1 Topic by DamsLMF (edited by DamsLMF 2026-07-11 00:23:38)

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Topic: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

Hello,

I recently have a strange issue with my Babyface (the old first version), as soon as I play any audio (appart from my DAW) in windows (like soundcloud in a browser, or an audio file play in Windows Media Player), it launch a continous sine wave like a bip bip bip, playing and then fade away. (even if i launch a 1 seconde audio it last around 20 seconds) This sound play only in my headphone, not my monitor.

If buffer size is 2048 samples, the "bip" are quite spaced, if I go down to 256 smples then the "bip" occurs x4 times faster.

if I change windows audio from "Speaker" to "Analog(3+4)" the proble solve itself, then it comes back some times later and I have to switch audio interface again.

I have this audio card since 15 years now, first times it does that, and I didn't do any computer change that could cause that.

Do you think it is a hardware issue because it's old, or some software issue that could be solve ?


PS : in this video you can see/hear the problem
PPS : I had to rec the sound from the headphone and edit it to the video, so ignore the "pool" sound, it's juste sound like a basic sine without any reverb.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_bdu-W … drive_link

2 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2026-07-11 00:41:45)

  • waedi
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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

What firmware version / driver version / windows version ?

i think the Babyface is fine but Windows WDM driver does malfunction buffer loop echo. It sounds not like a sine wave but more like a fraction of your music, a few samples hanging in a loop.
Totalmix also shows the issue appears in the software playback channel, received from the WDM driver.

I would try play around in the Fireface USB Settings, deselect WDM-devices, make them zero, play some test music, and reenable WDM for output channels 3/4 headphone and test again...

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

Thanks for the answer.
The sound is the same whatever the sound I play, so I don't thiks it's a sample loop echo.
The record is very bad because it has been rec from a smartphone inside the headphone, but's it's really just a simple sine. 

here are the infos
driver 1.276
firmware 226
Windows 11 updated on a high end PC

I had the latest drivers/firmware, but I installed them again, I've set Total mix to default settings (again), I'll see if it help and keep updated

4 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2026-07-11 03:20:40)

  • waedi
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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

You could send the signal from software playback channel to an output channel and record it via loopback in your DAW, post a short audio file.

When play music from the DAW there is no issue, right ? And in the DAW preferences you use RME-ASIO driver, right ?

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

I'll try to rec it with loopback next times it occurs, but I don't know if it will work as the sound is directly in the PH3/4, not in AN1/2.

Yes, I have no issue in my DAW with Asio drivers selected.
It only occur with "Windows" apps like browser, audio player, video games.
I'm not sure if it's directly after the OS boot or if it can appears afterward, I'll check sound after each boot from now.
It happenend today but couldn't rec it

6 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2026-07-12 02:25:52)

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

DamsLMF wrote:

I'll try to rec it with loopback next times it occurs, but I don't know if it will work as the sound is directly in the PH3/4, not in AN1/2.

The headphone output has its own Loopback, record input channels 3/4 in the DAW

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

I would set an ASIO buffer size that is fine for WDM, not too large, not too small.
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 23#p175123
128 is a good value.

I remember that I once (in over 10 years) had a similar phenomenon.
If I recall correctly, a total reset of TM FX and reloading my saved workspace cured the issue.

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 15, Win10 IoT Ent

8 Reply by DamsLMF (edited by DamsLMF 2026-07-14 01:56:54)

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

About the buffer size, I set it size depending of the size of project I work on. (but usually don't go under 256, and use most of time 2048 as I don't need "real time" so it's more comfortable)

The "bip" sound is slow when I'm on 2048, and is faster (+higher pitch) when on 256.

I setted total mix to default several times (Options>Reset Mix>Total Reset) but unfortunately, there is no change hmm
Installing driver +firmware again didn't help too.
Windows / cpu / gpu are up to date

I have the problem right now, I can't loopack the sound (I have activated every loopback I founded, I added the screenshot for settings), but it's really a very basic sound:  if you open any synth and play à basic C2 note you have 99% of the sound, it's only a simple "beep".

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b_OVPT … drive_link

  • waedi
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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

For recording it over Loopback you have to route the signal from software playback 3/4 to an output.
Your screenshot shows there is no signal.

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

10 Reply by DamsLMF (edited by DamsLMF 2026-07-14 02:13:03)

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

Yes there si no signal, because it only shows in PH 3/4 (that seems to go direclty in the main), but the signal was here and heared.

I use Loopback when I want to record Computer sound to sample or else, I know how to use it, but in this case I can't catch it.

PS : maybe relaod the screenshot as I modify it cause first versions didn't show the signal at all.

11 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2026-07-14 02:24:47)

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

There is a routing from PH3/4 to output Adat 7/8 but the signal is not visible. This is not goo.

Try record channels 7/8 in the DAW

Also there is Trim active, I would switch that off for a test.

And you could upgrade Totalmix to the new version 2

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

The problem is not occuring right now (I solved it by switching interface just before), and it's still ok after reboot.
I'll rec with 7/8 next time it occurs (Ableton wasn't config for so high before, I've activated 7/8 - 9/10).

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

Ihave the problem today also (as almost each day ^^)
I really can't rec it, it's not in the 7/8 loopback, and I don't want to make à "physical" loopback.


I've been looking at the new "EX" series, I guess it'll be time to change.

14 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2026-07-14 23:01:09)

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

DamsLMF wrote:

I really can't rec it, it's not in the 7/8 loopback

Did you switch OFF the Trim on software playback channel 3/4 ? It has to be OFF.
You have to make a proper routing first, then recording will be possible.

For replacing the old Babyface I would look at the Babyface Pro FS first.
ADI-2 series devices are not real recording interfaces and don't have Totalmix.


https://i.ibb.co/5x5C1HrQ/trim.jpg

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

Hello,

Back from holiday, the error still occurs. (windows and drviers/firmcare all up to date).
I've done many reset of total mix setting, including "olding" windows file.
I finally had opportunity to record the sound, here is a video where you can clearly hear it.

I'm currently with 2048 Sample, so the beep is "spaced", if I go down to less samples, the beep is "quicker / higher pitched".

I plan to buy a ADI 2 PRO Ex in september, but it could be a good thing if I resolve the issue anyway.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10YyBPh … drive_link

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

DamsLMF wrote:

I have this audio card since 15 years now, first times it does that, and I didn't do any computer change that could cause that.

Do you think it is a hardware issue because it's old, or some software issue that could be solve ?

I may be wrong, but it seems to me that that sound is generated by an application in Windows. Could it be audio SW that requires to pay the licence (expired trial period, demo) or so....

The sound goes to SW Playback PH 3/4 and seems to be routed to Main. No wonder it plays in loudspeaker. So, IMHO, the only question is what SW that you have installed on your computer does that.

FF UCX II, Digiface USB, Babyface Pro FS

17 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2026-08-11 11:22:54)

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

There is this Loop-player remote device connected, if you disconnect it for a test...? Looks like 10 loops are playing ?

I agree to Kubrak, the sound is not produced by the interface, the interface works correct and just plays what the computer sends.

https://i.ibb.co/RpG7V1tg/loop.jpg

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

18 Reply by DamsLMF (edited by DamsLMF 2026-08-12 17:04:33)

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

Hello,

thanks for the feedback.
The device that you point is only a Streamdeck, that I used for my shortcuts. It's not generating any sound.

What is strange is when it occurs it's lanched by any audio incmoing, it can be a play in soudncloud in chrome, or a video game or anything that use "windows sound" (not occuring when launching a sound in Ableton that use Babyfa ce ASIO) like windows media player.

As Games, chrome (soundcloud), don't use VST, I don't think it's related to any demo/licence issue. (also I only use payed licence and don't have any demo running)

PS : when I talk about "launch" here is the exact issue.
If I press play on soundcloud (or any windows audio), even briefly, the "beep beep" sound occurs, then after let say 30 seconds it stop. And occurs again as soon as any sound is playing. (so if sound contonually playing it would "beep" non stop).

That's why I don't think it's related to a specific software but more either to Windows Audio in general either to the Babyface.
When it occurs it occurs since the OS boot, and I have deactivated most of software from launching at start.

PS : tgher you see the output is PH 3/4 but sometime it's AN 1/2.
PS2 : as soon as I switch in windows audio from "Speaker to Analog 3+4 it (or the reverse if it was on the reverse) it stops.

19 Reply by DamsLMF (edited by DamsLMF 2026-08-12 17:30:53)

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

Talking about Software that launch at start, I took a look at it and found 2 software that may act on Audio, I've disabled them at boot and see if it changes anything.

- AbletonAudioCpl.exe (use by ableton for Push and MOve, but I don't have any so it's no use).
- ElgatoAudioControlServerWatcher.exe (use by the Streamdeck to manage audio, but I only use it for shortcuts, so it's no use to me. I thinks it is a good suspect).

Also, I updated some software of my moherbaord, and this time I checked the realtek audio drivers that wasn't installed.

I know it would be best to remove 1 soft at a time and see the result, but as it may take sometimes some days beforea en error occurs (and sometimes 3 times a day), I'll do reverse : I made lots of changes and will revert one per one if needed.

  • waedi
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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

DamsLMF wrote:

The device that you point is only a Streamdeck, that I used for my shortcuts. It's not generating any sound.

I know its not generating sound by itself but may be it has a midi hanger and let play partially a loop from Ableton... ?

I would try disconnect it for a test anyway just to sort it out.

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

If the 2 .exe I've disabled at sartup don't work I'll try it, but I really use it a lot so I'll wait for this test to end first.
I'm 100% sure it doesn't have any midi mapping, and issue occurs even with Abelton not opened, but it may be it's audio manager exe (it's one of the 2 that I disabled at startup)
Chances are that even if not launched at startup it may still launch afterward, so I'll test it if the issue persist.

  • waedi
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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

The repeating sound reminds me to floppy disk drive... you don't have one connected...

https://cdn.book-family.de/techbook/data/uploads/2023/05/gettyimages-1074391800.jpg?impolicy=smart-crop&width=992&height=558

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

I have the problem right now.
I've unpluged the streamdeck while issue occurs, but no change sad

PS : I have no floppy disk since long time now ^^ but it would have been a fun rootcause.

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

in order to log everything I observe :

- If I play soudn in chrome 1 sec (play and pause quickly), the beep tend to last 20 second before it stop.
- If I do the same in Windows Media player, the beep stop almost instantly when I pause (it takes 1 sec instead of 20).

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

I've went back to previous drivers (1.253) I hope it will change something ^^

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

4 day since I downgraded the drivers to 1.253, and 4 days since I didn't have the issue.
I'll keep you updated.

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

In case it's usefull to someone, I never had the issue after rollingback to the previous driver.

(now I just bought the ADI 2 Pro Ex, so the good old babyface will take some rest until I need total mix and/or want a hybrid workflow)

28 Reply by MC

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Re: Babyface make strange noise when playing audio on windows

The real proof would be to go back to 1.276 and immediately see the issue again.

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