Static with line-in port on streaming PC

saj1jr

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Sep 22, 2014
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I'm working on streaming using Open Broadcast Software (https://obsproject.com) and with my current setup, using an external capture card to record my gameplay from my PS4 to my PC, and then using OBS to stream.

The issue I'm running into is a sound problem. I have a pair of AstroA40's for a headset and to get all of my audio coming to the stream with this headset, I need to use a "line-in" port on their mixamp. Basically, I run a cord from the "stream" port on the Astro mixamp, into my line-in port. I've confirmed with Astro support that this is the correct setup.

The problem I'm running into is when streaming using OBS, there is an enormous amount of static. In fact, there's more static than game sound. The mixamp converts all sound to dolby digital, so there should be no issues, however, there is. I've tried the line-in on the back of the PC, and on the front, with the same issues each time.

Could it be driver related? Something I plugged in wrong on the motherboard??

I'm running Windows 8.1, newly built computer (I've had no issues aside from this and all sound comes through my speakers fine, it's just the line-in port).

Here's my motherboard: http://us.msi.com/product/mb/Z97G45_GAMING.html#hero-overview
 
Have you tried turning down the line-in on the PC side? It's possible the signal from the "steam" port is out of range/too high of a voltage, causing the static/noise?

I'd play around with reducing the signal volume and see if it decreases static at a greater rate than the volume of the desired source.

When not using that setup, if you plug a generic set of speakers/headphones into the appropriate speaker out port on the motherboard, is there still static?
 

saj1jr

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Sep 22, 2014
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I've worked with the volume and nothing changes. Sure, the static noise goes down, but at that point, you also can't hear my voice/the game.

There should be no static and the mixamp is built for this feature. Several others have set up's similar to this with no issues, that why I believe it has to be an issue with my PC.
 
Is it possible to try another signal-producing device in place of the mixamp to test the computer line in/processing?
MP3 player/phone etc?

I'd also try unplugging the HD audio front panel connector and any non-essential components in the PC to just simplify the setup/reduce possible causes.

 

saj1jr

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Sep 22, 2014
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Nah, with the setup, the Mixamp is my only choice. Like I said, the only option is to use this setup the way I'm trying to stream.

This might be a bad question, but would an on-board sound-card solve my problems possibly? I know nothing about sound cards but doesn't that give me more options or better quality rather than plugging into the mobo?
 
If that were a direction to try, I'd go for an external USB sound device to really eliminate internal interference potential. But again, like you said since it is supposed to be a pure digital signal, it shouldn't produce static anyway.