Sound is really quiet compared to other software?

MaGicBush · March 2014

I noticed the sound is extremely quiet in this game for some reason compared to any other game or software on my PC. I was talking on Skype and my friends voice would be blaring and I couldn't hear the game with the audio options turned all the way up. I had to use the volume mixer to take skype down to 10% normal volume and turn my speakers all the way up to hear the game? It's pretty frustrating as if a sound from Windows plays in the background it blows my ear drum and makes me jump lol. Am I missing something here?

Wargaard · April 2014

Same problem here. Can't seem to find anything in game settings to change sound driver or device to try a different one either.
Any ideas?

Eylith · April 2014

Skype and some others VOIP software down others running software sound level. You can disable this in (w$7) the config panel/sound/communication.

If this is not the problem, I have no idea. One internal sound card + 2 externals sound cards here, and it works just fine.

Wargaard · April 2014

Yeah thanks Eylith I've check both windows config in control panel, my audio drivers and Mumble settings.

Thing is, if I run another game in the background the sound is fine. It's only ESO that is quiet, all other programs appear to run at normal audio levels

uselessbass · April 2014

me also i was thinking its just me losing my hearing or something glad im not the only one

blofthouse2004 · April 2014

i also have this problem and have tried the above solutions. The game sound was fine in beta, it seems to have been since release. Can someone please help.

ZOS_Bill · April 2014

Hey Everyone,

There are a couple Windows settings you can change that may help with the sound being too low in game.

Go to your control panel
Select hardware and sound
Go to the sound menu
Select your speakers or headphones
Go to properties
Go to the enhancements tab
Check the option for loudness equalization
Re-launch ESO

Another possible cause in the windows feature that will lower volume when using communication programs such as Skype and teamspeak.

Open the Control Panel
Go to Hardware and Sound
Select the Sound menu
Select the Audio properties page
Enter the Communications tab
select Do Nothing from the dropdown box
Click Apply and OK.

Turelus · April 2014

I have been having the same issue and have had it with other games as well.
For ESO it's voices being horribly quiet most of the time and everything else is booming, this is even with me having voice volume 100 and the others down from 50-70. It's most noticeable at a Dark Anchor when your hear the speech before the final spawn, I have never made out what has been said over the sound of the Anchor itself.

The loudness equalization option on windows does make some of the quiet elements louder but they seemed to flux as well and combat suddenly would become quieter with the volume going back up once I returned to normal moving around.

All of this is only when using my desktop speakers as well and when switching to my headset I hear wonderfully.

Any other thoughts or ideas on things I could do to fix this would be most welcome.

Turelus · April 2014

Okay so I had a friend find something which fixed it perfectly for me and works much better than the loudness equalisation.

Follow either of these two guides (they're the same thing) but worked perfectly getting my desktop speakers to output sounds at correct levels.

http://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/963875-bethesda-softworks-forums-how-to-fix-low-sound-volume/

http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/615805-the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/60983647

Maestro_Sartori · April 2014

Get yourself a stand alone sound card like the Soundblaster Z and all your sound troubles will be over