Direct3d / EAX Positional Audio on Windows

[ApexMods]

As I play Ghost Recon in a Wineskin wrapper virtual machine on Mac (which emulates Windows XP), I cannot test this, but I read here that Windows Vista or later may (partly) disable the game‘s 3d audio, and how to restore it with e.g. this.

Can anyone confirm that Ghost Recon‘s EAX positional audio is indeed broken or limited on newer Windows versions?

[ApexMods]

Just to clarify: The theory is that 3d audio is presented as simple 2.0 stereo in newer Windows, whereas Ghost Recon‘s EAX fully supports up to 7.0 surround sound (with individual sound channels for seven external speakers).

[ApexMods]

Anyone?

[Zeealex]

I wouldn't really know where to start as my headset has sound processing to dolby 7.1 built in *shrugs*

[ApexMods]

You‘ve earned it. 🙂

[die7]

On 31/08/2020 at 16:18, ApexMods said:

Anyone?

yepp, can confirm ..ppl do not forget to enable

eax1 = true
eax2 = true

 

in dsound.ini..it and eax in sound config of the game..it just rocks..awesome, thank you Apex

[_LEON_]

But soundblasterX soundcard is needed to feel the change right??

 

 

[die7]

16 hours ago, _LEON_ said:

But soundblasterX soundcard is needed to feel the change right??

 

 

no, its every card..more info you will find here

and once working should sound like here

[_LEON_]

Wow...I should try this. Thanks !!!

[Rocky]

Don't know how I missed this - trying it out....

[_LEON_]

I've tried the indirectsound module, but I don't really feel the difference.

I set the values correctly in the ini file but I think it's the same as before.

Also tried the Realtek 3d soundback but this one had just too much echo, and glitchy sounds.

Guess my laptop's soundcard has some limited sound capacity.😞

[die7]

1. Check Ike.log to confirm eax 2.0 is supported and loaded

2.did you made also registry entries?

3. To really feel 3D sound you should use headphones or 5.1 or 7.1 box system ..I prefer headphones 

a good stereo headphones are sufficient since all sound techniques for virtual surround (eax,atmos,sonic) are even today better on decent stereo headphones as any 7.1 money robbery phones.

4. Once it’s working you will feel diff (maybe even on laptop)

 

[_LEON_]

 

6 hours ago, die7 said:

1. Check Ike.log to confirm eax 2.0 is supported and loaded

2.did you made also registry entries?

3. To really feel 3D sound you should use headphones or 5.1 or 7.1 box system ..I prefer headphones 

a good stereo headphones are sufficient since all sound techniques for virtual surround (eax,atmos,sonic) are even today better on decent stereo headphones as any 7.1 money robbery phones.

4. Once it’s working you will feel diff (maybe even on laptop)

 

Thank you for detailed descriptions. 

Still no reverb but It kind of feels like enhanced though🤣.

 

[die7]

1 hour ago, _LEON_ said:

Still no reverb

There is reverb, I can hear it

 

1) reverb is implemented and you hear it especially in sound zones 

for the ppl which are familiar with Igor editor , take look to sound part of each zone you will see presets like: 

GENERIC                                     
PADDEDCELL                                  
ROOM                                        
BATHROOM                                    
LIVINGROOM                                  
STONEROOM                                   
AUDITORIUM                                  
CONCERTHALL                                 
CAVE                                        
ARENA                                       
HANGAR                                      
CARPETEDHALLWAY                             
HALLWAY                                     
STONECORRIDOR                               
ALLEY                                       
FOREST                                      
CITY                                        
MOUNTAINS                                   
QUARRY                                      
PLAIN                                       
PARKINGLOT                                  
SEWERPIPE                                   
UNDERWATER  

 So once you are in and moving in any of them you should hear it

but also on the movie above sec 33-38 you can hear echo of shots

 

Edited November 9, 2020 by die7

[Eisenhauer]

works very well, this brings another kick

[JayQ]

Maybe to do some clarification on the topic. Starting with Windows Vista, everything around DirectSound3D has been taken out of the operating system. Therefore you must now use software that circumvents this to bring positional audio back.

So if you still want positional audio in your game you need to choose one of the 3 software options below and follow the steps to make everything work:

1. Creative ALchemy Universal: https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/28-creative-alchemy-universal/
   1. This is sort of the Creative library itself, but with support for any soundcard. Usually works very well.
   2. Open the application and Add/ Activate the application for ALchemy usage.
2. DSOAL: http://vaporeon.io/hosted/dsoal-builds/
   1. This is an Open-Source version that supports any soundcard and is still being actively supported today
   2. Drop the files into the directory of your installation. alsoft.ini is used to configure how DSOAL should behave.
3. IndirectSound: https://www.indirectsound.com/
   1. IndirectSound has only very limited EAX support, but might sometimes be the only way to get everything working.

From here you should be good to go with positional audio in place again. Results will vary based on setup and used software.

Edited February 7 by JayQ