Horrible/distorted audio quality and no bass! Hardware failure?

I have a Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio sound which is built-in onto my MSI P6N Diamond motherboard. I've had this motherboard since June and I never had audio problems. I left my PC on as usual overnight last night and this morning I woke up to find my audio is distorted and I have no bass. All of the audio is distorted (as in very low pitch, low powered, no bass.). In adition, it is like somebody turned down the volume. It seems like its down to maybe 20% of its original power even when I set it 100%.
This was under Vista. Since I dual-boot with XP, I rebooted into XP. Guess what? Yep, horrible audio problems which means something happened over-night on the hardware level (since if was drivers/software related it couldn't have effected my XP install, which was not even running over night)
I did the standard "reset audio driver values to defaults", reinstalled audio drivers, etc, etc. I knew it wouldn't help (and it didn't). This seems to be on hardware level.
Any ideas anyone?

I finally tried that this afternoon, no difference. Everything sounds overall like its mono sound, not stereo. In fact when I test my headphone channels (left or right) everything sounds like this coming from center (not usual left right positioning), same goes for the 2.1 speakers I tried. When I do the diagnostic troubleshooting the left or right speaker test always ends up coming from both/center. Like something is forcing mono.
Also, I did notice that when watching some random movies, I can actually hear music/soundtrack clearly albeit a bit muted, while the voices are muffled/distorted. Like some channels are distorted and other are not. Also, disabling the CMSS-3D in the options panel for some reason makes the distortions much worse.

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Horrible/distorted audio quality and no bass! Hardware failu

I have a Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio sound which is built-in onto my MSI P6N Diamond motherboard. I've had this motherboard since June and I never had audio problems. I left my PC on as usual overnight last night and this morning I woke up to find my audio is distorted and I have no bass. All of the audio is distorted (as in very low pitch, low powered, no bass.). In adition, it is like somebody turned down the volume. It seems like its down to maybe 20% of its original power even when I set it 00%.
This was under Vista. Since I dual-boot with XP, I rebooted into XP. Guess what? Yep, horrible audio problems which means something happened over-night on the <span class="Apple-style-span">hardware level (since if was drivers/software related it couldn't have effected my XP install, which was not even running over night)
I did the standard "reset audio driver values to defaults", reinstalled audio drivers, etc, etc. I knew it wouldn't help (and it didn't). This seems to be on hardware level.
Any ideas anyone?

I finally tried that this afternoon, no difference. Everything sounds overall like its mono sound, not stereo. In fact when I test my headphone channels (left or right) everything sounds like this coming from center (not usual left right positioning), same goes for the 2.1 speakers I tried. When I do the diagnostic troubleshooting the left or right speaker test always ends up coming from both/center. Like something is forcing mono.
Also, I did notice that when watching some random movies, I can actually hear music/soundtrack clearly albeit a bit muted, while the voices are muffled/distorted. Like some channels are distorted and other are not. Also, disabling the CMSS-3D in the options panel for some reason makes the distortions much worse.

Can I modify the Export to... iTunes settings for better audio quality and compression?

I am working on some Music Videos to DJ at a party with, I notice that when I export them as .mov files with Final Cut HD Express, they have 320 kbps and 44.100 kHz in the audio compression settings. Once I export them in Quicktime 10.2, using the File / Export to... / iTunes drop down menu, the Second, (ipad, iphone 4, & AppleTV) setting (not using HD, so the Mac and PC tab is not an option.) The final exported file, that plays great in itunes, appletv, ipad, etc. has a reduced quality audio of Bit Rate of 159 kbps (instead of 320 kbps) and Sample Rate of 32.000 kHz (instead of 44.100 kHz). Is there anyway to change these preset settings somehow?
The Formats on the File / Export / menu are even less dinamic?
I also noticed that some of the Music videos I purchased from the itunes store some years ago, have a 256 Kbps and 44.100 kHz setting. Which is better quality than the ones exported from Quicktime 10.
I thought maybe with Quicktime 7 Pro, I could fine tune all the presets, but it got too complicated for me, might this be an option? What would the settings be?
Using Widescreen 853 x 480 at full quality .mov file.
thanks.

I am working on some Music Videos to DJ at a party with, I notice that when I export them as .mov files with Final Cut HD Express, they have 320 kbps and 44.100 kHz in the audio compression settings. Once I export them in Quicktime 10.2, using the File / Export to... / iTunes drop down menu, the Second, (ipad, iphone 4, & AppleTV) setting (not using HD, so the Mac and PC tab is not an option.) The final exported file, that plays great in itunes, appletv, ipad, etc. has a reduced quality audio of Bit Rate of 159 kbps (instead of 320 kbps) and Sample Rate of 32.000 kHz (instead of 44.100 kHz). Is there anyway to change these preset settings somehow?
Your question basically has too facets. The first is the quality of the source audio in terms of sampling rate and data rate. Under normal circumstances you don't want to export the audio using a sample rate or per channel data rate that is lower than your original source if you are trying to maintain the quality as high as possible and, on the other hand, you don't want to use settings greater than the source values since they increase the final file size without improving the quality of the audio.
The second is the workflow. Since you indicate you are using FCE HD for editing, then using QT X to re-export the data seems somewhat redundant. While it has been many, many years since I last used FCE HD, if I remember correctly, you have both "Export QT Movie" and "Export using QT Conversion" options. The first option takes the audio and video format in which you are editing and merely copies the edited data in that format to a new MOV file container. On the other hand, the second option allows you export the edited data format directly to a user selected compression format using user selected options (but does assume the user knows how to best use these options). These are, BTW, the same export options available in QT 7 Pro.
I thought maybe with Quicktime 7 Pro, I could fine tune all the presets, but it got too complicated for me, might this be an option? What would the settings be?
What is so difficult here? If the source is DVD stereo quality (usually 48.0 KHz @ 192 Kbps then set your output for stereo 48.0 KHz @ 192 Kbps. If you wish to save a bit of file space, the you can use 48.0 KHz @ 160 Kbps but that is normally as low as I go. As to setting combinations in QT 7 Pro, once you set the sampling rate, the application becomes cuntextually adaptive and will only allow you to select data rates that are "standards" compliant and non-compliant ones are automatically greyed out. Rendering quality settings are self-explanatory. These are the basics if you are using a preset option like the "Movie to MPEG-4" export option. If using more complex options like the "Movie to QT Movie" option, then you will need to also consider how you plan to use your file to select the correct encoding strategy. For instance, a constant bit rate is good for optical media from the standpoint of providing a constant flow of data to the player. Unfortunately, this is not very efficient since it forces the quality to vary as it maintains the constant data rate. A variable but contarined data rate is also good for optical media or fast start online files but allows the data rate to vary between user selected data rate excursions and thus provides improved quality over the constant data rate strategy. The variable data rate allows the user to target a specific level of audio quality and will then allow the data rate to vary as needed to maintain a constant level of quality. This option is better suited for playback on a computer since the bit rate can vary greatly in magnitude. The average setting allows the user to target a specific average target data rate but allows it fluctuate as the encoder applies predictor-corrector adjustments. This option, like the constant data rate option, is good for average complexity content when creating a target file of predictable size but can somtimes have problems towards the end of the file if the content suddenly becomes more complex than predicted.
Using Widescreen 853 x 480 at full quality .mov file.
I would rarely recommend using the full quality slider setting. This is more of a redundancy setting forcing the encoder to recycle through certain encoding routines in an effort to improve quality without increasing the data rate. You would like do better to increase the video data rate limit and decrease the quality slider to something in the 50 to 80% range. You also indicate the files are 853x480. Such files are frequently the result of anamorphic widescreen MPEG-2 or DV source files. If so, I would normally recommend retaining this anamorphic strategy by encoding the H.264 video at the same 720x480 matrix dimensions and allowing the player to properly display the files at their targeted aspect ratio. This strategy will either allow for slightly better quality at the current video data rate setting or allow the user to retain the current level of quality using a slightly lower data rate which, in turn, means a slightly smaller final file size.

HP Slate 21 Kit Kat OTA Update Fix for Audio Quality and LAN Connectivity

Recent Over The Air (OTA) update for Slate 21 Update
Link to thread discussion here, fix listed below -
ISSUE:
A previously applied HP Slate 21 Kit Kat Update (Android 4.4.2) over the air (OTA) update may have caused issues with audio quality or wireless LAN connectivity.
Audio Quality: Bass response will be poor. Audio will play but bass frequencies will be lacking.
WiFi Issue: 5 GHz band not functioning properly
Status:
A new update (17r25.1-011-11-WW) has been released over the air (OTA) to end users
Resolution:
Apply update 17r25.1-011-11-WW
If the user was previously on 17r25.1-010-10-WW then a Factory Reset should be performed to complete the resolution.
I work for HP, supporting the HP Experts who volunteer their time and technical knowledge to help others.

Pebbles65,
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A few questions - audio quality, and remote capability

1) What is the audio quality of songs streamed from airplay?
2) Is there any way to change the volume of a song using the iphone/ipad remote?
Thanks!

Hello..
Not sure about the actual specs of Airplay SQ.
Using the ATV2 to access your iTunes Library you must control the volume with the volume control of the device through which you have the audio routed.. ie TV or Stereo. There is no volume level on the ATV2 remote or in the interface of the ATV OS that I can see.
Using the ATV2 as a speaker for iTunes from your Mac or PC you can control the volume through iTunes on the Mac or PC.
Using the Remote App on iPhone 4 or other device you can control iTunes on your Mac or PC. In addition you can select the ATV2 as a speaker for iTunes directly from the Remote App and in turn have control of the volume from the iPhone 4.
I like the last way best. Easier to navigate library, make selections and control volume all from anywhere within range of your wifi connection.
Message was edited by: rz22g

Audio Quality and loudness

Apple please fix the slight hitch in the Audio Quality.
My main problem is that the ipod classic is too loud with my er-4p's. This headphone is low independence for portable products, but even on the lowest volume, turning it to zero (well what should be no volume), produces sound output to loud for listening. Could you explain to me how I fix this (perhaps use european firmware) or apple can fix this in the the next firmware upgrade. Otherwise I will return my product. I cannot use it at this volume.

I've noticed this too - what an unusual problem.
Typically when I listen at work, I keep the volume low - but now turn it all the way down - to 0 - and it's just a touch loud. I imagine with Really Good headphones - it would be too loud.
Have you thought of just using the apple buds? You lose the sound. . . but it's not as loud I expect.
I only use my good phones in my car. . . with the windows down - or on airplanes or travelling, etc.

Iphone 4 sudden decrease in audio quality and right earphone not working

This is really strange --- my iPhone 4 suddenly stopped playing music in the right headphone - in all headphones and even in my car AUX jack. Also, the sound in the left headphone is remarkably muffled and low quality.
But if I pull the jack out a tiny bit, right before it comes out all the way, sound plays normally through both headphones for a split second.
I tried the cotton swab and rubbing alcohol, tried compressed air.. any ideas what could be the cause? I'm beginning to think it might be like a connector or something deep in the jack got loose maybe?
Thanks for the help!

bump!

Audio Quality on Satellite C55-A-1AU

HI,
I am considering purchasing a Toshiba C55 model laptop, C55-A-1AU to be precise.
However I head a little read of the reviews and one or two people were unsatisfied with the audio quality of the machine.
I was wondering if anyone here is familiar with the C55 series and can comment on the audio quality and speaker quality of these laptops.
How are they for watching a move, or listening to music?
Do they produce clear non distorted audio?
are they loud enough (bearing in mind that I wear a hearing aid because I have terrible hearing.)
I have a Toshiba laptop at the moment, I've had it for nearly six years and feel it may be time for an upgrade.
My current model is a P300-16T and has served me very well.
I would appreciate any advice and answers to the questions I have asked, thank you for reading and for any help provided.

I've been looking around on websites for days at different Toshiba models and it seems that most of them, even the ones on Toshiba's own website have these same or similar speakers in them, its like their not even trying to provide premium quality machines anymore.
I've always used Toshiba laptops and have my heart set on a new model, I know that the speakers they are installing are unlikely to sound as good as the ones in my P300 but I would like them to at least sound good enough for some music and maybe YouTube and a few videos.
The only speakers on the advertised models that seem to come close to premium quality show that they have installed Onkyo speakers, there seem to be no more Harman/Kardon models around (I'm in the UK if it helps.)
It feels a bit distressing because audio is somewhat important to me, everything else is secondary.
As I mentioned I've had my heart set on Toshiba, really don't want to have to go down the Aple route at this point.

Question for Black Knight at Distorted Audio

Dear Black Knight:
Would you please go back to the Distorted Audio discussion and answer the last question that I posted there regarding your comments: "With even just a small investment in these things you can improve the quality of your recorded sound by tons! purchasing a Class-A Preamp ($100ish per channel) will dramatically clear up the sound and lower the noise floor, so when you record something at -20 and want to bring it up.. it won't have a lot of garbage in the signal."
I would value your advice on my questions. Thanks
Barb.

Sure I will go look, my apologies

Very low audio quality after amber update

After installing amber update audio quality and volume has dropped significantly! Volume through speakers is alot lower, and when plugged into headphones audio lacks quality and depth. There is barely any bass and volume is very low, sounds like listening to a clock radio very disappointing, as audio quality on my 920 was very very good the best of any phone so far before amber update!

i haven't noticed that with my 920. have you tried performing a soft reset and also check that you are up to date with all the latest Nokia system app updates from the Store?

How to improve the screen and audio quality on my Satellite c655-s5132

I recently bought a used Satellite C655-S5132 laptop. Although this machine is designed to run on Windows 7, it came equipped with Windows XP. The machine runs OK except for the screen which shows a distorted image and the sound which is tinny and low volume.
I suspect this is due to a software shortcoming rather than a defect in any of the hardware. The image distortion may be due to the fact that this laptop comes with a wide screen with an aspect ratio of 6:9, whereas the Windows XP operating system that is currently installed on this laptop is set at an aspect ratio of 4:3 and doesn't allow me to switch to the other aspect ratio.
As a result, the image fills the entire screen but appears to be stretched horizontally. As for the audio, I checked the volume settings and they are all set at their upper limit.
I have done the following:
1. I did a system check which shows that there are 2 drivers that need to be updated: video controller and video controller (VGA compatible). But when I prompt the machine to install updated drivers it gives me a failure code 28 "device not installed properly".
2. I ran 2 driver software programs: one shows that for both video controllers "the manufacturer is unknown" and "drivers are not installed", and the second shows that the driver is installed but needs to be updated.
3. Searched the web for the right drivers and found that for this machine running on Windows XP (32 bit), Intel produces a graphic driver, GMA 4500.
4. I tried to download this driver from the Intel website but the installation process failed. Perhaps it failed because Toshiba has specified a custom version of this graphic driver that can only be downloaded from its own website.
5. I searched the Toshiba website but was unable to identify the drivers for sound and image for this machine.
Could anyone help me find the right drivers on the Toshiba website that would allow me to: (i) change the setting for the aspect ratio and in doing so get rid of the image distortion, as well as improve the overal picture quality, and (ii) increase the audio volume and improve the overall sound quality?
Thank you.

Satellite C655-S5132
Downloads here
My advice is to restore the hard disk to its original out-of-the-box contents using Toshiba recovery media. All the drivers and utilities are properly preinstalled. Windows is preactivated.
You can obtain recovery discs from Toshiba. Scroll down to Get Recovery Media here .
For instructions, see the section Restoring from recovery DVDs/media, which begins on p. 71 of the User's Guide.
Satellite L640/L650 Series User’s Guide
-Jerry

How do I fix the audio quality on my iTunes? It sounds very distorted.

How do I fix the audio quality on my iTunes? It sounds very distorted.When listening to audio from other websites or programs, it sounds absolutely fine. Only when listening to music on my itunes is when it sounds awful and distorted. Please help.

Artwork doesn't sync with music in ipod...: Apple Support Communities
next try
- Unsync all music and resync
- Restore from backup. See:
iOS: How to back up
- Restore to factory settings/new iOS device.

X200 Audio - Hiss and Distortion

i have taken delivery of a new X200, and must say i am very disappointed in the audio subsystem. when listening to music in WMP through the audio jack with Shure SE420 headphones, there is a buzz/hiss/distortion when music plays that is very very annoying. what you would expect from an MP3 player that is given away as a promotional item, but not from a Thinkpad.
The audio is unacceptable for long flights.
Is this common with the Connexant chip? if so, Lenovo ought to source elsewhere.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Unfortunately, this isn't about audiophile pickiness. I've had two other laptops in the past year and two handheld computers that all provide much more acceptable audio quality on the headphone out than my Thinkpad T500. I just used the headphone jack on it for the first time within the last week, and the buzzing was immediately noticeable.
I've seen another post online by a T500 user with the same problem we both have. This disappoints me because it means that even a warranty claim may not solve it.

Pictures lose quality and audio in a video clip starts to clip after render

I enjoy doing various random small projects with final cut studio, but there are a few problems I am still having in doing so. One is I record a local basketball league's games and make highlight videos out of them. Another is I like to convert dvds into files and make favorite quote montages or edit movies to have clean versions for the kids. I do not have professional equipment, yet. Final Cut was the first step I chose to take to upgrade. So I'm sure most of the stuff I use is not the greatest choice, but I'm just trying to get the best out of what I have. And when I have problems that I know are bad, I need to find out how to fix them.
Problem with basketball highlights:
I am not sure which is the best format to convert the video to in Final Cut that would make it work the best. Also a problem importing pictures.
The camera I use to record is a Sony Handycam Exmor HDR-XR100. I am confused about importing in Final Cut so I usually import through imovie, which saves the files as .mov and then I go to the finder and put them in Final Cut. Clicking on more info shows me a 20 minute clip (of basketball in this case) is 14.29gb, quicktime movie, 1440 X 1080 dimensions, apple intermediate codec, integer (little endian), timecode, channel count: 2, total bit rate: 102, 385. When I record with the camera I usually turn off the button 'easy mode', which shows on the screen a better quality image going from HD to HDHQ and 5.1 surround sound. Sometimes the render times are ridiculously long for small files and the quality decreases or what not so I was just wondering if there is a good extension to use or format that would be better for use in final cut. Obviously some extensions don't work in final cut, but the most familiar I've used are .mov and .avi (though I don't use avi anymore because I've been told it's not the greatest idea)
Another recent problem I'm having is with pictures in these highlight videos. When I record basketball, I like to record and show everyone their stats along with the video at the end of each game. So I create an excel document with all the teams and numbers and then save it as a .pdf file or picture to load into final cut and add to the video at the end of each game highlights. A similar thing happens though, when I load it in the browser from there the quality is great in the viewer. As soon as I load it in the timeline, the quality drops drastically and I can't even read the numbers in the viewer or canvas. When I took a final cut training class I remember hearing something about a button that makes final cut work faster by reducing the quality of the media it's displaying, but doesn't affect the output. I was wondering if maybe there is a simple button that I have set wrong and maybe that is the reason this is happening, or maybe I just am making it a bad choice of extension again I don't know.
Problem with video files not recorded by me:
Other times I don't record from my own camera say if I want to make a movie montage of all my favorite movie lines/quotes. I would like to edit movies as well to make them clean for my kids to watch. In any case, I convert the dvd to a file on my computer, usually multiple extensions and just use the one that works and also has the best quality, and then load it to final cut. (Is there a program in Final Cut Studio that would be better for this? Right now I use iSkysoft Media Converter to convert these files). As soon as I load it to the timeline and render it, the audio skips like a hiccup throughout the movie. This is when I notice the skipping is only really audible in the audio when music starts to play. I thought that was kind of weird. I can't pick it up as much when there is just dialogue, but when a song comes on or a scene begins with music it makes the entire audio sound bad.
So maybe the problem isn't what extension the file is and I need to look at more details such as dimensions I'm guessing. If you have any examples I would appreciate it. I am sorry I am so difficult haha.
Thanks again for all you're input and help. What goes around comes around and I really try to do the best I can in everything I undertake. I really appreciate it.

I called it "making a montage of my favorite movie clips." It is what it is. Just how I said it. I do stand up impressions part time and sometimes, believe it or not i get recorded, or I record myself and "make a montage of all my favorite movie clips" or scenes from a movie or anything for that matter. So as illegal as that is I apologize that you want to monitor that stuff.
So lets step out of our assumptive sheriff shoes and stop hazardly guessing at anything that you would disprove of. Everyone else has been very helpful. Besides, all these questions centralize around a basketball highlight video I am making for a coach, that I myself recorded and own the copyright to, to be specific and hopefully clarify your hunch.
As a video editor you also often receive footage with numerous formats depending on who you're working with. Not everything is an illegal transaction that you assume it to be. Thanks

When playing any audio the audio quality on my Thunderbolt display steadily worsens over an hour period and becomes garbled. Restarting the media player fixes it. Does not occur when MacBook Pro is undocked.

When playing audio/video on my MacBook Pro docked to Thunderbolt display the audio quality steadily worsens until it is garbled beyond understanding. I don't know if it occurs when using the MacBook undocked. It takes about an hour to become noticeable and steadily worsens. Simultaneously when the computer speaks the time this is also gargled. As the problem develops it sounds like there is a static halo around each spoken word.

Hi GeoChester,
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!
I understand that you are experiencing some sound issues on your Mac that worsens over time. In this situation, the first troubleshooting step that I would recommend would be to reset your computer’s PRAM. To do this, please follow the instructions in the following attached article.
OS X Yosemite: Reset your computer’s PRAM
Best regards,
Joe

Horrible/distorted audio quality and no bass! Hardware failure?

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