Crackling Noise - Ubuntu 12.04

[Diogo Gomes]

I hear a crackling noise each 3 seconds.

I have an Acer Aspire 5742G / Realtek ALC272X / Speaker, Internal

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: alsa-base 1.0.25+dfsg-0ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-26.41-generic 3.2.19
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-26-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
AlsaVersion: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Driver Version 1.0.24.
ApportVersion: 2.0.1-0ubuntu8
Architecture: amd64
ArecordDevices:
 **** List of CAPTURE Hardware Devices ****
 card 0: Intel [HDA Intel], device 0: ALC272X Analog [ALC272X Analog]
   Subdevices: 1/1
   Subdevice #0: subdevice #0
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC1: diogosg 2818 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC0: diogosg 2818 F.... pulseaudio
Card0.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:0 'Intel'/'HDA Intel at 0xb4100000 irq 43'
   Mixer name : 'Realtek ALC272X'
   Components : 'HDA:10ec0272,10250487,00100001'
   Controls : 21
   Simple ctrls : 12
Card1.Amixer.info:
 Card hw:1 'Generic'/'HD-Audio Generic at 0xb4020000 irq 44'
   Mixer name : 'ATI R6xx HDMI'
   Components : 'HDA:1002aa01,00aa0100,00100200'
   Controls : 6
   Simple ctrls : 1
Card1.Amixer.values:
 Simple mixer control 'IEC958',0
   Capabilities: pswitch pswitch-joined penum
   Playback channels: Mono
   Mono: Playback [on]
Date: Wed Jul 11 22:01:40 2012
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.04 LTS "Precise Pangolin" - Release amd64 (20120425)
PackageArchitecture: all
SourcePackage: alsa-driver
Symptom: audio
Symptom_AlsaPlaybackTest: ALSA playback test through plughw:Intel successful
Symptom_Card: Áudio embutido - HDA Intel
Symptom_Jack: Speaker, Internal
Symptom_PulsePlaybackTest: PulseAudio playback test successful
Symptom_Type: None of the above
Title: [Aspire 5742G, Realtek ALC272X, Speaker, Internal] Playback problem
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 11/18/2010
dmi.bios.vendor: Acer
dmi.bios.version: V1.10
dmi.board.asset.tag: Base Board Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: Aspire 5742G
dmi.board.vendor: Acer
dmi.board.version: V1.10
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Acer
dmi.chassis.version: V1.10
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAcer:bvrV1.10:bd11/18/2010:svnAcer:pnAspire5742G:pvrV1.10:rvnAcer:rnAspire5742G:rvrV1.10:cvnAcer:ct10:cvrV1.10:
dmi.product.name: Aspire 5742G
dmi.product.version: V1.10
dmi.sys.vendor: Acer

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[David Pan (napdivad)]

I think the bug is in Google Chrome, not Ubuntu!!! Whenever I have a Gmail tab in Google Chrome, the crackling sound starts happening. However, the sound doesn't happen in Chromium or Firefox.

[GravyPlaya (gravyplaya)]

This has nothing to do with the browser.. With all browsers closed you can hear the crackling noise listening to an mp3 with stock mplayer.

[tuxfarmer (tuxfarmer)]

I also hear a popping noise whenever I'm using Google Chrome. I do not experience the same issue when using Firefox, Rhythmbox, VLC, or Movie Player. I believe I'm using the following:

cat /proc/asound/card0/codec* | grep Codec
Codec: ATI R6xx HDMI

[Protocol84 (nolansykinsley)]

Updating to google-chrom-unstable fixed this issue for me, but some/most people may not find that to be an acceptable solution.

[Pablo Catalina (xkill)]

I have the same problem. But I "solved" it disabling the sound card power save:
http://www.foxswap.com/computers-and-technology/ubuntu-12-04-clicking-sound-from-speakers/

[Pablo Catalina (xkill)]

It seems a problem with the google chrome, not with alsa.