Check the audio output device

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 4 views

Introduction

In this article, we will delve into a bug that affects the soundService in Firebot, a popular audio and video editing software. The bug, known as the soundService Audio Node Tracking Array Desync, causes the software to retain audio node elements permanently, leading to increased memory usage. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the bug, its symptoms, and the steps to reproduce it.

Current Behavior

The soundService in Firebot is responsible for managing audio nodes, which are used to play audio effects. However, when a tight play sound effect loop is used with more than 75 simultaneous media element effects, the soundService retains the audio node elements permanently. This is because the sound.play() function never runs beyond 75 audio elements, and as a result, the cleanup routine is never invoked.

Expected Behavior

The expected behavior is for the memory usage to return to normal after the audio effects have finished playing. However, due to the bug, the memory usage remains high, causing the software to become unresponsive and potentially leading to crashes.

Steps To Reproduce

To reproduce the bug, follow these steps:

Create a new effect: Create a new effect in Firebot by going to the "Effects" menu and selecting "New Effect".
Add a loop effect: Add a loop effect to the new effect by going to the "Effects" menu and selecting "Loop Effect". Set the loop count to 1,500.
Add a play audio effect: Inside the loop effect, add a play audio effect by going to the "Effects" menu and selecting "Play Audio Effect". Select a local short sound file and set the audio output device to a device that is not an overlay.
Remove headphones: Remove your headphones and run the loop effect.
Observe the memory usage: Observe the memory usage of Firebot and note that it remains high even after the audio effects have finished playing.

Version

The bug was observed in version v5.64.xyz of Firebot.

Operating System

The bug was observed on Windows 10.

Relevant Log Output

There is no relevant log output for this bug.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the soundService Audio Node Tracking Array Desync bug in Firebot causes the software to retain audio node elements permanently, leading to increased memory usage. This bug can be reproduced by following the steps outlined above. We hope that this article has provided a detailed explanation of the bug and its symptoms, and that it will be helpful in identifying and fixing the issue.

Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing this bug, here are some troubleshooting steps you can take:

Check the audio output device: Make sure that the audio output device is set to a device that is not an overlay.
Check the loop count: Make sure that the loop count is set to a value that is not too high.
Check the memory usage: Check the memory usage of Firebot and note that it remains high even after the audio effects have finished playing.
Update Firebot: Make sure that you are running the latest version of Firebot.

Workarounds

If you are unable to fix the bug, here are some workarounds you can try:

Use a lower loop count: Try reducing the loop count to a value that is lower than 75.
Use a different audio output device: Try setting the audio output device to a device that is not an overlay.
Use a different sound file: Try using a different sound file that is shorter in duration.

Future Development

We hope that this bug will be fixed in a future update of Firebot. In the meantime, we recommend using the workarounds outlined above to mitigate the issue.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank CKY and phroggie for reporting this bug and providing valuable feedback.

References

Issue 40729061
Q&A: soundService Audio Node Tracking Array Desync Bug =====================================================

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the soundService Audio Node Tracking Array Desync bug? A: The soundService Audio Node Tracking Array Desync bug is a bug in Firebot that causes the software to retain audio node elements permanently, leading to increased memory usage.

Q: What causes the bug? A: The bug is caused by a tight play sound effect loop with more than 75 simultaneous media element effects. This causes the soundService to retain the audio node elements permanently, as the sound.play() function never runs beyond 75 audio elements.

Q: What are the symptoms of the bug? A: The symptoms of the bug include increased memory usage, even after the audio effects have finished playing. This can cause the software to become unresponsive and potentially lead to crashes.

Q: How can I reproduce the bug? A: To reproduce the bug, follow these steps:

Create a new effect in Firebot.
Add a loop effect to the new effect.
Inside the loop effect, add a play audio effect.
Remove your headphones and run the loop effect.
Observe the memory usage of Firebot and note that it remains high even after the audio effects have finished playing.

Q: What operating systems is the bug observed on? A: The bug has been observed on Windows 10.

Q: What version of Firebot is the bug observed in? A: The bug has been observed in version v5.64.xyz of Firebot.

Q: Is there any relevant log output for the bug? A: No, there is no relevant log output for this bug.

Q: How can I troubleshoot the bug? A: To troubleshoot the bug, try the following:

Check the audio output device and make sure it is set to a device that is not an overlay.
Check the loop count and make sure it is not too high.
Check the memory usage of Firebot and note that it remains high even after the audio effects have finished playing.
Update Firebot to the latest version.

Q: Are there any workarounds for the bug? A: Yes, there are several workarounds for the bug, including:

Using a lower loop count.
Using a different audio output device.
Using a different sound file that is shorter in duration.

Q: Will the bug be fixed in a future update of Firebot? A: We hope that the bug will be fixed in a future update of Firebot. In the meantime, we recommend using the workarounds outlined above to mitigate the issue.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the bug? A: You can contact CKY and phroggie for more information about the bug.

Q: Where can I find more information about the bug? A: You can find more information about the bug on the Firebot issue tracker.

Q: Is the bug specific to Firebot or can it occur in other software as well? A: The bug is specific to Firebot and is not a general issue that can occur in other software.

Q: Can I report the bug to Firebot developers? A: Yes, you can report the bug to Firebot developers by submitting a new issue on the Firebot issue tracker.