Audio distortions

[clerick]

Late last week certain sounds in game, mostly explosions, have become distorted and tend to linger longer then normal.  I have since updated the drivers, deleted and reinstalled the sound pack i had been using and have even decreased the hardware acceleration. Forgot to mention that SP3 was installed around the same time but, i can't recall if the issue happened simultaneously.  any suggestions?

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System Information
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Time of this report: 10/21/2008, 11:24:32
       Machine name: JESSICA
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.080814-1236)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: 258KA
       System Model: 258KA000
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 09/06/04 13:15:06 Ver: 08.00.11
          Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+,  MMX,  3DNow, ~790MHz
             Memory: 512MB RAM
          Page File: 251MB used, 995MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

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DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: The file ati2dvag.dll is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL).  You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
          Music Tab: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600/9700 Series (Omega 2.5.97a)
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc. (Omega 2.5.97a)
        Chip type: ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9700 AGP (0x4E50)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4E50&SUBSYS_23241584&REV_00
   Display Memory: 128.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (70Hz)
          Monitor: Default Monitor
  Monitor Max Res:
      Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6497 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 11/30/2004 22:12:50, 221184 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: No
  WHQL Date Stamp: None
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 12/14/2004 18:51:50, 873984 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-0D10-11CF-556F-2E03A1C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x1002
        Device ID: 0x4E50
        SubSys ID: 0x23241584
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV8_B ModeWMV8_A ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
 Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
         Registry: OK
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
 D3D7 Test Result: Not run
 D3D8 Test Result: Not run
 D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1039&DEV_7012&SUBSYS_55101584&REV_A0
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
         Driver Version: 5.10.0000.6300 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 9/24/2008 10:40:22, 4122368 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
         HW Accel Level: Standard
              Cap Flags: 0xF5F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 8000, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 26, 25
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 26, 25
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
               Registry: OK
      Sound Test Result: Not run

            Description: Modem #0 Line Playback (emulated)
 Default Sound Playback: No
 Default Voice Playback: No
            Hardware ID:
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 81
                   Type: Emulated
            Driver Name:
         Driver Version:
      Driver Attributes:
            WHQL Logo'd:
          Date and Size:
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider:
         HW Accel Level: Standard
              Cap Flags: 0x0
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
               Registry: OK
      Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
            Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
  Default Sound Capture: Yes
  Default Voice Capture: Yes
            Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS
         Driver Version: 5.10.0000.6300 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 9/24/2008 10:40:22, 4122368 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x41
           Format Flags: 0xFFF

            Description: Modem #0 Line Record (emulated)
  Default Sound Capture: No
  Default Voice Capture: No
            Driver Name:
         Driver Version:
      Driver Attributes:
          Date and Size:
              Cap Flags: 0x20
           Format Flags: 0x0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
        DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
     DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
    Acceleration: n/a
           Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
                  Realtek AC97 Audio, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
                  Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
                  Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
        Registry: OK
     Test Result: Not run

[Denholm]

Could it be that you have SP3 running on a 790 MHz processor? Seems rather low to be running the game and Windows XP Pro SP3.

[clerick]

Could it be that you have SP3 running on a 790 MHz processor? Seems rather low to be running the game and Windows XP Pro SP3.

Its a 64 bit Athalon, the MHz don't compare the same way that older Pentium systems.  I know that the system resources are low but i have been running it very lean when i play AH and even with this issue i still run 30fps in a furball.

[Denholm]

Try running the sound tests in the DxDiag console. If any of the sounds playing in the test are distorted, write down the details of the sound being played. It could give you some information on finding drivers that are SP3 compatible which will fix that particular issue.

[clerick]

Try running the sound tests in the DxDiag console. If any of the sounds playing in the test are distorted, write down the details of the sound being played. It could give you some information on finding drivers that are SP3 compatible which will fix that particular issue.

I did that too and everything was groovy.  I'm going to try to go back to the stock audio for a bit and see if it happens there.  It only seems to happen on "powerful" sounds. Ord exploding, GV's and AC exploding et.c.

[Denholm]

Maybe the explosion sound effect(s) file(s) is(are) corrupted and needs to be replaced. Try re-installing the game, remembering to backup your maps, films, settings, squad logos, and skins.

[clerick]

Ok, backed everything up and tried complete reinstall of game.  Still distortion.  During a test flight i also noticed that when near other AC the engine sounds tend to get heavily "digitized."  Not sure how else to explain it, but its very similar to the effect i'm hearing with explosions et.c.

[Nwbie]

If you haven't done it already, in dx - set sound acceleration to 3/4 - see if that makes a difference, don't remember why, but a post awhile back said to make sure it is set there.

[clerick]

If you haven't done it already, in dx - set sound acceleration to 3/4 - see if that makes a difference, don't remember why, but a post awhile back said to make sure it is set there.

First thing i tried, but its unimportant since i solved the issue.  What i wound up doing was rolling the driver back.  Apparently SP3 updated the driver and it don't work none too good.

[Skuzzy]

You should not be using custom sounds with that onboard sound device.

[clerick]

You should not be using custom sounds with that onboard sound device.

Please explain. I've been using this setup for almost 2 years now. What do you foresee as an issue?

[Skuzzy]

AC97 audio devices have zero hardware to support soud playback.  It is all handled by the CPU.  Custom sounds all use high sample rate files which place a much higher burden on the CPU than the stock sounds do.

It can have a negative effect on gameplay in several ways.  Rubber bullets, warps, stutters, connection isses and so on.

I cringe everytime I see someone using a custom sound pack with an AC97 or onboard sound device.  The worst ones are the ones who claim it causes no problems.  It cannot help but cause issues.  It is the nature of how things works.

[clerick]

I did not know that.  I should try and see if dumping the custom sounds has any noticeable difference.  I don't experience the issues you mentioned but maybe rubber bullets wold explain my gunnery    

[JB11]

AC97 audio devices have zero hardware to support soud playback.  It is all handled by the CPU.  Custom sounds all use high sample rate files which place a much higher burden on the CPU than the stock sounds do.

It can have a negative effect on gameplay in several ways.  Rubber bullets, warps, stutters, connection isses and so on.

I cringe everytime I see someone using a custom sound pack with an AC97 or onboard sound device.  The worst ones are the ones who claim it causes no problems.  It cannot help but cause issues.  It is the nature of how things works.

Guess that will solve my problem.  Thx Skuzzy.  YOU DA MAN!!!

 

[zes]

One other thought on this...

It may be a gain staging problem.  I have used various soundcards over the years and have found that cheap soundcards are actually not able to play back high RMS sounds at maximum volume without distorting.  It is possible that certain software updates or other sound applications have cranked the output levels in the sound cards (in Windows) mixer to maximum.  Check Control Panel>Audio devices and find the output mixer pages for your sound card and lower the output levels a bit (to 80% or so).  Even if the mixer levels look to be lower than maximum move them anyway.  You can always raise the level of your playback system (speakers/amp) to compensate. 

Many custom sounds are 'maximized' meaning peak limited and then gain adjusted (raised) to compensate for the lowered peak level.  This causes an unnatural RMS level (more gain over time) so sounds like explosions hit the sound cards output electronics really hard for unusual lengths of time.  Cheap sound cards simply can't handle this and will distort.  Lowering the output level will help the sound card to contain these levels.

Not disputing Skuzzy here, just another thing to try if you had it working OK with the same system in the past.

zes