HL2 = Greatest Sound

[chris_3]

i re-downloaded all the bink videos and watched them for the 100th time... and i noticed that HL2's sound really rocks. Compare to any other game out these days its really amazing.... or it could be my sound card. I use a Sound Blaster Audigy 24bit. Anyone know what sound card was used for the bink video's? or even the full specs?

 

[Lobster]

Well i would assume the binks are direct fed the sound, So i dun think the card on the machine making them matters, I also hear Valve worked with RAD to make a system of automaticly dumping game demos to Binks, sound and all.

 

[Soundwave]

I don't know about greatest sound, but it's definately excellent. I have this odd fixation on gun sounds, certain guns just sound cool as hell in FPS much moreso than the other weapons (that machine gun in Unreal 2 comes to mind), and there's a couple weapons like that in Hl2. I LOVE that pistol sound, dunno why but it's one of the coolest pistol sounds for any FPS that I can think of. Far Cry's sounds kind of similar and almost as cool as well. I also really like the MP7 sound (the look of it as well) and of course all of the environmental sounds. The Strider video in particular, with the yells of "Strider!!!" echoing through the streets.

 

[Cutey_Kaite]

yes the sound is amazin'

 

[Xtasy0]

I don't know about greatest sound, but it's definately excellent. I have this odd fixation on gun sounds, certain guns just sound cool as hell in FPS much moreso than the other weapons (that machine gun in Unreal 2 comes to mind), and there's a couple weapons like that in Hl2. I LOVE that pistol sound, dunno why but it's one of the coolest pistol sounds for any FPS that I can think of. Far Cry's sounds kind of similar and almost as cool as well. I also really like the MP7 sound (the look of it as well) and of course all of the environmental sounds. The Strider video in particular, with the yells of "Strider!!!" echoing through the streets.

it's the doppler shifted sound (farcry has it too), yep...

 

[Moto]

I don't want Valve to change a thing with that pistol. I absolutely love the way it sounds. It matches the way the pistol is held and the way it looks perfectly. They have a real talent for making sounds really match with the feel of the game. I really hope Valve leaves the current pistol sounds in. If not, I will get the beta just for the pistol sounds when HL2 is out.

 

[kaf11]

i agree about the pistol sounds. it just seems right, and im sure all the sounds will be cool in the final product. im already planning on getting an ati 9800, but now im also thinking about picking up a new sound card. too bad i dont know too much about them.

 

[Soundwave]

Wow I had no idea others were feeling the same way as me about that pistol. It's just too cool of a sound for them to change.

 

[Plug]

I too am awe struck by the sounds in the videos. Glad other people are noticing =)

The pistol and mp7 sound just mind numblingly awesome... you would get such a damn shock if you heard that thing firing at you from an unknown location. They're really... blasty, bangy... hehehehe

 

[Cunni]

i agree about the pistol sounds. it just seems right, and im sure all the sounds will be cool in the final product. im already planning on getting an ati 9800, but now im also thinking about picking up a new sound card. too bad i dont know too much about them.

I am planning on getting a whole new computer. I might even go for the 256mb Radeon 9800. And definately the sound card/speaker system will be a huge part. Might have to move so I don't wake up my landlords!!

 

[Spiffae]

it's the doppler shifted sound (farcry has it too), yep...

you're mixing up your sound technology terms...

"doppler shift" is the way sound changes as it moves by you (the changing tone of a car engine as it drives by, high as it comes towards you, low as it drives away.)

the "echoey" effect you're hearing is a reverb, a simple reflection and delay of sound, that gives you that great atmospheric feel.

also, regarding the sound in HL2, my binks have a weird problem, where when the gun fires, it actually quiets down. there's some sort of audio equalization happening... anybody have any ideas?

 

[operative x]

no no no the sounds in dx:iw are the best especially the mako pistol.


























yes, that was a joke hl2's usp match sound is farking awesome

 

[Plug]

also, regarding the sound in HL2, my binks have a weird problem, where when the gun fires, it actually quiets down. there's some sort of audio equalization happening... anybody have any ideas?

What player are you using? Does it have any sort of plugin activated?

Depending on your app, it may be using 'compression' which basically, does what you say - louder sounds will sound oddly quieter than they should, and softer ones may get louder... dunno

I didn't notice it in any bink videos or the GSI avi, so it might just be your player...

If not though, wouldn't that be a cool deafening effect? Hmmm... lots of gunshots = quieter sound!

 

[Pi Mu Rho]

I had a similar problem once. Distant sounds were played close-up, and close-up sounds were inaudible. I tried everything I could think of - new drivers, formatting, clean installs, everything.

Then I tried a different set of headphones....

 

[Strifer]

I had a similar problem once. Distant sounds were played close-up, and close-up sounds were inaudible. I tried everything I could think of - new drivers, formatting, clean installs, everything.

Then I tried a different set of headphones....

That really pissed you off I presume

I'm going for a set of new headphones myself. The current set is starting to wear out and my ears have much to, um, say (?) about their comfort...

 

[Pi Mu Rho]

It was the only thing I hadn't tried, because I knew it couldn't possibly be headphones causing it.

 

[Brian Damage]

Yes... it's true... the sound is AWESOME!

It just sounds so right... so real...

 

[frances_farmer]

i know this is a HL2 forum but the best weapon sounds I've heard in my opinion are the ones in Desert Combat for battlefield 1942. The allied pistol in that is just drool. Amazingly bassy.

 

[bigun]

HL2 sounds are good, but, anyone who doesnt realise that the best sounds ever in any computer game are in the Thief series, just doesnt know their games....

Eric Brosius baby! This is the one game im looking forward to as much as HL2.

Thief 3 this month baby! Yeah!

 

[Przemek]

I thought I was the only one that loves the pistol sound so much

 

[mrchimp]

also, regarding the sound in HL2, my binks have a weird problem, where when the gun fires, it actually quiets down. there's some sort of audio equalization happening... anybody have any ideas?

Try looking in the EAX control panel, there's an qualizer effect in there, good for when you want your music tracks to all be the same volume but it completely buggers up anything else.

BTW I'm presumeing you have a sound blaster card.

 

[Xrenity]

It's great indeed, it's wonderful in the movie with the buggy, when you hear all those bullets on metal, the ground, etc.

Sounds sooo cool