Audio positioning

[Adenru]

I play in headphones and in all games I can determine sound direction, but not in Reforger, it's like directional sound does not exist here at all.
Maybe it's some kind of audio setting?

[Grrinc]

Originally posted by LAxemann:

Helloo, (one of the) Reforger sound designer(s) here.

Generally: I'd highly recommend not to use any "surround simulation" on headphones. Unless the headphones actually have multiple drivers placed in different locations, which is VERY rare, the headphones have no real "information about the game", it's basically just generic filtering applied to a stereo signal. It will sound "different" but certainly not be "surround".

@rckrz6 what's your speaker setup, how is it connected to the PC? It kinda sounds as if Reforger thinks you're running a surround system and therefore only uses your two speakers as L/R speakers while omitting other directions...?

This is not my experience. I use Astros with Dolby surround and I can clearly hear the distinction of 360 audio.

[Adenru]

Originally posted by LAxemann:

Helloo, (one of the) Reforger sound designer(s) here.

Generally: I'd highly recommend not to use any "surround simulation" on headphones. Unless the headphones actually have multiple drivers placed in different locations, which is VERY rare, the headphones have no real "information about the game", it's basically just generic filtering applied to a stereo signal. It will sound "different" but certainly not be "surround".

@rckrz6 what's your speaker setup, how is it connected to the PC? It kinda sounds as if Reforger thinks you're running a surround system and therefore only uses your two speakers as L/R speakers while omitting other directions...?

There are literally no options in adjusting audio in Arma Reforger, all I can see in headphones/speakers switch.

[red/]

It supports up to 5.1.2 channels (Dolby Atmos) or Spatial audio (Stereo Non-Virtualized MD).

Don't have an Xbox sorry and PS5 only does 2.1 channels or PCM 5.1 for Reforger. So this is for PC only or if you're tech savy on Xbox you'll figure the similar settings out.

To use Dolby Atmos:
1. Purchase & Install the Dolby Access app from the Microsoft Store.
2. Setup your device in the Dolby walkthrough steps.
3. Ensure in Windows Sound settings your output is on 16bit 48khz (Atmos does 24bit 48khz but the in-game audio profile is 16bit 48khz only). For Home Theater, just make sure the Format "Dolby Atmos Format for Home Theater" is selected along with Spatial Sound. Same for headphones but leave your format at 16bit 48khz. The Dolby TrueHD format enables your .2 upward firing speakers.
4. In the Dolby Access application, under the settings tab you can customize your sound profile and EQ. Though I'd stick with what the Game Devs run which is Game Mode ---> Performance Mode (inside Game Mode window).


My soundbar setup instructions (Onn Bar 5.1.2 --> Hisense U8H Google TV)
1. Ensure eARC is enabled on your Monitor/TV (eARC required)
2 (Scenario A). Use 1 HDMI 2.1+ cable from your TV to your Soundbar Output if you want to have the TV select what type of encoder to sponsor.
2 (Scenario B). Use 2 HDMI 2.1+ cables with one going from Soundbar Input to Monitor Output and the other going from Soundbar output to PC HDMI Input (Or Xbox). This is your TV does not have Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Surround Plus encoding. So the backup is to set the audio encoder on your TV to "Passthrough Audio". This will allow the Soundbar own receiver encoder to be used instead). Keep in mind when doing this, depending on the Soundbar or Receiver, you may lose some High Refresh options for your PC monitor.
3. If you run into issues with no sound coming out, check above instructions otherwise if you have a Google TV this is a known bug with PC HDMI. Pull the TV power cable and hard reset it, should work.


To enable Headphone audio for Dolby Atmos
1. Follow above instructions for installation and configuration, it's pretty straightforward.

To enable in Arma Reforger
1. For Headphones set Headphones to use the Atmos headphones audio metadata.
2. For Home Theater select Speakers to use the Atmos Theater audio metadata.

Hope this helps!

PS: IF your Speakers on like a soundbar use any additional audio enhancements. Disable it and test your upward speakers using something like this in a Chromium based browser (only). https://www.dolby.com/atmos-visualizer-music/