SSE downmixing from 5.1 surround to stereo

[Swanky]

So ever since I switched from a 5.1 surround sound system back to a stereo system my Skyrim is dreadfully quiet, mostly due to the game not correctly switching to using a stereo system. It's still trying to use a non-existent center speaker and it makes the game really low volume.

 

I have checked that both the OS and Realtek are set to stereo, running  24bit, 48kHz.

I'm currently using windows' equalizer function to make everything loud but it also effectively kills the dynamic range (and I have to switch it back off when not using Skyrim).

Does anyone have another solution to this?

[anjenthedog]

In a soundscape made for surround, condensed to stereo, I don't think you're ever going to get quite the "same thing". as a 5.1 surround field 

 

I had the same issue when I first started.

 

I use my card's enhanced mode (in my case I push it through what Creative calls "scout mode") to enrich the audio being delivered by my modest "stereo with parasitic subwoofer" computer speakers. 

 

Beyond that... well, you could do like I used to when I was into midi composition (back when sound fonts were the rage), and split the audio output through a preprocessor, then to a prehistoric "stereo system" (like your parents or grandparents or even you might still have)  and a stage amp, floor monitors, and audio processors for faux surround (and beau coup volume!)   - loud enough I got a visit from the cops once for disturbing the neighbors, and I live in a house whose closest neighbor is ~100 ft away, and I don't think it was them who called

 

So... Presuming you're not a former "band dude" who happens to have a PA lying around, but maybe you happen to have an old stereo system stuffed away in a closet  or in the attic (probably not but one never knows), you could pass your audio through that instead of normal "computer speakers". or even split the signal using a preproc like a standalone eq, and create a fake quad system by using its normal and secondary outputs. 

 

good luck

[Swanky]

Thanks for the input.

I do have a full surround sound system plugged in my tv - which my pc is also plugged in for when I want that cinematic feeling. However, the surround sound system is 180° turned around for usage with my tv. Game sounds as it's supposed to be on that setup.
As for the stereo sound, I've tested with artificial surround sound (creative does support that on my system thankfully), so I was able to test that - and the sound was noticeably louder except for when people on the middle were speaking, then it was silent. It just leads me to believing bethesda actively fucked up the stereo encoding / downsizing in the game as it might believe there to be a center speaker present, making the game roughly 50% less loud.

 

Unfortunately I don't have any other tech lying around for fake surround sound, and going stereo was a decision to get rid of a lot stuff I don't really use when using a computer, and lots of cables. Could use headsets, but don't want to use them all the time.

[anjenthedog]

yeah I agree. the stereo seems a bit backwards, and sounds from the front seem to come from the back. (louder when I turn around to face away from a waterfall for instance, it's louder than when facing it. )

 

I don't like headsets because they irritate my ears (even ear buds do), even if they generally provide better dimensioning)