Dynamic Audio Mixers

Overview

Advanced AudioMixer configuration and runtime control. Covers snapshots, ducking, exposed parameters, and real-time audio effects.

When to Use

•Use for volume control (settings menus)
•Use for audio ducking (dialogue/music)
•Use for context-based snapshots (underwater, combat)
•Use for dynamic effects (lowpass, reverb zones)
•Use for optimized audio pooling

Architecture

code

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                   AUDIO MIXER HIERARCHY                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                             │
│                      [MASTER]                               │
│                         │                                   │
│      ┌──────────┬───────┴───────┬──────────┐               │
│      ▼          ▼               ▼          ▼               │
│  [MUSIC]    [SFX]          [AMBIENT]   [VOICE]            │
│      │          │               │          │               │
│  ┌───┴───┐  ┌───┴───┐      ┌───┴───┐     │               │
│  Low Med  UI Combat       Nature  City                     │
│                                                             │
│  SNAPSHOTS: [Default] [Combat] [Pause] [Underwater]        │
│                                                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Key Features

Feature	Use
Groups	Organize audio by type
Exposed Parameters	Runtime volume control
Snapshots	Preset mixer states
Send/Receive	Shared effects (reverb bus)
Effects	Lowpass, EQ, Compressor

Common Patterns

Pattern	Implementation
Volume Settings	Expose group volume, use slider
Dialogue Ducking	Snapshot lowers music during voice
Underwater	Lowpass + Reverb snapshot
Pause Menu	Snapshot pauses SFX, keeps music
Combat	Snapshot boosts impact sounds

Best Practices

•✅ Expose Master, Music, SFX, Voice volumes
•✅ Use dB logarithmic conversion for sliders
•✅ Create snapshots for different contexts
•✅ Use Send for shared reverb effects
•✅ Transition between snapshots smoothly
•❌ NEVER hardcode volume values
•❌ NEVER skip the mixer hierarchy
•❌ NEVER use linear 0-1 directly for volume

Few-Shot Examples

Example 1: Volume Slider

User: "Connect slider to music volume."

Agent:

csharp

[SerializeField] private AudioMixer _mixer;
[SerializeField] private Slider _musicSlider;

private void Start()
{
    _musicSlider.onValueChanged.AddListener(SetMusicVolume);
}

public void SetMusicVolume(float value)
{
    // Convert 0-1 to -80dB to 0dB
    float dB = value > 0.001f ? Mathf.Log10(value) * 20f : -80f;
    _mixer.SetFloat("MusicVolume", dB);
}

Example 2: Dialogue Ducking

User: "Lower music when character speaks."

Agent:

csharp

// Create "Ducking" snapshot with Music at -10dB

public void StartDialogue()
{
    _mixer.TransitionToSnapshots(
        new[] { _duckingSnapshot }, 
        new[] { 1f }, 
        0.3f);
}

public void EndDialogue()
{
    _mixer.TransitionToSnapshots(
        new[] { _defaultSnapshot }, 
        new[] { 1f }, 
        0.5f);
}

Example 3: Underwater Effect

User: "Muffle audio when player is underwater."

Agent:

csharp

// Create "Underwater" snapshot:
// - Master: Lowpass Cutoff 800Hz
// - Add Reverb: Wet 30%

public void EnterWater()
{
    _mixer.TransitionToSnapshots(
        new[] { _underwaterSnapshot }, 
        new[] { 1f }, 
        0.5f);
}

Volume Conversion Formula

csharp

// Linear 0-1 to Decibels -80 to 0
float LinearToDecibel(float linear) 
    => linear > 0.0001f ? Mathf.Log10(linear) * 20f : -80f;

// Decibels to Linear 0-1
float DecibelToLinear(float dB) 
    => Mathf.Pow(10f, dB / 20f);

Related Skills

•@audio-soundscape-architect - Core audio system
•@juice-game-feel - Audio feedback
•@save-load-serialization - Persist volume settings