does rFactor 2 have decent 3D sound?

lesthegringo · 1 June 12, 10:46

My driving rig (hopefully picture attached!) has a smple two speaker with a subwoofer sound system, and for me to make it any more than that for a 3D surround sound is not something I can easily do. As a result, I'd like to know whether the 3D sound in rFactor 2 is good enough to merit the work.

I'm interested in knowing by sound whether cars are behind or next to me, rear tyre lockup and wheelspin, front tyre lock up etc are all distinguishable with spacial clues such that it augments the game.

Even to just know something together for a test would be a lot of hassle, about six hours work due to the way I made the rig, so before I start getting the spanners out, I need convincing that it will be worth it!

*Edit* Hey, I got the picture to work!
Thanks guys

lesthegringo · 1 June 12, 20:40

I'll take that as a 'no' then!

Les

71GTO · 1 June 12, 22:31

Yes it is very good! you can hear the sounds reflecting off of arm-co and walls as well!!

kamikaze666 · 1 June 12, 23:29

the beta has options that go up to 8.1 surround, dont think it works atm though.

Siggs · 1 June 12, 23:55

Is that a... graphics card in the footwell? o.O

tjc · 2 June 12, 00:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siggs

Is that a... graphics card in the footwell? o.O

Lol...

DurgeDriven · 2 June 12, 02:06

Unreal sound

lesthegringo · 2 June 12, 05:55

cool, thanks guys. I was looking at the rig to see how to put different speakers in, and I'm coming to the conclusion that I've shot myself in the foot when it comes to putting in the rear speakers. I did a reasonable job of making the rig, but never gave much consideration to future proofing, and that's coming back to haunt me now.

If I can work out how to put the rears in, I can conceivably go to a 6.1 system, but I am really struggling to think of a good way to get the rears placed correctly and reliably.

I'll get the spanners out today and jury rig something to test and see how well it works.

By the way, the unit in the footwell is the subwoofer, it is built into the non PC side of the rig, and it works pretty well as it gives a little rumble that you can feel through your legs.

lesthegringo · 2 June 12, 07:34

Well, I have to report back less than success. Luckily for me the audio jacks were one of the easier items to access, as they are on a separate PCI type card on the Asus P5E Deluxe board. I set up just two rear speakers to test to go with the two fronts already there.

In windows 7, they tested fine, and I selected 4 speakers from the control panel in the settings menu. It's the latest version of the game, by the way.

In game, it semed to work, until about 20 seconds in, when the rear speakers cut out. They would then come in and out intermittently. When they did work, I am not sure that they gave any advantage, but the jury is still out as I couldn't get them to reliably work.

Exiting the game showed that it was not a wiring or connection problem, as they functioned perfectly outside the game, so I'm forced to conclude that at the moment they are not fully supported.

Can you guys who have got it working tell me what you have used in terms of settings and setup? Now I have the rig partially dismantled, I want to try all I can as it is worth taking advantage of the chance

thanks

Siggs · 2 June 12, 07:41

oooh right, it's a taller, narrow one on it's side.

...but seriously it looked perfectly shaped to be a gpu! xD

fisher racing · 2 June 12, 08:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by lesthegringo

If I can work out how to put the rears in, I can conceivably go to a 6.1 system, but I am really struggling to think of a good way to get the rears placed correctly and reliably.

.

How about using speaker stands for the rear speakers.
Something like these. Could be fastened to the rig or floor.

lesthegringo · 2 June 12, 09:33

Thanks, I thought of that and also looking at somehow attaching them to the seat back - however, after another hour or so's playing around, at the moment I would not be able to justify it.

I have the Masters 2011, Renault 3.5 and 60's mods installed. The 60's mod seems to be more tolerant than the other two, insofar that the other two (which I believe are based on one another) give problems. On all of them, if there are any surround sound effects, they are nigh on impossible to detect.

I have stolen my wife's logitech 5.1 system, which combined with what was already on the rig gives me a 7.1 setup. With the SoundMax control panel, I have deliberately upped the rear speaker volumes to accentuate any effects. I made sure all the speakers were working, then left the settings on 7.1.

The various settings in game are:
Windows setup - didn't work at all
4.0 - very poor, the volume of the fronts would go up and down at random, and the rears would cut out intermittently
5.1 - all speakers defined as 5.1 working, however no different sounds from the rears to the fronts
7.1 - as above, there didn't seem to be any sound from the 'side' speakers
SRS circle surround - didn't work at all

However one thing stood out above all else; when I lock the front brakes, there is no tyre screech. When I spin the rear tyres, there is no wheelspin sound. When I understeer into a corner, there are no scrubbing sounds. Even in 'stereo speaker' mode, as the front wheels lock, there is total silence.

I sat the car on the side of the track, and then let cars go past me. There was more sound from the front speakers as the car approached than the rears, so it would sound like the car was approaching me from in front, then turning around and going away again - and this is with the rear speakers turned right up!

So, all in all not a very good start. I'm open to suggestions for this, but am very puzzled by the very poor implementation so far.

kamikaze666 · 2 June 12, 09:43

its a beta and it simply doesnt work yet...

the only thing i heard from the rears was reverbs from walls or buildings.

lesthegringo · 2 June 12, 09:58

do you get tyre screech and wheelspin noises though? My game doesn't have them

*Edited*

Yes it does, but with the tyre effects set to maximum in the audio settings panel, if you drive along, then turn off the engine, when you brake hard you can just about hear the tyre screech. However, with the engine running, you can't hear it or any other sound effect

mrpowcz · 2 June 12, 13:58

IIRC 60s F2 and F3 have no tyre sounds, F1 sure does

2 June 12, 09:58	#14
lesthegringo Join Date: Oct 2006	do you get tyre screech and wheelspin noises though? My game doesn't have them Edited Yes it does, but with the tyre effects set to maximum in the audio settings panel, if you drive along, then turn off the engine, when you brake hard you can just about hear the tyre screech. However, with the engine running, you can't hear it or any other sound effect Last edited by lesthegringo; 2 June 12 at 10:57.

1 June 12, 20:40	#2
lesthegringo Join Date: Oct 2006	I'll take that as a 'no' then! Les

1 June 12, 22:31	#3
71GTO Join Date: Oct 2007	Yes it is very good! you can hear the sounds reflecting off of arm-co and walls as well!!

1 June 12, 23:29	#4
kamikaze666 Join Date: Jul 2006	the beta has options that go up to 8.1 surround, dont think it works atm though.

1 June 12, 23:55	#5
Siggs Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry Age: 22	Is that a... graphics card in the footwell? o.O

2 June 12, 02:06	#7
DurgeDriven Join Date: Jan 2011	Unreal sound

2 June 12, 05:55	#8
lesthegringo Join Date: Oct 2006	cool, thanks guys. I was looking at the rig to see how to put different speakers in, and I'm coming to the conclusion that I've shot myself in the foot when it comes to putting in the rear speakers. I did a reasonable job of making the rig, but never gave much consideration to future proofing, and that's coming back to haunt me now. If I can work out how to put the rears in, I can conceivably go to a 6.1 system, but I am really struggling to think of a good way to get the rears placed correctly and reliably. I'll get the spanners out today and jury rig something to test and see how well it works. By the way, the unit in the footwell is the subwoofer, it is built into the non PC side of the rig, and it works pretty well as it gives a little rumble that you can feel through your legs.

2 June 12, 07:34	#9
lesthegringo Join Date: Oct 2006	Well, I have to report back less than success. Luckily for me the audio jacks were one of the easier items to access, as they are on a separate PCI type card on the Asus P5E Deluxe board. I set up just two rear speakers to test to go with the two fronts already there. In windows 7, they tested fine, and I selected 4 speakers from the control panel in the settings menu. It's the latest version of the game, by the way. In game, it semed to work, until about 20 seconds in, when the rear speakers cut out. They would then come in and out intermittently. When they did work, I am not sure that they gave any advantage, but the jury is still out as I couldn't get them to reliably work. Exiting the game showed that it was not a wiring or connection problem, as they functioned perfectly outside the game, so I'm forced to conclude that at the moment they are not fully supported. Can you guys who have got it working tell me what you have used in terms of settings and setup? Now I have the rig partially dismantled, I want to try all I can as it is worth taking advantage of the chance thanks

2 June 12, 07:41	#10
Siggs Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coventry Age: 22	oooh right, it's a taller, narrow one on it's side. ...but seriously it looked perfectly shaped to be a gpu! xD

2 June 12, 09:33	#12
lesthegringo Join Date: Oct 2006	Thanks, I thought of that and also looking at somehow attaching them to the seat back - however, after another hour or so's playing around, at the moment I would not be able to justify it. I have the Masters 2011, Renault 3.5 and 60's mods installed. The 60's mod seems to be more tolerant than the other two, insofar that the other two (which I believe are based on one another) give problems. On all of them, if there are any surround sound effects, they are nigh on impossible to detect. I have stolen my wife's logitech 5.1 system, which combined with what was already on the rig gives me a 7.1 setup. With the SoundMax control panel, I have deliberately upped the rear speaker volumes to accentuate any effects. I made sure all the speakers were working, then left the settings on 7.1. The various settings in game are: Windows setup - didn't work at all 4.0 - very poor, the volume of the fronts would go up and down at random, and the rears would cut out intermittently 5.1 - all speakers defined as 5.1 working, however no different sounds from the rears to the fronts 7.1 - as above, there didn't seem to be any sound from the 'side' speakers SRS circle surround - didn't work at all However one thing stood out above all else; when I lock the front brakes, there is no tyre screech. When I spin the rear tyres, there is no wheelspin sound. When I understeer into a corner, there are no scrubbing sounds. Even in 'stereo speaker' mode, as the front wheels lock, there is total silence. I sat the car on the side of the track, and then let cars go past me. There was more sound from the front speakers as the car approached than the rears, so it would sound like the car was approaching me from in front, then turning around and going away again - and this is with the rear speakers turned right up! So, all in all not a very good start. I'm open to suggestions for this, but am very puzzled by the very poor implementation so far.

2 June 12, 09:43	#13
kamikaze666 Join Date: Jul 2006	its a beta and it simply doesnt work yet... the only thing i heard from the rears was reverbs from walls or buildings.

2 June 12, 13:58	#15
mrpowcz Join Date: Feb 2010 Age: 23	IIRC 60s F2 and F3 have no tyre sounds, F1 sure does