surround sounds

[olds442]

any of you sound people able to make true 5.1 surround sound sound pack? like with the p39 the sound would come from the rear speackers (p39 rear engined plane)or a p51 the exsaust pipe sounds are from the sides and the starter and some motor sounds coem from the center channel? or somthing like that or dose the game only play 2 channel audio?

[Chalenge]

It wont work well with AH. I believe even stereo sounds are a mistake.

[Karnak]

The game assigns sound locations.  You wouldn't want a stereo sound for the engines in a Mossie as the game is going to assign the sound to the location of the #1 and #2 engines already.  Stereo would just double up the sounds as you hear both engines from both sides.

[RTHolmes]

I believe even stereo sounds are a mistake.

me too, although we seem to be the only ones ...

[Skuzzy]

The game already does 3D sound positioning.  For that to work, the sounds must be single channel.

[RTHolmes]

yay that makes 3 of us!


presumably any stereo sounds are converted for directsound to mono, are they mixed into mono or just stripped of one of the channels? either way its unecessary processing. how about downsampling - is there a max bit/resolution for DX to process? (I'm just trying to get a handle on specs for soundpacks.)

like with the p39 the sound would come from the rear speackers (p39 rear engined plane)or a p51 the exsaust pipe sounds are from the sides and the starter and some motor sounds coem from the center channel? or somthing like that or dose the game only play 2 channel audio?

I'm actually going to +1 this, although your plane's guns and cannons appear to be properly located in 3D, the engine sounds are located at the pilot (whether 1, 2 or 4 engines.) jump in an A20 and start the engines individually - you cant tell by listening which engine is running.


edit: btw I'd only want to have your own plane's engines properly located in 3D, not much benefit in having it for other aircraft. plus the processing could be a big hit too when you run across 20 sets of buffs (thats 240 engines to locate )

[PAKFRONT]

The game already does 3D sound positioning.  For that to work, the sounds must be single channel.

Exactly the info I was looking for.. So a 5.1 set up won't work well? I have had problems with this before..
I am shopping for a new headset right now.. Fitting out my equipment before come to the online arenas..
Any suggestions before I drop a C note on headphones that don't work in AH 

[Skuzzy]

If you are referring to the physical speaker arrangement, the game sounds will come out of the correct location, as long as Windows knows the speaker layout.

If you are referring to Dolby (or another other 3D encoding scheme), the game does not use it.  The game produces actual 3D sounds.

[Chalenge]

I have been using a 5.1 setup for years. I prefer headphones which work perfectly with the way AH does 3D sounds. I experimented with sounds and I tried producing stereo and 5.1 surround sounds but mono was the only type that worked with 3D positioning of vehicles while stereo in some instances created performance issues. Checking into the way DirectSound works I discovered that (as of 2002 at least) the expected game input was 22kHz and 8 or 16 bit (never could nail down if the bit-depth was important).

And here are a few recordings I made in testing this (with my own custom copyrighted B-17 sound):

Mono:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BUM_MFkrnQ

Stereo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpYgbqbxpAg

Surround:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iihnKTp6Rw

[PAKFRONT]

Thanks Skuzzy and Chalenge
I expect things to be pretty straightforward, but with computers, sometimes they are not!
I'm using an ASUS stand alone soundcard that came with its motherboard, it has the normal 6 analog mini plugs.. Been using my Regular Stereo Music Phones, plugged into the center channel, sounds great.. But need a new set with Mic.. Just getting a little input that pertains directly to THIS game, before I throw money away for nothing.. Knowledgable replies are much appreciated!

Would like the full 3d effect, so this is my primary selection.. Has good reviews..
Turtle Beach Z6A

[TwinBoom]

See Rule #4

[Chalenge]

See Rule #4

[TwinBoom]

See Rule #4

[Skuzzy]

Do I need to boot you two from the board again?

[TwinBoom]

Do I need to boot you two from the board again?

Nope but the bold copyright was a direct attack im out of this