reforger-surround

PipeWire/PulseAudio helper for exposing Arma Reforger's 5.1 output on Linux.

This project has two parts to running:

• Create a temporary 5.1 sink so Reforger negotiates surround channels.
• Manually open the Carla EQ project and wire it to your real stereo output.

Watching the graph in qpwgraph is recommended while testing.

Requirements

• PipeWire with PulseAudio compatibility
• Arma Reforger through Steam/Proton
• Carla
• LSP VST Plugins

For the Carla EQ stage on Arch:

sudo pacman -S carla lsp-plugins-vst

Normal Use (after first time install)

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Optional - Install script as a callable service

install -Dm755 reforger-surround ~/.local/bin/reforger-surround

If you choose not to install it, you can refer to it by running like a standard bash script ie. cd to the project directory and use ./reforger-surround to run.

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Installation

Due to program restrictions on both Arma and Carla, there is a three part process to installing first time.

Part 1. Expose Reforger 5.1 Channel

First time install

reforger-surround up
# launch Arma Reforger manually
reforger-surround expose
reforger-surround restore
reforger-surround check

This creates the 5.1 sink, makes it default, launches Reforger, waits for the game audio stream, restores your previous default device, then exposes Reforger back to the 5.1 sink.

After installing

reforger-surround launch

If launch errors or times out, use the manual flow from first time install.

If Reforger negotiates only 2ch, restart the game and investigate manually with qpwgraph, reforger-surround status, and pactl list sink-inputs.

Expected final QPWGraph wiring:

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Part 2. Open ReforgerEQ Carla

Open reforger-audio.carxp through Carla:

• Launch Carla
• Click on Open
• Open reforger-audio.carxp

Recommended (optional) KDE one-click launcher for start menu:

• Right click the start menu or open Menu Editor
• Choose Edit Applications.
• Create a new item.
• Name: Reforger EQ Carla
• Program: pw-jack
• Command line arguments: /usr/bin/python3 /usr/share/carla/carla --with-appname=carla --with-libprefix=/usr /path/to/reforger-audio.carxp

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Part 3. Carla Output Wiring

If you want to use qpwgraph to do this step, feel free. Be aware that it (sometimes) won't auto-wire when ReforgerEQ Carla gets reset. Using Carla's patchbay means it will always link itself to what is saved in the .carxp file.

Enter carla, click on the small tab patchbay and wire Carla outputs to your real output device's playback ports:

Output 1 -> playback_FL
Output 2 -> playback_FR
Output 3 -> playback_FL and playback_FR
Output 4 -> playback_FL
Output 5 -> playback_FR

Carla patchbay example:

'Speakers' is a generic device, your device name may vary.

Useful Commands

reforger-surround up       # create sink, save default, make 5.1 default
reforger-surround launch   # up, launch Steam app, wait for stream, restore
reforger-surround restore  # restore previous default, then expose Reforger
reforger-surround expose   # move running Reforger stream to the 5.1 sink
reforger-surround check    # report whether Reforger is 2ch or 6ch
reforger-surround down     # restore default and unload the 5.1 sink

Configuration

REFORGER_SURROUND_SINK_NAME=reforger_surround_51
REFORGER_SURROUND_DESCRIPTION="Reforger Surround 5.1"
REFORGER_SURROUND_APP_NAME="Arma Reforger"
REFORGER_SURROUND_STEAM_URI=steam://rungameid/1874880
REFORGER_SURROUND_WAIT_SECONDS=90

LFE is silent even when Reforger is outputting 6ch.