Win 7 x64 Guest with bad sound

[Test_A]

There have been many post with how to get audio driver after installing Win7 x64 bit on VM. Of course by installing only Realtek audio codec 97 driver, can it recognize that you have sound on that OS. It's after you install it that i get issues still. Yes sound is OK but not prefect like it should be. No one mentioned how to clear up this crackling/poping noise that i get in between playing any sounds on the VM from front speakers.

Quoting from this old thread No Sound

This one didn't work? http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/dow ... Down=false

Okay, this driver DID work for me! I have sound now!
The process I followed was to download the zip file first. Then I opened the zip file and searched for the setup application (not straightforward for a guy who hasn't run a Windows machine since 2001!). I ran the setup application, and installed the drivers for the AC'97. There was a warning message from Windows after I rebooted about the installation being successful or not, but upon reboot, I heard the Windows startup sound for the first time. I went in and checked the control panel and the Sound device is installed and working, although I thing the dynamic range is a little compressed as the volume control does not vary the sould level as much as I would expect.

Dynamic range is a little compressed? I don't quite understand that part, but I assume he means there is still no clarity, because I'm still hearing the minor crackle/pop nuisances coming out of my front speaks, which you other wise wouldn't hear on my Host.
Could it be because I'm running a 64bit guest on a 32bit host?
On my host which is Win Vista x32 Home Premium, my sound is fine and prefect. I'm only feeding 1024mb of ram to the VM though do i need more ram to make the sound clearer?
On my Host also I have not just regular sound card controller, but an HD Audio Realtek Manager App that comes with my MOBO.
Do I have to install that on the guest for the sound to be more clear or not?
I would also like to include that Win XP on a VM sound comes out wonderful and normal as expected.
Should I upgrade to a newer VB version and test the audio capabilities with win7 x64 on VM? Have you seen any improvements with the newest VB version that connects to audio problems?

[Sasquatch]

You should definitely upgrade to at least 4.0.4 if you want to have proper sound in W7 x64 Guests. The new audio controller, HD Audio, solves the weird sound issues.

[JohnDP]

It doesn't.

I'm sorry to have to contradict you, but up to this day, there's still a crackling and poping sound issue. And this is a pretty critical issue to me, because I'm a musician too, and that's one of the 2 reasons I use a VM, the other being everyday programming stuff (Which works flawlessly). I have tried every combination possible, currently using the Intel HD, and this issue is specially bothersome for me.

Sorry to bump but I saw no reason to start another topic.

I'm using the PUEL 4.0.4 and Ubuntu 10.10.

EDIT: Also, using Windows 7 x64 just as the topic starter.

[Sasquatch]

If audio is your top priority for quality, forget a VM. It will never reach the level you can get on bare metal. And with that, ditch the crappy on-board audio hardware you usually get (HD Audio and such). A proper audio card, like Creative and Asus cards are a lot better to use when you want top-notch quality.

[jorgensen]

If audio is your top priority for quality, forget a VM. It will never reach the level you can get on bare metal.

There are excellent USB soundunits on the market, that easily surpass most PCI soundcards.

[Sasquatch]

But the USB implementation of VB isn't enough to give any increased quality. In fact, it can be worse. And to boot, I never mentioned to go with PCI only, any non-onboard card is better, as long as it's not put in the VM through USB passthrough or other ways. Keep it bare metal and you're golden.

[JohnDP]

But using a non-onboard card on the laptop i use to work is impossible, I can't take everywhere i go my desktop with me. The only issue i have with the sound is the crackling clikitycliky sound, It's even useable to some extent, but really annoying nevertheless.

[Perryg]

But using a non-onboard card on the laptop i use to work is impossible, I can't take everywhere i go my desktop with me. The only issue i have with the sound is the crackling clikitycliky sound, It's even useable to some extent, but really annoying nevertheless.

You can try one other thing to see if it helps.
Install the Pavucontrol on the host and see if that helps. You have to leave it running on the desktop (if you close it the pops and click will come back) but it defiantly cuts down on the noise.