Headset sound distortion

Discussions about using Windows guests in VirtualBox.
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silo
Posts: 3
Joined: 14. Dec 2021, 18:11

Headset sound distortion

Post by silo »

Hi, can't find any relevant or helpful info on this so hoping someone can help.

I have a win10 guest machine and sound works perfectly find when using the monitors default sound output. Videos etc all fine. When on the host machine the usb headset works fine as expected, however, when switching it over to the guest machine sound becomes very stretched out, laggy and it stutters. When testing the microphone I can't figure out whether the input is also suffering or if it is just the sound output.

Any idea on how to resolve this or perhaps some suggestion? Really need it resolved.
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20965
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: Headset sound distortion

Post by scottgus1 »

Start the VM from full power off, not save-state. Run until you see the problem happen, then shut down the VM from within the VM OS if possible. If not possible, close the Virtualbox window for the VM with the Power Off option set.

Please right-click the VM in the main Virtualbox window's VM list, choose Show Log. Save the far left tab's log, zip the log file, and post the zip file, using the forum's Upload Attachment tab.
silo
Posts: 3
Joined: 14. Dec 2021, 18:11

Re: Headset sound distortion

Post by silo »

I opened the vm from power off state, hit the devices tab at the top (vm ribbon), enabled the headset through the USB tab and instantly the sound became distorted; so I powered off and did as instructed to attach the zip.
Last edited by silo on 14. Dec 2021, 18:56, edited 1 time in total.
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20965
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: Headset sound distortion

Post by scottgus1 »

A couple of things to try, in order:

1. Install the Extension Pack in the host Virtualbox. As of now your VM has only USB 1.1. The EP will allow it to use USB 3, which is a better USB implementation. Note that USB 3 can be used even if the headphones are only USB 2, and even if the host does not have USB 3 ports.

2. Increase VM Ram:
00:00:02.447084 Host RAM: 32716MB (31.9GB) total, 27253MB (26.6GB) available
00:00:02.569573 RamSize <integer> = 0x0000000080000000 (2 147 483 648, 2 048 MB)
00:00:02.569741 VRamSize <integer> = 0x0000000008000000 (134 217 728, 128 MB)
2GB is rather the bottom limit for decent Windows 10, and your host OS has room. Try 4GB.

3. Enable 3D acceleration in the VM. 3D will make video rendering faster, which will take load off the VM OS. Also increase video RAM to 256MB. Note that disabling transparency is recommended to work around video glitches:
Settings > Personalization > Colors > Transparency Effects
or
Ease of Access > Display > Simplify and personalize Windows > Show transparency
silo
Posts: 3
Joined: 14. Dec 2021, 18:11

Re: Headset sound distortion

Post by silo »

You sir are an absolute star. Thank you so much, having installed the extension package all is working perfectly with USB 3. :D
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20965
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: Headset sound distortion

Post by scottgus1 »

Nice! Glad you're up and running.
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