Difference between revisions of "Glossary:Surround sound"
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# Move the <code>.mhr</code> file(s) from <code>{{p|appdata}}\OpenAL\hrtf_defs</code> to <code>{{p|appdata}}\OpenAL\hrtf</code>. | # Move the <code>.mhr</code> file(s) from <code>{{p|appdata}}\OpenAL\hrtf_defs</code> to <code>{{p|appdata}}\OpenAL\hrtf</code>. | ||
# Open <code>alsoft-config.exe</code> in <code>{{p|appdata}}\OpenAL\alsoft-config</code>. If SmartScreen pops up, click "Run anyway." | # Open <code>alsoft-config.exe</code> in <code>{{p|appdata}}\OpenAL\alsoft-config</code>. If SmartScreen pops up, click "Run anyway." | ||
− | # Configure with these settings: Channels: Stereo; Sample Format: Autodetect; Sample rate: whatever your sound device is set to; Resampler Quality: either linear or cubic<ref>[OpenAL Soft HRTF - Explanation of resampler (point, linear, cubic, bsinc12 & bsinc24) - YouTube | + | # Configure with these settings: Channels: Stereo; Sample Format: Autodetect; Sample rate: whatever your sound device is set to; Resampler Quality: either linear or cubic<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62U6UnaUGDE OpenAL Soft HRTF - Explanation of resampler (point, linear, cubic, bsinc12 & bsinc24) - YouTube]</ref>; Enable Dithering: checkmark; HRTF Mode: Force on; Prefered HRTF: whatever <code>.mhr</code> file you created, or a built in mode (KEMAR). |
# Click Apply, then close the window. | # Click Apply, then close the window. | ||
# Copy <code>soft_oal.dll</code> to the same location as the game executable. For 32-bit games this is found in <code>{{p|appdata}}\OpenAL\bin\Win32</code>, and for 64-bit games this is found in <code>{{p|appdata}}\OpenAL\bin\Win64</code>. It may be necessary to rename <code>soft_oal.dll</code> to <code>OpenAL32.dll</code> for some games. | # Copy <code>soft_oal.dll</code> to the same location as the game executable. For 32-bit games this is found in <code>{{p|appdata}}\OpenAL\bin\Win32</code>, and for 64-bit games this is found in <code>{{p|appdata}}\OpenAL\bin\Win64</code>. It may be necessary to rename <code>soft_oal.dll</code> to <code>OpenAL32.dll</code> for some games. |
Revision as of 15:51, 16 September 2019
Sound |
Sound card |
Surround sound |
For a list of games, see List of games that support surround sound.
Key points
- Surround sound is used to give an increased perception of the space around the listener compared to normal sound setups.
Related articles
More information
- PC Gaming Surround Sound Round-up @ Satsun.org
- List of games that use DirectSound3D
- List of games that use OpenAL or OpenAL Soft
- List of games that use other methods for binaural audio[Note 1]
Speakers
Discrete surround sound
Most modern games are capable of delivering discrete 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound to the listener's receiver without the need for any post processing.
Use an HDMI cable and HDMI compatible reciever |
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Use an S-PDIF cable and a lossy compression mixer, such as Dolby Digital Live |
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Surround-compatible stereo
Also referred to as Dolby Surround (not to be confused with Dolby Surround Upmixer), Dolby Pro Logic II-compatible, Dolby Stereo, or 4-channel surround sound (not to be confused with 4.0 quadraphonic sound). This was first used in theaters in the 1970s, and was introduced to the home alongside VHS and Betamax in 1982, predating discrete surround sound. It was used in many venues and mediums until discrete surround sound became viable. One notable benefit of surround-compatible stereo is that it can be played back on any stereo speakers and still sound normal.
Use a surround sound upmixer |
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Use headphones |
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Content mixed in surround-compatible stereo will have a surround effect when listened to over earphones or headphones. |
Dolby Atmos for Home Theater
- Dolby Atmos adds overhead sound by utilizing 2 or more in-ceiling or upward-firing speakers.
- The Dolby Access app does not require any purchase to enable the use of Dolby Atmos for Home Theater.
This requires a Dolby TrueHD capable sound card, a Dolby Atmos capable receiver and speaker setup (with at least 2 in-ceiling or upward-firing speakers), as well as Windows v1703 or later and the Dolby Access app.
Headphones
Binaural sound: HRTF
HRTF (Head Related Transfer Functions) refers to the way that the curvature of one's ears are used to localize sound in 3D space. Algorithms exist that can simulate this action, allowing for full 3D surround sound with just a normal pair of earphones or headphones. The resulting audio is refered to as binaural. While some games, such as CS:GO and Quake Champions include built-in HRTF options, many other games do not; requires external wrappers to enable. As such, it is not recommended for online usage. Listed are methods for adding HRTF using various APIs.
DirectSound3D
Use DSOAL |
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A pre-configured version of DSOAL that includes compiled HRTF tables can be found on NexusMods and ModDB. Note that while listed as being for Fallout New Vegas, it can work with most DirectSound3D games.
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OpenAL
- OpenAL Soft is a free, open-source replacement for OpenAL.
Use OpenAL Soft (Windows) |
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Notes
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Use OpenAL Soft (Linux) |
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X3DAudio
Use X3DAudio HRTF |
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X3DAudio HRTF is a third-party injector for games using X3DAudio that converts the original spatial sound of the game into binaural sound instead. The tool works for Arma 3, Skyrim, and Fallout 4, but should also potentially work for other titles, including ones based on Unreal Engine 4 or developed using the Unreal Development Kit (such as The Vanishing of Ethan Carter).
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Rapture3D
Use Rapture3D |
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Custom quality wrapper for OpenAL games. Among various 3D techniques, provides also its own HRTF tables.
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Virtual surround
Some games do not support true binaural audio mixing. For these games, it may be beneficial to use a virtual surround sound solution.
Windows Sonic for Headphones
- Free and built-in Windows 10 v1703 and newer.
- Works with any game on XAudio2 on any HD sound card
- Does not work with games that auto-detect the speaker setup of the system.
Razer Surround
- Free version available, with an optional purchasable Pro version adding additional features, including (but not limited to) bass boost, sound normalization, and equalizer.
- Uses a virtual audio output device exposing 7.1 virtual speakers, allowing games which auto-detect the speaker setup of the system to work with Razer Surround as well.
- Works with any stereo headset/headphone; not limited to Razer peripherals.
- No longer officially supported.
HeSuVi
- Virtual surround application that mimics the effects of most popular (and obscure) virtual surround and HRTF implementations.
- Requires a virtual audio device, such as VB-Cable, for virtualization.
- Setup video tutorial
Dolby Atmos for Headphones
- Successor to Dolby Headphone.
- Requires Windows 10 v1703 or newer, and a purchase after the trial period have expired.
- Dolby Atmos tries to emulate realistic sounds, causing some sound to be perceived as "muddy" in comparison with other virtual sound solutions.[citation needed]
CMSS-3D
- Exclusively for Creative X-Fi sound cards.
- Some manufacturers provide their users with Creative X-Fi MB software to use it without X-Fi sound cards.
DTS Headphone:X
- Exclusive to some headphones.
SBX Surround Sound
- Available in SBX Pro Studio Panel.
- Exclusively for Creative sound cards having SB-Axx1 chipset as their main chipsets, such as Soundblaster ZxR, Soundblaster X7, etc.
- Some manufacturers provide various Creative softwares for their users to use this surround sound.
- You can purchase X-Fi MB3 software to use it.
Pure Virtual 7.1/5.1 sound over driver with Windows for some cards
- Work on Windows Vista and newer.
- Configurable via the native Windows sound panel without dubious programs.
- Works on Asus Xonar series and Creative Sound BlasterX series, etc.
- It works only with the above cards and which have this support.
Issues fixed
Sounds not playing on rear speakers when listening to 5.1 content on a 7.1 or higher system
- The standard 5.1 setup does not have rear speakers. The "surround" speakers are actually placed close to where the side speakers on a 7.1 setup go.
Use a surround sound upmixer that supports 6.1 or 7.1 |
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Disable side speakers[citation needed] |
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Use the receiver's speaker layout configuration settings to disable the side speakers. Note that this is different from simply muting said speakers. |
Older games not using surround sound on Windows Vista or newer
See DirectSound 3D restoration software.
Notes
- ↑ This includes games from multiple systems, not just PC