Irate Goose – surround sound in headphones – now in AppImage
Posted by Barafu@reddit | linux | View on Reddit | 4 comments
After your feedback, I replaced the custom installer with AppImage and provided a direct link to download the IR files. If you already use the app and have no issues, there is no need to update now, except to enable future automatic updates through the AppImage manager.
Intro
Irate Goose configures a virtual 7.1 sound card that provides surround sound through headphones. The actual work is done by PipeWire. (Math and I had a mutually abusive relationship, so I ended it long ago.) PipeWire has had this ability for a long time, but since there is no interface for it, it remains widely unknown. Irate Goose comes to fix this.
If you know Windows HeSuVi, then Irate Goose should sound identical to HeSuVi on default settings — it uses the same maths and IR files. The sound from Irate Goose can be optionally sent to EasyEffects for further processing; instructions are in the README.
FAQ:
— Why don't I embed IR files into the application?
— A long time ago, a talking horse said to me that embedding 300 MB of data files into a 6 MB application is uncouth.
— Will I implement more functions?
— I have plans to add channel balancing and alternative LFE handling (I believe LFE should go unprocessed, while PipeWire instructions disagree). But I will not add any functionality that can instead be achieved by linking Irate Goose to EasyEffects. KISS principle. Send your requests, preferably on GitHub.
— Which IR files should I try first?
— From the basic collection:
- atmos – affects the tonal balance less than others, good for music.
- dh+ – very spacious.
- ssc_hu – for games and movies where nobody runs out of bullets.
FactoryOfShit@reddit
There's a reason why this feature isn't used much.
For games - you should configure the game to do the HRTF instead of using external software. There aren't any games that support surround sound but don't support binaural audio.
For pre-recorded multichannel media (5.1 and 7.1) downmixing IS required, but it's automatically handled for you by pretty much any modern media player. VLC, mpv and many others - they can all do it and that requires zero configuration.
So what's the use case for using an external app?
Disregarding that, you should not design (or especially AI generate) logos and branding for a piece of software like this. Unless your piece of software does something entirely bespoke, it's customary (and easier for users) to name the small utility application by what it does instead of an unrelated creative name. (think GPUScreenRecorder, Waybar, XWayland, etc).
Barafu@reddit (OP)
Games with the adequate implementation of the builtin surround are rare and far between. And even those provide a single checkbox at best, giving people no choice.
Any video player that exist does a simple downmixing with no convolver effects. The only exception that I know about is the proprietary PotPlayer for Windows. And probably MPV can use its filter chain to connect an external audio plugin… That is the exact opposite of "zero configuration"
FactoryOfShit@reddit
You misunderstood.
Games do NOT need a surround sound implementation. They can generate a binaural audio signal right away. That's why so few of them support surround sound - they do not need to unless someone actually has a physicsl surround sound system they game on, which is extremely rare for PC. It's actually your roundabout way of implementing binaural audio with an external app that needs the game to support the surround sound output, not the normal, much superior way!
I'm not sure you understand how downmixing works or what the "convolver effects" actually do. I recommend doing research yourself and not relying on AI to vibecode apps. AI will lie to you and will mislead you.
Barafu@reddit (OP)
Almost every game I ever played, except, maybe, quests – has at least a 5.1 audio output. Or 7.1. Headphones mode is usually present too, but it is usually bland. And, most importantly, sounds different in every game, giving a jarring effect every time I switch to another game.
I only recommend things that I have tried myself.