I absolutely hate the new audio reverb. Any way to disable it?

(adi) #1

It sounds muffled, too quiet, and I can’t tell how far away the sound is coming from. It reminds me of these “virtual surround” programs and I hate these. I own a decent pair of headphones and I didn’t mind a single thing about the old audio, any way to bring it back?

(Amerika) #2

It’s a totally new system so there isn’t anyway to go back to the way it was.

(Galavant) #3

Sorry to hear that adi, at the moment there’s no setting to toggle reverb, although it would be possible to add one. As far as loudness is concerned, these are effects applied on top of the existing source, they are not intended to subtract from what is there in the first place and generally should not affect sounds in any way different from the previous patch for outdoor triggered audio. If you notice anything particularly unusual, please report it my way, I’ll be tweaking the system further as we go. Mattia.

(Matuno) #4

Just ran a difference check on old configs versus newly generated configs.
There are no new options for audio, so unless there’s a command you can add yourself, it doesn’t look like you can disable it.

(adi) #5

Thanks for all the replies. The reverb is okayish in open areas, but in closed areas like on the Underground map, it sounds too muffled and sounds like it’s making a weird echo, but honestly, I can understand the echo. I know it’s supposed to create a semi-realistic effect, but my main issue is how the sound is muffled. From what I’ve noticed, sound also gets a bit muffled behind walls or around corners, and I just can’t get used to it. I might just need to play a bit and get used to it, but I think something should be done about the sound in tunnels, or generally on maps like Underground.

I will play a bit more while trying to be positive about the new sound changes and try not to over dramatise everything related to it. I think we need input from more people, and not just do changes because a single guy made a post on the forums on day 1 of the update.

(AnonOmis1000) #6

How do you not love the new reverb?

(Galavant) #7

I’m not sure how much of what you don’t like is the reverb system adl, outdoor areas are identical to the previous patch, muffling or occlusion hasn’t changed either, possible you’re referring mostly to how sounds playback when behind a corner, in which case I’m happy to add that we’re currently working on a system to improve that.
While not everyone might love what comes with environmental audio, DB was a bit of an exception to the standard in not having any kind of reverb, we really wanted to highlight how different our maps are as well as showcase our gun audio in different environments.
Thanks for understanding that your point of view is one in many, I’ve gathered extensive feedback during development and on live today, so far I’m “glad” to say you’re the first person that hates it.
I’ll keep gathering feedback over this, for now I’ll note down the following from you, let me know if I misunderstood anything:

  • Some sounds feel too muffled coupled with a echo in some areas (echo should be as designed but if you hear anything particularly weird please let me know).
(strawberryJacket) #8

I wish they focused on something more important, like better directional audio, audio levels so you can hear footsteps/mg/airstrikes better and so on instead of wasting their time on something most people dont even care about.

(solace_) #9

they are implementing a system called V-Bear soon which does exactly this.

(Galavant) #10

Correction on succint’s post: V-Bear is already out with the new update, but yes, we’re now focusing on improving directional audio with a better occlusion system, this needs some figuring out to ensure performance won’t suffer too much as a result of an audio improvement. V-Bear had priority as simpler to implement and for it being a missing feature, while the occlusion system won’t be a new feature but will require us to sort out loads of edge cases to ensure everything is squeaky clean.
I understand seeing these polish passes might make you feel as if positional audio communication wasn’t the priority for us but trust me, it is literally on the top of the list and will be addressed, V-Bear had to happen before it as adding the feature aftewards would have been messier :slight_smile:

(adi) #11

After further observations and after gathering my thoughts together, I’ve come to a conclusion - the main, and almost only issue that’s bugging me is just as you’ve mentioned, the way the sound is play backed behind a corner, which I’m happy you are working on.

I described the echo on Underground “weird” for 1 reason, and it’s more like an opinion than an actual problem. The sound sometimes seems to sound way too different compared to how it sounds normal, and I’m not talking about the slight tone change. For example, at the escalators part of Underground, I’ve heard gunshots from a semi-auto pistol somewhere behind cover, and I couldn’t tell what pistol it was because it sounded so much different. I have played DB for around 500 hours already and I doubt I wouldn’t recognise a weapon from it’s sound.

Again, thanks for the replies, and keep up the good work. Really appreciated the explanation of how the new audio works and I’m looking forward to future updates.

@edit Also I’ve mentioned the muffling. It was probably the echo making stuff sound a bit muffled, but I have a feeling that the update slightly lowered the general sound volume. Rising my master volume setting, even though I never touched that ever since changing it once, seemed to make the sound about as clear and loud as I remember it to be. Maybe my hearing is just becoming worse :tongue:

(Mc1412013) #12

for the first round it sounds good to me. it could use some tweaking for use on 5.1 sound systems. im sure over the next few updates it will only get better.

(Naonna) #13

Given that my computer (with configs) only runs the game at 40 fps, pre-update, Is making the game even less optimized a good idea?

(Mr-Penguin) #14

Yeah, my FPS dropped by 10 with the new reverb system (and this is with a config). While I like it, optimization should be prioritized.

(Runeforce) #15

According to the devs, the new sound system uses significantly less cpu ressources than the one it replaced. Since it’s an in-house system, and this is the first release into the wild, it might have some baby hiccups. Or your issue might be completely unrelated to the sound system.

(Mr-Penguin) #16

According to the devs, the new sound system uses significantly less cpu ressources than the one it replaced. Since it’s an in-house system, and this is the first release into the wild, it might have some baby hiccups. Or your issue might be completely unrelated to the sound system.[/quote]

Nope, i was perfectly fine with my 55-60 FPS yesterday. Now its at 45-50 after the update, with the only major change to anything that could impact my computer being the new sound.

(AnonOmis1000) #17

I saw some frame dropage but idk if the fps counter from steam is working. I was playing XCOM: EU and if looked smother at 30 than it did at 60.

(Mr-Penguin) #18

Could be true. Might look at my FPS with the stat fps command again.

(Runeforce) #19

I am not questioning your observation, I am doubting whether it is caused by the sound system. You definitly should file a bug report to the devs.

(Gi.Am) #20

overall I like the new system. Give it some times guys. Things sound different now and that means we have to relearn how things sounds in certain locations (give it a week or two).

Personaly I atribute one death on overground directly to the new sound system. An airstrike caught me ofguard, because the incoming explosions sounded quieter than usual (was in one of those partial buildings and the first explosions hit outside).

But audio certainly has more depth now.