Mumble (computer software)

Infobox Software
name = Mumble



caption =
author = Thorvald Natvig
developer =
released =
latest release version = 1.1.6
latest release date = September 13, 2008
latest preview version =
latest preview date =
programming language = Qt
operating system = Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux
platform =
language =
genre = VoIP client and server
license = GPL
website = [http://mumble.sourceforge.net mumble.sf.net]

Mumble is a free, open-source, cross-platform voice over IP application. Its primary users are gamers, and it is similar to programs such as TeamSpeak and Ventrilo. It uses a Client-server architecture where users who want to talk connect to the same server.

Mumble's stated design goal is not to create the most elite gaming utility but to create the most social one. The goal is to recreate the feel and social interaction of a LAN party. As such, Mumble has a very simple administrative interface and most of the engineering effort is put into sound quality.

As of 2007, no official statistics exists to verify the proportion of VoIP gamers using the different programs, but as it is new, it is assumed that Mumble has less market penetration than its commercial competitors.

As of version 1.1, all communication is encrypted to ensure user privacy.

Channel hierarchy

A mumble server (called murmur) has a Root channel and a hierarchy of channels beneath it. Users can link channels together to temporarily create large virtual channels. This is useful during larger events where you'll have a small group of chatting users in a channel, but they will be linked to a common channel with other users to hear announcements. It also matches well with team-based FPS games.

Each channel has an associates set of groups and access control lists which control user permissions. The system is fairly complex allowing many different usage scenarios, but this complexity also makes it hard to configure.

Sound quality

Mumble uses Speex not only as a voice codec, but also for noise reduction and automatic gain control.

Mumble is optimized for low latency, resulting in faster communication.

Overlay

There is an integrated overlay for use in games. The overlay shows who is talking and what linked channel they are in. As of version 1.0, users can upload their own avatars to represent themselves in the overlay, creating a much more personalized experience.

As of version 1.1, the overlay works with most Direct3D 9 and OpenGL games on Windows and with OpenGL games on Linux.

Server integration

Mumble is designed to fit into an existing social structure for gamers. As such, the server is fully remote controllable over D-Bus. Channels can be created, users moved and even new virtual servers created.

An example is included which shows how to use this integration to connect the server to a Battlefield 2 server and automatically place users in channels matching the right team and squad.Another included example shows how to authenticate connecting users through a phpBB database which will avoid duplicate user/password information.

See also

* Ventrilo
* TeamSpeak
* Roger Wilco

External links

* http://mumble.sourceforge.net/