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[mrkgoo]

Ok, so I just got ADvance Wars for DS, and have only really been toying around. Something I noticed, however, was that the music on certain pieces crackle through the DS speakers. Most notably, was piece during Max talking, but it also happens during the menu screen. It's only reproducible when the volume slider is on VERY LOW (meaning, the very CLOSEST you can get the slider to the left, while still actually having sound come out).

Ok, so faulty DS speakers, you may say. HOwever, the crackle disappears when I boost the volume, and it ALSO happens with headphones!

So what could this be? An Advance wars specific bug? Or a faulty DS sound chip? or just a standard failure for the DS to reproduce certain frequencies at low volume?

Can anyone else replicate what I have?

(remember, AWS, menu screen, low volume)

 

[DDayton]

I've noticed the same thing -- but only when I play GBA games.

 

[123rl]

I don't have AW, but my DS has this problem on a few games. It's a faulty sound chip/speakers, IMO

 

[mrkgoo]

Ok, so do you guys have it happen only when the slider is on low volume?

Ok, so this probably isn't just my DS? (I tried it on my sisters, and it was slightly there, but less so).

Pretty annoying.

 

[MutFox]

Hmmm... Reading this makes me not want to buy a current DS.
I'll just wait for the next version.

 

[Gahiggidy]

There's nothing wrong with your DS's. They just added sound to give ambience.

 

[Juice]

I call bullshit guys, it's impossible that there could be anything wrong with any Nintendo system, ever. Especially one that's selling so well.

Oh wait.

To be completely honest, my DS might not have a sound card at all for all I care. I don't think I've ever played it in anything but mute for more than a minute or two at a time. I'd much rather listen to good music than game music.

 

[Deleted member 1235]

I've noticed the same thing -- but only when I play GBA games.

that's my experience as well. when on low volume as described above.

I think it's the speakers rather than sound chip, from memory, headphones are great on any volume.

 

[123rl]

It happens mainly with speakers for me, and either at almost full or almost quiet volume

 

[Nathan Barley]

Yeah, I think that's just the standard of the speakers. It can't do low volumes properly, or indeed, very high volumes.

Luckily, the sounds the DS/GBA generate don't warrant much attention. Hit mute. Be happy.

 

[Setanta]

Yes there is a slight crackle, found it myself on Advance Wars when on low volume.
It's mainly due to the high bass in the game and the fact it sounds best up loud. Atleast thats what i assume.

 

[callous]

Ok, so do you guys have it happen only when the slider is on low volume?

Yes, exact same problem here. It goes away when I turn off surround in Mario, so I'm guessing it has something to do with spatiality.

To be completely honest, my DS might not have a sound card at all for all I care. I don't think I've ever played it in anything but mute for more than a minute or two at a time. I'd much rather listen to good music than game music.

You're so cool.

 

[Hellraizah]

I'm pretty sure it ain't the speakers, because I notice it when playing with headphones.

 

[SpoonyBard]

I have it too, it's more noticeable in Mario 64 where the sound is loud. New games seems to have the sound level set lower, so it seems that Nintendo is aware of the problem.

 

[Pimpbaa]

To be completely honest, my DS might not have a sound card at all for all I care. I don't think I've ever played it in anything but mute for more than a minute or two at a time. I'd much rather listen to good music than game music.

It's cause people like you that EA trax exists.

Luckily, the sounds the DS/GBA generate don't warrant much attention. Hit mute. Be happy.

Uh, the DS produces some pretty good sounds. Especially in games like Castlevania.

 

[mrkgoo]

Hmm...interesting. Good to know that it's not a defective unit of something on my behlaf - unless it's actually a defect on a lot.

Yeah, so it happens on my headphones too, so it can't be just speaker related. As many have speculated, I too think it's about the frequency range at low volume.

Callous: Spatiality may have something to do with it because if you listen clearly enough, the crackle can move from left to centre to right, in accordance with a piece of sound.

Ok, DS SP with special crackle free sound chip please!

 

[Ironclad]

I've actually noticed this with every DS or SP I have come in contact with. On very low volume, there is a quite a bit of crackling that can be noticed. It's probably just generated by the system itself as opposed to the speakers.

 

[Yoschi]

I have the same problem when I play DS games, but only when surround is turned on (mario 64 ds).
I initally thaugt it would be only because of the surround, dunno why it makes this crackling noise either..

 

[Particle Physicist]

give nintendo a call.. they might fix it for you.

 

[Madame M]

I've noticed cracking too... when playing Advance Wars DS