snd-card-0 index=0
install snd-intel8x0 /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-intel8x0 && /usr/sbin/a lsactl restore >/dev/null 2>&1 || :
remove snd-intel8x0 { /usr/sbin/alsactl store >/dev/null 2>&1 || : ; }; /sbin/mo dprobe -r --ignore-remove snd-intel8x0
alias snd-card-1 snd-usb-audio
options snd-card-1 index=1
install snd-usb-audio /sbin/modprobe --ignore-install snd-usb-audio && /usr/sbin /alsactl restore >/dev/null 2>&1 || :
remove snd-usb-audio { /usr/sbin/alsactl store >/dev/null 2>&1 || : ; }; /sbin/m odprobe -r --ignore-remove snd-usb-audio
alias usb-controller ehci-hcd
alias usb-controller1 uhci-hcd
alias ieee1394-controller ohci1394

Which programs give the distortion? Many programs (mplayer, xmms) allow you to specify the drivers to use (OSS, ALSA, ...). I got sound distortion with my onboard soundcard when using mplayer, and solved it by switching to a different driver.
Just a thought.

Well, it happens not only in XMMS playing MP3s, but also when I simply use the "Test" button in the sound card detection program. If it was ALSA and something else did work, I wouldn't have any idea how to change the driver that the system and everything else uses.

I've tried the following output plugins:
ALSA 1.2.10 ouput plugin : crackling / distortion
OSS Driver 1.2.10 : I get silence
aRts output 0.6.0 : Couldn't Open Audio
eSound Output Plugin 1.2.10 : crackling / distortion

Someone... please help me here. I really want linux to work

try put this on your $HOME/.asoundrc, if u use ALSA

pcm.!default {
type plug slave {
pcm "hw:0,0"
rate 48000
}
route_policy default
}

I have had the same problem, for some reason in mplayer it doesnt do that though and i dont know why (when playing dvds). I DID however create a shitty fix for xmms. You have to configuire the plugins to downsample the music down to 22khz. Low quality, but gets rid of the crackle. To let you know though this only works in xmms so far as it is the only player to give me that option. Now I was thinking something fishy was going on, then did a usbview and I noticed that it is running at usb 1.1 full speed (12mb) instead of USB 2.0 (480MBs)...I can't see how to fix this. Anybody that would like to take a crack at that one be my guest. That should work for you though, let me know how you do

ernie@hladistributors.com -work email

I'm a noob to Linux, and I also have a Creative Audigy 2 NX, which is USB. My problem is I don't even get any sound at all, and the red 'mute' light on it stays on, which doesnt happen in windows. How can I choose which drivers to use, e.g. ALSA etc..., or is it something more I need to do to get any sound

Regards, BuckRogers01

you tried running alsamixer in the console and going to all of the muted channels and hitting the m key to unmute? I actually disconnected my NX and used to onboard sound and it sounded ten times better than that in linux, flawless lol.

for once Linux booted up without the red light on the NX, however, all the channels (I think) were already unmuted, as the was no MM thing above the bars, when I press 'M' it then says off, I don't know why I can't hear anything, the only other thing is I get 2 instances of my card in the sound detection thing, the first one takes about 5-7 seconds for the question to pop up 'did u hear anything', and the instance just pops it up instantly. Any ideas?

i had the same issue. One thing, put all the volume levels in the mixer up 2/3's, on all channels. then do the test. One should produce sound, and the other one should just produce an error. Also make sure no other sound servers are running.

I'm kinda new to Linux, how do you put the channels up, and do you know what other sound servers might be running if I've just installed a fresh copy of FC3. I use sound a lot, and I get bored without it, so it is vital for me to get it working

Thanks

the pcm slider on the mixer might be the problem. i ran into that in fedora and slackware. if you set it to about 50-75% it might get rid of the crackle.

the should be a program under called volume control or similar under the start menu (or whatever you want to call it). might be under multimedia, sound,....something along those lines

the pcm slider had a white (or red, can't remember) bar on it, like some of the channels, but it was much higher the then channels marked towards the right, the problem is I don't even have a crackle, or any noise!, (lol)

Hurray, I got sound to work. I knew what was going to follow, crackling (I only get it when I play a wav file, or press the test button etc.. not in system sounds), now how do I get rid of this

Same problem here with audigy 2nx. Slack 10.1 is my distribution.
God.....i ve spent hours on it ....but nothing....i also think it has to do with usb2.0