Soundcfg

[bennycdn]

I have like 6 different soundcfg.dat files,getting sound crashes lately,where the sound freezes.Which would be the recommended best to eliminate these crashes.What are the best settings in the file? Could someone elaborate on this.These are the current setting's I'm using:


Sound (
Skip ( Scalability 1 - Memory Guide 0 )
SoundTimer ( 1, 30, 5 )
AudioStream ( 1, 500, 100 )
SoundSystem ( 1, 400, 100, 0 )
TrainMinMaxDistance ( 1, 25.0, 1000.0 )
AmbientMinMaxDistance ( 1, 20.0, 1000.0 )
Rolloff ( 1, 1.0 )

Skip ( Scalability 2 - Memory Guide 1M )
SoundTimer ( 2, 30, 5 )
AudioStream ( 2, 500, 100 )
SoundSystem ( 2, 400, 100, 1048576 )
TrainMinMaxDistance ( 2, 25.0, 1000.0 )
AmbientMinMaxDistance ( 2, 20.0, 1000.0 )
Rolloff ( 2, 1.0 )

Skip ( Scalability 3 - Memory Guide 5M )
SoundTimer ( 3, 30, 5 )
AudioStream ( 3, 500, 100 )
SoundSystem ( 3, 400, 100, 5242880 )
TrainMinMaxDistance ( 3, 25.0, 1000.0 )
AmbientMinMaxDistance ( 3, 20.0, 1000.0 )
Rolloff ( 3, 1.0 )

Skip ( Scalability 4 - Memory Guide 10M )
SoundTimer ( 4, 30, 5 )
AudioStream ( 4, 500, 100 )
SoundSystem ( 4, 400, 100, 10485760 )
TrainMinMaxDistance ( 4, 25.0, 1000.0 )
AmbientMinMaxDistance ( 4, 20.0, 1000.0 )
Rolloff ( 4, 1.0 )

Skip ( Scalability 5 - Memory Guide 30M )
SoundTimer ( 5, 30, 5 )
AudioStream ( 5, 500, 200 )
SoundSystem ( 5, 400, 200, 31457280 )
TrainMinMaxDistance ( 5, 25.0, 2000.0 )
AmbientMinMaxDistance ( 5, 20.0, 1500.0 )
Rolloff ( 5, 1.0 )

Skip ( Generic, Overall stuff )
VolumeTweak ( 1.0 0.4 )
)

Thanks Benny

[PennCentral1970]

I have tried probably a dozen different soundcfg files over the years and NONE have eliminated crashes entirely. The pattern is that I will change the file (most recently I tried this line in Scalability 5: SoundSystem ( 5, 800, 800, 0 )), run a few activities with no problems and then, out of the blue, have several crashes in a row. (I experienced three in my recent Seligman activity, all when an AI train appeared).

The "zero" entry often talked about here is NOT a complete fix (and, in fact, in my experience, has not helped at all).

I'm starting to wonder if the crashes are even related to the soundcfg file at all. I've experienced them the entire 8 years I have run MSTS -- on three different computers, three different soundcards, pre-BIN and post-BIN.

[jovet]

http://msts.steam4me.net/tutorials/fix_sound.html Specifically the "Important Update" near the bottom of the page.

[PennCentral1970]

http://msts.steam4me.net/tutorials/fix_sound.html Specifically the "Important Update" near the bottom of the page.

That's the "zero" entry thing and, again, in my experience, it has not helped. I have the same number of crashes with it as I have with high numbers for that entry.

It is claimed that putting zero in the line forces the sim to allocate all available memory to the sounds. I am definitely not a programmer but I think that claim is pure conjecture. I'm a VERY heavy user of MSTS and I have seen no improvement with it (though I will concede that some users claim that it is a great improvement).

[jovet]

It is claimed that putting zero in the line forces the sim to allocate all available memory to the sounds. I am definitely not a programmer but I think that claim is pure conjecture. I'm a VERY heavy user of MSTS and I have seen no improvement with it (though I will concede that some users claim that it is a great improvement).

Do you use Bin? Do you use the -mem switch? There should be a reason why others have marked improvement and you do not.

Edit: I'd also like to point out that you said "for that entry"... it's not just one line that needs changed, it's all the "SoundSystem" lines in each of the 5 Scalability groups, in case you didn't notice that.

[PennCentral1970]

Do you use Bin? Do you use the -mem switch? There should be a reason why others have marked improvement and you do not.

Edit: I'd also like to point out that you said "for that entry"... it's not just one line that needs changed, it's all the "SoundSystem" lines in each of the 5 Scalability groups, in case you didn't notice that.

Of course I use Bin and the -mem switch. I've been running the sim almost every day for the past 8 years so I'm pretty familiar with all the tricks. And while I know that the other scalability groups have changes, my understanding has always been that Group 5 is the only one that matters for those using max sliders (which I do).

I suspect that others THINK they have marked improvement based on casual, occasional running of the sim. As someone who is a heavy user, I can say that my results have not been impressive.

[bennycdn]

What should the setting be in the sound accelaration,in DXDIAG.There are four bars,I have mine set to 3 from the left.

[hiball 3985]

What should the setting be in the sound accelaration,in DXDIAG.There are four bars,I have mine set to 3 from the left.

I had similar problems at one time and found MSTS doesn't like to much acceleration and I keep mine set to basic.

[qballbandit]

I am with you, Cas. Same boat here. Not sure if you saw my post a few weeks back, but much was discussed there as well.

Jim, are you still on XP? I ask because I am not aware of any DXDIAG sliders to tweak within WIN 7, unless I've gone lame.

[bennycdn]

Neil
Yes XP it is,moved it back to basic,hasn't crashed since,soo... a good sign? Using a C MEDIA PCI audio card.

[hiball 3985]

I am with you, Cas. Same boat here. Not sure if you saw my post a few weeks back, but much was discussed there as well.

Jim, are you still on XP? I ask because I am not aware of any DXDIAG sliders to tweak within WIN 7, unless I've gone lame.

Yes, I'm using XP.

[qballbandit]

Wow, i do remember doing that on my older XP system. Is there similar methodology to ease back the acceleration on a WIN 7 system? I am willing to try anything as a test!

[bennycdn]

Since changing the final entry to "0" and moving the acceleration to basic,I haven't had any crashes.Thanks to all who replied for all the help.