> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/dolphin-emu/dolphin/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Audio Settings

> Configure audio backends and DSP emulation in Dolphin

Dolphin offers flexible audio configuration to balance accuracy and performance. This guide covers audio backends, DSP emulation modes, and audio enhancements.

## Accessing Audio Settings

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Configuration">
    Navigate to **Options** > **Configuration**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Audio Tab">
    Click the **Audio** tab
  </Step>
</Steps>

Alternatively, audio options are also available in the **DSP** section of the configuration.

## DSP Emulation

The Digital Signal Processor (DSP) handles all audio processing in GameCube and Wii games. Dolphin offers two emulation modes:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="HLE (Recommended)">
    **High Level Emulation**

    * Fast and efficient
    * Low CPU usage
    * Compatible with most games
    * Recommended for regular gameplay
    * Minor audio inaccuracies in some games
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="LLE">
    **Low Level Emulation**

    * Cycle-accurate DSP emulation
    * Near-perfect audio accuracy
    * Higher CPU usage
    * Required for some games and homebrew
    * Two sub-modes: Interpreter and Recompiler
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Info>
  HLE is recommended for most users as it provides good audio quality with minimal performance impact.
</Info>

### LLE Sub-modes

When using LLE emulation:

* **LLE Recompiler**: Faster LLE mode using dynamic recompilation (recommended)
* **LLE Interpreter**: Slower but more accurate, useful for debugging

<Note>
  The LLE sub-mode is selected automatically based on **Enable DSP JIT** in Advanced settings. Enable for Recompiler, disable for Interpreter.
</Note>

### When to Use LLE

Use LLE emulation for:

* Games with audio glitches in HLE mode
* Games that require accurate DSP timing
* Music games (Guitar Hero, Rock Band, etc.)
* Games with advanced audio effects
* Homebrew applications that directly program the DSP

## Audio Backend

The audio backend controls how audio is output to your system:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Cubeb">
    Cross-platform audio library (recommended).

    * Works on all platforms
    * Low latency
    * Good compatibility
    * Default choice for most users
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="WASAPI (Windows)">
    Windows Audio Session API in exclusive mode.

    * Windows only
    * Very low latency
    * Exclusive access to audio device
    * Best quality on Windows
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="PulseAudio (Linux)">
    PulseAudio sound server.

    * Linux only
    * Good integration with Linux desktop
    * Works with most Linux distributions
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="ALSA (Linux)">
    Advanced Linux Sound Architecture.

    * Linux only
    * Lower latency than PulseAudio
    * Direct hardware access
    * May require additional configuration
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="OpenAL">
    Open Audio Library.

    * Cross-platform
    * Good 3D audio support
    * Available on most systems
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="OpenSLES (Android)">
    OpenSL ES audio backend.

    * Android only
    * Native Android audio API
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="No Audio Output">
    Disable audio output.

    * Maximum performance
    * No sound
    * Useful for benchmarking
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Recommended Backends by Platform

* **Windows**: Cubeb or WASAPI (Exclusive Mode)
* **Linux**: Cubeb or PulseAudio
* **macOS**: Cubeb
* **Android**: OpenSLES

## Audio Settings

### Volume

Adjust the master audio volume (0% - 100%).

<Note>
  This affects only the emulated audio output, not your system volume.
</Note>

### Audio Latency

Control the audio buffer size to balance latency and stability:

* **Lower values (10-30ms)**: Less audio delay but may cause crackling
* **Higher values (50-100ms)**: More stable but increased audio lag
* **Default**: 20ms

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Low Latency">
    Use 10-20ms for rhythm games and competitive play where audio sync is critical.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Stability">
    Use 40-80ms if you experience audio crackling or dropouts.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  Very low latency settings may cause audio crackling on slower systems or with background processes.
</Warning>

### Stretching

#### Audio Stretch (Time Stretching)

Adjust audio playback speed to maintain pitch when emulation speed varies:

* **Enabled**: Audio maintains correct pitch even when emulation slows down
* **Disabled**: Audio pitch changes with emulation speed

<Info>
  Enable this option to prevent audio distortion when emulation speed drops below 100%.
</Info>

### DPL2 Decoder

Dolby Pro Logic II decoding for surround sound:

#### Enable DPL2 Decoder

Convert stereo game audio to 5.1 surround sound:

* Requires 5.1 speaker setup or headphones with virtual surround
* Adds spatial audio effects
* Slight performance cost

#### DPL2 Quality

If DPL2 is enabled, select quality level:

* **Lowest**: Fastest processing
* **Low**: Good performance
* **Medium**: Balanced
* **High**: Better quality
* **Highest**: Best quality, higher CPU usage

<Note>
  DPL2 decoder quality setting is located at `Config.MAIN_DPL2_QUALITY` in the configuration system.
</Note>

## Advanced Audio Options

### DSP Settings

Access advanced DSP options in **Options** > **Configuration** > **Advanced** tab:

#### DSP Thread

Run DSP emulation on a separate CPU thread:

* **Enabled**: Better performance on multi-core CPUs
* **Disabled**: More accurate timing
* Recommended: Enabled for HLE, disabled for LLE

#### Enable DSP JIT

Use just-in-time compilation for LLE DSP:

* **Enabled**: LLE Recompiler mode (faster)
* **Disabled**: LLE Interpreter mode (slower, more accurate)

### Audio Dumps

#### Dump Audio

Record game audio to a file:

* Saves to `Dump/Audio/` folder
* Creates WAV files
* Useful for soundtrack extraction

#### Dump Audio Silent

Dump audio without playing it:

* No audio output during dump
* Useful for background recording

#### Dump DSP µCode

Export DSP microcode for analysis:

* Creates binary dumps of DSP programs
* For developers and debugging

## WASAPI Device Selection (Windows)

If using WASAPI backend on Windows:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select WASAPI">
    Choose **WASAPI (Exclusive Mode)** as the audio backend
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Device">
    Select your audio output device from the **WASAPI Device** dropdown
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  WASAPI exclusive mode provides the lowest latency but takes exclusive control of the audio device. Other applications cannot play sound while Dolphin is running.
</Info>

## Wiimote Speaker

Control Wiimote speaker emulation:

### Enable Wiimote Speaker Data

Emulate the Wii Remote's built-in speaker:

* Plays sound effects through the Wiimote
* Enable for full game experience
* Disable to reduce processing overhead

This setting is in **Options** > **Configuration** > **Wii** tab.

## Audio Troubleshooting

### Crackling or Popping

If you experience audio crackling:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Increase Latency">
    Increase **Audio Latency** to 40-60ms
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Stretching">
    Enable **Audio Stretch** if emulation speed is inconsistent
  </Step>

  <Step title="Try Different Backend">
    Switch to a different audio backend (try Cubeb if using another)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Performance">
    Ensure emulation is running at 100% speed consistently
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Audio Desync

If audio drifts out of sync with video:

* Disable **Audio Stretch**
* Check that V-Sync is properly configured
* Verify emulation speed is stable at 100%
* Try enabling **DSP Thread**

### No Audio

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check Backend">
    Verify audio backend is not set to **No Audio Output**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Volume">
    Ensure volume is not set to 0% or muted
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Device">
    Confirm correct audio device is selected (especially with WASAPI)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test DSP Mode">
    Try switching between HLE and LLE DSP modes
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Incorrect Audio in Specific Games

<Warning>
  Some games have audio issues with HLE that require LLE mode.
</Warning>

If a game has missing or glitched audio:

1. Switch to **LLE** DSP emulation
2. Enable **DSP JIT** for better performance
3. Check the Dolphin Wiki for game-specific audio requirements

## Per-Game Audio Settings

Override audio settings for specific games:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Right-click Game">
    Right-click a game in the game list
  </Step>

  <Step title="Properties">
    Select **Properties**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Game Config">
    Go to the **Game Config** tab
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set DSP Mode">
    Override DSP emulation mode if needed for this specific game
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Performance Impact

### DSP Emulation Performance

| Mode            | CPU Impact | Accuracy  |
| --------------- | ---------- | --------- |
| HLE             | Very Low   | Good      |
| LLE Recompiler  | Medium     | Excellent |
| LLE Interpreter | High       | Perfect   |

### Audio Backend Performance

* **Cubeb**: Low impact, recommended
* **WASAPI**: Very low latency, exclusive mode
* **PulseAudio**: Low impact on Linux
* **ALSA**: Lowest latency on Linux
* **OpenAL**: Low to medium impact

<Info>
  For best performance while maintaining good audio quality, use HLE DSP with Cubeb backend and 20ms latency.
</Info>