Steam Expert Db Br 101 Constant Audio Popping Issue At Higher Speeds

Issue: Accelerate the Expert 101 to speeds of 160+ km/h and beyond and there is a permanent annoyance in a form of continuous static audio popping. Roughly every 7-8 second interval there is a spiking loud static POPPING *ZAP* that keeps looping over and over (inside the cab not outside)

I have tested this issue in all game modes and on different routes - it is unchangeable. Now, I believe this audio bug could've been around for a while, perhaps since from the very release? I only discovered it just now after I acquired myself the Expert DB BR 101 on Kassel - Würzburg Gameplay Pack and got to experience the LZB fun for real for the first time. This route is all about speed as we know, and doing 200 km/h for the most part while listening to this popping got immediately so aggravating to a point I had to stop my very first timetable run and start doing some research. I know there's random audio popping in TSW in general when assets are being loaded and whatnot (very unfortunate), but this is nothing like that, this is not how a looping audio file is supposed to function, this is an issue, and most likely a small oversight on TSG's end in one of their sound recordings. I don't want to point fingers, even though I probably just did, but I have a suspicion what might be the culprit.

I can't upload my own video here as I don't have a YT channel (will post video in support center if needed) but this random gameplay that I found shows the issue in action and can serve as a substitute (all credit to actual channel). Turn up the volume (preferably use headphones to catch it better) because it's a gameplay recording, and sometimes the audio can be a bit damped depending on the recording quality compared to when experiencing it live in game.

Jump to 12:00 and give it a listen!



As you can hear, it is constant, every 7-8 seconds interval. After little listen and acknowledging what I'm after, if you'd be so kind and jump to 33:10. As approaching Fulda you can hear the audio popping goes completely away after speed drops to 160 km/h and it's all smooth sailing all the way to zero. I believe we have a case here. I'm helping you as much as I can, and it's probably some X sound file (not looping smoothly) that got a spike either at the beginning or end of the audio file and needs to be edited and smoothed out so it loops naturally without popping every 7-8 second.

I have tested this issue through and through with and without the gameplay pack installed, so it's not related to the pack, it's the Expert DB BR 101 & IC Steuerwagen Loco Add-On.

I'm surprised I couldn't find others reporting about this issue on forums, or then I'm too dumb even after scrolling thru the entire topic of https://forums.dovetailgames.com/th...leshooting-steps-and-bug-fixing-status.83596/

I'm running TSW5, but have not yet had the chance to test if it exists on TSW6 as well. Could anyone with E101 test this quick and confirm it?

Closing...

I just want to say that I really like the E101 and TSG's work in general. The audio for the E101 is simply phenomenal! Its got all these different stages of quality written all over it, it really sounds like the real thing (because it is) and it elevates the gameplay experience to a whole new level. I just had a friend visiting me the other day trying TSW5 for the first time. I gave him a chance to test out the E101. I was nodding my head and biting my lip with a smirk as I watched him slowing down from 150 km/h with the wheel bearings in sync screaming like an opera house orchestra when pulling to a station. ("how do you like the sounds?" " yeah, this is just... wow".)

You see, I'm all about a proper functional audio. I understand the E101 has a myriad of bugs and issues waiting to be fixed hopefully, and even though this issue I'm describing might not be a game breaking to someone else, it has to be said - it is driving me absolutely nuts - it is hitting and resetting my auditory nerve every 7-8 second, and that's all I do now, just waiting for the next popping when speeding thru Kassel - Würzburg route...

 

The DTG version, the add-on for HRR, also does have the terrible popping sound, atleast on Xbox. On DTG version you hear it all speeds. It's also not the only train with this issue. On other trains, by opening a window, the noise of the wind is overwhelming the popping. I didn't try this with the BR101. The noisy trains on Linke Rheinstrecke also do have popping issues, but the fans are so loud, you don't hear the popping most of the time.

It's sad this issue is still not solved after a long time.

 

Sounds similar to the audio popping on xbox. Although that tends to be at any speed and with many more trains affected.

 

I have noticed this as well and its only when you driving faster than 160 and above. I guess they have made a mistake with one of the soundfiles. Its looping and very loud.
So DTG Lukas are you aware of this issue with the 101 Expert?

 

Yeah, the window trick is true, I've tested it on E101, sadly it does not fix the issue (also it is pure hell for your eardrums in the tunnels to hear constant whoosh lol).

Thanks for sharing this! I feel this popping is awfully bad on Kassel - Würzburg route specifically because you sit in a trapped vacuum in dark tunnels listening to your comfy engine and cab humming while observing your gauges and signals. There's simply no escape from it and I'm deeply bothered by it.

DTG Lukas - your feedback on this matter and how to possibly resolve it would be greatly appreciated.