Crackling in Audio

[schodge]

OS: Windows 10 Pro
Version: 10.0.16299
Commit/Build: 16299

System SKU LENOVO_MT_20FH_BU_Think_FM_ThinkPad T560
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6300U CPU @ 2.40GHz, 2496 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date LENOVO N1KET32W (1.19 ), 7/12/2017
SMBIOS Version 2.8
Embedded Controller Version 1.08
BIOS Mode UEFI
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "10.0.16299.201"
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 24.0 GB

I'm getting an odd crackling in the audio, regardless of audio level. Everything but Open RCT 2 is muted. I used Audacity to record the sound; it's a good representation of what I'm hearing
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vlyvisdtkms2scy/OpenRCT2-crackling.wav?dl=0

I've not heard this before on this computer with anything. It does seem to be on the music and not the sound effects.

[Ryder17z]

Sounds like duplicate of #6667

[AaronVanGeffen]

This should have been solved as of 4f01116. Could you try whether the problem persists with more recent build?

[schodge]

It sounds better (quieter) on the latest develop build, but at least for me is still present.

[IntelOrca]

@schodge how does it compare to previous releases? E.g. 0.1.0, 0.1.1?

[Gymnasiast]

There is no such OpenRCT2 build as '16299'. Those are seven characters long and alphanumeric. The build number is displayed on the lower left of the title screen.

[ZehMatt]

Can you provide a new recording with the latest develop version? It would help if you could record this with Audacity using WASAPI, keep it mind its best to export with a lossless compression, flac or 32 bit wav will do.

[schodge]

Apologies, I gave you the Windows build number. Now using 0.1.2, x86-64, ac8353e.

WASAPI capture, using WAV32: https://www.dropbox.com/s/7jmdl4xnqghx448/openrct2_crackling_2.wav?dl=0

Shayne

[ZehMatt]

Thanks, two more things.

1. Could you provide more details on your sound setup, meaning Audio Driver, Frequency, Bitrate etc.
2. Could you try to use a CUSTOM.wav with a better recorded audio track and do a recording, the Merry Go Round has a really bad recording.

[schodge]

Sorry, I'm new to this project, could you explain 2? Like, drop a ride and record or something else? (I was doing this off the title screen) I'll get to (1) tonight, it's basically the stock Thinkpad realtek stuff. I haven't has time to cross reference to my desktop.

[ZehMatt]

You can let rides play custom music by placing CUSTOM1.wav or CUSTOM2.wav in the Data folder from RCT2.

[schodge]

Sorry, I've tried placing a CUSTOM1.wav in both the RCT2 data folder and the OpenRCT2 data folder, and neither is being picked up by the double decker carousel.

But I appear to have found the problem when digging for driver numbers. There's a "Dolby Audio" tab on my Realtek driver I don't recall seeing before, which was turned on. Turning it off has pretty much solved the problem (there's still a little now and then, but nothing like before) - I think it may have been adding gain and some EQ to the signal and clipping it.

Sorry for the spurious bug report.

You can clearly see it being turned on and off here:

Sound file, above:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0gdc3eir5r2gge5/dolby_audio_crackling_dmeo.wav?dl=0

[ZehMatt]

That is interesting. Also I should have mentioned that CUSTOM1 and CUSTOM2 can only be played by certain rides, I would have to lie to tell you exactly which ones but you can try a few. Also the custom audio should be 22050hz U8 raw pcm.

[Gymnasiast]

CUSTOM1 and CUSTOM2 can be played on any ride that has free selection of music. That's most of them, except the Merry-go-round and the Circus.

[Ryder17z]

@Gymnasiast I never understood the vanilla restriction on this. what if i have better music for those two rides? - (i'd like to be able to set custom1/custom2 eventually for both)

[swizzersweet]

I was able to solve this for my particular setup by lowering the channels from 8 to 2.
I'm using a Focusrite 2i2 and lowered it to 2 channel, 24 bit, 48,000 hz (Studio Quality) instead of 8 channel.

Strangely enough, I am unable to increase it back to 8 channels.

PC
i9 - 9900k @5ghz, 32GB ram, Nvidia 1070, Windows 10
Focusrite 2i2

For those who want to do this with their sound card:

1. Hit windows key
2. Type "sound" and push enter (should open Sound - Control Panel)
3. Under the playback tab, you want to right click on your device marked as default device and go to properties
4. In the Your Sound Card Here, lower your default format to something different, likely not 8 channel
5. You will need to restart your sound applications, or your entire PC