recording problems from a mic.

Hi all I am using soundtrack to record audio from a USB (M-Audio Quatro USB) input device, My hardware is a imac intel core duo 17". when I record from my mic and play it back there is an electric popping noise in the recording. I have tried diffrent cables, diffrent power outlets. secured the connections. When I use boot camp to boot into windows and record the recording is clear. So I doubt its a hardware problem, and I tried recording from within ableton live on the mac side. Both apps are univeral bin as well.

Has anyone encountered this problem before? Any advice would be helpfull.