Poor audio quality

[Batguerra]

So, I've been having issues with audio quality since the very first cutscene, currently playing the first level. I can clearly listen to dialogue and sound effects in general, however it sounds somewhat "robotic", if I can put it this way. No other game sounds like this, and there doesn't seem to be any audio quality option in the main menu. Is there any suggestion as to how I fix this?

I'm on a ASUS Laptop, Ryzen 3500u.

[Doodlewurst]

I can only make a few suggestions, starting with the usual - verify file validity, maybe uninstall/reinstall. Make sure drivers are up-to-date, though this is a pretty old game so that shouldn't really make a difference. Then I'd try changing Windows system sound output mode - maybe surround to stereo or vice versa and see if that makes a difference, though I wouldn't be satisfied with this.

Though, what I do think of first after reading your description is codecs - I think K-Lite is what most people install, but been a while since I've done it myself, and there are options. Also, just a caution - I have had codec packs cause problems before ages ago (like WinXP era), but there should be no problem, just maybe take a look at how to backup/revert after installing, just in case. I'm pretty sure it can be removed via add/remove programmes, but I'm not sure if that puts everything back completely the way it was.

[Batguerra]

Originally posted by Doodlewurst:

I can only make a few suggestions, starting with the usual - verify file validity, maybe uninstall/reinstall. Make sure drivers are up-to-date, though this is a pretty old game so that shouldn't really make a difference. Then I'd try changing Windows system sound output mode - maybe surround to stereo or vice versa and see if that makes a difference, though I wouldn't be satisfied with this.

Though, what I do think of first after reading your description is codecs - I think K-Lite is what most people install, but been a while since I've done it myself, and there are options. Also, just a caution - I have had codec packs cause problems before ages ago (like WinXP era), but there should be no problem, just maybe take a look at how to backup/revert after installing, just in case. I'm pretty sure it can be removed via add/remove programmes, but I'm not sure if that puts everything back completely the way it was.

Thanks for the reply!
I actually beat the game recently, mostly trying to ignore the issue. Either way, I guess that's a trade-off we have to face when playing older games lol

[halflife2]

A solution for the poor audio quality was posted at https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/955866-call-of-juarez-bound-in-blood/50281293:

"I was having the exact same problem. The sound quality of the voices was like it was coming through a telephone. I finally figured out a fix. I opened up my sound settings in the Windows control panel. My default sound playback quality had been at 24 bit and 48000 HZ. I changed the default sound quality to 16 bit and 44100 HZ. (CD Quality) This fixed the voice quality problem in game. So turning down my global windows sound quality made the quality in the game better. Strange...."

The above fix worked for me. However, after changing to 16bit and 44kHz, I also had to restart my PC - otherwise the sound was quieter than normal.