Audio - Tachyon MicroFighter *clicking*

[vince0018]

  Not sure if this has been reported before, but it's annoying the crap out of me.
 Recently I've been using Tachyon MicroFighters more often because they're cheap to build and you can get lots of 'em. However it seems whenever they fire there's a moderately loud and out-of-place clicking noise, like a snapping. I've heard this noise before with audio tracks that either aren't created or finished properly. I've tried living with it and will continue trying but it's very annoying. I really don't think it's intended because it's quite a different volume from other bomb, laser, missile, etc sounds. I can still hear the sound of the microfighter 'ammunition' it's using but can't tell if the cracking is happening as it's firing or when it's hitting the target. I think it's as it's firing though. It's most noticeable when using many microfighters as the sound will sound somewhat like popcorn.
  It would be nice if someone would confirm this to make sure I didn't get a bad 'copy' of this specific sound, please.

EDIT: Attached modified sound files for the MicroFighters to this post so you don't have to scroll down. Makes the shot sounds less clicky.

EDIT: Better version of shot sounds uploaded. Matches shots instead of multiple shot sounds per shot.

EDIT:

I hope this is allowed, if it's not tell me immediately so I can stop. I'm not sure the exact rules on uploading.

 If anyone decides to try the new shot sounds just go into your Program Files/Arcen Games,LLC/AI War/Sounds/
Find ShotTiny.ogg and ShotTinyRapid.ogg and BACK THEM UP so you can replace them if you don't like the ones I've modified.
Then simply copy mine into the Sounds folder.
Tell me if anything is wacky with the sounds, not working right, needs improvement, etc.

[HellishFiend]

What you're describing is called Clipping. It is always caused by a combination of things:

-Poor audio compression on the source file
-Poor drivers
-Poor audio hardware
-Poor speakers/amplifier
-Maxed volume settings (Master, Wave, and in-game)

It's usually pretty hard to determine which combination of those factors are the cause, but usually fixing any one of them will eliminate the problem.  While waiting to see if Chris or Keith can come up with a fix, you should try doing things like reinstalling your audio drivers/directx, lowering various volume settings, or even trying a different set of speakers. Also, if you happen to be using digital output on your sound hardware (optical or co-ax cable), switching to analog (stereo jack) will also usually fix this.

Hope that helps!

[vince0018]

  I tried it on my other computer and it's the same thing. But when listening more closely there's only the clicking sound and no bullet-fire sound. Maybe this clicking 'is' the firing noise. If so it's quite annoying and doesn't really sound like a regular firing noise.

[HellishFiend]

  I tried it on my other computer and it's the same thing. But when listening more closely there's only the clicking sound and no bullet-fire sound. Maybe this clicking 'is' the firing noise. If so it's quite annoying and doesn't really sound like a regular firing noise.

I'm not sure, but it sure sounds like you're describing clipping. Did you directly copy your install from one PC to the other? If it's a bad file, it would definitely be copied over along with it.

[vince0018]

  I downloaded and installed it separately with both computers. However both my computers use Realtek HD audio drivers, but I don't really think that's the problem.
EDIT: Actually it could be possible I downloaded onto one then transfered the downloaded installer to the other one, not the game files and folders directly but the installer exe. I downloaded the game from Direct 2 Drive btw.
EDIT: Also I'm running patch ((edit) 3.050 beta) And to describe the clicking a bit better it sounds almost like the sound engineers make when they teleport, only a little less realistic and a little more annoying, especially when on a massive scale, ie lots and lots of microfighters. Popcorn. Maybe this was an intentional sound effect in the game, though if this is true somewhat poorly chosen. I would have prefered the same sound fighters use for their weapon. Hmmm... Maybe it's possible for me to swap the sound effects out, haven't checked that in the sound folder yet.
EDIT: Looks like it's the sound file ShotTiny.ogg which is the shot sound for the microfighter. I think it's just me because it sounds the same as in-game when I put it on repeat for windows media player. It's a loud tapping sounds followed by a small 'gust' like an air gust. It's the only sound in the game that really annoyed me, ever since I first heard it my first time using MicroFighters. Well it's easy for me to alter myself by swapping it with another sound folder and backing the old one up just in case. The ShotTinyRapid.ogg seems to have that same sound only more rapid. Maybe is it supposed to be some sort of crack like cracking the sound barrier?
EDIT: Ok, well I've replaced ShotTiny.ogg and ShotTinyRapid.ogg with ShotDouble.ogg which sounds a little better and still has a 'meager' sound which should suit the MicroFighters. I'm sorry if I've caused a stir but that sound really annoyed the crap out of me to the point where I couldn't concentrate on my fleet tactics because of the extensive popcorn noise. Well if anyone else is annoyed by that sound this may help them out. Thanks for helping where you could anyways though.
EDIT: The new sound is much better on the ears, almost soothing. Big improvement.

[eRe4s3r]

I can confirm this, shottiny.ogg is weird - its clearly clipping noise and a REALLY weird kind of clipping.

Its like a high frequency error or spike, NOT a shot sound, also it sounds more like loud static at the end than a shot. Worse, the end of the spike is clear static with a noticeable noise that feels as if it is was somehow boosted too high and it makes a noticeable frequency error at the end, loud enough to introduce crackling in the speakers.

Teufel Magnum + XFI here so no cheap crapware ;p

[Buttons840]

I hear a clicking too, I thought they were supposed to sound like this?

Does anyone not get a clicking sound?

Maybe a pew pew pew would be better.

[vince0018]

  For you or anyone else who it bothers, just replace the ShotTiny.ogg and ShotTinyRapid.ogg with ShotDouble.ogg by backing up ShotTiny and ShotTinyRapid to another folder then making two copies of ShotDouble and renaming them to ShotTiny and ShotTinyRapid. Since ShotDouble is more rapid which suits the ShotTinyRapid but may be a bit too fast for ShotTiny, I used Audacity to slow it down just for ShotTiny. I think I slowed the speed 50% then raised pitch 50%. It is still slightly too fast but if you drop the speed too much it will have too much echo.
 Actually I can attach the modified sounds if you like to save anyone the trouble. I hope this is allowed, if it's not tell me immediately so I can stop. I'm not sure the exact rules on uploading. Go to first post for uploaded sounds.

[Epsilon Plus]

Is it the same clicking noise that Guard Posts make?

[eRe4s3r]

I play without sounds ;p  

[I-KP]

I reported clipping a while ago with this sound effect; I was told it was a local problem.  I since replaced the .ogg with an alt and the problem was no more.  The clipping sound is aggressive and very loud, but some might think it is the intended TinyShot sfx.  Playing the same sfx .ogg outside of AI War does not recreate the clipping and the intended sound effect is quite different to the loud 'crack' heard in-game.

[vince0018]

  The ones I uploaded are much softer but still audible and seem to somewhat fit the MicroFighter. However if anyone has any insight as to whether I should boost the volume, change the pitch, etc, just tell me.

[x4000]

Nice, those are much better sound effects.  I'll include those in the next prerelease of the game.  Thanks for posting!

[vince0018]

Nice, those are much better sound effects.  I'll include those in the next prerelease of the game.  Thanks for posting!

Ya no problem. I help where I can.

[x4000]