[SOLVED, read for lolz =P] Weird low pitched sound problem, wtf?

First of all, yes, I'm using onboard audio. But it's pretty good actually, it has no background noise at all (even with in-ear headphones), and has a decent RMAA measure.

So, I just turned on the computer today, and the sound had a weird lower pitch, kinda like if the instruments were out of tune. It's not noise, it's the sound itself...

Coincidentally (or not?) it was the next boot after I installed Skype in the computer, so I thought it might have somehow caused it.

Uninstalled Skype, uninstalled audio drivers, reinstalled audio drivers. Problem was still there.

So as I had given up all hope, it cured itself and is completely normal now. Wtf?!

Could it be a DAC/opamp problem?

Thanks.

EDIT: Oh, and it's not a problem with my speakers, headphones also had the problem (and through the front port also).

EDIT 2: Two days ago we had a sudden and fast electric drop for a moment (not enough to turn the computer off), could it somehow be related? Is audio equipment so susceptible to damage by electrical variations?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Max 

Oh wow.

Any hardware changes lately?  Any other software changes?

None at all (except for Windows updates, typical stuff). Well, just Skype as I mentioned...

Though it's hard to believe this could've been software related.

I did a visual inspection of the motherboard (Asus M4A785TD-M Evo) and everything seems to be ok.

EDIT: It just did some weird crackling sounds for 2 seconds, and normalized. Is my onboard chip dying?

Two days ago we had a sudden and fast electric drop for a moment (not enough to turn the computer off), could it somehow be related?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Max 

It is possible the voltage drop may be related, but I really doubt it.  Any issues with your hard drive?

I know what you're thinking, but the hard drive is fine. Apparently everything is fine, so I really doubt it was caused by the drop either, but you never know...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Max 

Are you using a video card?  Any other hardware that is not integrated into the motherboard?

 

Yes, AMD HD5750. But I've had this computer for a year (with the VGA), and never had a single problem with the sound.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Max 

Take a second look at the capacitors in the motherboard.  It could be a hardware defect.

I had similar issues once with a soundcard, but now I don't remember if the issue was a faulty cap somewhere or electronic interference from another component.

This motherboard uses solid polymer capacitors, said to be more reliable. I had a good look at the capacitors and everything seemed fine. I might double check later...

Thanks for the replies so far.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vuntruong 

Check the audio settings.  I.e. maybe the microphone setting for skype.

On Windows settings, Rear mic is muted, but Front mic is not muted. Though I'm fairly sure the VIA driver disables front input if the jack is unplugged.

Anyway I muted it for now (not using the mic), so let's see.

But still, it wouldn't explain the lower pitch problem, just the crackling noise...

Actually I'm not sure that was "pitch".... Acoustic guitar sounded like it was out of tune.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Max 

They all do as far as I know, but faulty caps do slip through the cracks now and then and end up in your equipment.  =\

Maybe the newer ones, but most older motherboards used normal electrolytic caps.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Max 

What OS updates were installed before you noticed the issues?

Just definition updates for Windows Defender, no big deal...
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Max 

Edit: Pitch change definitely has to a software issue now that I begin to remember.

Well after I uninstalled/reinstalled the driver it still hasn't happened again (and it only ever happened once, yesterday moments before I posted), so only time will tell I guess...

But the crackling noise today was strange too. I really don't think it was due to the Mic not being muted, because I'm fairly sure it never was muted, and it never happened before...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Max 

Check the advanced settings of your "speakers" under Playback Devices.  Turn all DSPs off if they are not.

They're all turned off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Max 

What software are you using for audio playback?

Didn't matter, happened with system sounds, YouTube, Winamp and foobar2000.

It's hard to track this problem now, since it just happened once (lasted for 10~15 minutes)... But boy what a strange problem that was, never heard something like that before.

Now I'm considering getting a Xonar DX together with my new headphones (probably some Sennheiser HD5xx)  next month...