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The Week in
Review: June 24-30, 2002
Last week's features at
3DsoundSurge
UT2003 3D Sound Q&A
We asked Epic Games Daniel Vogel a few questions about the sound engine in UT2003. Here's
the Q&A:
>3DSS: Are you doing something different from others games
including the original Unreal and Unreal Tournment on the market that support 3D audio via
Microsoft's DirectSound3D and can playback using 4 or 6 direct channel output on many of
today's popular sound cards or as Dolby Digital on NVIDIA's nForce motherboards using
Dolby's DICE?
Daniel Vogel: We actually use OpenAL instead of DirectSound3D but on
most card/ driver combinations out there this will wrap to DirectSound3D using Creative's
OpenAL -> DirectSound3D wrapper.
3DSS: If yes can you get into some specifics on what it is? If no
what does Dolby exactly require to certify the game?
Daniel Vogel: You had to ask Dolby this question :)
3DSS: Do you support any other APIs or extensions to DS3D like
Sensaura's ZoomFX, Creative Labs EAX 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 (the latter also known as EAX
Advanced HD) or the now dead Aureal's A3D?
Daniel Vogel: We have support for EAX 3.0 in the editor/ engine.
3DSS: What's the major differences between the sound engine used in UT2003 and UT?
Daniel Vogel: Far better sound occlusion and propagation and we
fixed a lot of bugs here and there with regard to spatialization. We also dropped support
for mod files (.s3m) and now rather use Ogg Vorbis (.ogg) for streaming background music.
Nothing ground breaking, just a lot of polish :)
3DSS: Any of the features described above that will not make it to
the demo?
Daniel Vogel: Nope, everything should be in the demo. In fact, most
of it has been in the engine for a very long time.
The major news here is that it will take advantage of EAX Advanced
HD and a confirmation it supports 3D sound, just like most other games - that is by using
the 3D sound engine of your soundcard. The Dolby Digital bit is just a certification Dolby
apparently started. It remains to be seen if Dolby requries anything beyond that the game
takes advantage of 3D sound and works on the nForce (the only chip that currently can do
real-time Dolby Digital encoding on the PC for games). That is do they demand good audio
quality and/or that the game need to implement 3D sound well are questions yet to be
answered. Considering they don't appear to require that for movies I doubt they require it
for games.
When it comes to OpenAL the benefit from a gamer's perspective is
improved performance in WindowsXP, according to Creative Labs basically VXD performance on
a WDM driver if the soundcard supports OpenAL directly. Currently only the Audigy drivers
from some of the OEMs (e.g. Compaq) offer this, but hopefully Creative Labs will soon
release new Audigy drivers for everyone. Using OpenAL should also make it easier to
support 3D sound on other platforms (e.g. Linux).
Last week's sound news
Drivers and bugs
New games, demos, patches and bugs
- Grand Prix 4 feature excellent use of 3D sound
Grand Prix 4 takes great advantage of 3D sound according to a review on Action
Trip. Here's what they had to say:
Sound effects are excellent, and apart from the highly realistic
sound of your engine in GP4 you will also hear the roaring engines of your adversaries
through a well developed 3D sound positioning system. You will also hear the audience
which will cheer for its favorite team.
They liked most other aspects of the game as well and gave it an
overall score of 92 out of 100.
- DX2: Invisible War Q&A
Gaming Horizon News has posted an interview with Harvey Smith about the upcoming Deus Ex sequel.
Here's an interesting bit on the sound:
GH: What are some of the big differences between your previous
engine and your new one? How will they benefit the (stealth) gameplay?
HS: The new technology is very much cutting edge. The sound
propagation, AI, physics and lighting are all new. (We're using Havok for physics.) To
cite one example of how these technologies have gameplay ramifications: In the new engine,
a sound is bounced around realistically (instead of being a simple go-through-walls radius
broadcast) and is muffled or echoed by the surface materials in the world. So if you make
sound while robbing an office, it matters if there's carpet on the floor, if the office
window is intact and if the door is closed. Without those things, the sounds will bounce
more and guards in the hall beyond are more likely to be alerted.
- New version of Avoyd
new version and demo (v1.61) of Avoyd have been released. The game supports 3D sound.
Here's a short description of the game ripped from the official site:
Avoyd is a revolutionary multiplayer 3D shooter. Take a
completely fresh look at the genre! Experience explosive combat with the first and only
FPS to feature fully destructible worlds!
Real-time lighting, brilliant particle explosions, full 3D movement in any direction on
any surface, complete an impressive engine which brings the genre into a new realm.
You can find more info, download or buy the game on the official site.
- Grand Theft Auto III Patch
Take Two Games has released a patch (v1.1) for the EAX Advanced HD supporting Grand Theft
Auto III.
- Grand Theft Auto III
Take 2 German site has released
an update for GTA 3. The included readme is in German but according to Thomas Köhre
the patch should also work with the English versions. The patch improves the graphics
performance by reducing the drawing distance will be reduced and removing litter from the
streets. On the audio side it newer Miles Sound files are included and they recommend to
use the Miles Fast 2 System for best performance (of course no 3D sound then). It's only
recommended to install this patch if you experience performance issues.
- Might & Magic Music Q&A
RPGDot has posted an interview with composer Rob King about his work on the Might and
Magic series. Here's a snip:
RPGDot: For which games did you do the soundtrack?
Rob: The first title I did music for was Zephyr and Heroes of Might
& Magic 1. I have done all the sound for all the NWC games for that 8 year run
including all the Heroes of Might & Magic Games as well as Might & Magic VI -IX
with help from my friends and colleagues Paul Romero & Steve Baca. Steve is also in my
group Red Delicious (Extasy/Warner Bros.) and Paul does all of our string arrangements.
RPGDot: How do you record the Soundtracks? (i.e. with a Full Orchestra, or Midi-Machines
or a mix of the above or ...)
Rob: Well that usually depends on the budgets. Mostly we record
everything with a combination of Samplers and live instruments. We start with the basic
arrangement on samplers then go in an overdub all the live stuff as well as vocals on
occasion.
RPGDot: How did composing the music for the MM games work? Were you
told to do a combat theme for example or did you have the freedom to do what you want?
Rob: Every Producer and designer has something in mind. We often get
a request for certain things like 3 combat songs and 6 town themes. As far as composing
goes we mostly have 100% creative control. There are guidlines for "styles" that
someone may want and it is pretty easy to get what they are thinking. For example
"Dark and ominous with evil undertones" I usually set up the creepy strings,
Choir Pads and "scary" brass stuff...You get the picture...
- Jesper Kyd (Composer) Interview
YiYas has posted an
interview with composer Jesper Kyd. You may have heard his work if you played MDK 2,
The Nations, Hitman 1 & 2 and Messiah to name some. Here's a couple interesting
Q&As
What is the difference between composing a soundtrack for a
computer game and composing one for a movie?
There is a big difference. For games you are not a slave to the
image. Instead you have to come up with an atmosphere that displays what the game player
should be feeling. For films you usually come up with a couple of main themes and then
work on music that fits the transition of a scene. A game might take 25-50 hours to
complete and a movie only last around 2 hours, so for games it's not unusual to write like
15 different themes.
Who has had the idea to record the score for Hitman 2 with a big
orchestra? Has it already been intended at the beginning? Was it difficult to receive the
budget for such an expansive recording?
IOI wanted to try something different for the Hitman2 score and
approached me with the idea of using a big orchestra. We talked about this from the
beginning of the H2 development. Yep, it sure was a challenge to put such a big budget
together.
The Hitman2 main title reminds me a bit of the Finale to Jerry
Goldsmiths Omen Trilogy, did you get a temp track to get the "musical mood" the
gamedesigner wanted to have?
Well no, there was no temp track given to me (thank god!) But they
did mention a couple of soundtracks that were bombastic and heroic.
Are there differences in composing for more complex PC Games or for
arcarde-like console games?
There really is no difference between composing for PC and console.
Still, arcade games tend to have like 10 action tracks where as story progression games
are more like film scores, since they have different levels of intensity and often has
like a heroic theme, a love theme, discovery theme etc.
Are you involved in the SoundFX Department in any way?
When we do sound effects I supervise the production and make sure
everything sounds good.
- delaydots.com releases PitchWorks DX for free
PitchWorks is an alternative Pitch Tempo Speed processor available as DirectX media format
only. The plugin allow you alternate sample Pitch (preserve sample length), Tempo (change
sample length but preserve pitch) or change both Pitch and Tempo using post process high
quality resampler alogrithm (Speed) without preserving pitch and sample length. You can find more details in
the press release.
Reviews of soundcards, speakers, headphones and MP3
players.
- Creative Labs Extigy
TekBug has posted a short review of Creative Labs Extigy soundcard. They liked
the unit but complains about some of the test results using RightMark’s Audio
Analyzer doesn't live up to specs. When it comes to the crosstalk bit I think it's worth
noting it's still way beyond what's audible, that is not an issue during normal playback.
- Altec Lansing 251 5.1 Surround Speakers
Avault has done a review
of Altec Lansing 251 5.1 Surround Speakers. It's a $100 5.1 system Avault found to
perform fairly well but still falling behind the similarly priced Z-540 (4.1 system from
Logitech), especially when it comes to music.
- Cobalt 3 Pyramid II Fan Silencer
ipConfig has posted a review of the Cobalt 3 Pyramid II Fan Silencer. The unit only works on
exaust fans (not CPU or power supply fans) and via a temparture probe controls fan speed
based on internal case temparture. The review concludes that it performs as specified by
the manufacturer, and does it well.
Other sound news
- QSound Labs Announces Future Roadmap At AGM
QSound Labs held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders today. After the passing of all
resolutions presented at the formal portion of the meeting, CEO David Gallagher spoke
about QSound's plans for the future. "Over the years,
QSound has expanded its core competencies from our original algorithm development to our
current status of providing complete audio software solutions," stated Gallagher.
"Today, this positioning benefits the Company in several ways. First, it opens up
strategic relationships and markets not previously accessible. Examples are the recent
announcement with Philips to develop software audio solutions and the potential for these
products in the growing market of next-generation wireless entertainment devices. Second,
it allows QSound to position itself outside of the current 3D audio competition in markets
that are substantially bigger. These next-generation devices need audio engines,
preferably software, which may or may not require audio enhancement algorithms. This leads
to new markets and greater opportunity." You can find more quotes in the
full press release.
- ADI's SoundMAX Included in HP Pavilion Desktop
PCs
Analog Devices, Inc. today announced that its SoundMAX Digital Audio System will be
available this summer through HP's configure-to-order program via www.hpshopping.com, as well as in
retail kiosks and consumer electronics and computer superstores nationwide. The SoundMAX
audio system provides optimal performance by combining an AC-97 hardware codec installed
on the motherboard with the SoundMAX software, which is integrated into the PC's audio
subsystem. It includes Windows device drivers and applications that support Microsoft
DirectX 8.0, DS3D, EAX (1 and 2), A3D 1, unlimited voice DLS-2 wavetable, and support for
5.1 virtual theater surround. Analog Devices has also implemented Sensaura's MultiDrive
5.1 for support of 6 channel gaming. SoundMAX also features SPX "audio
animation" technologies. For more information you can check out the full
press release.
- New Independent THX Introduce New Games Division
THX, formerly a division of Lucasfilm Ltd., has been spun off as an independent company,
THX Ltd. Lucasfilm remains an investor in the newly formed privately held company, along
with other corporate and private investors. The formation of THX Ltd. will allow the
company to further expand into markets outside of Lucasfilm's core areas of expertise. As we reported recently one of those other companies are Creative
Labs. Fitting in well with that new investor one of the 5 key areas will be THX Games. The
other 4 are THX Studio, THX Cinema, THX Home and THX Mobile. You can find some details in
the press release.
- Xitel's New HiFi-Link for PC/Macs
Xitel has introduced what they claim to be the first affordable and easy-to-use high
quality product optimized for delivering digital audio from PCs and Macs to home stereo
equipment. HiFi-Link simply plugs into any USB port on a computer and into the RCA inputs
of a stereo system. Using its advanced integrated precision DAC, the HiFi-Link then
processes digital audio directly from the USB without any signal degradation. Xitel's new HiFi-Link is available in the U.S. starting in June 2002 in
J&R Music in NYC and selected retail stores nationwide. Refer to xitel.com for updates
on retail stores and availability. The estimated street price for the new HiFi-Link is
$49.95. You can find more
details in the press release.
- e.Digital Unveils New Ultra-Slim Silhouette MP3
CD player
e.Digital Corp.'s new ultra-slim, portable CD player Silhouette is capable of playing
prerecorded music CDs or CDs containing MP3 or Windows Media(TM) format (WMA) files.
Silhouette combines SRS(TM) and TruBass(TM) audio enhancement to produce the WOW(TM)
Effect for treble enrichment and deep, rich bass enhancement. You can find more details in the
press release.
- Transfer Music Digitally From Pressplay to Sony's
Net MD
Sony Electronics and pressplay, the online music subscription service, have announced that
music fans will soon have the ability to transfer music from pressplay to Sony's popular
Net MD(MD) Walkman® recorders. Pressplay offers a wide catalog of the world's most
popular music for streaming, downloading, CD-burning and now also for transfer to portable
devices. More details
availabe in the press release.
- Sony Adds to Innovative Line of CLIE Handhelds
At a press conference spotlighting a variety of products, Sony Electronics added the new
CLIE(TM) PEG-T665C model to its family of personal entertainment organizers. The new
handheld offers multimedia features that engage users and increase productivity. The new
model includes an integrated audio player allows users to enjoy digital audio files stored
on an optional Memory Stick® media card. You can find more details in
the press release.
- New RCA DVD Player From Thomson Support mp3PRO
Audio Decoding
As the consumer electronics industry celebrates the five-year anniversary of the DVD,
Thomson is expanding its commitment to this fast-growing category with the introduction of
seven new RCA brand DVD players. The full-featured lineup,
including two progressive scan units with 3:2 pulldown, a five-disc changer, a portable
player with seven-inch screen and a DVD/VCR combination unit, pairs outstanding video and
audio performance with a variety of unique convenience capabilities. Other features shared
by all players include Dolby Digital and DTS compatibility, Scene Again (one button
instant replay), and CD-R/RW, mp3, Video CD and DVD+R/RW playback.
Audio features offered by some of the players includes mp3PRO audio
decoding and SRS TruSurround. You can find more details in the
press release.
- NVIDIA Personal Cinema With GeForce4 Now
Available
NVIDIA® has announced that NVIDIA Personal Cinema(TM) is now shipping with the
GeForce4(TM) family of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). No mention of any updates when it
comes to the audio features (appears like it's still only a SPDIF output). You can find more details in the press release.
- Panasonic Unveils DVD Multi Drive
Panasonic has unveiled its DVDBurner II. Meeting DVD Multi specifications, the new DVD
Multi drive builds on the success of Panasonic's currently available DVD-RAM/R DVDBurner
by extending the drive's capabilities to include read/write support for all Recordable DVD
formats approved by the DVD Forum and read/write support for CD-R/RW discs. The Panasonic brand DVDBurner II drives will begin shipping in October 2002
and, like the continuing DVD-RAM/R DVDBurner, will be available for resale at retail or
OEM applications. The Panasonic brand DVD Burner II drive for retail sale will be priced
at less than $500*. You can find
more details in the press release.
- Global Network of DTS Dealers/Distributors Grows
DTS (Digital Theater Systems, Inc.), the digital audio technology company dedicated to
delivering the ultimate entertainment experience, has further expanded its professional
audio dealer network to include India, Brazil, Scandinavia, Hungary, Poland and the Czech
Republic. Serving DVD authoring and mastering facilities as well as high-end music
recording studios, the dealers distribute DTS' CAE-4 encoder/CAD-4 decoder units. These
distributors will also serve the broadcast community upon the availability of the next
generation of DTS encoder/decoders. You can find more details in the press release.
For more news from last week check out our news archive.
Upcoming features at 3DsoundSurge
- Reviews that we are currently working on:
Updated Santa Cruz/Sonic Fury and GameTheaterXP reviews
Hercules Fortissimo II
Terratec DMX Xfire 1024
CMedia CM8738 Reference Review
Full Audigy Review
Full Philips MMS305 Review
- There are several other hardware reviews in the pipeline
including, but not limited to the following:
Guillemot Maxi Sound MUSE
Terratec m3po
DigMedia MusicStore
Philips Seismic Edge
Lots of other stuff on the go in including several guides and major site revisions that we
will soon be releasing more details on.
As always if you have any ideas for products we should review or
features we should do, please let us know.
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