Stereo Mix distorted audio Maximus Z790 Hero

[Alex2067]

Hi,

Did anyone manage to have the Stereo Mix audio output working correctly on a Maximus Z790 Hero ?

It's producing a very distorted audio on my side, especially on scenes which alternate between quiet and loud sounds.

I demonstrated how to reproduce the problem in the link below, using only the Windows Voice Recorder app. First you will hear the original audio, and at the same time I'm recording the output of the Stereo Mix. Then I'm playing what I just recorded from the Stereo Mix output.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17VaK4ycbp8Jg_ilgha0cpgaAi_18tjmq/view?usp=sharing

The original video that I used for testing is here :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xEnOkfBZao7bEvfIHf7jpjSflc73U7dy/view?usp=sharing

I'm in contact with the support since February. I tried everything that the 1st and 2nd level support suggested, like :

- updating drivers, BIOS, ...

- reinstalling windows

- playing with some sound settings like enabling / disabling audio enhancements

I don't think they even tried to reproduce the problem as all what they suggested didn't work.

I also followed the guide from @MoKiChU on https://www.elevenforum.com/t/drivers-realtek-usb-audio-intel-5xx-6xx-7xx-amd-5xx-6xx-trx40.11389/ to update the drivers to the last version (very good guide by the way, thank you). I still have the problem unfortunately.

If you have a Maximus Z790 Hero, could you please tell me if you have the same problem ?

Does anyone have a fix ?

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @Alex2067 

I apologize for any inconvenience caused by the delayed response, as there have been consecutive holidays at our location in recent days.
I was able to discern the difference in sound from your video. However, may I inquire if you were using the official audio driver provided on the Maximus Z790 Hero's official website during the recording?
Is the sound problem happening after any changes were made? For example, updating the BIOS or connecting an external device
Could you please clarify if this abnormal sound occurs in all audio outputs or only in specific games?
Please assist in confirming the following questions:
- the current BIOS version you are using and whether you have updated Intel ME to the corresponding version
(For example, the latest BIOS version 1202 requires Intel ME to be updated to 16.1.27.2176 to ensure optimized system settings.)
- the current version of the audio-related drivers.
We recommend using the driver versions provided on the official website to verify the issue more effectively with our relevant departments.
- Screenshots of all audio-related settings, including Windows or other software configurations
- the brand and model name of the CPU, GPU, RAM, and PSU currently installed
- the OS version and OS build
- the circumstances and frequency of problem

Thank you.

[Alex2067]

Hi  @Jiaszzz_ROG ,

Thank you for your message.

may I inquire if you were using the official audio driver provided on the Maximus Z790 Hero's official website during the recording?

Yes I was using the last one available on the official website.

Is the sound problem happening after any changes were made? For example, updating the BIOS or connecting an external device

No. The problem has always existed. I only started to do changes as a tentative to fix it.

Could you please clarify if this abnormal sound occurs in all audio outputs or only in specific games?

It's a general problem on the Stereo Mix output. It's not specific to a game. The test I did is actually from a mp4 file, not directly from the game.

the current BIOS version you are using and whether you have updated Intel ME to the corresponding version

I updated to the last version (BIOS, Intel ME and the audio firmware as well) when the support asked me to do so, a few months ago. I didn't notice any change after the update. My BIOS version is currently 0816.  I updated from 0401.

the current version of the audio-related drivers.

I currently have 6.3.9600.2355. Initially I had 6.3.9600.2342. The support asked me to try 6.3.9600.2333. I didn't notice any difference with any of these 3 versions.

Screenshots of all audio-related settings, including Windows or other software configurations

I will try to send them separately as it's bugged... 

the brand and model name of the CPU, GPU, RAM, and PSU currently installed

CPU: Intel Core i9 13900K

GPU: Gigabyte Nvidia RTX 4090

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 (2 x 16GB, 5600 MHz, DDR5 RAM, DIMM) CL28

PSU: Seasonic Prime PX 1000W

the OS version and OS build

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro

Version 10.0.22621 Build 22621

the circumstances and frequency of problem

It happens continuously on the stereo mix output.

Thank you.

[Alex2067]

Hi @Jiaszzz_ROG ,

Thank you for your message.

may I inquire if you were using the official audio driver provided on the Maximus Z790 Hero's official website during the recording?

Yes I was using the last one available on the official website.

Is the sound problem happening after any changes were made? For example, updating the BIOS or connecting an external device

No. The problem has always existed. I only started to do changes as a tentative to fix it.

Could you please clarify if this abnormal sound occurs in all audio outputs or only in specific games?

It's a general problem on the Stereo Mix output. It's not specific to a game. The test I did is actually from a mp4 file, not directly from the game.

the current BIOS version you are using and whether you have updated Intel ME to the corresponding version

I updated to the last version (BIOS, Intel ME and the audio firmware as well) when the support asked me to do so, a few month ago. I didn't notice any change after the update. My BIOS version is currently 0816.  I updated from 0401.

the current version of the audio-related drivers.

I currently have 6.3.9600.2355. Initially I had 6.3.9600.2342. The support asked me to try 6.3.9600.2333. I didn't notice any difference with any of these 3 versions.

Screenshots of all audio-related settings, including Windows or other software configurations

I will try to send them separately as it's bugged... 

the brand and model name of the CPU, GPU, RAM, and PSU currently installed

CPU: Intel Core i9 13900K

GPU: Gigabyte Nvidia RTX 4090

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 (2 x 16GB, 5600 MHz, DDR5 RAM, DIMM) CL28

PSU: Seasonic Prime PX 1000W

the OS version and OS build

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro

Version 10.0.22621 Build 22621

the circumstances and frequency of problem

It happens continuously on the stereo mix output.

Thank you.

[Alex2067]

Hi @Jiaszzz_ROG ,

Thank you for your message.

may I inquire if you were using the official audio driver provided on the Maximus Z790 Hero's official website during the recording?

Yes I was using the last one available on the official website.

Is the sound problem happening after any changes were made? For example, updating the BIOS or connecting an external device

No. The problem has always existed. I only started to do changes as a tentative to fix it.

Could you please clarify if this abnormal sound occurs in all audio outputs or only in specific games?

It's a general problem on the Stereo Mix output. It's not specific to a game. The test I did is actually from a mp4 file, not directly from the game.

the current BIOS version you are using and whether you have updated Intel ME to the corresponding version

I updated to the last version (BIOS, Intel ME and the audio firmware as well) when the support asked me to do so, a few month ago. I didn't notice any change after the update. My BIOS version is currently 0816.  I updated from 0401.

the current version of the audio-related drivers.

I currently have 6.3.9600.2355. Initially I had 6.3.9600.2342. The support asked me to try 6.3.9600.2333. I didn't notice any difference with any of these 3 versions.

Screenshots of all audio-related settings, including Windows or other software configurations

I will try to send them separately as it's bugged... 

the brand and model name of the CPU, GPU, RAM, and PSU currently installed

CPU: Intel Core i9 13900K

GPU: Gigabyte Nvidia RTX 4090

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 (2 x 16GB, 5600 MHz, DDR5 RAM, DIMM) CL28

PSU: Seasonic Prime PX 1000W

the OS version and OS build

Microsoft Windows 11 Pro

Version 10.0.22621 Build 22621

the circumstances and frequency of problem

It happens continuously on the stereo mix output.

Thank you.

[Alex2067]

Seems I can't post a reply. It's been maybe the 10th time I write a long reply and every time I come back it has disappeared. Anyways I tried every version, bios, intel ME, audio driver whatever. I'm using WIndows 11 latest update, latest hardware, intel i9 13900K, 4090 RTX. Please ask the guys in charge to take a z790 board with windows 11 and simply record what is going out of the stero mix

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @Alex2067 

We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Posting too quickly or repeatedly within a short period of time may trigger the forum system's automatic spam detection.
If you encounter this issue next time, please wait a few minutes before posting again.
Thank you for providing the relevant information.
The latest BIOS for the ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO is version 1202, and the Intel ME version needs to be updated to 16.1.27.2176.
We recommend updating to these versions and checking if the issue still persists.

Thank you.