Dreamcast and N64 - Audio Stutter

[OpenEnded]

Pi Model or other hardware: RPi4 B
Power Supply used: 5V 3A Power Supply
RetroPie Version Used: 4.7.1
Built From: Installing on top of an Existing OS - Raspbian on a Raspberry Pi (https://retropie.org.uk/download/), then followed https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Manual-Installation/.
EmulationStation: v2.9.6RP
USB Devices connected: Arcade controls x 2, Wireless USB for keyboard/mouse.
Controller used: Arcade controls, keyboard, 8BitDo SN30 Pro+
Error messages received: None
Guide used: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Manual-Installation/ for the install, plus I've gone through a ton of Reddit/RetroPie.org.uk forums posts related to audio issues, with no luck.
File: Not sure what the "issue" file. Likely several! Request, and I shall provide.
Emulator: Attempted with reicast, redream, lr-flycast (Dreamcast emulators) and lr-mupen64plus-next (N64). Same issues.
Attachment of config files: Which specific config files would you like to see?
How to replicate the problem: From EmulationStation, select your Dreamcast/N64 games of choice. Specifically, I've been testing with CrazyTaxi (Dreamcast) or 007 - The World is Not Enough, Bust-A-Move 2 - Arcade (N64). I randomly tried a few other games from both N64 and Dreamcast, and they all have the same audio stuttering issues.

Aside from the above notes, here are some additional details.

1. I have not overclocked anything. All those configurations would be default.
2. I'm using Aux audio, via "headphone". This is both set in the OS and in EmulationStation.
3. When playing CrazyTaxi, I notice that the stuttering is much more prominent when you crash or are driving on any grass. If you are on a road and going through a long, straight stretch of road without having to dodge obstacles, barely any stutter (if any).
4. Stuttering in 007 occurs right at the menu, with the menu music.
5. This setup is using a 24" monitor.
6. I setup another, separate RPi4, going through the same setup instructions as above, but using a 70" TV, and have the exact same issues.
7. I tried uncommenting and changing the hdmi_group and hdmi_mode options in the config.txt, but no audio improvement.....just poor video!
8. I tried several different video output options at game launch from EmulationStation, but no audio change.

I'm stumped. And I've seen plenty of videos and have read tons of posts where others on an RPi4 are not having these issues. I'm guessing this will be something fairly simple to correct!

Thanks in advance!

[Zering]

@openended Have you tried reducing the resolution and enabling frameskip for Dreamcast?
Stuttering in menus in N64 games is pretty unavoidable, even on overclocked rigs. Try mupen64plus-gluden64 instead of lr-mupen64, the speed is often better. The secret to N64 emulation on the pi is knowing which driver to use for each game.
Also Reicast is pretty obsolete at this point I think.

[OpenEnded]

@zering See my points #7 and #8. Not sure if there is another place that resolution can be reduced? I went down to 640x480 at lowest.....audio still stutters. Although, where do you enable frameskip for Dreamcast?

And I can't find mupen64plus-gluden64 in Optional or Experimental packages. Installed, I have:

1. lr-mupen64plus-next
2. lr-mupen64plus
3. mupen64plus-gles2n64
4. mupen64plus-gles2rice
5. mupen64plus-GLideN64-highres
6. mupen64plus-GLideN64

I guess I should try each one of those?

[Zering]

@openended That was a typo. Gliden, not gluden. So option 6.
In lr-flycast, open up the retroarch menu. Frameskip is in the options. Redream also has a frameskip option in its dedicated menu.
Bearing in mind that even with an overclocked rig some dreamcast games still stutter occasionally.

[Clyde]

@zering said in Dreamcast and N64 - Audio Stutter:

@openended That was a typo. Gliden, not gluden.

Gluten? 😁

[Zering]

@clyde I knew someone would say it ^^

[dankcushions]

try mupen64plus-gliden64. it should be the best performance and compatibility in general, but be warned that it's quite normal for n64 to exhibit poor performance on pi4, but several games can perform pretty well.

I tried uncommenting and changing the hdmi_group and hdmi_mode options in the config.txt, but no audio improvement.....just poor video!

from what to what? i suggest a 1080p60 mode in your config.txt (please provide copies of all configs you edit.). any further lowering of resolution you need to do can be done via the runcommand, although personally i leave everything at 1080p.

please also provide /opt/retropie/configs/n64/mupen64plus.cfg