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While this is likely common knowledge in this community, Mumble uses the Opus codec, which is a significant factor[1] in Mumble audio being both high quality an

While this is likely common knowledge in this community, Mumble uses the Opus codec, which is a significant factor[1] in Mumble audio being both high quality and very low latency. Prior to Opus, Mumble used CELT.[2] This was a precursor to the Opus codec developed by Xiph.org, makers of the very well known Ogg container format and Vorbis audio codec. [1] https://www.opus-codec.org/comparison/ https://www.opus-codec.org/comparison/ [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CELT https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CELT

jtsiskin 5y ago
Most calls on the web are using it. It’s the webrtc default
- tialaramex 5y ago
  Right. As you would desire and hopefully expect, even if it might be technically possible to squeeze out slightly better compression with some non-free technology, it's very attractive for everybody to agree on the free things instead. The FSF even offers this as one of the few reasons you wouldn't use Copyleft. It actually would be better for society if everybody copy-pastes the Opus code and refuses to let you see their source code, than for them to use a proprietary codec instead.
LinAGKar 5y ago
I'm pretty sure it used to use Speex
- delusional 5y ago
  Isn't that Ventrilo?
  - ohgodplsno 5y ago
    Mumble did use Speex too. I4ve heard the "This is an example of Speex" voice line spinning around my head too many times every time I set up mumble.
- nemetroid 5y ago
  According to a 2019 pull request[1]: > Speex was the first audio codec we used, until it was superseded by CELT in 2009 (Mumble 1.2.0), which in turn was superseded by Opus in 2011 (Mumble 1.2.4). > We retained support for [Speex] for 10 years and we believe all active servers are currently using Opus. 1: https://github.com/mumble-voip/mumble/pull/3812 https://github.com/mumble-voip/mumble/pull/3812
abhiminator 5y ago
I believe Discord also uses Opus codec IIRC. But wonderful to see the codec in a fully open-source project. Added noise suppression would also be great, especially a FOSS-based one (Discord uses AI-based noise suppression from Krisp [0] -- a Berkeley, CA based for-profit startup). I'm curious if there are any FOSS community projects in this noise suppression space. Given the rapid rise in WFH culture post covid-19, I can see an explosion in demand for s/w products in this space. [0] https://krisp.ai/ https://krisp.ai/
- theelous3 5y ago
  Except via discord, the quality is throttled and a bunch of random decisions are made about what to do with your audio outside of the codec. Drives me up the walls when I mention discords awful quality and people just say "I don't know what you're talking about they have the same codec". It's only a piece of the puzzle. Not to mention the constant robotting because some of their servers are melting or something. Host your own voice comms :) Even the cheapest 2€ a month box can handle a decent sized party with no issues.
  - Macha 5y ago
    The issue is that Discord's audio processing is focused on mitigating the impact of the worst audio setups, not preserving the quality of the best, and I don't even think that's the wrong focus given their casual target market
    - theelous3 5y ago
      I'd believe this if they didn't offer higher quality as a paid feature. And why is there no passthrough mode setting for voice channels? Plenty of people out there with decent usb mics and a cheap little dac/amp setup.
      - deleted 5y ago
        [deleted]
      - 5y ago
Hydraulix989 5y ago
I used to work on 3D language learning apps in VR. The voice audio chat was always a problem until I started using Opus. Combine Opus with 3D audio, and it sounds very lifelike and clear, almost as if you are in the same room as the other person!
botverse 5y ago
Stadia uses Opus as well

jtsiskin 5y ago

Most calls on the web are using it. It’s the webrtc default

tialaramex 5y ago
Right. As you would desire and hopefully expect, even if it might be technically possible to squeeze out slightly better compression with some non-free technology, it's very attractive for everybody to agree on the free things instead. The FSF even offers this as one of the few reasons you wouldn't use Copyleft. It actually would be better for society if everybody copy-pastes the Opus code and refuses to let you see their source code, than for them to use a proprietary codec instead.

LinAGKar 5y ago

I'm pretty sure it used to use Speex

delusional 5y ago
Isn't that Ventrilo?
- ohgodplsno 5y ago
  Mumble did use Speex too. I4ve heard the "This is an example of Speex" voice line spinning around my head too many times every time I set up mumble.
nemetroid 5y ago
According to a 2019 pull request[1]: > Speex was the first audio codec we used, until it was superseded by CELT in 2009 (Mumble 1.2.0), which in turn was superseded by Opus in 2011 (Mumble 1.2.4). > We retained support for [Speex] for 10 years and we believe all active servers are currently using Opus. 1: https://github.com/mumble-voip/mumble/pull/3812 https://github.com/mumble-voip/mumble/pull/3812

abhiminator 5y ago

I believe Discord also uses Opus codec IIRC. But wonderful to see the codec in a fully open-source project. Added noise suppression would also be great, especially a FOSS-based one (Discord uses AI-based noise suppression from Krisp [0] -- a Berkeley, CA based for-profit startup). I'm curious if there are any FOSS community projects in this noise suppression space. Given the rapid rise in WFH culture post covid-19, I can see an explosion in demand for s/w products in this space. [0] https://krisp.ai/ https://krisp.ai/

theelous3 5y ago
Except via discord, the quality is throttled and a bunch of random decisions are made about what to do with your audio outside of the codec. Drives me up the walls when I mention discords awful quality and people just say "I don't know what you're talking about they have the same codec". It's only a piece of the puzzle. Not to mention the constant robotting because some of their servers are melting or something. Host your own voice comms :) Even the cheapest 2€ a month box can handle a decent sized party with no issues.
- Macha 5y ago
  The issue is that Discord's audio processing is focused on mitigating the impact of the worst audio setups, not preserving the quality of the best, and I don't even think that's the wrong focus given their casual target market
  - theelous3 5y ago
    I'd believe this if they didn't offer higher quality as a paid feature. And why is there no passthrough mode setting for voice channels? Plenty of people out there with decent usb mics and a cheap little dac/amp setup.
    - deleted 5y ago
      [deleted]
    - 5y ago

Hydraulix989 5y ago

I used to work on 3D language learning apps in VR. The voice audio chat was always a problem until I started using Opus. Combine Opus with 3D audio, and it sounds very lifelike and clear, almost as if you are in the same room as the other person!

botverse 5y ago

Stadia uses Opus as well