Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Linux hosts.
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sk1993
Posts: 4
Joined: 8. Aug 2016, 22:18

Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by sk1993 »

VirtualBox version: 5.1.2 r108956
Guest Additions: yes; version 5.0.16
Extension Pack: yes; 5.1.2-108956
Host: Ubuntu (16.0.4.1 LTS) 64-bit, 32GB RAM, Intel Core i7-2760QM CPU 2.40GHz × 8, Intel HD Graphics 3000 (integrated) and Nvidia Quadro 1000M (discrete) -- I only use the HD 3000; the computer itself is the Thinkpad W520, with the Conexant CX20672 Codec which shows up as Intel Corporation 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family High Definition Audio Controller (rev 04) in Ubuntu (under lpsci); I use the daily ALSA drivers for Xenial (under "Additional Drivers")
Guest: Windows 10 (1607, 14393.10) 64-bit, 8.1GB (8192MB) RAM, 2 CPUs @ 100% Execution Cap, VT-x/AMD-V, Hyper-V Paravirtualization, 256MB Video Memory, 100GB hard drive
Windows 10 Audio Host Driver: PulseAudio
Windows 10 Audio Controller: Intel HD Audio

Hi, all. I recently installed Windows 10 as a VM on VirtualBox, and then promptly went ahead with the Anniversary update--I didn't actually test the sound at all on Windows 10 before updating it. Anyway, the update went smoothly and nicely, but audio quality is subpar. The audio is choppy and crackles a lot. I tried changing the audio settings to ALSA as the Host Driver, but audio sounds even worse with ALSA enabled in VirtualBox--audio is speed up and glitchy with ALSA. With PulseAudio, it's slightly better--the sound is output at a normal speed, but crackles and glitches out a lot.

Other than the glitchy audio, the VM itself runs great. Not many lag events. My fan doesn't turn on whenever I run the VM, and my computer stays relatively cool. Videos play great. Even 4K@25-30fps videos on Youtube play properly in the VM, without any missed frames, but audio is continually choppy.

What could be wrong with my VM's audio? Outside the VM, audio plays fine. Absolutely no glitches, unless I go over 100% volume. Both VirtualBox and Ubuntu are capped at 100% volume, though.

Could it be the lack of ALSA? Is there any way to make the VM play nice with ALSA?

Thanks.
Attachments
VBox.log
(117.3 KiB) Downloaded 1166 times
klassikmann
Posts: 2
Joined: 9. Aug 2016, 16:02

Re: Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by klassikmann »

Hello,

I second sk1993's observation. I use VB 5.1.2 to install Windows 10 (1607) 64-bit.
Sound is rather choppy. Video was stuttering until I unchecked 2D/3D-acceleration.
Host CPU load is very high during audio/video playback.
Attached you find a log during audio playback.

Any clue?
Attachments
VBox.log
(127.73 KiB) Downloaded 1026 times
sk1993
Posts: 4
Joined: 8. Aug 2016, 22:18

Re: Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by sk1993 »

klassikmann wrote:Hello,

I second sk1993's observation. I use VB 5.1.2 to install Windows 10 (1607) 64-bit.
Sound is rather choppy. Video was stuttering until I unchecked 2D/3D-acceleration.
Host CPU load is very high during audio/video playback.
Attached you find a log during audio playback.

Any clue?
I want to mention that audio works fine for me on VMware 12 Pro (12.1.1 build-3770994). All it takes is installing VMware Tools on your VM (and making sure audio is selected).

I would use VMware, but sadly, the mouse is a lot laggier than it is in VirtualBox on my laptop, plus I like that my mouse doesn't get captured in VirtualBox like it does in VMware. I hope VirtualBox comes out with better Windows 10 support soon.

Some observations:
-Audio (.mp3 files) played in WIndows Media Player have little to no crackling but the audio slightly speeds up at times
-Certain Windows sound effects (like emptying the trash) don't stutter or crackle--but the new Windows 10 ones do
-Youtube video audio stutters
-Audio from programs stutters

Additional info about my machine and VM:

Code: Select all

Name:            Windows 10
Groups:          /
Guest OS:        Windows 10 (64-bit)
UUID:            [Removed by sk1993]
Config file:     /home/suzy/VirtualBox VMs/Windows 10/Windows 10.vbox
Snapshot folder: /home/suzy/VirtualBox VMs/Windows 10/Snapshots
Log folder:      /home/suzy/VirtualBox VMs/Windows 10/Logs
Hardware UUID:   [Removed by sk1993]
Memory size:     8192MB
Page Fusion:     off
VRAM size:       256MB
CPU exec cap:    100%
HPET:            off
Chipset:         piix3
Firmware:        BIOS
Number of CPUs:  1
PAE:             off
Long Mode:       on
Triple Fault Reset: off
APIC:            on
X2APIC:          off
CPUID Portability Level: 0
CPUID overrides: None
Boot menu mode:  message and menu
Boot Device (1): Floppy
Boot Device (2): DVD
Boot Device (3): HardDisk
Boot Device (4): Not Assigned
ACPI:            on
IOAPIC:          on
BIOS APIC mode:  APIC
Time offset:     0ms
RTC:             local time
Hardw. virt.ext: on
Nested Paging:   on
Large Pages:     off
VT-x VPID:       on
VT-x unr. exec.: on
Paravirt. Provider: Minimal
Effective Paravirt. Provider: Minimal
State:           running (since 2016-08-09T17:17:30.508000000)
Monitor count:   1
3D Acceleration: off
2D Video Acceleration: off
Teleporter Enabled: off
Teleporter Port: 0
Teleporter Address: 
Teleporter Password: 
Tracing Enabled: off
Allow Tracing to Access VM: off
Tracing Configuration: 
Autostart Enabled: off
Autostart Delay: 0
Default Frontend: 
Storage Controller Name (0):            SATA
Storage Controller Type (0):            IntelAhci
Storage Controller Instance Number (0): 0
Storage Controller Max Port Count (0):  30
Storage Controller Port Count (0):      2
Storage Controller Bootable (0):        on
SATA (0, 0): /home/suzy/VirtualBox VMs/Windows 10/Windows 10.vdi (UUID: [removed])
SATA (1, 0): /usr/share/virtualbox/VBoxGuestAdditions.iso (UUID: [removed])
NIC 1:           MAC: [removed], Attachment: NAT, Cable connected: on, Trace: off (file: none), Type: 82540EM, Reported speed: 0 Mbps, Boot priority: 0, Promisc Policy: allow-all, Bandwidth group: none
NIC 1 Settings:  MTU: 0, Socket (send: 64, receive: 64), TCP Window (send:64, receive: 64)
NIC 2:           disabled
NIC 3:           disabled
NIC 4:           disabled
NIC 5:           disabled
NIC 6:           disabled
NIC 7:           disabled
NIC 8:           disabled
Pointing Device: PS/2 Mouse
Keyboard Device: PS/2 Keyboard
UART 1:          disabled
UART 2:          disabled
UART 3:          disabled
UART 4:          disabled
LPT 1:           disabled
LPT 2:           disabled
Audio:           enabled (Driver: PulseAudio, Controller: HDA, Codec: STAC9221)
Clipboard Mode:  Bidirectional
Drag and drop Mode: Bidirectional
Session name:    GUI/Qt
Video mode:      800x756x32 at 0,0 enabled
VRDE:            enabled (Address 0.0.0.0, Ports 3389, MultiConn: off, ReuseSingleConn: off, Authentication type: null)
VRDE port:       3389
Video redirection: disabled
VRDE property: TCP/Ports  = "3389"
VRDE property: TCP/Address = <not set>
VRDE property: VideoChannel/Enabled = <not set>
VRDE property: VideoChannel/Quality = <not set>
VRDE property: VideoChannel/DownscaleProtection = <not set>
VRDE property: Client/DisableDisplay = <not set>
VRDE property: Client/DisableInput = <not set>
VRDE property: Client/DisableAudio = <not set>
VRDE property: Client/DisableUSB = <not set>
VRDE property: Client/DisableClipboard = <not set>
VRDE property: Client/DisableUpstreamAudio = <not set>
VRDE property: Client/DisableRDPDR = <not set>
VRDE property: H3DRedirect/Enabled = <not set>
VRDE property: Security/Method = <not set>
VRDE property: Security/ServerCertificate = <not set>
VRDE property: Security/ServerPrivateKey = <not set>
VRDE property: Security/CACertificate = <not set>
VRDE property: Audio/RateCorrectionMode = <not set>
VRDE property: Audio/LogPath = <not set>
USB:             disabled
EHCI:            disabled
XHCI:            enabled

USB Device Filters:

Index:            0
Active:           yes
Name:             Apple Inc. iPhone [0702]
VendorId:         05ac
ProductId:        12a8
Revision:         0702
Manufacturer:     Apple Inc.
Product:          iPhone
Remote:           0
Serial Number:    [removed]

Available remote USB devices:

<none>

Currently Attached USB Devices:

<none>

Bandwidth groups:  <none>

Shared folders:  

Name: 'Music', Host path: '/home/suzy/Music' (machine mapping), writable
Name: 'Desktop', Host path: '/home/suzy/Desktop' (machine mapping), writable
Name: 'Downloads', Host path: '/home/suzy/Downloads' (machine mapping), writable
Name: 'suzy', Host path: '/home/suzy' (machine mapping), writable

VRDE Connection:    not active
Clients so far:     0

Video capturing:    not active
Capture screens:    0
Capture file:       /home/suzy/VirtualBox VMs/Windows 10/Windows 10.webm
Capture dimensions: 1024x768
Capture rate:       512 kbps
Capture FPS:        25

Guest:

Configured memory balloon size:      0 MB
OS type:                             Windows10_64
Additions run level:                 3
Additions version:                   5.1.2 r108956


Guest Facilities:

Facility "VirtualBox Base Driver": active/running (last update: 2016/08/09 17:17:43 UTC)
Facility "VirtualBox System Service": terminated (last update: 2016/08/09 17:18:06 UTC)
Facility "VirtualBox Desktop Integration": active/running (last update: 2016/08/09 17:19:00 UTC)
Facility "Seamless Mode": not active (last update: 2016/08/09 17:17:43 UTC)
Facility "Graphics Mode": not active (last update: 2016/08/09 17:17:43 UTC)
I'm confused about the codec. It's listed as STAC9221. Is this the default for VirtualBox audio on Linux?

UPDATE: disabling "High Definition Audio Device", and installing AC97 drivers in its place almost fixes this problem... but doesn't. Because audio stops working a few minutes after boot. Windows 10 thinks the audio is working properly, but there's no actual sound output after a few minutes pass with this configuration.

If worst comes to worst, I'll install Windows 7 for sound stuff (hopefully sound will work with Windows 7 for me). Or I'll just have to dual boot. :/ Or stick with VMWare. EDIT: Windows 7's audio works properly. But my Windows 7 VM won't open the 3D programs I need--the Windows 10 VM does, though. Either I get a BSOD (if I enable experimental 3D/3D Acceleration), or the program gives me an error when I try to open it without 3D Acceleration enabled.

EDIT 2: Alright, I fixed up my Windows 7 VM. Now all of my programs open up fine, and audio functions properly, unlike the Windows 10 VM. I guess I'll have to resort to using Windows 7 for my programs... or just switching to Windows 7 permanently, and ditching the Windows 10 VM. Shame.
klassikmann
Posts: 2
Joined: 9. Aug 2016, 16:02

Re: Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by klassikmann »

> I'm confused about the codec. It's listed as STAC9221. Is this the default for VirtualBox audio on Linux?
Same here. Same confusion.

Another observation:
In the Win10 guest applying Playback devices -> Speakers -> Properties -> Advanced there is only one combination of bit depth and sample rate: 16 bit 44100 hz.
sk1993
Posts: 4
Joined: 8. Aug 2016, 22:18

Re: Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by sk1993 »

klassikmann wrote: Same here. Same confusion.

Another observation:
In the Win10 guest applying Playback devices -> Speakers -> Properties -> Advanced there is only one combination of bit depth and sample rate: 16 bit 44100 hz.
Yup, same. Stuck at 16 bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality) with PulseAudio and Intel HD Audio on Windows 10. I get a few more options with AC97, but that doesn't make a difference since AC97 doesn't actually output sound for me. Same goes for ALSA, but with ALSA chosen, sound quality is absolutely terrible. The same "Events" tab is absent from the sound device in Windows 7's Device Manager.

For the sound device, in Windows 10 I have an "Events" tab in Device Manager for it. It tells me "Device HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7680&SUBSYS_83847680&REV_1034\4&31e60982&0&0001 requires further installation". In "Sounds" in Windows 10, my headphones show up as a High Definition Audio Device (that is enabled) underneath the Speakers, which are the default device. However, it says that my headphones aren't plugged in, even though they are.

In Windows 7, my headphones don't show up at all. Only the speakers do (as High Definition Audio Device).

I've set both Windows 10 and Windows 7 to run with the same parameters (like no 2D Acceleration but 3D Acceleration, ICH9, etc.) and so far, Windows 7 (SP1) is snappier and plays audio better. Weird.

In Windows 7, the same sound device as Windows 10 is listed in Device Manager--High Definition Audio Device. But in Windows 7, the driver is dated to 2010, while it's dated to 2016 in Windows 10. Not that it necessarily means anything. If I were you, klassikmann, I would try the latest version of VMWare since it works quite well in Linux. If you have better hardware than me, then you shouldn't have any issues, I think. If your VM format from VirtualBox isn't supported, then you can easily convert it to .ova format from VirtualBox if needed.
wsbones
Posts: 4
Joined: 18. Jun 2016, 01:03

Re: Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by wsbones »

Same problem here.
michaln
Oracle Corporation
Posts: 2973
Joined: 19. Dec 2007, 15:45
Primary OS: MS Windows 7
VBox Version: PUEL
Guest OSses: Any and all
Contact:

Re: Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by michaln »

Is the behavior any different with the latest VirtualBox 5.0.x release?
wsbones
Posts: 4
Joined: 18. Jun 2016, 01:03

Re: Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by wsbones »

michaln wrote:Is the behavior any different with the latest VirtualBox 5.0.x release?
I'm using the latest version - 5.0.26 r108824 with Windows 10 Home Anniversary update as a virtual machine.

I should have mentioned that the sound was fine before the Windows update. I am running Linux Mint 18 on a Toshiba P75-A7200.

I have 2 hd's. One is running straight Windows 10 Anniversary Update as the OS. This one has no sound issues.
The other HD is Linux 18 running Vbox 5.0.26 r108824 with the same windows configuration as the dedicated HD. Here there are sound issues. The sound gets even worse when the mouse is moved.
sitepodmatt
Posts: 2
Joined: 17. Aug 2016, 10:32

Re: Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by sitepodmatt »

Just a quick message (sorry no logs at this stage) to say I observe similar/~same issue with Ubuntu 16.04 LTS 64bit host with Windows 10 64bit guest using Virtualbox 5.1.4, although it was same in 5.0.x.

Audio is problematic despite trying numerous settings, maybe crackles a few times a minute, occasionally speeds up and pops etc.. Most noticeable on Youtube when you do something else, can usually replicate by dragging window around fast (regardless of 2D/3D setting).

Is there a bug report open that I could contribute to, I guess I will need to figure out template for bug report? how to collect logs etc..

Curiously do people run encrypted partitions on host side? I am wondering if disk on encrypted disk could be somehow be part of the problem, I've seen slow IO paths before cause audio problems.

* reflects on lengths I go to use skype screen sharing with people *
sk1993
Posts: 4
Joined: 8. Aug 2016, 22:18

Re: Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by sk1993 »

This problem is still present even with Virtualbox 5.1.4 r110228 (Qt5.5.1) installed, with the latest extension pack and all. As always, I'm still running on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS on the same 64-bit laptop. I upgraded to kernel 4.6.2 recently as well. Audio continues to crackle no matter what.
sitepodmatt wrote:Curiously do people run encrypted partitions on host side? I am wondering if disk on encrypted disk could be somehow be part of the problem, I've seen slow IO paths before cause audio problems.

* reflects on lengths I go to use skype screen sharing with people *
No, I've never had the need to encrypt anything... I've never bothered with encryption before. I personally don't think the issue lies with encryption. Since VMWare for Linux (tested on 16.04, if you see my older posts) produces blemish-free audio on Windows 10, I'm guessing it's just that VirtualBox is lagging behind in the audio drivers department.
sitepodmatt
Posts: 2
Joined: 17. Aug 2016, 10:32

Re: Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by sitepodmatt »

One thing I did notice last night in pavucontrol on the host, if that under recording tab VirtualBox was using Monitor of Analog Sound, which I guess means that the guest was receiving microphone input of the output, ?? I confess to not understanding the details behind Pulseaudio. Something I will explore further tonight to rule out anything setup related.
olem
Posts: 2
Joined: 5. Sep 2016, 15:41

Re: Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by olem »

Same problem here.

I run a Windows 10 guest VM on a Linux Fedora host, using VirtualBox 5.0.26 r108824.
My sound was ok until I upgraded the guest VM with Windows 10 anniversary update a few days ago, and it now cracks a lot...
durden0
Posts: 2
Joined: 10. Sep 2016, 20:00

Re: Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by durden0 »

I have similar problems with a Windows 10 Host and Windows 10 Guest. Audio works fine in a windows 7 guest. I do run encryption on both VMs.

Virtual Box 5.0.26 R108824
Windows 10 Enterprise on guest and host.
Host Audio Driver: Windows Direct Sound
Audio Controller: Intel HD Audio

I've noticed the problem is much less pronounced when playing lower quality audio. The difference between a video playing at 1440p and a 144p is drastically different in terms of 'scratchiness', which kind of adds credence to the idea that this is a buffering problem.

I've tried setting my host audio speaker output to several different quality settings, including matching the guest's 16bit 44100hz setting, no dice, as well as tried various different Host Audio Driver and Auido Controller settings(most don't work), but no luck there either.

Is there a bug opened for this yet?
durden0
Posts: 2
Joined: 10. Sep 2016, 20:00

Re: Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by durden0 »

durden0 wrote:I have similar problems with a Windows 10 Host and Windows 10 Guest. Audio works fine in a windows 7 guest. I do run encryption on both VMs.

Virtual Box 5.0.26 R108824
Windows 10 Enterprise on guest and host.
Host Audio Driver: Windows Direct Sound
Audio Controller: Intel HD Audio
I kept playing with options and after turning off exclusive mode options 'allow applications to take exclusive control of this device' and 'give exclusive mode applications priority', the scratchiness has gotten much better(almost completely gone). However, even after turning these options back on, it hasn't gotten worse again and I'm no longer able to reproduce the issue to the degree it was happening before, so something else may have changed and my problem may not be related to the issues reported by Linux host users in this thread. I'll post back if I'm able to reproduce more consistently again.
olem
Posts: 2
Joined: 5. Sep 2016, 15:41

Re: Crackling sound in Windows 10 64-bit

Post by olem »

I've just created a bug report: https://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/15925
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