[Edited Message Follows]

Good evening group.

I've just installed SDR Console V3.0.26 64-Bit with the hope of using it in conjunction with a Pluto (on its way to me) to access QO-100.

But, I have a problem, when familiarising myself with the software using an RTL Dongle and listening to BC-FM the receive audio is very wobbly and occasionally drops out for a ms or two.
I have gone through all of the setup items and the audio buffer settings do make a very slight difference but the 'wobbling' persists.

When researching trying to find answers I did notice though that the more tabs I opened in my browser the better the audio got !
This translates to a higher CPU Load and a Lower Audio Playback Buffer Value, as displayed on the SDR Console taskbar.
Obviously artificially increasing the CPU load is not the real answer.

Any tips or Hints as to where I can look next ?

BTW, My shack PC is a Intel Core i3 with Windows 10 64-Bit and comfortably runs my Anan 100D via Thetis or PowerSDR. Also the RTL_Dongle works perfectly with SDR #.

Thanks,
Peter.....
(G1FXE)

It you modify power settings so that the CPU is running flat out all the time, which requires really good heat sinks, that may get rid of the problem. I'd also look into running the SDRC at a slightly higher priority.

{^_^}

On 20210312 11:31:54, Peter via groups.io wrote:

[Edited Message Follows]

Good evening group.

I've just installed SDR Console V3.0.26 64-Bit with the hope of using it in conjunction with a Pluto (on its way to me) to access QO-100.

But, I have a problem, when familiarising myself with the software using an RTL Dongle and listening to BC-FM the receive audio is very wobbly and occasionally drops out for a ms or two.
I have gone through all of the setup items and the audio buffer settings do make a very slight difference but the 'wobbling' persists.

When researching trying to find answers I did notice though that the more tabs I opened in my browser the better the audio got !
This translates to a higher CPU Load and a Lower Audio Playback Buffer Value, as displayed on the SDR Console taskbar.
Obviously artificially increasing the CPU load is not the real answer.

Any tips or Hints as to where I can look next ?

BTW, My shack PC is a Intel Core i3 with Windows 10 64-Bit and comfortably runs my Anan 100D via Thetis or PowerSDR. Also the RTL_Dongle works perfectly with SDR #.

Thanks,
Peter.....
(G1FXE)

Jdow, thanks for tips but the issue is with low CPU load the audio problem is present, when CPU load is high no problem. No scope for any special heatsinking on the CPU I'm afraid as the PC is an all inmone.

Bandwidth is already set at the correct level.
--
Peter.....
(G1FXE)

ב מרץ 13, 2021 8:55, Peter (G1FXE) via groups.io כתב:

Jdow, thanks for tips but the issue is with low CPU load the audio problem is present, when CPU load is high no problem. No scope for any special heatsinking on the CPU I'm afraid as the PC is an all inmone.

Bandwidth is already set at the correct level.
--
Peter.....
(G1FXE)

Simon,

Playing some more I have found that if I swap to the Motherboard Sound Chipset (Realtek High Definition Audio) the problem goes away however the sound from this card via the internal speakers is horrible !

My default Sound Device (where I experience the problem) is a Behringer UMC204HD connected to some nice Monitor Speakers, this works without issue on all other applications (Thetis, Powersdr, SDR# etc) and would be my preferred setup to use with SDR Console if we can resolve this 'wobbling'/'stuttering' problem.

I have checked that the Behringer is connected to a USB3 port (It is) and played with some of the buffering setting via its control panel, no joy.
Screenshots attached, incl the audio options screen(s) just to demonstrate that for both sound devices are at 'default' presently, tiny change to the problem is I dabble with these settings but still far from acceptable.

מיכה קליין - I'm glad i'm not alone in this problem, I thought increasing the CPU Load as a fix was just something I was imagining !


Thanks all for the time you are taking in helping.
--
Peter.....
(G1FXE)

Jdow, thanks for tips but the issue is with low CPU load the audio problem is present, when CPU load is high no problem. No scope for any special heatsinking on the CPU I'm afraid as the PC is an all inmone.

Bandwidth is already set at the correct level.
--
Peter.....
(G1FXE)

That is why I suggested set the CPU to always run at full speed. Throttling is associated with problems solved by popping up a browser, even on an empty page.

{^_^}

On 20210312 22:55:13, Peter (G1FXE) via groups.io wrote:

Jdow, thanks for tips but the issue is with low CPU load the audio problem is present, when CPU load is high no problem. No scope for any special heatsinking on the CPU I'm afraid as the PC is an all inmone.

Bandwidth is already set at the correct level.
--
Peter.....
(G1FXE)

Peter,

 

I’m off out soon. I suggest we get the internal audio working first – so a screenshot using the standard PC’s audio please. You can always make an audio recording, MP3 is OK for this.

 

Can you give me a link to your PC please?

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

--

- + - + -

Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.

Simon,

Just to clarify, using the standard PC audio Device (Realtek) everything works 100%. When I referred to horrible audio using the standard PC audio it was the low quality speakers internal in the All in one pc that are the problem there, definitely not a SDR Console problem.

I have tried recording via the SDR Console recording tab, the problem with that is regardless of the recording device selected in Windows Sound settings the recording all come out 100% OK.
Note quite the quality you probably need but attached is an MP3 that sort of demonstrates the problem with the Behringer audio, The only way I could capture this was to use a dynamic Mic held up to one of the speakers and record via Audacity. However, the recording doesn't quite demonstrate the problem  as each application I open (for example Audacity to record the file) increases the CPU Load which appears to reduce the Audio Playback Buffer value in SDR Console thus correcting the warbling problem.
The more the CPU load the less the buffer value in ms !

With the problematic Behringer Sound Device, CPU usage is about 15-20%, Audio Playback Buffer Value around 500ms
With the Realtek, CPU usage 20-25%, Audio Playback Buffer Value around 85ms

I've attached the 2nd screenshot from my previous post which i the one for the standard PC audio device (Realtek).

I assume you want to connect to my PC ? Teamviewer or such like ?

Rgds,
Peter.....

On Sat, Mar 13, 2021 at 08:37 AM, Simon Brown wrote:

Peter,

 

I’m off out soon. I suggest we get the internal audio working first – so a screenshot using the standard PC’s audio please. You can always make an audio recording, MP3 is OK for this.

 

Can you give me a link to your PC please?

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

--

- + - + -

Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.

 
--
Peter.....
(G1FXE)

Where are you suggetsing I set the CPU to run at full speed ? Not something I have experience of i'm afraid.
Guidance appreciated.

Peter.....

On Sat, Mar 13, 2021 at 09:55 AM, jdow wrote:

That is why I suggested set the CPU to always run at full speed. Throttling is associated with problems solved by popping up a browser, even on an empty page.

{^_^}

On 20210312 22:55:13, Peter (G1FXE) via groups.io wrote:

Jdow, thanks for tips but the issue is with low CPU load the audio problem is present, when CPU load is high no problem. No scope for any special heatsinking on the CPU I'm afraid as the PC is an all inmone.

Bandwidth is already set at the correct level.
--
Peter.....
(G1FXE)

 
--
Peter.....
(G1FXE)

Simon,

Just to clarify, using the standard PC audio Device (Realtek) everything works 100%. When I referred to horrible audio using the standard PC audio it was the low quality speakers internal in the All in one pc that are the problem there, definitely not a SDR Console problem.

I have tried recording via the SDR Console recording tab, the problem with that is regardless of the recording device selected in Windows Sound settings the recording all come out 100% OK.
Note quite the quality you probably need but attached is an MP3 that sort of demonstrates the problem with the Behringer audio, The only way I could capture this was to use a dynamic Mic held up to one of the speakers and record via Audacity. However, the recording doesn't quite demonstrate the problem  as each application I open (for example Audacity to record the file) increases the CPU Load which appears to reduce the Audio Playback Buffer value in SDR Console thus correcting the warbling problem.
The more the CPU load the less the buffer value in ms !

With the problematic Behringer Sound Device, CPU usage is about 15-20%, Audio Playback Buffer Value around 500ms
With the Realtek, CPU usage 20-25%, Audio Playback Buffer Value around 85ms

I've attached the 2nd screenshot from my previous post which i the one for the standard PC audio device (Realtek).

I assume you want to connect to my PC ? Teamviewer or such like ?

Rgds,
Peter.....

On Sat, Mar 13, 2021 at 08:37 AM, Simon Brown wrote:

Peter,

 

I’m off out soon. I suggest we get the internal audio working first – so a screenshot using the standard PC’s audio please. You can always make an audio recording, MP3 is OK for this.

 

Can you give me a link to your PC please?

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

--

- + - + -

Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.

 
--
Peter.....
(G1FXE)
Realtek High Def Audio.JPG

[Edited Message Follows]

Good evening group.

I've just installed SDR Console V3.0.26 64-Bit with the hope of using it in conjunction with a Pluto (on its way to me) to access QO-100.

But, I have a problem, when familiarising myself with the software using an RTL Dongle and listening to BC-FM the receive audio is very wobbly and occasionally drops out for a ms or two.
I have gone through all of the setup items and the audio buffer settings do make a very slight difference but the 'wobbling' persists.

When researching trying to find answers I did notice though that the more tabs I opened in my browser the better the audio got !
This translates to a higher CPU Load and a Lower Audio Playback Buffer Value, as displayed on the SDR Console taskbar.
Obviously artificially increasing the CPU load is not the real answer.

Any tips or Hints as to where I can look next ?

BTW, My shack PC is a Intel Core i3 with Windows 10 64-Bit and comfortably runs my Anan 100D via Thetis or PowerSDR. Also the RTL_Dongle works perfectly with SDR #.

Thanks,
Peter.....
(G1FXE)

OK,

 

The problem is then driving the headphones. Thanks for the screenshot & recording. This time I want the logfile, I have a hunch but need to see this first.

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

 

From: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io <main@SDR-Radio.groups.io> On Behalf Of Peter (G1FXE) via groups.io
Sent: 13 March 2021 10:58
To: main@SDR-Radio.groups.io
Subject: Re: [SDR-Radio] Version 3.0.26 Wobbly audio ?

 

Simon,

Just to clarify, using the standard PC audio Device (Realtek) everything works 100%. When I referred to horrible audio using the standard PC audio it was the low quality speakers internal in the All in one pc that are the problem there, definitely not a SDR Console problem.

I have tried recording via the SDR Console recording tab, the problem with that is regardless of the recording device selected in Windows Sound settings the recording all come out 100% OK.
Note quite the quality you probably need but attached is an MP3 that sort of demonstrates the problem with the Behringer audio, The only way I could capture this was to use a dynamic Mic held up to one of the speakers and record via Audacity. However, the recording doesn't quite demonstrate the problem  as each application I open (for example Audacity to record the file) increases the CPU Load which appears to reduce the Audio Playback Buffer value in SDR Console thus correcting the warbling problem.
The more the CPU load the less the buffer value in ms !

With the problematic Behringer Sound Device, CPU usage is about 15-20%, Audio Playback Buffer Value around 500ms
With the Realtek, CPU usage 20-25%, Audio Playback Buffer Value around 85ms

I've attached the 2nd screenshot from my previous post which i the one for the standard PC audio device (Realtek).

I assume you want to connect to my PC ? Teamviewer or such like ?

Rgds,
Peter.....

On Sat, Mar 13, 2021 at 08:37 AM, Simon Brown wrote:

Peter,

 

I’m off out soon. I suggest we get the internal audio working first – so a screenshot using the standard PC’s audio please. You can always make an audio recording, MP3 is OK for this.

 

Can you give me a link to your PC please?

 

Simon Brown, G4ELI

https://www.sdr-radio.com

--

- + - + -

Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.

 
--
Peter.....
(G1FXE)

 

--

- + - + -

Please use https://forum.sdr-radio.com:4499/ when posting questions or problems.

jdow & Siegfried

Problem has mysteriously gone now (see reply to Simon). Thanks for the tips though, i'll keep them for future reference.
--
Peter.....
(G1FXE)