Aufio issues: Cutscenes + Ambient channel

[Elliah-Seraheart]

Patch 6.0
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Ever since 6.0 I've experienced audio stuttering. In 6.0 it was initially always there, be it in towns, combat or anything else. Here's a demonstration done in 6.0 where it's very clear, that the original issues were very much related to camera position, and absolutely unrelated to FPS/CPU Workload. (https://youtu.be/sLQW6ShIkJY?t=545)

The audio issues in the video are demonstrably related to camera/listening position. Sound is either "heard" from the position of the character, or the position of the camera. When there's an obstruction of any kind between audio source and listening position, be it through an object, a wall, an asset or even certain boss's particle effects - you get audio stuttering/clipping/popping. OFC, the more sound sources, the merrier the issues. This is why you get less issues in wide, open spaces and more issues in narrow dungeons with loads of stuff happening.

https://youtu.be/sLQW6ShIkJY

I tried a number of fixes. Some suggested by the community, some not. I tried: Updating my audio and gpu drivers. Both manually and using Intel Driver Support Assistent. Using another Audio Input device. Switching from USB to 3.5mm and vise versa. Reinstalling FF14. Selecting the audio device for ff14 manually in audio mixer. Scaling down the sample rate. Going back to default from a 5% CPU overclock. Underclocking my CPU. Adjusting power settings. Disabling all my Audio devices audio effects in the control panel/sound/properties. Double checking that there's no 3rd party audio program, equalizer or some such. Making sure spatial audio in my devices sound properties is disabled. Changing my audio devices configuration from stereo to 5.1, 7.1 and back. Muting bgm and ambient audio channels to reduce number of sounds played simultaneously. For the record, I already had LODS enabled. I also always had the number of players displayed, as well as effects of other players set to the bare minimum. Heck I do not even have names, titles or HP bars of players in my party on. They are only on when in combat.

None of these "fixes" helped in any way.

I ultimately found remedies in turning the listening position all the way to character, to make sure there's less obstructions between listening position and audio source. Installing the trial of immersive audio also brought further improvements to the point where I did not have issues in combat anymore. It was still impossible to watch cutscenes, and still occurred noticeably when in small cramped spaces like the twin adder barracks or inns. It was also very apparent that while almost free of stutter during combat with these settings, any time a particle effect launched by a boss extended past/around my character with the listening position set all the way to character, I'd get audio stutter... further suggesting the obstruction theory.
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Patch 6.0.1
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6.0.1 brought further improvements for me - but ultimately it is still impossible to watch cutscenes.

The ambient channel is very clearly messed up. Muting the ambient channel introduces severe stuttering on every other channel.

I did try the supposed "remedy" suggested by square - turning down graphical settings and reducing Hz/bit in audio settings... In fact I had already done all of that and more in 6.0. That didn't help a thing.

I've very actively posted in the stickied audio popping thread in technical support forums (https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...-popping-issue).
I've read the recent square enix response over there, STILL believing it to be an issue with on CPU workload.

I want to reinforce that these issues ARE NOT RELATED to CPU workload, FPS or heat for me. I, like many others here am using an FX8320. BUT I do not have any problems with the workload. In fact, I'm just about the only one here who's issues have been gradually getting better since 6.0.

There MAY BE increased workload to be done by the CPU in Endwalker- BUT it's not THE CAUSE of the audio issues experienced by most people here, I'm pretty sure. At least NOT THE ONLY CAUSE.

I made a video here demonstrating very clearly all 3 issues in 6.0.1 described in steps below.
https://youtu.be/gYGu2rv3gbg

I made an additional video just to prove that it's NOT CPU STRAIN that is causing audio issues. If anything, it's the audio issues that are taxing the hardware. Not the other way around. And the only strain I experience is NOT on my much weaker, old FX 8320 CPU, but on my 2019, now like 800$ Nvidia GTX 1070 Ti. Though I suspect this is THE RESULT of the audio issues, not THE CAUSE. Even if it WAS the cause, it really shouldn't be on a 1070 Ti.
https://youtu.be/fX5gt0Dhwd4
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Date & Time: 02.12.2021 - 23.12.2021
Frequency: Always
World name: Shiva
Character name: Elliah Seraheart

Steps:
1. Watch cutscene
2. ALL audio channels popping unbearably

1. Use spatial audio and listening position character. (happens regardless of spatial audio and listening position state, but this is my default setting because it makes the game playable)
2. Enable all audio channels
3. Calm
4. Mute ambient channel (or turn down to 0)
5. Panic
6. All audio channels stuttering unbearably

1. Use spatial audio and listening position character (happens regardless of spatial audio and listening position state, but this is my default setting because it makes the game playable)
2. Enable all audio channels
3. Use abilities
4. Everything working as intended
5. Mute all channels, including sound effects
6. Enable ambient channel
7. Use abilities
8. Ambient channel stuttering

Video here demonstrating very clearly all 3 issues described above in 6.01
https://youtu.be/gYGu2rv3gbg

Connection Specs
- Type of internet connection/provider: A1
- Modem maker/model number: A1 Connect Box / Huawei HA35-22 / AV1HA35M VER.A / V100R001C22B033

■ PC Specs

CPU: AMD FX 8320
GPU Nvidia 1070 Ti (30.0.14.9709)
RAM: 32 GB RAM DDR3 (4x Patriot Signature 8GB PSD38G16002 / 1600 MHz / CL11 / 1 X 8GB)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Pro3 V2.0
USB Stereo Headset 41k Hz 16 Bit (Lowest setting!. All effects disabled - no effects, no ambient. Also happens on much lower settings on stereo earphones. Or my Monitor. Or my TV.)
Realtek High Definition Audio 6.0.9132.1
Windows 10 Pro 64 bit (10.0.19042)

Remedies applied:
https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/...69#post5777769



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And here's my answers for the new (24.12.2021), insulting official forum response.

What are your Character and Object Quantity current set to?
Minimum. Has been since day 4 of me playing Final Fantasy XVI.

What other applications do you have running in the background while playing FFXIV?
Nothing.

Is your audio device set as the Default Device? (Yes/No)
Yes.

Would the issue persist when playing the game in DirectX 9?
I'm not going to play DirectX 9. Not on a monthly subscription, additional retainer services and all expansions bought. Just no.

If you use a gamepad, does the issue persist when you unplug the gamepad? (Yes/No)
I do not use a gamepad. I'm on PC.

Does the issue persist when you have the in-game Equalizer Mode set to Standard? (Yes/No)
Yes.

Does the issue persist when the Listening Position is set closer to the Character? (Yes/No)
Yes.