1. Audio Metering for Game Developers

2. Jason Cobb Game Audio Design GL33k The Sound Department – Austin

3. Game Audio Metering Room Survey

4. Who uses audio meters to examine game sound output levels on a regular basis?

5. Game Audio Metering Room Survey Who uses audio meters to examine game sound output levels on a regular basis? Who considered metering but has not set it up?

6. Game Audio Metering Room Survey Who uses audio meters to examine game sound output levels on a regular basis? Who considered metering but has not set it up? Who is unfamiliar with audio metering?

7. Audio Meters are a Fixed Frame of Reference Playback systems color sound output Listening environments are different Amplification is variable Listener fatigue changes perception of loudness Individuals hear things differently

8. Audio Meters Provide Useful Information Warnings for loudness issues and signal clipping Visualization of levels and spectral response Practical metrics for discussion of mix changes and audio modulation Coordinate sound teams and inform other disciplines

9. Game Audio Metering Potential Users Audio Directors and Mix Engineers Established tools for audio production Stay on top of the mix Loudness consistency across game levels implemented by a team

10. Game Audio Metering Potential Users Audio Directors and Mix Engineers Established tools for audio production Stay on top of the mix Loudness consistency across game levels implemented by a team Audio Programmers and Designers Check reference of sounds implemented Log audible result of audio modulations Debug audio engine errors

11. Game Audio Metering Potential Users Quality Assurance Identify cases of over-modulation Gain insight into audio bugs Verify adherence to technical standards

12. Game Audio Metering Potential Users Quality Assurance Identify cases of over-modulation Gain insight into audio bugs Verify adherence to technical standards Production and Marketing Avoid distorted game capture audio Reminder to sometimes mute channels in game captures (Record only sound effects in game captures and add voice and music in post)

13. Audio Meter Types Peak Program (PPM) Identify signal peaks Root Mean Squared (RMS) Identify average loudness Frequency Weighted Loudness (VU, CBS, ITU BS.1770) Illustrate loudness in context of hearing

14. Audio Meter Types Signal Phase Comparison Illustrate differences between channels Multiband Filtered Illustrate bands of frequency response Spectral Transform Illustrate signal frequency response Time graphs and statistics View level history

15. Game Audio Meter Calibration Calibration test tones in game Noise, Sine, Sweep, Transient Game audio channel options at full volume Or an agreed-upon calibration volume No attenuation between game output and meters Gain and stereo balance at unity

16. Game Audio Meter Calibration View level of test tones in meters Verify levels match reference values Adjust gain trim to compensate Offset any direct current Set meter type, scale, zero, and ballistics

17. Game Audio Sources Game engine or audio middleware self-metering Digital stereo and matrix surround Digital encoded surround sound Analog mono / stereo / surround Analog matrix surround sound

18. Audio Metering Setup Options Developers workstation sound card input Virtual audio cable Input meter routing in session of primary audio workstation Spare audio workstation Mobile recording laptop rig

19. Digital Audio Connections Digital Audio Optical Splitter Passive device Ground isolation

20. Digital Audio Connections

22. Digital Audio Coaxial 75 Ohm passive video splitter Digital Audio Router Handle multiple sources Mixed-type connections

23. Analog Audio Connections Consumer Stereo Audio Splitter RCA plugs with taps RCA Y-splitters and cables Impedance adapters Consumer Headphone Connections Stereo mini-jack splitters Inline volume trim Micro-jack adapters

24. Analog Audio Connections

26. Audio Metering Software Orban Loudness Meter

27. Audio Metering Software Audiofile Engineering Spectre

28. Audio Metering Software Programmable Analysis Software Spectrum Analyzer Pro

29. Audio Metering Software Pinguin Audio Meter Pro

30. Audio Metering Software Metric Halo SpectraFoo

31. Audio Metering Plug-Ins Roger Nichols Digital Inspector

32. Audio Metering Plug-Ins Roger Nichols Digital Inspector XL

33. Audio Metering Plug-Ins Flux Stereo Tool

34. Audio Metering Plug-Ins Digidesign Trillium Lane Labs MasterMeter

35. Audio Metering Plug-Ins Digidesign PhaseScope and SurroundScope

36. Audio Metering Plug-Ins Digidesign Dolby Surround Tools

37. Audio Metering Plug-Ins Neyrinck SoundCode

38. Audio Metering Plug-Ins Waves PAZ Analyzer

39. Audio Metering Plug-Ins Waves Dorrough Stereo and 360

40. Audio Metering Plug-Ins Nugen Audio Visualizer

41. Blue Cat Audio Analysis Pack Audio Metering Plug-Ins

42. Bias Reveal

43. Audio Metering Plug-Ins TC Electronic LM5 Loudness Radar

44. Game Audio Metering Takeaways

45. Use as a starting point for sound implementation volume levels

46. Game Audio Metering Takeaways Use as a starting point for sound implementation volume levels Coordinate work of multiple implementers

47. Game Audio Metering Takeaways Use as a starting point for sound implementation volume levels Coordinate work of multiple implementers Keep in view and mix as you implement

48. Game Audio Metering Takeaways Use as a starting point for sound implementation volume levels Coordinate work of multiple implementers Keep in view and mix as you implement Minimize mixing at the end of the project

49. Game Audio Metering Takeaways Use optical digital audio if possible

50. Game Audio Metering Takeaways Use optical digital audio if possible Use analog audio when limited by gear or situation

51. Game Audio Metering Takeaways Use optical digital audio if possible Use analog audio when limited by gear or situation Calibration signals in the dev game

52. Game Audio Metering Takeaways Use optical digital audio if possible Use analog audio when limited by gear or situation Calibration signals in the dev game Verify meters are calibrated

53. Game Audio Metering Takeaways Use optical digital audio if possible Use analog audio when limited by gear or situation Calibration signals in the dev game Verify meters are calibrated Instruct team how to use audio meters

54. Game Audio Metering Takeaways Audio meters are useful for playback system calibration but are not a substitute for it

55. Game Audio Metering Takeaways Audio meters are useful for playback system calibration but are not a substitute for it Audio meters are not hard and once they are set-up, you will find yourself using them more often

56. Game Audio Metering Takeaways Audio meters are useful for playback system calibration but are not a substitute for it Audio meters are not hard and once they are set-up, you will find yourself using them more often Familiarity with sound level properties is enhanced by regular use of audio meters