Sound operators

These are the root sound operators referenced in Portal 2. See scripts/sound_operator_stacks.txt and Soundscripts#Operator stacks for more details.

To chain operators together, values can be set to @prev_op_name.property_name to read a value. For vectors the names can be appended with an index in square brackets to set/get a specific value.

Todo: Make this more beginner-friendy?

Usage

VFX.LightFlickerEnd 
{
	channel		CHAN_AUTO
	soundlevel	SNDLVL_105db
	volume		1.0
	rndwave
	{
		wave		"vfx/light_flicker/light_flicker_end_01.wav"
		wave		"vfx/light_flicker/light_flicker_end_02.wav"
		wave		"vfx/light_flicker/light_flicker_end_03.wav"
		wave		"vfx/light_flicker/light_flicker_end_04.wav"
	}

	soundentry_version 2

	operator_stacks
	{
		start_stack // applied when the sound begins
		{
			import_stack 	"P2_exclusion_time_blocker_start" // defined in scripts/sound_operator_stacks.txt

			// We are now extending/configuring P2_exclusion_time_blocker_start

			block_entries // prevents another sound from playing
			{
				input_duration 0.25 // seconds to block for
				match_entry "World.LightFlickerEnd" // the sound entry to block
				match_entity false // only on the same entity that this sound is playing from?
			}
		}
	}
}

Common properties

execute_once

Whether the operator should run every time the stack is evaluated, or only the first time. Output values are presumable stored between executions in the latter case.

input_execute

The operator will only run if this value is true (i.e. non-zero).

output

The result of the operator (if there is one). Accessed with @OperatorName.output.

There is also one special command that is not an operator:

import_stack

Inserts another named stack into this one.

Operator list

System

Affect sound playback.

sys_stop_entries

Finds currently playing sounds and stops the matching ones, optionally with a delay. Its essential properties are match_entry and/or match_sound to specify one or more sounds to stop.

Input Name	Type	Default	Description
input_execute	float	1.0	If set to a value smaller or equal to 0.0, no stopping is performed.
input_max_entries	float	1.0	If set to x, stops as many matching sounds until there are less than x of them still playing. This usually does not include the new instance of the sound entry containing this operator: When used in a start_stack to stop instances of itself, setting this to n allows up to n+1 instances playing simultaneously. Note:The default value is 1, which stops all but one matches. Set to 0 to stop all matches.
input_stop_delay	float	0.0	If some instance of a sound entry will be stopped, then with this delay in seconds.
match_entry	string	""	If this is not the empty string, matches only sounds that originate from a sound entry with this exact name (not case sensitive). If match_substring is set to true, matches all sounds whose sound entry name contains the specified string.
match_sound	string	""	If this is not the empty string, matches only sounds where the string of the path of their audio file equals the specified string (not case sensitive). For currently playing sounds, it's the path shown at the top right of the screen when snd_show 1 is set, which means that the string includes preceding sound characters as well as backslashes \ between directories (not forward slashes /). If the property match_substring is true, all entries will be matched that contain this string in their path string.
match_substring	bool	false	Alters the matches for both match_entry and match_sound. If set to false, those strings must be exactly equal. For example, if set to true, MyGun matches both sound entries MyGun.fire and MyGun.reload (because both entries contain the sequence MyGun).
match_channel	bool	false	If set to true, sounds are only matched if they are in the same channel (e. g. CHAN_STATIC) as this sound entry.
match_entity	bool	false	If set to true, sound are only matched if they are coming from the same entity as this sound entry.
stop_this_entry	bool	false	Whether this entry (the one containing the operator stack where this property appears) should be stopped. If true, this property is sufficient to target a sound to stop. This property appears only to be usable in an update_stack, probably because when the code for (pre)start_stack is executed, the sound itself doesn't yet exist and thus can't reference itself at that moment.
match_this_entry	bool	false	Unknown. Maybe an unused duplicate of stop_this_entry? When using snd_sos_show_operator_start 1, match_this_entry is listed, but stop_this_entry is not.
stop_oldest	bool	true	Affects the choice of playing sounds if multiple are matching but not all are to be stopped. If set to true/false, stops oldest/youngest (the ones that were started the earliest/latest).
invert_match	bool	false	If set to true, stops all currently playing sounds except the matching sounds.

Output Name	Type	Description
output_entries_matching	float	The number of entries that matched the defined entry when this operator has finished execution. Note:This is an output, not an input. It cannot be set but instead be referenced in a subsequent operator using the value "@your_stop_entry_operator_name.output_entries_matching".
output_this_matches_index	float	Uncertain. It's an output so it'd be used in the same manner as output_entries_matching.

sys_start_entry

Plays another sound.

input_execute	float	If its value is greater than 0.0, this operation will execute. Default value is 1.0
input_start	float	If its value is greater than 0.0 the sound entry will start. Default value is 1.0
entry_name	string	The entry to play.
input_start_delay	float	Adds a delay before an instance is played.
input_maintain_seed	float	Greater than 0.0 will ensure that the rndwave selection is maintained.

sys_block_entries

Prevents new sounds from playing.

input_duration		How long to suppress sounds for.
input_active		Confirm:In addition to normal duration, suppress only when this value is true?
match_entry		Sound entry to suppress.
match_sound		A raw WAV/MP3filename to match. Possibly deprecated?
match_substring		Whether match_entry can be part of a larger string (e.g. "MyGun" matches MyGun.fire, MyGun.reload).
match_channel		Sound must have the same channel (e.g. CHAN_STATIC) as this one to match.
match_entity		Sound must be coming from the same entity as this one.

sys_output

Sends a value back to the sound system relating to the current entry.

input_float		Takes a float value to send to the system.
input_vec3		Vector.
input_speakers		Takes an array of floats to send to the system, each to do with a certain speaker. Use only with the speakers output.
output	string	Says what value should be altered. Legal values are: speakers Use in update_stacks only. Adjusts the volume of each speaker according to values given by input_speakers. pitch Use in update_stacks only. Adjusts the playback pitch of the sound to the value given with input_float. dsp Use in update_stacks only. Adjusts the DSP of the sound to the value given with input_float. delay Use in start_stacks only. Waits for the number of seconds specified in input_float before starting the sound. A negative value results in it starting the sound that many seconds into the WAV file instead of at the beginning. block_start Use in start_stacks only. Prevents the sound from starting if the value given with input_float is non-zero. mixlayer_trigger "Tell the mixlayer we're active" if the value given with input_float is non-zero. Note:A mixlayer allows you to modify properties (volume, level, dsp) of individual mixgroups within the active soundmixer. mixlayers can be found and created in soundmixers.txt. save_restore Confirm:Use in update_stacks only. Tells the system to save and restore the state of the sound if the value given with input_float is non-zero. stop_hold Use in update_stacks only. Confirm:Prevents the sound from stopping if the value given with input_float is non-zero. facing Confirm:Make the sound play in a certain direction?

sys_platform

Tests what platform the engine is running on.

pc	bool	Should the operator return true if running on this platform?
x360	bool
ps3	bool

sys_mixlayer

See also:  Soundmixer, scripts\soundmixers.txt

Configures a mixlayer which allows you to modify properties (volume, level, dsp) of individual mixgroups within the active soundmixer. Mixlayers can be found and created in scripts\soundmixers.txt.

mixlayer	string	The layer to alter.
mixgroup	string	The sound group within the layer to alter.
field	string	Property of the group to alter.
input	float

Maths

Generate or process numbers.

The result of these is stored in @name.output.

math_random

Produces a random number.

input_min

input_max

Range of values to output.

round_to_int

Set to "true" or "false"(default). This makes the output a whole number.

math_float

Performs elementary maths operations with two values.

input1

input2

The two operands to use.

apply

Specifies the operation to perform:

add

A + B

sub

A - B

mult

A * B

div

A / B. If B is negative or zero, returns zero.

pow

Raises the base input1 to the power of input2 (Exponent).

mod

Returns the remainder of A / B, or the modulus. If B is negative or zero, returns zero.

set

Passes on a value, outputting input1, ignoring input2.

invert

Returns 1 - A, ignoring B.

invert_scale

Returns 1 + AB - B.

min

Outputs the smallest of the two numbers.

max

Outputs the largest of the two numbers.

less_than

Checks if A < B, and outputs 1.0 or 0.0.

greater_than

Checks if A > B, and outputs 1.0 or 0.0.

less_than_or_equal

Checks if A ≤ B, and outputs 1.0 or 0.0.

greater_than_or_equal

Checks if A ≥ B, and outputs 1.0 or 0.0.

equals

If both are equal outputs 1.0, otherwise 0.0.

not_equal

If both are different outputs 1.0, otherwise 0.0.

math_float_accumulate12

Does the same as math_float, but uses 12 inputs instead. All examples use mult.

math_func1

Executes various maths functions.

input1

The argument to pass.

function

Specifies the function to call:

none

Do nothing to the input.

round

Round to the nearest whole number.

floor

Round down to a whole number.

ceil

Round up to a whole number.

fabs

Compute the absolute value of the input.

sqrt

Computes the square root of the input.

exp

Computes e raised to the power of the input.

log

Computes the natural logarithm of the input.

log10

Computes the logarithm base 10 of the input.

sin

cos

tan

Computes the normal sin/cos/tan values. Angles are given in radians.

asin

acos

atan

Computes the inverse of sin/cos/tan. Angles are given in radians.

sinh

cosh

tanh

Computes the hyperbolic version of sin/cos/tan. Angles are given in radians.

normalize_trig

If set to "true", rescales the output from (-1, +1) to (0, 1).

math_logic_switch

Selects one of two possible outputs.

input_switch

Chooses which of the other values is outputted.

input1

The value to output if input_switch is 0.

input2

The value to output if input_switch is 1.

math_curve_2d_4knot

Multinode Remapper. Found in Insurgency(2014) and Day of Infamy sound_operator_stacks.txt.

curve_type

step, linear

input

Value that is compared to X: if input = X1 then ouput = Y1, if input = X2 then ouput = Y2, etc.

input_X1

input_Y1

input_X2

input_Y2

input_X3

input_Y3

input_X4

input_Y4

math_remap_float

Remaps a value from one range to another (identically to math_remap).

input <float>

The value to remap.

input_min <float>

input_max <float>

The smallest/largest value the input will be set to.

input_map_min <float>

When the input equals input_min, the output will be this value.

input_map_max <float>

When the input equals input_max, the output will be this value.

default_to_max <bool>

clamp_range <bool>

math_delta

input <float>

Getters

Provide values from the engine.

get_convar

Retrieve the value of a console variable.

convar

The name of the console variable to read.

get_dashboard

get_map_name

Checks if the given map_name matches the name of the map.

get_sys_time

Collects the host/client time.

output_client_time

output_host_time

get_entry_time

Collects information about the playing sound.

entry

The entry to collect the information about

output_entry_elapsed

The time this sound has been playing for.

Warning:For looped sounds this won't reset when the sound starts a new loop, it will continue to count the time, resulting in it being bigger than the actual file length

output_sound_elapsed

output_stop_elapsed

-1 if playing, otherwise the time spent after being stopped.

output_sound_duration

The total length of the sound file this stack is playing.

• Example operator stack to sync one track to another (including looping tracks), needs to be put in start_stacks in sound_operator_stacks.txt!

"synchronize_track" {

		"catch_entry" { // Used to catch the entry we're syncing to
			"operator" "get_entry_time"
		}


		"sound_offset" { // We have to account for the multiple loops that can happen
			"operator" "math_float"
			"apply" "mod"
			"input1" "@catch_entry.output_entry_elapsed"  // Get the duration this sound has been playing for
			"input2" "@catch_entry.output_sound_duration" // % it by the total duration of the file we're playing from
		}

		"invert_offset" { // We have to skip the duration, the delay paramater accepts negative values to do that
			"operator" "math_float"
			"apply" "mult"
			"input1" "-1"
			"input2" "@sound_offset.output"
		}

		"whoosh" { // Skip the seconds to sync
			"operator" "sys_output"
			"output" "delay"
			"input_float" "@invert_offset.output"
		}
		
		//"printvar1" { // Optional to print the offset to the console that we have calculated
		//	"operator" "util_print_float"
		//	"input" "@invert_offset.output"
		//}
}

• Example usage in a soundscript:

"my.music.basetrack" {...} // A soundscript that is running in the background that we'll be syncing TO

"my.music.overlay" { // We will be syncing this track to the upper one
// Of course you will have standard soundscript settings here

soundentry_version 2
operator_stacks {
    start_stack {
        import_stack synchronize_track

        catch_entry {
            entry "my.music.basetrack" // You have to set the name of the entry you're trying to synchronize to here
        }
    }
}

get_source_info

Collects a variety of information about the sound source.

source

Specify "entity" or "emitter" to choose which entity is checked. The emitter is the entity where the sound emmenates from, the entity is the entity which made it play.

game_multi_origin <bool>

input_source_index <float>

Below are the data points output by this operator: @my_get_source_info_operator.output_position, etc..

output_entity_index

Returns the index of the source entity.

output_position

The position of the entity.

output_angles

The rotation of the entity.

output_radius

Only valid for the emitter.

output_volume

output_level

output_pitch

The relevant values of the soundscript.

output_source_count

The number of sounds (including this one) produced by the entity.

game_view_info

Collects a variety of game-specific information about the player for specialised uses.

input_source_index <float>

output_position <vector3>

output_position_x <float>

output_position_y <float>

output_position_z <float>

output_angles <vector3>

output_velocity_vector <vector3>

output_velocity_vector_x <float>

output_velocity_vector_y <float>

output_velocity_vector_z <float>

output_velocity <float>

output_velocity_xy <float>

output_stop_elapsed

game_entity_info

Collects a variety of game-specific information about an entity for specialised uses.

input_entity_index <float>

output_position <vector3>

output_position_x <float>

output_position_y <float>

output_position_z <float>

output_angles <vector3>

output_velocity_vector <vector3>

output_velocity_vector_x <float>

output_velocity_vector_y <float>

output_velocity_vector_z <float>

output_velocity <float>

output_velocity_xy <float>

get_track_syncpoint

Used to sync one sound entry to another.

syncpoint_list <string>

this_entry_syncpoints <bool>

input_min_time_to_next_sync <float>

input_max_time_to_next_sync <float>

match_entry <string>

Sound entry to match.

• Example get_track_syncpoint

"start_delay_to_track_sync_point"
	{
		// the start sync point for the file we are syncing to
		"this_entry_syncpoints"
		{
			"operator" "get_track_syncpoint"
			"syncpoint_list" "syncpoints_1"
			"this_entry_syncpoints" "true"
		}
		"sync_track_syncpoints"
		{
			"operator" "get_track_syncpoint"
			"syncpoint_list" "syncpoints_1"
			"input_min_time_to_next_sync" 	"@this_entry_syncpoints.output_first_syncpoint"
			"input_max_time_to_next_sync" 	"1000"
			"match_entry" "DOTAMusic.BattleMusic"
		}
		// output our resulting delay value
		"delay_output"
		{
			"operator" "sys_output"
			"input_float" "@sync_track_syncpoints.output_time_to_next_syncpoint"
			"output" "delay"
		}
	}

get_soundmixer

Outputs the active soundmixer

mixgroup <string>

set_mixgroup_to_channel <bool>

get_opvar_float

Gets the value of an opvar created with the set_opvar_float operator.

opvar <string>

Setters

Change values in the engine.

set_convar

Set a engine varaiable

convar <string>

input <float>

set_opvar_float

Create and set an opvar (operator varaible), to the value defined in input

opvar <string>

input <float>

increment_opvar_float

Increments an opvar by the value of input.

opvar <string>

input <float>

Calculations

Calculate pre-set algorithms.

calc_source_distance

Calculates the distance from this sound source (emitter/entity) to the listener.

input_position

The sound source's position. Generally the output (@get_info_op.output_position) of a get_source_info operation.

in2D <bool>

X/Y vectors only.

force_not_player_sound <bool>

calc_falloff

Calculates the falloff of a sound based on the distance from the sound source (emitter/entity) to the listener and the multiplied output of the sound entries soundlevel and the level property value of its assigned mixgroup within the active soundmixer.

input_distance

Sound source position. Generally the output of a calc_source_distance operation.

input_level

Sound source's level/attenuation. Generally the output of a multiplication operation of the sound entries soundlevel and the mixgroup level within the active soundmixer.

calc_distant_dsp

Same setup as calc_fallof. Scales the dsp level defined in the sound's assigned mixgroup within the active soundmixer based on distance.

input_distance

Sound source position. Generally the output of a calc_source_distance operation.

input_level

Sound source's level/attenuation. Generally the output of a multiplication operation of the sound entries soundlevel and the mixgroup level within the active soundmixer.

Note:The output of this operation is then multipled by the dsp property value (@get_soundmixer_op.output_dsp) of the assigned mixgroup within the active soundmixer, with the output then being input to a sys_output dsp operation.

calc_spatialize_speakers

input_radius

input_distance

input_position

input_rear_stereo_scale

calc_occlusion

Performs audio occlusion calculations.

input_trace_interval

input_scalar

input_position

Generally the output (@get_info_op.output_position) of a get_source_info operation.

calc_angles_facing

input_angles

Generally the output (@get_info_op.output_angles) of a get_source_info operation.

Utilities

util_print_float

Displays a float in the console, along with the name of this operator.

input

The floating point value to show.

util_pos_vec8

input_index <float>

input_entry_count <float>

Output the corresponding input position: a value of 1.0 output input_position_1.

input_position_0 <vector3>

input_position_1 <vector3>

input_position_2 <vector3>

input_position_3 <vector3>

input_position_4 <vector3>

input_position_5 <vector3>

input_position_6 <vector3>

input_position_7 <vector3>

output_position <vector3>

output_max_index <float>

Other

track_queue

prestart_stack

syncpoint_list <string>

Example:

Note:This code is in theoperator_stackscode block within the Sound Entry of the containing sound script, not insound_operator_stacks.txt

"soundentry_operator_data"
{
	"track_data"
	{
		"start_point" "0.353"
		"end_point" "38"
		"track_name" "main"
		"priority" "1"
		"priority_override" "true"
		"syncpoints"
		{
			"syncpoints_1"
			{
				"1"	"2.533"
				"2" "5.066"
				"3"	"7.599"
				"4" "10.132"
				"5" "12.665"
				"6" "15.198"
				"7" "17.731"
				"8" "20.264"
				"9" "22.797"
				"10" "25.33"
				"11" "27.863"
				"12" "30.396"
				"13" "32.929"
				"14" "35.462"
				"15" "38"
			}
		}
	}
}
"prestart_stack"
{
	"sync_track_syncpoints"
	{
		"operator" "track_queue"
		"syncpoint_list" "syncpoints_1"
	}
}

track_update

autoqueue_entry_at_end_point <string>

Sound Entry to auto queue.

• track_stop
• op_accumulate_ss_float
• iterate_merge_speakers