Sound design is bad. No positional audio?

[Alcovitch]

So whats up with the terrible sound implementation in this game? There seems to be zero concept of positional audio.

Mutant foot steps ahead of me but they are behind me. Random noises and you have NO CLUE where they are coming from.

How does this get released with audio this bad.

[Sugam]

Works great for me. Must be on your end, despite this game being quite old and made from a very small group of devs.

[RequiemsRose]

I haven't had much issue with it either. If I have my headphones on I don't even have to look to dodge attacks, I'd say that's decent positional audio. I have heard that sometimes speaker setups don't play nice with the game but when you play with a standard headset it seems to work just fine.

[threethreethree]

I have a typical monitor, gaming computer...and two typical little speakers that just plug into a little jack on the computer (I mean that I don't think I have anything special), and the audio is pretty impressive for me - I don't know how it does it, but I can actually "hear someone behind me or to the side". Somehow I can tell from the audio dynamics. So, you might just have something about your setup that isn't right. Don't think it's the game.

[Alcovitch]

Yeah i've read lame responses all over the internet about "it's great! must be your setup!" Which is a load of nonsense.

This literally only happens in this game. It also happens with the friend I play this game with in multiplayer.

I'm using a high end PC with Astro A50's. The audio is BAD here. The game has no concept of positional audio. Stuff can be behind you but it sounds in front and vise versa. It's the worst implementation of 3d audio i've played in ages.

This does NOT happen on any other game i've played in years. So no, it's definitely not my hardware, it's the game and how the audio was designed.

If you're using crappy stereo setup, you might not notice, but with a pair of high end headphones that mimics surround sound (and does so excellently in every other game) you'll notice it's all wrong in this title.

[threethreethree]

For my part, I know very little about such things. Going by what you're saying, I guess there is more going on here...that it's something about this game and not your setup. I just know that it works for me, for whatever reason. Sorry though if my response was lame. You're frustrated...but no need to call responses lame :P

Btw, how DOES only two speakers or two buds of earphones make it sound like something's behind you versus in front??

[Catfish_Hunter1972]

The positional audio is done through the software for your headset or by using Dolby Atmos,THX,Windows Sonic,etc. The game does not convert stereo to virtual surround sound. I use a pair of Sennheiser HD 6XX's on a Soundblaster X G6. The positional audio using the G6's 7.1 virtual surround is spot on with this game. Before I got the G6 I was using Dolby Atmos and that too sounded spot on. I do find it odd that you are reading a lot of responses about the positional audio being great yet you believe that is nonsense because it's not sounding right for you.

threethreethree lähetti viestin:

Btw, how DOES only two speakers or two buds of earphones make it sound like something's behind you versus in front??

By using Spatial Audio software. Windows has a free software called Windows Sonic if you'd like to try it out.

This video explains virtual surround pretty well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_JpAyWMeiQ

[Pisaro]

Curious, i dont have any of that Problems. When a enemy behind me slighty right for example walks to me, my Beyerdynamic Headset will give me a exactly Soundposition.

Ah, one hint: sourround Headsets are crap against really good stereo Headsets :)

[threethreethree]

Wondering how only 2 speakers or earphones do this, I guess my question is similar to wondering how do my "only two ears" tell me that something is behind me, to a side or not, versus in front of me, to a side or not.

[Donut]

Alcovitch lähetti viestin:

Yeah i've read lame responses all over the internet about "it's great! must be your setup!" Which is a load of nonsense.

This literally only happens in this game. It also happens with the friend I play this game with in multiplayer.

I'm using a high end PC with Astro A50's. The audio is BAD here. The game has no concept of positional audio. Stuff can be behind you but it sounds in front and vise versa. It's the worst implementation of 3d audio i've played in ages.

This does NOT happen on any other game i've played in years. So no, it's definitely not my hardware, it's the game and how the audio was designed.

If you're using crappy stereo setup, you might not notice, but with a pair of high end headphones that mimics surround sound (and does so excellently in every other game) you'll notice it's all wrong in this title.

"Astro A50's" That's your mistake.

[RequiemsRose]

I hate to say it but in this case it does indeed seem to be your equipment, not the game. Or at least its how your equipment interacts with specifically this game. For most, the 3d audio is perfectly fine unless there is an issue with their setup. Oddly enough, cheaper might actually be better here.

[threethreethree]

RequiemsRose lähetti viestin:

I hate to say it but in this case it does indeed seem to be your equipment, not the game. Or at least its how your equipment interacts with specifically this game. For most, the 3d audio is perfectly fine unless there is an issue with their setup. Oddly enough, cheaper might actually be better here.

haha...i got two truly nothing-special speakers, and they're great.

[Doom Sayer]

threethreethree lähetti viestin:

Wondering how only 2 speakers or earphones do this, I guess my question is similar to wondering how do my "only two ears" tell me that something is behind me, to a side or not, versus in front of me, to a side or not.

I think its just decreasing volume. Not certain however. Most modern games i believe are technically simple in sound design while some older titles had more complex sound.

[Doom Sayer]

Catfish_Hunter1972 lähetti viestin:

The positional audio is done through the software for your headset or by using Dolby Atmos,THX,Windows Sonic,etc. The game does not convert stereo to virtual surround sound. I use a pair of Sennheiser HD 6XX's on a Soundblaster X G6. The positional audio using the G6's 7.1 virtual surround is spot on with this game. Before I got the G6 I was using Dolby Atmos and that too sounded spot on. I do find it odd that you are reading a lot of responses about the positional audio being great yet you believe that is nonsense because it's not sounding right for you.

threethreethree lähetti viestin:

Btw, how DOES only two speakers or two buds of earphones make it sound like something's behind you versus in front??

By using Spatial Audio software. Windows has a free software called Windows Sonic if you'd like to try it out.

This video explains virtual surround pretty well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_JpAyWMeiQ

Since you seem to have headset/headphones do you have any thoughts on their sound profile gaming vs other things like music/tv etc? Been looking at Beyerdynamic DT 770 or similar. I tried searching around but failed to really get anything i found helpful.

[Catfish_Hunter1972]

Doom Sayer lähetti viestin:

Since you seem to have headset/headphones do you have any thoughts on their sound profile gaming vs other things like music/tv etc? Been looking at Beyerdynamic DT 770 or similar. I tried searching around but failed to really get anything i found helpful.

I have 2 headsets. The Sennheiser HD 6XX's and wireless Razer BlackShark Pro V2s. The Razer headset sounds good in most games I play including this one. The HD6xx's I use for music and gaming and prefer them over the Razer headset. I mainly use the wireless Razer set when I am running long iRaces and might have to make a mad dash to the head when pitting under caution. At least I can hear what's going on. LOL. I have no experience with the DT 770s but if they are like the HD6xx's you will need a decent amp for them. I much prefer the open back headphones for music and listen to music for hours on end with them. You would also need a separate mic if you go with the DT 770s. I use a wireless Antlion mic on mine. I got my HD6xx's on sale for $179 at Christmas and they are well worth the $220 normal price but I already had an amp(SoundBlaster X G6)

https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx#overview

Edit, I just realized the Beyerdynamic DT 770's are closed back. For a better sound stage you'd want open backs provided they wouldn't disturb others while you are using them.

[Donut]

I've had the 770s 250ohm version for couple years now. Really solid headphones. You may want to do the cable mod when you get them (if you choose to do so) it will make your life easier