While playing EDO, Is it possible or advisable to play the game sounds and eg an mp3 music file via VLC player simultaneously?. I have just upgraded my PC motherboard to an MSI B550 Gaming GEN3, an AMD Ryzen 7 5700X CPU. to augment my NVIDIA GTX 1080 GPU. I don't use the MB onboard sound, instead I use my Xonar soundcard through a DAC and external 12v amp in order to use my old analogue Bang & Olufsen speakers and a self built analogue sub woofer which I have used for 4-5yrs. I seem to remember my son telling me years ago that it was not advisable to play mixed sources for some reason but unsure whether that is still the case.
Question on Sound sources in EDO?.
- Thread starter Saltyseadog
- Start date
It's been possible for ages. Advisable is another question. It's not going to do any damage or anything but sometimes it's hard to hear anything. 8 years ago when I did my 4(?) month exploration trip, if I didn't have my playlist blasting while I was jumping and scanning I'd have gone mental after one month.
It's fine. This isn't the 90s.
I have my game sound going through a Focusrite Scarlett Solo. Discord goes through a Behringer UMC22. I do this because if I'm recording a game using OBS, I want separate sound sources so that my friends and I chatting isn't included in the recording.
I have my game sound going through a Focusrite Scarlett Solo. Discord goes through a Behringer UMC22. I do this because if I'm recording a game using OBS, I want separate sound sources so that my friends and I chatting isn't included in the recording.
The Windows audio mixer still has issues and Windows still applies hidden APOs that can degrade audio quality.
Some detail can be found in this thread at Audio Science Review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...nding-the-windows-audio-quality-debate.19438/
Elite: Dangerous can be set to use WASAPI to bypass the OS mixer, but this only works if nothing else is using the device. That's probably where the recommendation you recall is coming from. There are numerous ways you can improve what the Windows mixer is doing, which will allow better audio quality without having to use WASAPI exclusive or ASIO, some of which are described in that ASR thread.
The main things that should be done are disabling extra/hidden APOs, limiting resampling/oversampling by using the correct output bitrate and frequency (99% of the time 24-bit/48kHz is what you want), and preventing the Windows CAudioLimite from adding noise by limiting volume in software (Windows sound control panel) to about 50% (or adding a -6dB offset). You don't necessarily need Equalizer APO, but it does work and is handy for other things.
Also, if you have an older C-Media based Xonar card, I'd recommend the Xonar drivers here, rather than the one's from ASUS:
maxedtech.com
Note that those drivers do not apply to any of the more recent Xonar products like the AE, SE, anything with Strix the name, or anything that connects via USB.
Ultimately the differences are going to be quite subtle, especially for someone of your age, but they can definitely be measured.
Some detail can be found in this thread at Audio Science Review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...nding-the-windows-audio-quality-debate.19438/
Elite: Dangerous can be set to use WASAPI to bypass the OS mixer, but this only works if nothing else is using the device. That's probably where the recommendation you recall is coming from. There are numerous ways you can improve what the Windows mixer is doing, which will allow better audio quality without having to use WASAPI exclusive or ASIO, some of which are described in that ASR thread.
The main things that should be done are disabling extra/hidden APOs, limiting resampling/oversampling by using the correct output bitrate and frequency (99% of the time 24-bit/48kHz is what you want), and preventing the Windows CAudioLimite from adding noise by limiting volume in software (Windows sound control panel) to about 50% (or adding a -6dB offset). You don't necessarily need Equalizer APO, but it does work and is handy for other things.
Also, if you have an older C-Media based Xonar card, I'd recommend the Xonar drivers here, rather than the one's from ASUS:
UNi Xonar Drivers official page
UNi Xonar drivers main page (information, release notes, driver downloads).
maxedtech.com
Ultimately the differences are going to be quite subtle, especially for someone of your age, but they can definitely be measured.
I have WinAmp playing mp3 all the time when I play EDO, no problems (apart from possibly missing some audio clues the game may or may not give sometimes).
Mine is the Xonar SE model and not on the list but I am happy with the sound I have.The Windows audio mixer still has issues and Windows still applies hidden APOs that can degrade audio quality.
Some detail can be found in this thread at Audio Science Review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...nding-the-windows-audio-quality-debate.19438/
Elite: Dangerous can be set to use WASAPI to bypass the OS mixer, but this only works if nothing else is using the device. That's probably where the recommendation you recall is coming from. There are numerous ways you can improve what the Windows mixer is doing, which will allow better audio quality without having to use WASAPI exclusive or ASIO, some of which are described in that ASR thread.
The main things that should be done are disabling extra/hidden APOs, limiting resampling/oversampling by using the correct output bitrate and frequency (99% of the time 24-bit/48kHz is what you want), and preventing the Windows CAudioLimite from adding noise by limiting volume in software (Windows sound control panel) to about 50% (or adding a -6dB offset). You don't necessarily need Equalizer APO, but it does work and is handy for other things.
Also, if you have an older C-Media based Xonar card, I'd recommend the Xonar drivers here, rather than the one's from ASUS:
Note that those drivers do not apply to any of the more recent Xonar products like the AE, SE, anything with Strix the name, or anything that connects via USB.UNi Xonar Drivers official page
UNi Xonar drivers main page (information, release notes, driver downloads).
Ultimately the differences are going to be quite subtle, especially for someone of your age, but they can definitely be measured.