Modern Warfare 3 Best Audio Settings: Hear Footsteps Better!

Read our detailed and comprehensive guide to find out the best possible settings to maximize audio in Modern Warfare 3.

When it comes to the Call Of Duty franchise, the player base has always been massive. And as competitive as the player base is, I know as we wait for the multiplayer release of Modern Warfare 3, most of you plan on getting an edge on the other players using certain tactics. One of these tactics is better audio than others, so keeping that in mind, I’ve prepared a guide on the best audio settings for Modern Warfare 3.

Key Takeaways

Here are the best settings for improved audio in Modern Warfare 3:

  • Audio Mix: Headphones
  • Master Volume: 100
  • Gameplay Music Volume: 0
  • Dialogue Volume: 0
  • Effects Volume: 100
  • Voice Chat Volume: 50
  • Cinematic Music Volume: 10
  • Subtitles: All Off
  • Mono Audio: Off
  • Reduce Tinnitus Sound: Off
  • Juggernaut Music: Off
  • Hit Marker Sound Effects: Preference
Before getting into the recommendations, make sure to check if your audio drivers are updated. Here’s how to do so:

  1. Press Windows + X on your keyboard.
  2. Now, click on Device Manager->Sound->Video->Game Controllers.
  3. Right-click the audio device your PC is using and click on Update driver.
  4. Click on Search automatically for drivers.
  5. After completing the process, restart your PC to apply any changes.

Audio Mix: Headphones

The first setting I recommend is to set the Audio Mix option to Headphones. Although the Headphone’s Bass Boost setting gives a louder base audio, it’s a bit overkill and can clutter audio. The Headphones setting should be the best option if you have high-quality headphones.

Audio Mix setting set to Headphones in Modern Warfare 3
Audio Mix: Headphones-Image By eXputer

Master Volume: 100

This is more of a base setting that you will expand upon with further settings. So, my recommendation is to set the Master Volume to 100. With the other settings you’re gonna be tweaking, by setting the Master Volume to 100, you’re making sure all the audio you actually need is set to max. 

Master Volume setting set to 100 in Modern Warfare 3
Master Volume: 100-Image By eXputer

Gameplay Music Volume: 0

Now, since this guide is focused on the competitive side of Modern Warfare 3, I recommend you set the Gameplay Music Volume to 0 since the music provided by the game doesn’t play any part in the actual gameplay, and turning it off would no doubt, be the best option so you can focus more on the footsteps and gunshots that actually matter in winning the matches when multiplayer is released.

Gameplay Music Volume setting set to 0 in Modern Warfare 3
Gameplay Music Volume: 0-Image By eXputer

Dialogue Volume: 0

Much like the Music Volume, the Dialogue Volume is also a formality. I can assure you that setting this option to 0 will not affect your gameplay. Rather, it’s gonna be even better since the dialogue in the game is pointless from a competitive aspect anyway. So, unless you’re playing the campaign, I’d recommend you set the Dialogue Volume to 0 for the best possible audio in Modern Warfare 3.

Dialogue Volume: 0-Image By eXputer

Effects Volume: 100

This is the first important setting for the best possible audio in Modern Warfare 3. You want to be able to hear all those footsteps, gunshots, audio cues, etc, the best you can, and that’s exactly what the Effects setting is. So, set the Effects Volume to 100 to get the most out of every situation where audio is necessary in this game.

Effects Volume: 100-Image By eXputer

Voice Chat Volume: 50

This one is more of a preference setting and won’t affect your gameplay in any way. Once multiplayer is released and you wanna squad up with your buddies, just check and see whether you can hear them properly and that the chat audio doesn’t hinder the actual game audio, and you can still hear gameplay audio cues properly. So, increase or decrease the voice chat volume as you see fit. But 50 works best for me.

Voice Chat Volume: 50-Image By eXputer

Cinematic Music Volume: 10

Unlike the Gameplay Music Volume, the Cinematic Music Volume does play a part in gameplay but is more of a coolness factor since you only hear it during cutscenes. So, while this is a preference setting, I recommend you set this to at least 10 so you can hear the awesome cutscenes. It is a game, after all, so you might as well enjoy the fun parts.

Cinematic Music Volume: 10-Image By eXputer

Subtitles: All Off

You should keep Subtitles all off if you don’t care about hearing the dialogue in the game. Sometimes, I find that when you’re focusing on stuff like gunshots and footsteps, it’s difficult to pay attention to character dialogue, and since I recommended you set dialogue volume to 0, you should also turn Subtitles off to reduce any screen clutter and pay attention to the audio.

Subtitles: All Off-Image By eXputer
 Note: For those who are playing the campaign and unable to hear dialogue properly, keep Subtitles on and set to Default

Mono Audio: Off

Disabling Mono Audio in Modern Warfare 3 is crucial for optimal gameplay. By turning it off, I unlocked a much better sound experience, giving me a strategic edge by pinpointing enemy movements precisely. This setting enhances immersion, elevating the gaming experience to new levels on the virtual battlefield. Disabling Mono Audio sharpens awareness, so I recommend you turn it off.

Mono Audio: Off-Image By eXputer

Reduce Tinnitus Sound: Off

Disabling reduced tinnitus Sound is essential for an immersive and competitive gaming experience. Turning it off eliminates potential distractions, ensuring you catch every vital audio cue on the battlefield. This strategic choice enhances awareness and focus, offering a distinct advantage in the fast-paced world of multiplayer warfare. So, definitely turn this setting off for a better audio experience.

Reduce Tinnitus Sound: Off-Image By eXputer

Juggernaut Music: Off

Similar to the Gameplay Music Volume setting, Juggernaut Music is just another one of the game’s music settings and it should be turned off for the best possible audio in Modern Warfare 3. Since the music might interfere with the important audio of the game, every music setting I’ve recommended be turned off, and the same goes for Juggernaut Music.

Juggernaut Music: Off-Image By eXputer

Hit Marker Sound Effects: Preference

Ah, hit markers, quite possibly the backbone of not just Call Of Duty but every first-person shooter. Those juicy, juicy hit markers. This will be a preference setting, but don’t you dare ignore it. You’ll hear hit markers the most while playing the game, so make sure to pick a setting best suited to your liking. Although the Modern Warfare setting is pretty good, nothing beats the sound of the Classic setting for me.

Hit Marker Sound Effects: Modern Warfare-Image By eXputer

My Final Thoughts

Just like video settings are essential for playing games on a competitive level. Similarly, audio settings are necessary to enhance the experience and gain a competitive edge over opponents. While we all get ready for Activision to release the multiplayer, I hope this guide helped you find the best audio settings for Modern Warfare 3.

Here are more error fix guides that you might want to read for MW3 on eXputer:

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Hashim Muhammad Nadeem


Hashim is a Junior Error Fixes Writer at eXputer. Hashim has been obsessed with games ever since his Xbox 360 days. Whether it was shooting down zombies on COD Black Ops 2, racing past players in Need for Speed Most Wanted 2 or beating up Frieza in Dragon Ball Raging Blast 2. With more than 1,000+ hours of gaming, you can trust Hashim when it comes to fixing errors! Experience: 2+ years || Education: Bachelors of Data Science || Worked for ComputerVerge || Written 50+ Articles || Covers Error Fixes

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