Game dev have no clue on suroundsound?

Define "far superior" please... No other soundcard in the consumer segment than the Live series supported large MIDI soundfonts or programmable DSP effects like the Live/Audigy series does. If you're lucky, your card has an 8MB sound bank which can't be replaced, and you can turn on some general reverb effect which only adjustment is the intensity level. That's generally IT. Most cards only offer 4MB sound banks, or maybe even less.

 

I'm not sure if anyone else mentioned this (just skimmed the posts) but with the latest A2 drivers it's easy to maintain your 5.1, 4/4.1, or even 7.1 sound regardless of of what your game demands of the Windows control panel. Just go to "speaker settings" for your CL sound card and DE-select (uncheck) the "synchronize with control panel" tic box and from that point on no matter what a game does with the Windows control panel your speaker settings will stay the same (I think changing this option requires a reboot, IIRC.)

Actually, this has been an Audigy driver feature for sometime now in the last several driver revisions. Even if you have a game that restricts itself to 2-speaker stereo, using this setting will translate the sound to whatever number of speakers you select in the CL speaker settings. It used to be very annoying when games would change the Windows control panel setup to settings other than you preferred with your sound card, and this option in the drivers was added to maintain the speaker configuration of your choice no matter what the game sets. Also, it does not require EAX be turned on, as I have EAX always off, but always get 5.1 sound with the A2 drivers decoupled from the Windows sound control panel settings in this way through my Klipsch 5.1 speakers.

 

Sorry but I can't see your MIDI values...

BTW start here:
http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/diamond_mx300/b.shtml
http://www.gamers-depot.com/hardware/soundcards/diamond/mx_300/rev_diamond_monster_mx300.htm

It was far better than SB Live back then (1999), believe me - no wonder I'm still Creative-free since then.
(Later I bought a TB Santa Cruz and then came the NF2's SS, then ESI WaMi Rack 192X... Now I'm making up my mind for RME's Fireface 800... )

 

There is occlusion, although it's certainly not easy to hear. I'm not saying it's great, but it does exist.

Go to the first level of the game. Near the kitchen, there are two maintanence workers standing over a flow control panel. They're talking to each other; one has an Asian accent. If you let the doors near them close, their voices are definitely muffled.

 

How does the MX300 (which I owned) being better than the Live! (which I also owned) affect your evaluation of current Creative products? Aside from their horrible horrible company policies, the Audigy 2 is pretty damn good for games.

Also, compressing a 5.1 signal through the Soundstorm's real-time DD encoder doesn't exactly help sound quality, but then you mention other audiophile products as your current and future purchases.

 

Excuse me?
MX300 vs Live, not Audigy, mate.

Yes. And? I just showed you a path how I live WITHOUT any Creative pruct.

Besides this SS was much better than Live, that was my point. Later I started developing my music, bought my WaMi... And when I recognised the fact there are many limitations on the PC side in terms of 'prosumer' or professional music production, I bought a dual G5.... etc...

 

Yes, the Live! I read your argument as you using an old product comparison to completely disgregard new ones. (Live! vs MX300, Soundstorm) Of course it's possible to live without Creative, but I think you're missing out by only using 'prosumer' cards. That is of course, if you play games other than Doom 3.

 

I have to agree, I had an mx300 still do actually it is a good card, then TB santa Cruz, but then the paths diverged GametheaterXP, and Nvidia SS.

 

Yup, " s_useocclusion". It definitely exists, but yeah, it doesn't work too well. I was just playing alpha labs where you find that almost dead marine on the ground. He starts talking, but no matter where I go he's always speaking at the same volume.

 

Bolloxoid: last I heard sensura was bought by Creative...Expect it to die soon. That's OK my latest Sound-mother board has support for it - open up the files and sensura is displayed prominately.
Everyone I have spoken to vis Doom3 says it has the best sound they have ever heard in a game - that is without EAX. I am 30+ and have ripped my hair out for too long with god awful creative drivers and bloatware to consider them a viable option. How old are you? Pls jam the " Teenage "Creative sucks"" attitude up ur butt Maybe you are an anti-fanboi-fanboi? well anti-boy I'll listen to my ears they tell me what I need to know.

EAX...It's sort of like glide - with all the arrogance, but without any of of the amazing technical prowess or leadership. Arrogance I can handle if it comes with mind blowing effcts but just a state funded monopoly without the bells or whistles shits me to tears.

Load up Railroad Tycoon 3. It still supports A3D and EAX1+2+3 and Direct Sound, has 7.1 speaker support, Dolby Stereo and Miles. Probably the best sound supported game I know. Unfortunately I just listen with the included sound track realy loud...my work mates ask the next day after a 8hr+ session "WTF is that shite you are Humming?!?!"

 

Ok. I must say I'm no judge with doom3 since, as I said, I have no quality sound output atm(very temporarily) and still haven't left the alpha labs cause I'm sick of panning left right left arrrgh!! when I can hear something but can't place it's position. The ppl I have spoken too have said that - they are ardent gamers - I can only go off what they say atm. The sound is good overall very moody and scary - I want to get the full expierence so I'll wait.

With Doom3 occulsion... is it selective i.e. for some scripted parts like the dieing marine speech - are we meant to here that no matter what but other parts like the muffled screams from adjoining rooms or the "turkey punch out" game have it applied. I could have sworn that was fainter as I approached and turned the corners to the kitchen only to hear it louder?