What the H#!! is this noise? Slant six mystery engine sound...

Kyle, did you run the car with the belts off? My car made that noise and it WAS the alternator. It had that kind of crackle noise that would not go away. I changed the alternator and its gone. You have three bearings to deal with the water pump, alternator, and p/s. With the belts off you could run a car a few moments without hurting anything and eliminate three possible issues!!
Chas.