The PS3 Is An “Evolutionary Step In Audio Design”
HDMI FTW!
Game technology is constantly evolving. Graphics have gone from simple 2D sprites to full-on 3D 1080p universes that look immaculate. Perhaps just as important is audio, and in the console war the PlayStation 3 is king.
PS3 Can Handle It!
In an interview with Develop-Online, audio head at SCEE Dan Bardino compared what could be done with the PlayStation 2:
Of the 2 meg of RAM we had for sound in the PS2, for The Getaway we used that to recreate the sounds of the whole of London; all the car effects, all the gun sounds, some of the dialogue, music. That was a really, really proud moment. We came away from that delighted with what we had achieved. On a standard audio CD, 2 meg accounts for twelve seconds…
Bardino then mentioned that the PS3 is “benchmarking at 25 meg” and that they “are now able to do things we were just dreaming of on previous platforms.”
Of course, the PS3 is 7.1-native, so we’re doing interactive 5.1 music on a lot of our games. Killzone 2 and Wipeout HD were both 5.1 and interactive, there’s nothing else out there that’s doing that. That’s pushing music further than anything else.
The PlayStation 3 is the only console that supports 7.1 HD audio (such as DTS HD Master Audio), and though only a handful of games output in 7.1, it means that the console is ready for the future of home audio.
How much do you care about audio in your games? What kind of audio system do you have set up at home? Let us know in the comments below.
15 Responses to “The PS3 Is An “Evolutionary Step In Audio Design””
As a self-proclaimed audiophile this article makes me very, very happy. Thanks PSLS =)
Now if only I can hook up my monitor speakers to my Sony Bravia without compromising the sound… thoughts anyone?
Audio is extremely important to gaming imo. It’s like in a movie, a certain scene is made all the more epic because of music and of course having a higher quality of sound in that music enhances the experience. The same can be said of ambient noise within the game, if the sound quality is better the small details come across better and it’s always the small details that help make the difference.
I’m no audiophile, but I can’t play without my surround sound. My system is nothing too special, but it’s Sony, the speakers are clear, the bass is loud, and that’s all I need.
I think audio is very important in video games…look at Battlefield Bad Company compared all other shooters…the sound difference is amazing. The crisp sound of the gunfire and explosions, and even the ringing in your ears when an explosion is near you just makes the experience that more realistic and intense. Graphics are what everyone constantly talks about, but if you create a game with amazing gameplay and sound effects I feel it makes for a better experience even if graphics are slightly behind the competition. That’s not even considering surround sound…if all of the sounds, voices, etc., are coming from the right direction when you’re playing it can make the experience 10x better.
try a few games with high end, over the ear headphones, amazing stuff.
@peroxadic, hey bro u should use a toslink connection,i think that way u wont loose a single bit.
and i think actually many older ps3 epics used 7.1 dts such as Heavenly Sword and of course MGS4.I cant remember of other titles but there are few from 2007.Maybe we should make a list of all games that supports it,hmm?
I remember the bonus documentary video of heavenly sword when the music composer said that he is doing work on a hollywood film (named ‘Crouching tiger,hidden dragon’) and even films dont use 7.1,ps3 does. and i think he used the f* word and said its a lot of work for him.
Btw,great job psls.
It depends on the game. In WipEout I could care less, since I’ve gotten sick of the music and throw my own on with my laptop – many many games are in this category, since we can’t play our own music off the PS3 with all the games. If we could, then this feature would be much more important. I don’t care how good your soundtrack is, if I play the game a lot it WILL get stale, and I will put my own on instead. That said, certain games its really important regardless, especially ones with stealth mechanics, or specific sounds that notify you of important events occurring off screen (MGS series, Bioshock 1 and 2, and even CoD if you play on S&D). Unfortunately I don’t have any real sound system set up, its all coming out of my TV, theres just no room for more speakers. Thankfully my tv still puts out some pretty decent sound.
I’ve owned a 7 speaker THX audio system for about 9 years now and at the time I bought it , it was probably the best system around — and cost nearly 2 months pay without the speakers
finally with the ps3 I can take advantage of it and although not many games use it yet blu-ray movies sound incredible and those games that can output in 7.1 are standouts with it cranked up a bit
thanks Sony for letting me use my system to it’s full effect
Im a stickler with audio.. I don’t know how people can play on mute or with in-game music like the audio immerses you into the game without it theres CHAOS!
The PS3 sound is amazing. The only thing I wish it offered was coaxial digital connections instead of the optical. But that’s due to the increase in fidelity (though you’ll notice a drop in volume).
For Peroxidac? Get rid of your monitor speakers for your PC. You want satellite/bookshelves with at least 5″ woofers and a dome piezo tweeter. For your Bravia get floor standing speakers with at least 8″ woofers, a mid-range, and horn piezo tweeters of some kind. With actual cross overs instead of the usual resistors most “reputable” companies use. Your center and rear speakers should be two ways with circuit board cross overs, 5 to 6″ full ranges with piezo horn tweeters once again. And make sure that your DVD player isn’t built in to your stereo. You need to let your parts breath.
Me? I have a Philips system that’s about 8 years old now and works wonderfully. With 5″ full ranges and logarithmic horn tweeters for centre and rear speakers, with proper crossovers, and same tweeters, 4 1/2″ mid-ranges, and McBride 10″ woofers. Clearest sound I’ve ever heard bar none.
@ubersilence
the drop in volume is based on the amp..digital amps and digital subs dont perform the same as analog amps.. this is why you spend more on power per channel..
and Peroxidac for saying your an audiophile and wanting to connect your monitor speakers to your Bravia TV doesn’t make any sense. Audiophiles know that monitor speakers arent the best for sound reproduction unless you spend money on a good system and an expensive sound card. Depends on how much fidelity you want? A good amp itself will cost you about as much as FJ1100_rider stated. You could spend about 1500 just for a good sub with about 600watts continuous bass and by pass buying towers speakers. The high end sub would reproduce all the bass needed. Tower speakers will cost you way more if you buy them with powered subs built in.. thats the way to go.. people buy towers but the bass gets drowned by the sub unless there powered.
Me personally.. Klipsch horn driven speakers RP-3, RC-3, RS-3 and RSW-15 sub.. 2 double 15 enclosed in 1 cabinet peak power the sub itself 2400watts (RSW-15) , continuous 1000 watts…my towers have a 10inch sub built in and powered but i level them to sync better with the powered subs bass output and an ES AMP 130×7 but im only using 5.1 (new house, my dad has to install the other speakers). Im planning on getting a new Velodyne sub in 3 months or new ES amp.
I got a Jamo home cinema for my PS3. It’s working well and I’m enjoying it!
3 years ago, I bought a 26″ Samsung 720P HDTV, and I ended up buying a HTB, aka Home Theater in a Box. It’s Onkyo 5.1 setup at 630 Watts. I LOVE IT. Never had a problem, and knowing how good Onkyo has been the past 15+ years, I felt for the money, and where I was puting it, it would be ideal. Well it was and still is performing awesomely. The speakers are set up like most others are. The 2 rear are within 6 feet of my head, the fronts are on the same level as the rears, and the center is above my TV.
Now I know it is not 7.1, but 5.1 is killer.
I mean, how can you NOT love hearing the rain drops behind you, the tree branches crackling, the noise of distant gunfire getting closer and closer.. turning around to see WHO or WHAT is going on behind you, it adds such a dimension to all games, but certain ones, where you MUST, or HAVE to be aware of everything going on around you.
Now with online Multi Player coming on better then ever, with gunfire and explosions going all around you, it submersives you into a whole new experience.
1 day I am sure I will hook up a full 7.1, but for now, having those 2 speakers in the middle of the room between me and the TV, it’s not viable for one, and to be perfectly honest, I think it’s a waste. Now i’m sure that 1 day, when i either have it, or at a friends house where they have it set up, my mind can completely change of course. But unless it makes a very, very, real DRAMATIC difference, 7.1 will NOT be configured any time soon.
But in the mean time, someone’s creeping up behind me, I gotta get back on patrol lol
hello …
sound is equally important to me as the GFX.
my system isn’t complete yet, i’m sharing my 5.1 Audio system for my PC to the PS3, it’s OK but not what i wanted.
I asked for a quotation only for an ampli that may cost around 1300 USD, will have to wait, for just afterwards my priorities changed … will get one & a decent Yamaha or Bose surround 7.1+ speakers LOL
cheers!
I NOW THIS!! ))