Modder turns Steam Controller trackpad haptics into stereo speakers with custom HID tool — Wired connection transmits 16-bit audio that sounds surprisingly full
A modder has figured out how to send an audio stream to the Steam Controller's haptic motors in order to make them play pretty much anything. While the wireless connection over the puck is limited, audio quality over a USB cable is genuinely impressive for a device with no speakers.
Modder Pixel1011 has developed a custom HID tool called Steam Haptics Player to transform the Steam Controller's haptic motors into stereo speakers. The Steam Controller, Valve's second-gen model, has gained popularity among the community due to Valve's open approach to hardware. Modders have already found creative uses for the haptic motors, including moving the controller across a desk and automatic charging.
The Steam Haptics Player takes an audio file, processes it through FFmpeg, and sends the resulting PCM stream directly to the controller's motors. This bypasses high-level software, allowing for the transmission of 16-bit audio over the wired connection. However, due to the limitations of the puck's radio signal, wireless audio quality suffers from compression, crackling, and popping.
Despite these issues, the 16-bit audio still produces a surprisingly loud and balanced sound that can deceive listeners. Pixel1011's creation can be used with any audio file in any format by downloading the GitHub archive, installing FFmpeg, and running the program through a PowerShell window.
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