I'm recording through my bluebird blue condenser microphone connected to my M-Audio M-Track Interface that is then obviously connected to my laptop through USB. I find that when I listen to the mic through the direct option the sound is crystal clear, but when I switch to the USB there is a consistent crackling noise.

I've been trying to pinpoint where the noises are coming from. I run all my gear through a Furman that is hooked through a UPS (to be extra anal) and the buzzes and hums got a little better but I still get sizzling. Not crackling, but sizzling.

Will hooking up something like a hum eliminator do the trick? I know it isn't a hum but could it be related?

Gear is: