OK, with USB audio interfaces - there is sometimes an issue on laptops with the power save settings and how they send power to the screen as a PWM (pulse-width modulated) type of signal - which can cause audible effects on the USB input audio.

I had this issue with HP laptops of about 5 years ago; maybe 6 or 7. Try turning off all powersave features as it pertains to the screen.

This was with an entire line of HP lappys we had at work. We had to ditch using them, and went with some Dell Latitude lappys and the problem was entirely eliminated.

If it is indeed this issue - you can try various different power-save settings for the screen and you will hear the noise change with each setting. I was able to FFT analyze the annoying stuff on those lappys and if I recall correctly, it was very narrow-band response, which manifested itself in the 2kHz-12 kHz range, depending on powersave setting.

Best wishes. Here's hoping that it's not this issue - as there really isn't any user-serviceable solution.

-Scott

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