New-ax-hle merge: Vbeam emulation ruins sound

solarnoise · 04-05-2013, 10:56 AM #1

Hey guys,

I've been playing Xenoblade on 3.5, and just started trying out the new-ax-hle versions which have been merged as of 3.5-1154

Unfortunately, I've been getting weird distorted and slowed down audio in my game no matter what audio engine or framerate I am using.

I experimented and found that Accurate VBeam emulation is what's causing it. If I turn it OFF, the sound is fine but the framerate stutters a bit. If I turn it ON, my framerate evens out but the audio is terrible and distorted.

Hopefully delroth or another dev sees this and it helps them narrow down the problem.

**ExtremeDude2** · (This post was last modified: 04-09-2013, 09:50 PM by ExtremeDude2.)

They won't be fixing it

Edit: looks like I was wrong :3

Xalphenos · 04-05-2013, 11:08 AM #3

It is not a bug. Read the first page of the new ax hle testing thread.

rpglord · (This post was last modified: 04-05-2013, 07:55 PM by rpglord.)

Vbeam works fine if you use "DSP on dedicated thread"
Delroth for some reason don't recommend it, but I don't see why.
I have tested my entire collection of games with "DSP on dedicated thread" and new HLE and didin't find single issue.
On the other hand, default dolphin settings don't work in about 80% of the games. "Audio" framelimit needs to be used, or audio will crackle, stutter etc..even when running games fullspeed.

"DSP on thread" might cause even more problems on Auto framelimit, but that doesn't metter, when with it off sound is still not working properly

solarnoise · 04-07-2013, 03:30 PM #5

Unfortunately, no settings with the new merge make the game run as smooth as it did with 3.5

With Vbeam off, DSP on thread, framerate Audio, etc... the game locks up/freezes every 10-15 seconds and then resumes.

It's unfortunate but it looks like the main branch performance is getting worse with each merge =(

Xalphenos · (This post was last modified: 04-07-2013, 03:39 PM by Xalphenos.)

Performance isn't really getting worse its getting more costly. As the emulator's goal is accuracy system requirements will go up. This trend will continue. With your old processor it may be best to stay on older builds.

solarnoise · 04-07-2013, 04:26 PM #7

Yeah... the tricks/hacks I've used up through 3.5 no longer seem to work on these new versions.

For example, setting framerate to Audio would generally give me smooth, non-stuttering audio even during FPS drops.

Now, I get constant half-second stutters and cut outs in the audio.

Unfortunately, 3.5 has the crackling audio problem, and the older hle patched builds are prone to freezing.

I just can't win =(

**Starscream** · (This post was last modified: 04-07-2013, 04:38 PM by Starscream.)

Check the latest build for changes. As of now it's 3.5-1189 (52053f5d958d). Try VBeam again and see if it's acting differently/better.

http://dolphin-emu.org/download/

**admin89** · (This post was last modified: 04-07-2013, 04:56 PM by admin89.)

The best version for your CPU is Dolphin 3.5 145 , both 3.5 (stable version) and the latest version won't do
If you want to use latest version , you will need a better CPU
Use the same settings as Post #126 in this thread then you will be fine

solarnoise · 04-08-2013, 01:19 AM **#10**

(04-07-2013, 04:38 PM)Starscream Wrote: Check the latest build for changes. As of now it's 3.5-1189 (52053f5d958d). Try VBeam again and see if it's acting differently/better.

http://dolphin-emu.org/download/

Thanks, will do!

(04-07-2013, 04:53 PM)admin89 Wrote: The best version for your CPU is Dolphin 3.5 145 , both 3.5 (stable version) and the latest version won't do
If you want to use latest version , you will need a better CPU
Use the same settings as Post #126 in this thread then you will be fine

Thanks. What was special about 145? I looked through the commit comments and don't see anything immediately relevant... will still give it a shot.