My choice between Sound Blaster Live! (my old computer), Sound Blaster Audigy II Platinum (my old computer), Sound Blaster AWE 32 (my old computer’s onboard card [yes, my old computer has 3 sound cards]), SoundMax Digital Audio (my work computer [yes, I play Final Fantasy VII on it]), or Realtek AC97 Audio (my notebook).
But I patch my MIDI through
this.
Which MIDI device are you using?
The Sound Blaster Live! is known for having a fairly low-quality converter which produces static and pops especially with low-decibal noises.
It has been so long since I used the Sound Blaster Live! at all, and a long time since I used any soundcard’s MIDI devices.
Try changing the MIDI device.
The Yamaha XG drivers run through your processor to create special effects which causes latency, but also increases the amount of static and could possibly produce the pops you hear.
Also try turning down system volumes and/or the game’s volume.
L. Spiro