Anyone using Sonar to adjust sound levels?

dom.au23

dom.au23

Well-known member
I have been looking at new headsets to see if I can do anything to do with the sound. Not that it’s bad, it’s pretty good, but, tinkering is part of this for some.

Whilst researching I found out about Sonar and realised it can be used on any headset.

Seemed like a good thing to try before spending anything. I may still be limited by my Hyper X Cloud 2 headset (I run it wired via 3.5mm) but worth a try for no cost.

Does anyone use Sonar and what have you changed and did it help?
 
FWIW I don't use it and have fought with it, disabling/removing most of it, since it comes bundled/force installed into the software (SteelseriesGG) used for their keyboards.
It's one of the most intrusive bloatware bundled in such way. And I do also use one of their headsets.
(Updating the keyboard software caused sound system reset and device reordering due to Sonar re-installing its virtual devices, at one time it even set itself as the default during an update, other times it failed some part of its install and failed all sound devices, etc...)
If you're looking for a system wide equalizer there are other options out there. (like https://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/ https://sourceforge.net/projects/peace-equalizer-apo-extension/ ).
If you're looking for surround/3d sound virtualizer for headphones, don't.
At least in the LMU case it's best to not have anything messing with the sound (both "Audio Enhancements" and "Spatial Sound" off for the headphones output in the Windows Sound settings)
 
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Thanks for your input.

Other than the issue with other peripherals, did you not feel like it made any difference?

Out of curiosity, what headset do you use and how do you find it?
 
I used to have an Arctis 1 (until it's mic boom developed a short or a sectioned wire) and now I'm using an Arctis Nova 1.
They're very comfortable. Environment is nicely isolated by their memory foam cups (even by the third party ones as the original ones needed replacement after some years on the Arctis 1). Sound quality is good. At least their claim is it's the same speakers as in the more expensive 3. And I prefer 3.5mm to wireless anyway.

As for Sonar, and other such (I've also tried Windows' own and the DTS one), sound is actually worse, less detail, no noticeable increased 'spatiality' in fact less clear directionality. Many times it feels like a bad case of earwax ;)

Btw, have you looked into using one of the custom HRTFs available?

New Sound Engine - Settings

An attempt at a guide for sound settings to make the most of the new sound system, and alleviate issues caused by fewer volume sliders in the game (which may have been used previously to overcome issues caused by incorrect settings). I'll try to keep it updated with any changes and in accordance...
forum.studio-397.com forum.studio-397.com
 
Emilian Huminiuc said:
I used to have an Arctis 1 (until it's mic boom developed a short or a sectioned wire) and now I'm using an Arctis Nova 1.
They're very comfortable. Environment is nicely isolated by their memory foam cups (even by the third party ones as the original ones needed replacement after some years on the Arctis 1). Sound quality is good. At least their claim is it's the same speakers as in the more expensive 3. And I prefer 3.5mm to wireless anyway.

As for Sonar, and other such (I've also tried Windows' own and the DTS one), sound is actually worse, less detail, no noticeable increased 'spatiality' in fact less clear directionality. Many times it feels like a bad case of earwax ;)

Btw, have you looked into using one of the custom HRTFs available?

New Sound Engine - Settings

An attempt at a guide for sound settings to make the most of the new sound system, and alleviate issues caused by fewer volume sliders in the game (which may have been used previously to overcome issues caused by incorrect settings). I'll try to keep it updated with any changes and in accordance...
forum.studio-397.com forum.studio-397.com
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my friend i mean no disrespect but your using their bottom of the barrel bare bones £40 pounds headset keep in mind its a £40 headset that has spatial audio built in a feature not seen in headset until your close too £100+ do not comment on something you clearly have no idea what your talking about
 
dom.au23 said:
Thanks for your input.

Other than the issue with other peripherals, did you not feel like it made any difference?

Out of curiosity, what headset do you use and how do you find it?
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im using the arctis gamebuds i have also used the the arctis nova pro wireless and i just got the new nova elites today i use sonar for everything and there is not a single company out there that can compete with there software when it comes to gaming or a all in one

of course some headsets out there have better actual audio you know like built for pure audio like ones you would buy specifically for commuting and listening to music maybe and even then its close but yes mate sonar is worth it regardless of what your using right now i use the ac evo preset for lmu and i know people are working on lmu owns preset so keep a eye out
 
nathanlynch212 said:
my friend i mean no disrespect but your using their bottom of the barrel bare bones £40 pounds headset keep in mind its a £40 headset that has spatial audio built in a feature not seen in headset until your close too £100+ do not comment on something you clearly have no idea what your talking about
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Oh so I'm only permited to have an opinion on their software if I waste in excess of 100$, or maybe 200$, or 1k? Who sets this limit, I'd like to know?
 
I use FX sound. Free software. Nothing special but gives you the ability to tweak the basics. Most notably bass, as in LMU it’s pretty lacklustre.
 
nathanlynch212 said:
im using the arctis gamebuds i have also used the the arctis nova pro wireless and i just got the new nova elites today i use sonar for everything and there is not a single company out there that can compete with there software when it comes to gaming or a all in one

of course some headsets out there have better actual audio you know like built for pure audio like ones you would buy specifically for commuting and listening to music maybe and even then its close but yes mate sonar is worth it regardless of what your using right now i use the ac evo preset for lmu and i know people are working on lmu owns preset so keep a eye out
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What does Sonar do that makes it worth it?
 
I had a shore play with it. From what I can see its just an EQ that allows you to adjust the levels across the frequency range
 
Sonar works great for me. I have the wireless pro head set and the adjustments in sonar are fantastic. There's also a whole list of games in their presets that will have all the adjustments made for you.
 
I m using Sonar because it makes my streaming setup way easiert to manage. Is just easier to setup like voicemeeter Banana. Would love to have a LMU preset inside Sonar
 
I've started using it for the ChatMix feature capabilities, so when I'm on Discord voice chat with my LMU buddies, my SteelSeries headphones allow me to adjust the volume balance of Discord and LMU with the volume wheel on the headset.

Haven't tried the EQ as the Nova Pro Wireless sound great as is.

Hope your YT channel is doing well pal, watch one or two of your videos a few months ago. 💪
 
Just got an Arctis Nova Pro.
Is it better to use Sonar or just stick with EQ only?
Any preset recommendations?
Also, what in-game audio settings are you guys running.
I’m open to any tips or advice.
 
I use Sonar with Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, and it is awesome IMHO.
Many presets, and you can make engine sound very REAL and adjust it to your liking, LMU sounds are very flat, with Sonar they roar like a lion! :D
 
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