Make me look good, earn my gratitude (you already have my admiration).
A friend dropped off his computer, a Toshiba laptop of fairly recent vintage, running win 7. It has lots of free disk space, and 2 GB of RAM. He uses this computer primarily as a music source for a few DJ gigs he does as a hobby for fun. He uses Virtual DJ.
The problem he's having recently is that the music level rises and falls randomly or "breathes". I don't see any issues with the computer--no viruses, no heavy CPU load. Is this the sound hardware failing? Naturally, it's all on the motherboard, so that would mean a new comp, unless you can add a soundcard to a laptop?
I've helped him with upgrades and virus eradication before, so he's hoping I've got a remedy for this.
Anybody run into this before? Ideas? Thoughts?
Check Creative's website, I think they have a "soundcard" that plugs into a USB port. Have you tried reloading software? Checked options in other programs like Windows Media Player?
don't know if creative still does but I know they did have a high end USB soundcard... search "Creative Sound Blaster Extigy" good stuff but a little older now...
Yeah, they still make one. I'm thinking I'll suggest a USB sound card. That should bypass whatever is causing the problem, as long as it isn't software-related.
This system lives disconnected from the internet, so I'm thinking I'll update windows while I have it.
Are you positive that the problem lies within the laptop?
Is this a setup that he uses in different venues, or just one?
Does he run the same system every time, tap into a house-system, or all of the above?
Could be one or many of several different causes...
A USB audio interface will also have way better frequency response and signal-to-noise ratio than the onboard setup, and you can get one for $100 or less.
Also: add more memory. 2GB is on the low side for Win 7. If its 64-bit, go for 6GB. Memory is cheap.
In reply to grafmiata:
Anything hooked up to the laptop exhibits the same symptom.
I'm going to recommend additional RAM and a USB sound card.
Try some kind of Linux live CD to figure out whether it's a hardware or software problem before you buy any new hardware.
