GTMF June 2012

Martin Dufour – Lead Software Developer

Aya Watanabe – Interpreter, Translator

Agenda

• Company and product overview

• Dynamic mixing techniques

Audiokinetic

• 15 employees based in Montreal, Canada

• Privately founded in 2003

• Fall 2012 - opening an office in Japan • Localized sales, support and documentation

4

Audiokinetic Services

• Game audio middleware

• Wwise and associated plug-ins

• Consultation

• Custom Development

• Training

• Audio Production

5

Plug-In Technology Partners

6

Wwise

• Audio Pipeline Solution

• Advanced authoring application and in-game sound engine

• Workflow centered around the sound designer

• Reduces programmer dependencies

• Mature product • 1st version shipped in 2006

• Now 20th release

• 200+ games shipped

• Clients in America, Europe and Asia

Wwise Platform Support

• Microsoft: Xbox 360, Windows, Windows Phone 8

• Sony: PS3, PS Vita

• Nintendo: Wii, Wii U, 3DS

• Apple: iOS, Mac

• Google: Android, Native Client

Wwise Production Pipeline

Profile

Author

Simulate

Integrate Mix

Dynamic Mixing

10

Dynamic Mixing: Definition

• Dynamically change the audio mix based on the game situation

11

Dynamic Mixing: Goals

• Reduce repetition

• Increase realism and immersion

• Add emotion to gaming experience

• Focus on what’s important

12

Dynamic Mixing: Techniques

• Modifying properties • Volume, Pitch, Low-pass filter

• Routing Volumes, Reverb Level, EQ Bandwidth

• Controlling playback

• Play, Pause, Stop

13

Dynamic Mixing: Targets

• Atomic: individual audio object • car engine or gun shot

• Group: audio objects in relationship with each other • music or dialogue

• Global: the entire audio scene

14

Dynamic Mixing: Inputs

• Game Inputs • Events

• Jump, Shoot

• States

• Invincible, Under Water

• Continuous Parameters

• Speed, Distance, Time Of Day

• Other Modulation Sources

• Randomization

• Envelopes / Low-Frequency Oscillators

• Audio Mix (“Side-Chaining”)

15

Example: Snowboard

• Board Angle continuous game parameter • Modulates sliding sound and music volume

• Jump and Land game events • Trigger major changes in mix

16

Example: Gun

• Mix layers based on distance game parameter

Sound 1: High frequency

Sound 2: Full band

Sound 3: Low frequency

Sound 4: Distant

17

Example: Crowd

• Excitement game parameter

18

Example: Super Hero

• Time Machine with three states • Normal

• Slow Down

• Speed Up

• State changes as complex events

• State-specific Punch and Bullet events

19

Side-Chaining

Dialogue Music

‘Master’ signal is calculated To reduce ‘slave’ music level

20

Advanced Side-Chaining

21

Conclusion

• Dynamic Mixing • Helps gamers to focus on important aspects of gameplay

• Increases realism and immersion

• Reduce repetition and fatigue

• Enhance emotion and gaming experience

• Wwise • Unleashes the mixing skills of the Sound Designer

• Free to download: evaluate and prototype