[BUG] GZDoom 4.14 openal's update is causing muffled sound effects

[kevansevans]

GZDoom version

4.14

Which game are you running with GZDoom?

None

What Operating System are you using?

Windows 10

Please describe your specific OS version

No response

Relevant hardware info

No response

Have you checked that no other similar issue already exists?

• I have searched and not found similar issues.

A clear and concise description of what the bug is.

Any sound effect, and specifically sound effects, that get played in 4.14

Steps to reproduce the behaviour.

Launch GZDoom 4.14 and listen. Compare to GZDoom 4.13. Video provided showcasing the discrepancy. Replacing the new openal32.dll file with an older one fixes this issue.

audiodifference.mp4

Your configuration

No response

Provide a Log

No response

[ipaqmaster]

I've noticed this opening the game today as well. I've recently updated my PC which was a give away.

I'm on Linux (Arch) running my own build: 4.15pre+13+gd6e1097-1 made on Fri 27 Dec 2024. Despite the high 48000hz sample rate in the sound options sounds made by gzdoom seem to be capped at a lower rate. This seems to happen to any wad having tried Doom1 and Doom2's iwad files.

[madame-rachelle]

@ipaqmaster OpenAL changed its defaults, unfortunately we can't change its distribution in Linux but the author has stated considering changing the default back. To get the crisper sounds, go into the menu in GZDoom:

• Go to the menu (ESC) ->
  • Full Options Menu (if not already there) ->
    • Sound Options ->
      • Advanced Options ->
        • OpenAL options ->
          • Resampler -> Set to "Nearest" or "Linear"
        • Hit (ESC) to go back one level and restart OpenAL sound

[ipaqmaster]

Yeah how annoying.

Thanks for the instructions, instantly resolved after hitting Restart sound at the end.

[madame-rachelle]

You're welcome, and thanks for reminding me about that. I'll edit the instructions in case someone else comes across this thread.