Ryan,

With out actually hearing what your describing as a "problem" it is hard to pin point a way to help. But I feel that with the wealth of Knowledge that is found here your problem will be solved. ;)

Couple of questions.

1) How long have you been playing?

2)Teaching yourself?

3) Taking Lessons?

4) Desrcibe in more detail the "cracky" sound.

5) Chords causing the problem?

6) Single string/notes causing the problem?

The biggest "problem" beginning guitarists face is more of a strenght issue in the fret hand. Strumming is rarely a problem since it is more of a natural thing for you to do.

Remember air gtr when you were a kid( I still do it and "it was good"-- What Movie?) Your "pick" hand always found a way to resemble the song rhytms but your "fret" hand just did this weird floppy fish hang about 1/2 way from your body do this weird shaking thing?!?!?! ;) when the solo comes you just wiggle your fingers and bring your hand closer to your hip?

What I am trying to get across -- Depending on the answers you provide above will help determine the best way to help, albiet finger exercises, strumming exercises, "proper" pick technique, proper postuer when playing the guitar (this does cause problems)etc.

**Thinking**

When you play an open C or F Chord (full chords hitting all 6 strings) do you only hear about 1/2 of the notes and the crancky sound is more of a......."chnk" sound with a resembles of a actual note? "Loud noise" and the notes you do hear are clear and ring out?

or when you play the chords is it you hear the attack of the note and it rings clear but has no sustain/Kinda peters out or stops abruptly?
Like a "TKN...TKN...TKN...TKN...TKN...TKN...TKN" Actual note tone can be heard but the "finsh" just isn't there?

The first problem is more of a fretting hand issue and can be fixed with strength exercises and the bottom would be more of apicking problem caused by Palm Muting, "im-proper" pick technique.

Welcome to the wonderful world of GTR!

I'll get off my soapbox now.