Thread: Audio popping stuttering (only in combat) since 6.0, worse in 6.01

Date of issue: Initially with 6.0 for crowded fates/alliance raids, 6.01 any sort of group combat
Time of issue: Since 6.0
Frequency: Any "group" battle
World name: Hyperion
Character name@Home World name: Asti Spumante@Hyperion
Class/Level: any/all
Party or solo: both
In-game time: any
Area and coordinates: any
Steps:
1. At 6.0: Any combat with a more than 8 other players. But also was not constant throughout smaller fights. So busy Fates and Alliance Raids. It didn't happen much in Crystal Tower raids but was so bad in The Copied Factory it made me really dizzy and nauseous. I had to lay down afterwards because of it. Overall the sound issue in 6.0 wasn't ideal but the game was still playable, I just avoided the Nier raids and turned down sound while grinding fates.
2. At 6.01: Did some extensive testing:
Cutscenes: No audio issues thankfully.
In town: Almost not existent EXCEPT once, crafting near the leve counter in Sharlayan it got crispy for a moment then went back to normal. It was busy with a fair amount crafting in the immediate area but not enough people to trigger the chatter track and nothing compared to crafting near the turn in counter during Skybuilders. But that's the only time and even hanging around the aetherite in Limsa with people performing and using skills (and enough to trigger the crowded chatter track) hasn't done this.
Overworld not in combat, not in town: No problem.
Overworld combat (not in fates): No problem. Even when pulling multiple enemies. (Tested on Flower Baskets in Il Mehg)
Fates: All, including soloing in a single enemy fate. Every time I am in the fate. Does not occur if I'm not participating in a fate but others are doing one in view. The more people the worse it is. Also of note, did Archaeotania and there was a sizable crowd (triggered the chatter track) and no issues until the second someone landed a hit to start the fate at which point it was incredibly bad. The lag was comparable to what I'd get in a busy Formidable pre-6.0 in combat though but the sound was so bad it got disorienting, though not as bad as in Copied Factory. (About 20 various fates in Lakeland and Il Mheg for testing literally every fix possible, Archaeotania).
Levelling/4 man dungeons: Here too. Not constant, it seemed cyclical throughout. (Malikah's Well, Tamtara)
Normal Raid: Here too, every time. Was noticeable but I was healing so I was too distracted to notice patterns. In Eden's Promise: Eternity the audio issue seemed to coincide with a slight lag in the last part of the fight with all the overlapping AOE floor markers. I did not have this lag problem the one other time I have run this fight back before 6.0. (Final Eden, a couple of Alexanders)
Alliance Raid: Here too, every time. Again cyclical throughout. (Labyrinth of the Ancients, Syrcus Tower)
Trials: This is the interesting one. It's intermittent here. Shiva and Ifrit? No prob. Was present in Zurvan but not super present. Dark Within? As bad as in most raids, not as bad as Copied Factory for me but was that bad for two people in my party (we were on Discord and talked about it while doing the trial).
8-man Maps: No issue in the overworld part... (Zonureskin map, 6 people in party)
Portal Dungeons (maps): Issue present here but not as bad as in raids/fates. Again a kind of cyclical not constant thing. (Both Dungeons and Oubliettes of Lyhe Ghiah)
Sidenote: It also has introduced lag. Macros I used reliably in combat that I made in 6.0 aren't working any more if the audio issues are occurring.
3. Before 6.0 I could be in big hunt trains/Formidable where my graphics were lagging because there were so many people but sound was always fine.
Attempts to fix:
1. Tried updating every driver possible, already all up to date.
2. Tried every Windows update possible.
3. Tried restarting both the laptop and the game.
4. Tried adjusting the Audio Format first to 16 bit, 192000Hz then down to the absolute lowest of 16 bit, 44100Hz. No improvement. The lowest quality actually made the issue worse. Trying the highest quality 24 bit, 192000Hz didn't fix things either.
5. Tried turning off DirectX 11 support from the launcher. No improvement but it made my graphics both less good and also lag occasionally.
6. Reduced Character and Object Display in game to the lowest possible. Didn't fix.
7. Turned off other player's sounds. Didn't fix.
8. Adjusted listening position from 10 to 80 and then 100. Didn't fix on any setting.
9. Tried turning down sound effect volume compared to everything else but that didn't effect anything.
10. Tried changing Graphics settings to Standard (Laptop) and it seemed to make the problem worse??
11. Tried using built in laptop speakers, a wireless headset, and a wired headset. No change.

Connection Specs
- Type of internet connection/provider: Wi-fi/AT&T home internet
- Modem maker/model number: AT&T U-verse modem

PC Specs (If reporting graphical errors, full PC Specs are required.)
-=-=-=-=- System Information -=-=-=-=-
SYSTEM_OS Windows 10 Home 64-bit (6.2, Build 9200) (19041.vb_release.191206-1406)
SYSTEM_CPU Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7700HQ CPU @ 2.80GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
SYSTEM_CORE_NUM SYSTEM_CORE_LOGIC 8 SYSTEM_CORE_PHYSICS 4
SYSTEM_BIOS 1.2.4
SYSTEM_LANGUAGE English (Regional Setting: English)
SYSTEM_MEMORY 16256.988MB
SYSTEM_VIRTUAL_MEMORY 134217727.875MB
SYSTEM_PAGE_FILE 32513.977MB
SYSTEM_STORAGE C:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 237.013GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 27.568GB
SYSTEM_DIRECTX_VERSION DirectX 12
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS Intel(R) HD Graphics 630
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DEVICE \\.\DISPLAY1
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_CHIP Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_MAKER Intel Corporation
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VRAM 128.000 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM 8128.494 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DAC Internal
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\igdlh64.inf_amd64_70bddb9046910042\igdumdim64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\igdlh64.inf_amd64_70bddb9046910042\igd10iumd64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\igdlh64.inf_amd64_70bddb9046910042\igd10iumd64.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\igdlh64.inf_amd64_70bddb9046910042\igd12umd64.dll
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 27.20.0100.8854
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_DATE 10/13/2020 18:00:00
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_PIXEL_SHADER 3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE SYSTEM_SUPPORT
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DEVICE Unknown
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_CHIP GeForce GTX 1060
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_MAKER NVIDIA
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VRAM 14180 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM SYSTEM_UNKNOWN
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DAC Integrated RAMDAC
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE Unknown
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nvdmegpu.inf_amd64_6e6e71bcf5ad8d36\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nvdmegpu.inf_amd64_6e6e71bcf5ad8d36\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nvdmegpu.inf_amd64_6e6e71bcf5ad8d36\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nvdmegpu.inf_amd64_6e6e71bcf5ad8d36\nvldumdx.dll
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 27.21.0014.5687
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_DATE 10/13/2020 18:00:00
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English

SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_PIXEL_SHADER
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE
SYSTEM_SOUND Speakers / Headphones (Realtek Audio)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {82B91A6E-F8E2-4C11-BF7A-80910D020A23}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME RTKVHD64.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 6.0.8816.1
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 10/14/2019 18:00:00
SYSTEM_INPUT {6F1D2B60-D5A0-11CF-BFC7444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Mouse
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 3 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 5 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {6F1D2B61-D5A0-11CF-BFC7444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Keyboard
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 128 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {308E6260-5838-11E7-8007444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {308E6260-5838-11E7-8009444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {308E6260-5838-11E7-800B444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {308E6260-5838-11E7-800D444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {308E6260-5838-11E7-800F444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {308E6260-5838-11E7-8011444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {308E6260-5838-11E7-8013444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {308E6260-5838-11E7-8015444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Intel(R) HID Event Filter
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {72DEAB10-C0AE-11EB-8001444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Wired Gaming Mouse
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 24 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {72DFE390-C0AE-11EB-8002444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Wired Gaming Mouse
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {72DFE390-C0AE-11EB-8003444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Wired Gaming Mouse
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {72E00AA0-C0AE-11EB-8004444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Wired Gaming Mouse
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Laptop Model Name: Alienware 13 R3 (2017)