3DsoundSurge Special Feature: Aureal vs Qsound


	Earlier in 1997 representatives from Aureal and QSound went toe to toe over 3D audio. In the process, a lot of excellent information was presented from both sides. For an excellent overview of 3D audio, browse through our debate page.

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3DsoundSurge Special Feature

Aureal vs Qsound - The Great Debate

Qsound: Scott Willing

Aureal: Toni Shneider

Date Started: June 22, 1998 Date Ended: July 8, 1998

Qsounds Reaction On Aureal's API

This is tasty, it appears Qsound e-mailed us 2 days ago. I had to get permission to post this up. So finally they e-mailed 3DsoundSuge back with some slight rewording for general consumption. Here is what Qsound had to say about Aureal's API.

All the information that we have at this point indicates that Aureal intends provide access to their environmental acoustic technology (promised for A3D 2.0) only through a proprietary interface (API.)

It seems that A3D 2.0 may support a simple reverb model in addition to wavetracing. If this is true, it would only seem logical that they would at least support the EAX property set for those developers (the vast majority, it would seem) who would like some good reverb effects but aren't prepared to jump through hoops for them. As far as we are aware, they have no intention of doing this.

Too bad. That kind of attitude would have killed the development of the MIDI spec; vendors have to agree on standards for the benefit of all, rather than letting their private paranoia limit industry growth.

Aureal's official stance is that their 3D technology is superior to alternatives, and therefore it is in the best interest of the developer to ensure that the end-user never has to suffer through a less effective sonic rendering. IMHO this is pure poppycock.

Aureal's 3D algorithms are quite effective; nobody is denying it. However, if they truly had confidence in a clear technological advantage, why would they work so hard to keep people from easily comparing their 3D audio effects to the competition?

Before the end of the year the market will be full of 3D sound cards using algorithms from CRL, Creative Labs, QSound and Yamaha in addition to Aureal. Most developers are already aware that supporting A3D to the exclusion of other DS3D accelerators will only limit the appeal of their titles. The playing field is leveling and the time of reckoning is near. - Scott