ICAM Mode: Directional Audio Settings Not Functioning Correctly Since Dawntrail

[xxmajexx]

ICAM Mode: Directional Audio Settings Not Functioning Correctly Since Dawntrail

Hello everyone ,

I'm experiencing an issue with audio playback/performance using /knips or /icam, which seems to have been disrupted since the Dawntrail update.



Brief Description of the Issue:
In Final Fantasy XIV, since the Dawntrail update, the directional audio setting in ICAM mode (idling camera) no longer functions correctly when the "Simulate Sound Source" option is set to 100% for the "Character."



I regularly stream player events that feature bard bands and use ICAM mode to make the stream visually more dynamic while ensuring consistent audio.

Before the Dawntrail update, the audio remained stable when the "Simulate Sound Source" option was set to 100% for the "Character" in the audio settings. This meant that even when the ICAM changed the camera angles, the sound stayed consistent (no directional shifts or volume fluctuations).

However, since the Dawntrail update, the audio in ICAM mode jumps from left to right and changes in volume, as if the sound is tied to the camera rather than the character, even though the setting is still set to the character. This results in inconsistent audio playback, which is especially problematic for streams where stable audio output is crucial.

I have tested this behavior on three different PCs. When standing in front of a bard and activating ICAM, the sound constantly jumps from right to left and vice versa, getting louder or quieter depending on the camera position.

I've been using the ICAM function for several years, and I didn't experience this audio jumping issue before Dawntrail.

It would be great if someone could take a look and fix this issue

Best regards Zeli ♥

[Votraftur]

Good morning! Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

We apologize for any inconvenience experienced when trying to play Final Fantasy XIV. For us to better assist you, please respond with the following information:

What Platform are you using? (Steam/Windows/Mac/PS4 etc.)
At what point does the issue occur?
How often does the issue occur?

Are you running any additional programs alongside Final Fantasy XIV?
Does the issue occur with one character or multiple characters?
Were any update or changes made to the PC around the time of the issue?
Does this issue occur if the game is run in full screen mode? Does it happen in borderless or windowed mode?

All steps taken to resolve the issue:

Could you provide a system report? Simply go to the 'Config' option on the Final Fantasy XIV launcher and to the right of 'System Information' click on 'Display.

Thank you once again for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums!

[xxmajexx]

Hello,

Thank you for the response

What platform are you using?
Tested on 2x Windows 10 and one Windows 11 PC. Every PC, despite different hardware and configurations, encounters the same issue.

At what point does the issue occur?
The issue occurs when watching a bard performance (I am sure it also works for any other stationary in-game audio source), whether solo or in a band—it doesn't matter. The sound jumps between the left and right audio channels, getting louder or quieter depending on the camera's position when using /icam. In this case, the sound shifts based on the camera's position rather than your character's location.
Normally, the game lets us "stick" directional sound (sound sources) to either the camera or the character. However, this no longer works with /icam.

How often does the issue occur?
Every time I use /icam and listen to a bard performance.

Are you running any additional programs alongside Final Fantasy XIV?
Yes, I have several programs open to manage sound, capture video, etc. (I'm streaming, after all ).

Does the issue occur with one character or multiple characters?
The issue happens with any character—it's not character-specific.

Were any updates or changes made to the PC around the time of the issue?
I first noticed this bug after the Dawntrail expansion update.

Does this issue occur in fullscreen, borderless, or windowed mode?
It occurs in both fullscreen and borderless/windowed modes.

Steps taken to resolve the issue:
I've tested everything, but nothing has worked so far. I've used this feature for years to capture live performances from bards and bands. Before the Dawntrail update, there were slight volume changes between the left and right audio channels depending on the camera direction, similar to hovering around your character without using /icam when near a sound source (like a bard). It wasn't a big issue then because I streamed Final Fantasy XIV's audio in mono, which stabilized the sound output and compensated for the minor volume shifts.

However, since Dawntrail, the audio in /icam mode is broken. The sound now shifts dramatically based on how close or far the camera is from the sound source, resulting in a "wobbling" effect.

System Report
I prefer not to expose my personal data online, but this issue is easily replicable and is not hardware or software-related.

For reference, here’s a video recorded after the Dawntrail update where the issue is present:

Post-Dawntrail Stream (audio issues)

You can hear the audio constantly changing, even though this is already equalized mono audio (in stereo, it would be even worse). The bug not only changes the audio volume but also alters the soundscape of the instruments, with certain tones becoming more prominent or subdued depending on the camera position.

Here’s a stream recorded before the Dawntrail update, where the issue did not occur:

Pre-Dawntrail Stream (no audio issues)

In this stream, there’s only a slight volume change from time to time, but it’s barely noticeable—nothing like the audio issues post-Dawntrail.

I've been using this method for years, and the problem has only appeared since the Dawntrail update.

Thanks for your help!

[Votraftur]

Good morning! Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

We apologize for the inconvenience you have experienced. The issues you are describing would be more suited for the bug report forums. Please create a new thread entry in the Bug Reports > In-Game Bugs section with the required information as shown in the main thread sticky.

Please be sure to give as much detail as possible and follow the template as outlined in the sticky thread. Additionally, this thread will be moved to the 'Separate Support Required' sub forum.

Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums!