So not sure if this is related to VMware 15 or the HOST OS.
I run my work machine in a VM as a guest on a Windows HOST.
Setup is as follows:
Threadripper 2950 on a ASUS motherboard with 64GB of RAM.
Host OS is a Windows 10 Pro and Guest is also a Windows 10 Pro.
I’ve allocated 8 cores to the VM along with 16GB of RAM.
It runs great except for one thing, the Ring Central softphone.
It only happens when I’m on a call.
The calls both incoming and outgoing work just fine however I notice a crackling sound in my headset when minimizing the VM window and doing things on my Host OS.
It also happens when I move the mouse to the top of the VM screen to bring down the auto-hidden VMware toolbar.
I think I’m the only one hearing it as none of my customers have ever mentioned a crackling sound while talking to them.
Once I disconnect then the sound goes away.
I’ve then tried messing about with audio playback while not connected to anybody on the Ring Central softphone, this plays fine.
However this could be the configuration I’m using.
Built-in AUDIO playback device for the desktop, the onboard AUDIO codec on the motherboard and then the MIC and EARS of the Headset for the Ring Central app itself for phone calls.
I will do some further testing with using the speakers instead of the headset for Ring Central but this will make things NOT Usable if i had to do it this way.
I’d maybe try to allocate less cores to the guest and see if the problem goes away.
The way VMware works, a VM will not be scheduled until all of the cores allocated to it are available at the same time, which could cause scheduling delays (e.g., if only 4 cores are free and it needs to momentarily pause until the other 4 become available) and thus the crackles in your VOIP.
Drop guest cores to 4 and see if the problem gets worse/better.
VOIP is particularly sensitive to latency/scheduling constraints.
It could also be a problem with the new version of VMware, a driver update, etc.
A new thing with Workstation 15 is improved video support, maybe that is more demanding on CPU as well, could also maybe try turning off 3d acceleration if it is turned on and see if that helps too. That code is likely new/maybe buggy.
edit:
my bad, its 16 that is new, not 15. I’m on fusion so confused…