If you hear a periodic or random “tak-tak-tak” clicking sound during recording, streaming, or voice calls, it is usually related to USB transmission stability, audio clock synchronization, buffer settings, or system performance. Please follow the steps below to troubleshoot the issue.
1. USB Cable or Port Interference
USB audio requires a stable and clean data connection. Poor-quality cables or electromagnetic interference can easily introduce audio artifacts such as clicking noises.
Recommended actions:
-
Replace the USB cable with a high-quality, shielded one (preferably the original cable).
-
Temporarily disconnect other USB devices (external drives, cameras, wireless receivers, etc.) to reduce bus load.
-
Try a different USB port on the computer (avoid USB hubs and front-panel ports if possible).
-
If available, test with another computer or in a different environment to rule out environmental interference or hardware compatibility issues.
Additional note: On some motherboards, multiple devices sharing the same USB controller can cause periodic packet drops, which may sound like rhythmic clicks.
2. Sample Rate Mismatch Between Software and System
If the sample rate in your recording software does not match the system audio settings, clock synchronization errors may occur, resulting in clicks or pops.
Recommended actions:
-
Check the microphone’s sample rate in the system sound settings (for example, 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz).
-
Set the same sample rate in your recording software (DAW, OBS, or communication app).
-
If the settings already match but the issue persists, restart the computer and reconnect the microphone so the driver can reinitialize.
Additional note: When running multiple audio applications at the same time (for example, OBS + DAW + a chat app), all of them must use the same sample rate to avoid conflicts.
3. Buffer Size Is Set Too Low
A very small buffer size increases CPU load and may prevent the system from processing audio data in time, leading to clicks, crackles, or dropouts.
Recommended actions:
-
Increase the buffer size in your DAW or audio driver settings (for example, from 64 → 128 → 256 samples or higher).
-
For recording and streaming, prioritize stability over ultra-low latency.
Additional note: Low-latency settings are mainly needed for real-time performance and monitoring, but they require higher system performance and are less tolerant of load spikes.
4. Reinstall the Recording or Audio Software
Corrupted files, incorrect configurations, or plugin conflicts may also cause audio problems.
Recommended actions:
-
Uninstall the current recording or streaming software.
-
Restart the computer and install the latest version.
-
Test the software without third-party plugins first to confirm basic stability.
5. Enable High-Performance Power Mode
When the system is in power-saving or balanced mode, the CPU may frequently throttle, causing interruptions in real-time audio processing.
Recommended actions:
-
Open Control Panel → Power Options.
-
Select High Performance (or a performance-oriented mode) as the default plan.
-
On laptops, make sure the power adapter is connected.
Additional note: Some computer manufacturers provide additional power or thermal management utilities. Make sure any “silent,” “eco,” or power-saving modes are disabled there as well.
Summary
The “tak-tak-tak” clicking noise is usually not caused by microphone hardware failure, but by USB instability, sample-rate mismatches, insufficient buffer size, or limited system performance. By following the steps above, the issue can be identified and resolved in most cases.
If the problem still persists, please collect and provide details such as the software used, sample rate, buffer size, computer model, and operating system version to enable more precise troubleshooting.