My gf bought a new headset that ends in a “4pin TRRS” 3.5 mm jack. It comes with a splitter to make it two, “3pin TRS” 3.5mm jacks: one for sound, one for the mic.
We get sound no problem.
But the mic has constant noise on the channel, just sounds like robot fuzz: bzzrrt zrurrrt bzzrrrrrrr.
Her laptop has the 4pin combo plug (for headphone+mic), and when plugged in there, it works fine. So it’s not a hardware issue. The mic itself WORKS.
I was thinking the splitter that comes with the set is bad, but she actually has a different set with the same configuration… and it does the same thing.
So it seems like a setting somewhere either in Discord or Windows, but everything seems ok. I have an older headset that is just a USB connection, and it works fine. So it would seem like the connections in Discord/Windows are good if that works.
But that leaves me nothing to say is the problem, and yet I have a problem. lol
Try updating all sound drivers, and all drivers associated with the hardware in question, including the motherboard, if possible (which I’m assuming is where you are trying to connect).
Most probably going to be a physical issue with the adaptor. It could be as simple as needing to give it a little more force to plug it in just that little bit further and make better contact, or it could be something more awkward like misaligned contacts or a ground loop.
You mention that she already has a similar headset which produces the same basic issue. Does it include a similar adapter, or have your tests all been conducted with the one splitter? Have you also tried the same splitter on a different system?
Give it a try only hooking up the microphone portion of the splitter - leave the headphone jack just hanging in the air (but not touching on anything metal). Use a different headset if you still require sound output, but since you’re broadcasting you can listen to the result on a different machine. If that works clearly than odds are it’s a ground loop, which fortunately can be solved (though cost may or may not be worth it).
TEST 1
1> Set A: ends in a “4pin” TRRS connector, and has the adapter to make it two separate jacks (each a “3pin” TRS, 1 for headphone, 1 for mic).
2> Set B: simply ends as two “3pin” TRS jacks (1 for headphone, 1 for mic).
3> Set C (for comparison later): is a plain USB headset. No 3.5mm plugs at all.
I wanted to condemn that splitter that comes with Set A, too, but both sets do the same thing. They both have the same buzzing noise.
TEST 2
I just plugged in the mic plug, for both sets, and they both still buzz.
I still think there has to be something with how the splitter/plug are made because on SetA, if she just uses the “4pin” TRRS plug on her laptop, it works. So the hardware itself is NOT defective.
It’s either a setting on my PC, or how it connects to my PC. And I don’t think it’s any setting because SetC (just a USB connection) works fine. So you’d have to convince me that the settings that works fine for the USB set… somehow don’t work for the input jacks. I’d say in the world of computers that’s possible, but not likely.
It has to be something with how the splitter is made and how the other set is manufactured.
I’ve rebooted and verified drivers… all the basic stuff. This just makes no sense.
Comparing to a USB headset isn’t really relevant. USB headsets don’t communicate with the host as analogue devices - they have their own audio controller, which will have its own internal configuration and/or suppression. Not only that, but the whole analogue subsystem would be (or, at least, should be) completely isolated from the rest of the machine.
In short, all Set C can demonstrate is that the software you’re using to test is configured properly. Which we already know due to the TRRS-equipped laptop.
That rules out both a ground loop and the adaptor. Which leaves it as being either the mic port (including its supporting circuitry) or how it’s configured.
I’m going to have to make a few assumptions here since I don’t have physical access to the machine.
First thing, if you’re using front audio jacks try hooking up to the rear ones. The inside of PC cases are havens for EMI and most manufacturers forego the standard-dictated suppression on their front panels. Since most mics are completely passive and need boost enabled, this noise can easily be amplified enough to be audible.
Next step would be to try disabling the mic boost. It will probably make the mic unusably quiet, even at 100% volume, but if it affects the noise at all than you’ll know if it’s receiving the interference rather than just “making it up” so to speak.
Hopefully one of those two will provide enough information to figure out where to head next.