Found a small, interesting fix. [3D Audio]
 

I am going to assume a lot of people have this error in the audio settings. Something about hardware 3D audio not working right.

Well, I finally found a software that emulates 3D Audio, works with Dangerous Waters (Every other I tried didn't including OpenAL) and is compatible with virtually any sound card.

It is basically a modified version of an old version of Creative ALchemy. The modification was made by a member on the Creative's forums according to the notes on the site. It should work with a vast majority of game INCLUDING EAX features. But, really, what matters here is that it works for Dangerous Waters.

https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/f...emy-universal/

The process is simple.

1-Install the program.
2-Reboot when prompted.
3-Start Creative ALchemy Universal.
4-Add a new profile and direct it to Dangerous Waters' directory.
5-Before confirming, increase the buffer to at least 10 to meet the minimum recommended by Dangerous Waters.
6-Enjoy.

I tested it and while it isn't a HUGE improvement. (I'm pretty sure the game tries to simulate it on it's end.) It IS indeed an improvement and give a tad bit more clarity to the sounds. Given that this is a simulation and sound is one of the centerpiece of the experience, any improvement is welcome no?

Just wanted to share that with you since I found nothing about this on your forum and you guys have been so helpful in the past. :)

WOW Great find! I tried it and yes it certainly works. Improves the surround sound dramatically. The HW acceleration seems to make the audio transition from 3D view to the interior stations more "snappy" for me. You probably don't need to reboot with at least windows 8 or better, I took the chance and it's fine.

But it also seems to fix a HUGE issue that I've had, game audio now works with the window in the background! So I can alt-tab to check a page in the manual or a list of signature freq's and still hear the game! Something I've been trying to solve for weeks. Even trying to decompile the EXE to find if there's a "switch" I could disable to prevent the game from knowing if it's the focus window or not :wah: ...

Now this problem is solved!
:subsim::subsim::subsim:

I am glad it proved useful to you. :)

Definitely helped with my audio popping!