STEAM GROUP
Steam Client Beta SteamBeta
Join Group
STEAM GROUP
Steam Client Beta SteamBeta
393,654
MEMBERS
9,163
IN-GAME
52,905
ONLINE
Founded
8 January, 2013
Overview Announcements Discussions Events Members Comments
Isharantu 12 Oct, 2024 @ 6:02am
Audio crackling with "Record in background" and DAC
Lately I have noticed that when I launch a steam game I can hear crackling in the audio and its most noticeable with high pitch sounds. Not sure when it started could have been several weeks ago.

Though the problem is quite specific and happens only when these conditions are met
-Playing game with "Record in background" on
-Using headphones that go trough my DAC (zen dac v2) (If I use my bluetooth headphones crackling does not occur)
-Seemingly stronger crackles if the game is more demanding

I cant be 100% sure if theres anything wrong on my end but I cant recall making any big changes during the month or so when the problems started.
< >
Showing 1-11 of 11 comments
ghostgator 12 Oct, 2024 @ 3:07pm 
yea this happens for me too, im not sure why. +1
#1
Stephinci 2 Nov, 2024 @ 4:44pm 
+1
#2
Deuce 2 Nov, 2024 @ 8:27pm 
+1, have same issue. But, sometimees it's happening in other software. I think, is a problem in "hi-rez" sound.
#3
NanoPi 3 Nov, 2024 @ 1:59am 
+1 with steam.exe on high priority, no special DAC though.
Last edited by NanoPi; 3 Nov, 2024 @ 2:00am
#4
SGT Sagara 6 Nov, 2024 @ 5:08pm 
+1
#5
SGT Sagara 8 Nov, 2024 @ 6:04pm 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFNz0I6s48U

SAME PROBLEM
Last edited by SGT Sagara; 8 Nov, 2024 @ 6:04pm
#6
Fazer [PL] 9 Nov, 2024 @ 4:18pm 
I have the same problem with the audio crackling while playing with Steam recording in the background, using DACs: Ferrum Wandla or Schiit Gunnr. The worst case is in Dota 2, on Windows 10.

The only DAC that works for me without issue is Fiio BTR15 in PC mode (through USB cable), but the maximum quality it supports is 16-bit 96 kHz (I've read it may be brought higher after installing official drivers, but I don't know if it will still work).
Last edited by Fazer [PL]; 9 Nov, 2024 @ 4:20pm
#7
Opti 11 Nov, 2024 @ 6:23am 
Same issue here. I don't know what triggers it, since half the time it works normally then it just randomly starts stuttering. Although I don't use DAC. I Don't think that's related.
Last edited by Opti; 11 Nov, 2024 @ 6:24am
#8
SGT Sagara 11 Nov, 2024 @ 9:06am 
Originally posted by Opti:
Same issue here. I don't know what triggers it, since half the time it works normally then it just randomly starts stuttering. Although I don't use DAC. I Don't think that's related.

I noticed that the audio problems in the recording appear every 16-20 minutes of recording for about 5-6 minutes. The problem comes and goes at regular intervals of time.
#9
Fazer [PL] 11 Nov, 2024 @ 9:24am 
For me with DACs it's constant crackling, even in the main menu. Focal Bathys also has this problem in DAC mode (through USB cable), on the other hand it works correctly when connected through 3.5 mm cable directly to PC tower.
#10
sporophyll 10 Apr @ 6:58pm 
Tonight I discovered a connection between the crackling in my audio through my DAC and game recording through this post. Thank you! Then, after some experimentation, I discovered a partial mitigation.

If you're using Steam's new built-in Game Recording feature and having this issue, disable the HEVC codec:
- go to Steam settings
- choose "Game Recording" (Just underneath "Controller" for me)
- scroll down and find "Enable HEVC (H.265) video codec"
- disable that

With HEVC enabled I was able to reliably produce the crackling using the test function in Windows' sound settings and in certain games. With it disabled, the sound test still produced some crackling, but in-game it seems greatly and mercifully reduced.
#11
< >
Showing 1-11 of 11 comments
Per page: 1530 50

All Discussions > Steam Game Recording > Topic Details
Date Posted: 12 Oct, 2024 @ 6:02am
Posts: 11
Start a New Discussion

Discussions Rules and Guidelines