❓ Problem
Snooper reacts slowly to sound, misses peaks, or recordings start too late.
💡 Cause
Many modern laptops (especially Dell XPS 15, but also HP, Lenovo, ASUS, etc.) include audio enhancement software such as:
- Waves MaxxAudio
- Dolby Audio
- Bang & Olufsen Audio
- Nahimic / AI Noise Cancelation
These tools are designed for voice calls and media playback — not for accurate recording.
They often apply:
- Noise suppression
- Automatic gain control (AGC)
- Dynamic compression
- Signal smoothing
👉 This causes delayed or inaccurate audio detection.
⚠️ Symptoms
- Slow or delayed peak levels
- Missed triggers (sound not detected)
- Audio levels that “ramp up” instead of reacting instantly
- Inconsistent recording start times
✅ Solution
1. Disable or uninstall audio enhancement software
Examples:
- Waves MaxxAudio (Dell)
- Dolby / Smart Audio (Lenovo)
- Bang & Olufsen (HP)
- Nahimic / AI audio (ASUS/MSI)
👉 On some systems, uninstalling is required for full effect.
2. Disable Windows audio enhancements
Go to:
Sound Settings → Recording Device → Properties
Turn OFF:
- Audio enhancements
- Noise suppression
- Automatic gain control (AGC)
3. Enable exclusive mode (optional)
- Allows Snooper to bypass system processing
4. Test your setup
Make a short, sharp sound (like a clap):
- ✅ Instant peak → correct setup
- ❌ Slow response → processing still active
🧠 Why this matters
Snooper relies on fast and accurate peak detection.
Audio enhancement software modifies the signal and introduces delays, which can interfere with:
- Sound activation
- Noise gate behavior
- Recording accuracy
🔧 Tip
If problems persist, try a USB audio interface — these typically provide clean, unprocessed input.
✔️ Summary
For best performance:
Use a clean, unprocessed audio signal without enhancements.