When working with real-time digital audio, it is always advisable to disengage any unnecessary processing on the audio signal to ensure optimum latency performance, and minimise undesirable signal colouration.
We have noticed that some Windows 10 systems have a tendency to auto-enable audio 'enhancements' on the software playback channels of USB audio interfaces, resulting in poor (most notably, extremely compressed) sound quality.
To make matters worse, these are sometimes enabled despite the corresponding boxes being unticked in the enhancements dialogue box shown below.
To correct this behaviour, it is recommended to manually check the 'disable all enhancements' box as detailed below:
1. Press the Windows key + R and type mmsys.cpl then hit enter to open Windows Sound Settings.
2. Click on the output to be modified, then click 'Properties'
3. Click the 'Enhancements' tab then click 'Disable all enhancements', then click Apply.
It is recommended to repeat these steps for all of the available outputs of your audio interface displayed in Windows Sound Settings.