Character sound Issues-HLEP1

[Phen0]

Hi there people.
Im aware of similar sound issues regarding episode one, however this issue seems unique in some way.

The first time i started playing Ep1, i didn't notice any problems, (however i may have just been ignorant to the fact of any issues at the time).

Basically, the second time i opened the game and started playing, i noticed that some sounds including the characters voices, to be very quiet, in proportion to other audio.
For example, i can hear the blast of the gravity gun loud and clear, but when Alyx talks to me, i cannot hear her. very well. The simple soloution would be to increase the volume, however the volume of the other audio would be incredibly loud in my ear, just so that i can simply hear Alyx.
As there is no option to alter the volume of just the character's, i am stuck.
I also notice that the "bleeping noises" when dragging my mouse over the options in the main menu, are considerably quiet.

Has anyone experianced this, aswell as me... and does anyone have any soloutions or directions on how to improve my situation?
Hope you can help, Thanks.

( I apologise if this issue has been raised before )

 

[Hectic Glenn]

That is odd, i was under the impression that all sound in game was tied under the 'game sound' slider, which effected every aspect of it.

Have you tried the usual remedies. E.g. update your sound card drivers, and verify integrety of game cache files (by going to properties of the game).

 

[MorganFreeman911]

Try defragging game files or what Hec said.

 

[Phen0]

Hi thanks for the replies.
I verified the files fine... i wouldnt know how to defrag them though.

This may sound noobish but could you point me to a place i could update the sound drivers? How do i find out what drivers i would need.
Thanks

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Go into your start menu and click run, and type in 'dxdiag'. Wait as your system puts together all the information on your system together. Once done, click the tab at the top saying sound, or sound 1. It should tell you what sound card you have or haven't got. It should also show you the driver number you have installed. Google your product and find drivers for your specific soundcard and i good luck.

Not sure what Mr 911 meant by defragging the game files. You can verify the game files and defrag your hard drive perhaps to keep things clean. But regular defragging, scan disk, diskclean up, virus scans, adaware/malware scans are part of any PC owners life anyway

 

[MorganFreeman911]

Press properties, then Defrag Game Files in Steam.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Oh yes, i remember what you mean now, i hope it does something, it's so short, it almost feels as if it's not done much.

 

[Phen0]

Ok ive done this Dxdiag.

And there are three sound tabs.

Under sound 1, it says
name: Plantronics Headset

Drivers: Usbaudio.sys
Version: 5.01.2600.2180

Sound 2 seems as if it isnt worth anything

Modem #1 Line Playback (emulated)

Sound 3 looks to be what i thought my sound drivers were.

Name:Realtek AC97 Audio
Drivers: ALCXWDM.SYS
Version: 5.10.0000.6090 (English)

Which one is the one i need to update, my usb audio device (plantronics headset) or the onboard Realtek? I cannot find an update for the usbaudio.sys and im finding it hard to find a version newer than my AC97 audio.
By the way, while fiddling around with some settings last night, i pushed my audio acceleration on my plantronics headset (in control panel, sound and audio devices) down to Standard... and the sound quality has improved a little bit. I also changed the sound quality on my Half life audio settings to "low" and it seems to have made things a little better! Could this be any clue to the actual issue here, or do i just need a new soundcard?

Thanks for all this help guys.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Well onboard realtek suggests you are using onboard sound and that you don't actually have a sound card, which is fine, although you should expect poorer quality sound as you have adjusted to by reducing your sound settings. I'm not too advanced with the technical side of things, but if you tried googling that onboard system perhaps there are drivers for it, just check about. (although i must say i'm not sure).

You said altering your other settings with things seemed to help. Perhaps removing the headset, or changing the slider switches in the master sound control panel could help you out. It's just your issue is odd that something small like that may effect it. Sorry about the vague'ness, it's my way of saying have a fiddle around as we all mostly do

 

[Phen0]

I think your right in the sense that its proably just an issue that jus needs fiddlin around with.

I appreciate the help.
Do you think you could tell me what acctualy is my sound driver... if one is telling me plantronics usb headphones and the other is that realtek?

Thanks again

 

[Hectic Glenn]

The realtek onboard sound is what makes your sound and probably needs newer drivers. The other thing is a headset you've got plugged in which is an audio output and input which is why it detects it, i wouldn't expect it to be connected but it had an effect :S

I googled it for you now, because you didn't! I found both this link and this one, i'd go with the first one. Just check they are right drivers for your hardware. They should be newer than what you have. Take care with the files and do safety checks with them before installation just in case.