Sound-effect settings

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Only a few sound files can be used unaltered, without variation or volume changes. They just don't seem to fit in with the other sounds. RPG-Soundmixer allows you to change many of the parameters for each sound-effect which will solve most problems. These parameters will be explained here.

Also, you can view the length of the sound file in the sound-effect settings window, which may be helpful in adjusting the timing of sound-banks. If the sound-effect is using a random frequency change it will alter the duration of the sound.

You can easily navigate through all sound-effects in the current sound-bank by using the buttons "previous sound-effect" and "next sound-effect".

Settings:

·	If the volume of the sound is so low that even the maximum volume setting is not enough, you can check the "Volume-Boost" check box. Keep in mind, though, that this change is "artificial" and generally over amplifies the sound's amplitude.

·	If the sound starts or ends too abruptly, you can use the "Soft Fade-In and Fade-Out" check box. If this option is activated, the file is faded in and out based on the total playing time.

·	Using the "Volume" throttle, you can raise or lower the volume of a sound event to make it better match the other sound events in the set. This volume setting only affects this particular file.

·	Using the "Volume variation" throttle, you can force the volume to vary in volume level each time it is played. The volume scale determines the highest volume variation possible. Each time the sound-effect is played, it will vary in volume based on the settings provided.

For experts: This setting will effect banks or sound-effects that are looped differently: it will change the files volume even during play-back.

·	The "Balance" field varies the apparent location of the sound. Your choices are centre, left, and right in different values, and variable positions, where the sound-effect's balance is determined randomly. Special balance effects (called "Paths") change the position of a sound during play-back.

·	The "Location" field allows you to add special reverb effects to the sound (for example mountains, hangar, forest, town, halls, caves, dream, etc). This influences the way the sound is generally perceived and improves its quality.

For experts: If a location mode is applied to a file, this particular file is not affected by SoundMixer's global location settings (q.v. The location mode).

·	To change the frequency of the sound file, activate the Frequency check box. After doing so, the "Edit Frequency" throttle appears, which enables you to change the sound file's frequency. To restore the sound's original frequency, simply click on the "Original frequency" button.

·	If you'd like the sound's frequency to vary during play-back use the "Frequency variation" throttle. The frequency scale determines the highest frequency variation possible. Each time you play the sound-effect, it will have a random frequency within the determined range.

For experts: This setting affects banks or sound-effects that are looped differently: it changes the files frequency even during play-back.

·	If you'd like to add an echo effect to the sound file, activate the Echo feedback check box. The "Echo feedback" throttle lets you determine the echo's general intensity.

·	The "Echo delay" throttle determines the spans between the echo phases.

Note: When playing a file, it's echo is varied in order to make it seem more realistic.

To preview the selected file, click on the "Play sound-effect" button. The file will then be played in looped mode with all the settings you selected.

The button "Play sound-effect with other sound-banks" will also play the selected file, but will also play the current sound-event's other sound-banks. This button mainly serves the purpose of fine tuning the volume, so that the sound is not too quiet or too loud when played with other sound-banks.

To simplify the handling, each option includes a "*" (Apply settings to all sound-effects files within this sound-bank) button.

For experts: When the settings for options affecting the variations (volume variation and frequency variation) are applied to all sound-effects, the relative share of the actual value (volume resp. frequency) is applied rather than the actual value.

(q.v. Examples of sound-banks)