Default Sound

When using the Default Sound plug-in, the Sound track in the Track View Controller window provides two sound options: You can use the metronome to generate a series of beeps, or load a sound file to play back.

• Track View > Highlight and right-click the Sound track in the Controller window. > Properties > Sound Options dialog

Default Sound allows you to synchronize your animation to a sound file or to a metronome. If you use a sound file, a Wave Form track is displayed in the Hierarchy list, and a waveform is displayed in the Edit window. A sound file plays on your installed sound card. You set the parameters with the Sound Options dialog.

Sound is one way to provide the timing for your animation. You can scrub the time slider to locate a particular sound, and coordinate your visuals around it.

You open this dialog by highlighting and then right-clicking the Sound item in the Track View controller window, or by right-clicking a sound track in the Key window.

Note: The default audio plug-in in 3ds Max is ProSound. To use the simpler Default Sound feature, choose it with the Preferences dialog Animation panel Sound Plug-In option.

Procedures

To add a Default Sound track:

1. Make sure the Default Sound plug-in is active (see Note, preceding).
2. In the Track View Controller window, highlight the Sound track.
   
   Tip: The Sound track does not appear in Track View by default. To unhide it, open the Filters dialog and, in the Show group, turn on both Sound and Global Tracks.
3. Right-click the Sound track and choose Properties.

   3ds Max opens the Sound Options dialog.

4. Click Choose Sound, select a sound file, and then click OK.

   A Wave Form branch appears in the Track View Hierarchy. A waveform appears in the Track View Key window.

5. Turn on Real Time in the Time Configuration dialog to hear the sound track when you play your animation.

Interface

Audio group

Choose Sound

Displays a file selector where you choose a sound file.

Remove Sound

Deletes the waveform from Track View.

Reload Sound

Reloads the last loaded file. This allows the sound file to be reloaded when it has been changed by another program.

Active

Plays the waveform during animation play back.

Metronome group

The Metronome track produces a regular beat using two tones. You specify three settings in the Sound Options dialog to control the Metronome:

Beats per minute

Sets the frequency of beats. The beats display in the Metronome tracks as black vertical bars. Default=60.

Beats per measure

Sets which beat is emphasized with a higher pitch tone. Emphasized beats display in the Metronome track as black pluses. For example, a setting of 4 generates a higher pitched tone every fourth beat. Default=4.

Active

Plays the beats during animation playback.