Audio Systems

Expert guidance for Godot's audio engine and mixing architecture.

NEVER Do (Expert Audio Rules)

Mixing & Buses

• NEVER set bus volume with linear values — set_bus_volume_db() is logarithmic. Use linear_to_db() for sliders OR everything will sound too loud until the last 5%.
• NEVER skip 'Bus Routing' — Playing music on the 'SFX' bus makes volume menus useless. Strictly route every player to its dedicated sub-bus (Music, SFX, UI, Voice).
• NEVER use 'Master' for gameplay sounds — Dedicate Master to final limiting. Route all gameplay to sub-groups so you can mute/duck categories.

Positional & Spatial

• NEVER use 3D players without an Attenuation Model — Default is NONE. If you don't set it to Inverse Distance, a whisper on the other side of the map will be global volume.
• NEVER play 3D sounds exactly on top of the listener — Causes "Panning Jitter" where the sound snaps between Left/Right speakers. Offset by 0.1 units.
• NEVER forget Doppler for high-speed objects — A car flying by without DOPPLER_TRACKING_PHYSICS_STEP feels flat and static.