Destinations/Adding Sound

Overview

The simplest way to add ambient sounds to your Destinations addon is through Soundscapes.

• If it doesn't already, ensure your addon has a soundscapes_manifest.txt and soundscapes_template.txt file in the scripts directory.
• Rename soundscapes_template.txt to suit the addon, and then adjust the reference in soundscapes_manifest.txt on line 3 accordingly.

Documentation on how to create custom soundscape entries exists here - [1] Note: Unlike some other Valve titles, Destinations does use reverb DSP.

The map entity required is documented here - [2]

Sound files go in the content/youraddon/sounds/ folder.

Example

Here is an example of a workflow for a simple soundscape, with a looping ambient bed and some randomized spot sounds around the listener.

• In your map, add an env_soundscape entity. Ensure the radius covers the info_player_start entity by moving it closer and/or adjusting the Radius property in Hammer.

• In the new env_soundscape entity, set the Soundscape property to the name you want for your soundscape, for example - soundscape_whitelodge

• Add your audio files to the sounds folder. In this case we'll say there is one looping .wav file called "forest.wav" and three ‘spot sound’ .wav files called "owl_01.wav", "owl_02.wav" and "owl_03.wav". Ensure looping sound files have loop markers set up.

• Open your soundscapes script and add the following.

"soundscape_whitelodge" {

               "playlooping"
               {
                               "volume"                             "0.5"
                               "pitch"                                  "100"
                               "wave"                                 "sounds/forest.vsnd"
               }
               "playrandom"
               {
                               "volume"                             "0.35"
                               "pitch"                                  "100"     
                               "time"                                   "10, 15"
                               "soundlevel"      "SNDLVL_50dB"
                               "position"            "random"
                               "rndwave"
                               {
                                               "wave"                 "sounds/owl_01.vsnd"
                                               "wave"                 "sounds/owl_02.vsnd"
                                               "wave"                 "sounds/owl_03.vsnd"                                                  
                               }
               }

}

Note: The .vsnd extension is the compiled version of audio files in Source 2.

• Build the map and you'd now be able to hear forest.wav looping, and at randomized start times with a 10 to 15 second gap, one of the owl files playing from a random position around the listener.

• Adjust the volume, pitch, time and soundlevel to suit. The VConsole command 'cl_soundscape_flush' will allow you to reload the soundscape to hear tweaks.

Note: If the playlooping or playrandom entry does not include a position, soundlevel will not affect anything as there is no falloff of volume over distance.