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Voice Chat codecs randomly don't work under mods using the Source SDK 2013 Multiplayer Base #490

@thecyberixnetwork

Description

@thecyberixnetwork

Describe the bug
Voice chat often doesn't work when running Goldberg on sourcemods. We are running a "Team Fortress 2008" server and have noticed the following issues with voice chat:

1 - Server/client often disregards sv_voicecodec and tries to initialize voice using the Steam codec (which appears to be completely nonfunctional)
2 - When the Steam codec is used (consensually or non-consensually), it is completely nonfunctional. In TF2008, once you activate voice, it never disables itself (the voice bubble never goes away when you release the voice key), but you cannot hear your voice or the voices of other players. Test Microphone is silent and voice_loopback1 is silent.
3 - When alternative codecs are used and the server randomly chooses to adhere to them, the several subissues can (sometimes) be observed:
3.1 - Extremely loud garbled "robot"/"alien" noises coming from players
3.2 - The above noises NEVER stop even if the player turns off voice
3.3 - Voice chat will often stutter and glitch out
3.4 - Players will appear to have voice activated when it isn't voice notification and bubble above their character remain)
^ This last issue makes the game impossible to play if you're a Spy because the voice bubble is visible even while cloaked

Emulator version
2026_03_28

Debug log
Not available

steam_settings file

[main::general]
enable_account_avatar=1
enable_voice_chat=1

[main::connectivity]
# 1=prevent hooking OS networking APIs and allow any external requests
# only used by the experimental builds on **Windows**
# default=0
disable_lan_only=1
# 1=disable all steam networking interface functionality
# this won't prevent games/apps from making external requests
# networking related functionality like lobbies or those that launch a server in the background will not work
# default=0
disable_networking=0

steam_interfaces:

STEAMAPPS_INTERFACE_VERSION008
STEAMAPPLIST_INTERFACE_VERSION001
SteamClient017
SteamController007
SteamFriends017
SteamGameServerStats001
SteamGameServer013
ServerGameClients005
STEAMHTMLSURFACE_INTERFACE_VERSION_005
STEAMHTTP_INTERFACE_VERSION003
SteamInput001
STEAMINVENTORY_INTERFACE_V003
SteamMatchMakingServers002
SteamMatchMaking009
SteamMatchGameSearch001
SteamParties002
STEAMMUSIC_INTERFACE_VERSION001
STEAMMUSICREMOTE_INTERFACE_VERSION001
SteamNetworkingMessages002
SteamNetworkingSockets009
SteamNetworkingUtils003
SteamNetworking006
STEAMPARENTALSETTINGS_INTERFACE_VERSION001
STEAMREMOTEPLAY_INTERFACE_VERSION001
STEAMREMOTESTORAGE_INTERFACE_VERSION014
STEAMSCREENSHOTS_INTERFACE_VERSION003
STEAMUGC_INTERFACE_VERSION014
SteamUser021
STEAMUSERSTATS_INTERFACE_VERSION012
SteamUtils010
STEAMVIDEO_INTERFACE_V002

I also tried putting SteamVoice023/017 in here but that did not change anything
Both client and server share these files.

Infos
The game SteamAppId: 243750
The game using Denuvo: No

Requirement
Set x what you completed

  • like this
  • I am uploaded debug log.
  • I am uploaded steam_setting file.
  • I am sure the game not using 3rd party server (Photon, Playfab, GC, etc).
  • [X ] I am sure can run the game offline.

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:
0. Download the client (cy-x.net/public/tf2/multigame.tar.gz)

  1. Connect to a Goldberg server (cy-x.net or 45.90.12.43)
  2. Activate voice chat
  3. Observe it's nonfunctionality
  4. voice_loopback 1 for confirmation

Expected behavior
You are able to hear other people's voices in-game and use voice chat yourself.

Screenshots
Not applicable.

Additional context
This issue is also observed on Windows hosts (multigame.tar.gz contains both Windows and Linux binaries.)
We have attempted to use vaudio_celt, vaudio_celt_high, and vaudio_speex. The server unreliably adheres to these codecs and usually forces the Steam codec on us even when server.cfg is changed.

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