Everyone stfu, I can't hear the whales humping.

[vergol]

I've recently installed Thomsen's Sound Pack. I really like the ambiance and the chitter-chatter while i'm going from station to station and making calculations. The sound effects have more of a punch to them, putting me more on edge. Overall it's a definite improvement. My belated thanks to the author.

The problem, however, is that these ambient sounds aren't muted when I listen to the hydrophone. Crew voices sometimes overpower the more distant propeller sounds. It's even more difficult if I'm trying to distinguish several contacts on roughly the same bearing.

Is that how it is for everyone? Can I do anything to fix it?

[java`s revenge]

Vergol,
There is a mod for a muted hydrophone.

[Weiss Pinguin]

It's not the ambient hydrophone noise that's too loud, but the ambient submarine sounds. The amb_SubmarineInterior files aren't getting muted when you go to the hydrophone station (I can't remember if they're supposed to or not, but I don't remember the noise being that loud... Bloody cheap headphones insulation :smug:) to be honest most of the time I just let the soundman pick out the noises on his own now, keeps the headaches away.


Also,
Everyone stfu, I can't hear the whales humping
:rotfl2:

[Commander Gizmo]

I have noticed that issue being caused by problems with the audio files not stopping when coming in or out of higher TC levels. Thomsen's sound pack seems to make this worse, probably due to the considerably more numerous additional audio tracks and lengths. Going back into a high enough TC for a second or two and then dropping back to 1x (I have a speed key for that: Enter) often resolves the issue. Exactly what TC level causes it is dependent on your hardware.

[vergol]

"Audio files not stopping" is right. I've done some testing and it happens roughly half the time. And it's not just limited to crew voices and submarine ambiance. It's especially bad when you transition from the bridge during a storm and hear the howling wind everywhere in the sub.

This problem came up when I did more forum searches, but it didn't seem like there's a fix. Oh well.

Thanks though.

[Weiss Pinguin]

Yep, another SHIII quirk I guess. However, there's about a 50/50 chance that jumping to high TC and either going back down slowly or jumping straight to one of the 3D compartments will solve it. Then again if it doesn't you may just end up with more sounds playing at once :smug:

[Commander Gizmo]

I finally lowered the volume level in the sound files that were most annoying in this situation. Now they don't bother me so much. If anyone wants them, I guess I can upload the quieter versions of PT's sounds.

[vergol]

That's a great idea, Commander Gizmo. I think I'll give that one a try.

I'm also curious if there's any way to increase the hydrophone sounds in-game. There's a volume knob next to the turning wheel, but half the time I'm not sure what it's there for. If I could amplify the volume of those propeller sounds, then the crew voices and wind effects won't be such a bother. Any idea if this can be done?

[Commander Gizmo]

The volume knob only adjusts one click up or down. It is actually separated into an upper and lower half, each of which act as a separate button. So, click the top to raise the volume, click the bottom to lower it. There are only two settings, so repeated clicks just make your fingers stronger.

What it actually does is raise the ambient noise level (your screws and the background noise) so that you can hear them. The idea is that if you raise it enough to hear that, you might boost the sound you are listening for enough to be able to distinguish more of it as well. Or it could just make it harder. I always use the louder setting.

[Weiss Pinguin]

I'd love to get those quieted sound files, Gizmo. :up: Or alternatively, maybe hydrophone files with increased volume?

[vergol]

The volume knob only adjusts one click up or down. It is actually separated into an upper and lower half, each of which act as a separate button. So, click the top to raise the volume, click the bottom to lower it. There are only two settings, so repeated clicks just make your fingers stronger.

What it actually does is raise the ambient noise level (your screws and the background noise) so that you can hear them. The idea is that if you raise it enough to hear that, you might boost the sound you are listening for enough to be able to distinguish more of it as well. Or it could just make it harder. I always use the louder setting.

Is there be any way to tweak just by how much that volume knob increases ambient noise?

And what about main menu sound options? Do any of them affect the hydrophone or the crew voices directly?