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= OpenAL Soft =
= '''OpenAL Soft''' =
'''Patch 3374''' for Unreal Tournament 2004 replaces the legacy DirectSound-based OpenAL with '''OpenAL Soft''', modernizing the game’s audio backend for improved compatibility, stability, and 3D positional sound on current systems.
'''Patch 3374''' for Unreal Tournament 2004 replaces the legacy DirectSound-based OpenAL with '''OpenAL Soft''', modernizing the game’s audio backend for improved compatibility, stability, and 3D positional sound on current systems.


=== Audio Features & Options ===
=== '''Audio Features & Options''' ===


* '''HRTF support''' – Enhanced 3D positional audio for headphones
* '''HRTF support''' – Enhanced 3D positional audio for headphones
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* '''Configurable decoders & backends''' – Select output backends (e.g., WASAPI, PulseAudio, PipeWire) and decoder behavior
* '''Configurable decoders & backends''' – Select output backends (e.g., WASAPI, PulseAudio, PipeWire) and decoder behavior


=== Audio Presets ===
==== '''Configuration file''' ====
Audio behavior can be customized system-wide, per-user and with game-specific configurations, through the OpenAL Soft configuration file:
Audio behavior can be customized through files containing settings for different use cases (e.g., competitive HRTF headphones, high-quality surround, low-latency setup).


==== '''Windows''' ====
You can place the file next to the game executable and OpenAL Soft will override the system or user config
Common adjustable options include:
* <code>hrtf = true/false</code>
* <code>frequency = <sample rate></code>
* <code>channels = stereo / 5.1 / 7.1</code>
* <code>resampler = <type></code>
* <code>period_size</code> and <code>periods</code> (latency tuning)
 
===== For Windows =====


===== Per-user configuration path =====
====== Per-user ======
   C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\alsoft.ini
   C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\alsoft.ini


===== For UT2004-only =====
====== Game-specific ======
   C:\UT2004\System\alsoft.ini
   C:\UT2004\System\alsoft.ini


==== '''Linux''' ====
====== Presets ======
Stereo speakers
 
Stereo headphones
 
Stereo headphones with HRTF enabled
 
===== For Linux =====


===== System-wide configuration path =====
====== System-wide ======
  /etc/xdg/alsoft.conf
  /etc/xdg/alsoft.conf


===== Per-user configuration path =====
====== Per-user ======
  ~/.config/alsoft.conf
  ~/.config/alsoft.conf


===== For UT2004-only customizations =====
====== Game-specific ======
  $HOME/.ut2004/System/alsoft.conf
  $HOME/.ut2004/System/alsoft.conf
These files contain settings for different use cases (e.g., competitive HRTF headphones, high-quality surround, low-latency setup).


Common adjustable options include:
====== Presets ======
Stereo speakers


* <code>hrtf = true/false</code>
Stereo headphones
* <code>frequency = <sample rate></code>
* <code>channels = stereo / 5.1 / 7.1</code>
* <code>resampler = <type></code>
* <code>period_size</code> and <code>periods</code> (latency tuning)


Basic presets to get started:
Stereo headphones with HRTF enabled

Revision as of 17:44, 20 February 2026

OpenAL Soft

Patch 3374 for Unreal Tournament 2004 replaces the legacy DirectSound-based OpenAL with OpenAL Soft, modernizing the game’s audio backend for improved compatibility, stability, and 3D positional sound on current systems.

Audio Features & Options

  • HRTF support – Enhanced 3D positional audio for headphones
  • Selectable HRTF modes – Enable/disable and profile selection
  • Playback device selection – Choose specific output devices
  • Stereo / 5.1 / 7.1 support – Improved surround handling
  • Sample rate & resampler settings – Quality/performance tuning
  • Ambisonics support – B-Format decoding for advanced spatial audio workflows
  • Configurable decoders & backends – Select output backends (e.g., WASAPI, PulseAudio, PipeWire) and decoder behavior

Configuration file

Audio behavior can be customized through files containing settings for different use cases (e.g., competitive HRTF headphones, high-quality surround, low-latency setup).

You can place the file next to the game executable and OpenAL Soft will override the system or user config Common adjustable options include:

  • hrtf = true/false
  • frequency = <sample rate>
  • channels = stereo / 5.1 / 7.1
  • resampler = <type>
  • period_size and periods (latency tuning)
For Windows
Per-user
 C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\alsoft.ini
Game-specific
 C:\UT2004\System\alsoft.ini
Presets

Stereo speakers

Stereo headphones

Stereo headphones with HRTF enabled

For Linux
System-wide
/etc/xdg/alsoft.conf
Per-user
~/.config/alsoft.conf
Game-specific
$HOME/.ut2004/System/alsoft.conf
Presets

Stereo speakers

Stereo headphones

Stereo headphones with HRTF enabled