Design SFX

Guide the user through designing a sound effect, producing a detailed specification with layering and implementation guidance.

Initial Context

1. Check for existing sonic identity (.studio/sonic-identity.md)

   • If exists, reference for style consistency
   • Note SFX character preferences if defined

2. Parse the argument to identify sound category:

   • Movement: jump, footstep, dash, slide
   • Combat: hit, swing, block, shoot
   • Interaction: pickup, button, lever, door
   • UI: click, hover, confirm, error
   • Environment: ambient, weather, machine
   • Creature: growl, attack, death

Process Overview

1. Identify Sound - What exact sound?
2. Define Context - Where/when does it play?
3. Establish Character - How should it feel?
4. Design Layers - Component breakdown
5. Configure Synthesis - How to create each layer
6. Set Variations - Random variation parameters
7. Output Specification - Create SFX doc

Phase 1: Identify Sound

Clarify exactly what sound is needed:

Ask: "Let me understand the sound you need. You mentioned '[argument]'. Can you describe:"

1. "What action or event triggers this sound?"
2. "What object/character makes this sound?"
3. "Any specific characteristics? (e.g., 'heavy sword', 'small robot')"

Categorize into archetype:

• Impact (collisions, hits)
• Movement (whoosh, footsteps)
• Action (ability, weapon fire)
• Feedback (pickup, damage)
• UI (interface interaction)
• Ambient (environment)
• Creature (vocalization)

Phase 2: Define Context

Understand where the sound exists:

Ask: "Where does this sound occur in your game?"

Spatial context:

• 2D (side-scroller, UI) - Mono or simple stereo
• 3D positioned - Full spatial audio
• Both - Need versions for each

Frequency context:

• One-time (story moment)
• Occasional (special abilities)
• Frequent (every attack)
• Constant (ambient loop)

Priority: Based on sonic identity if exists, or ask: "How critical is this sound for gameplay?"

• Essential feedback (player damage)
• Important action (player abilities)
• Supporting (enemy actions)
• Background (environment)

Phase 3: Establish Character

Define how the sound should feel.

Based on sonic identity style, or ask:

"How should this sound feel?"

For weapons/impacts:

• Light and quick
• Medium and solid
• Heavy and powerful
• Magical and otherworldly
• Mechanical and precise
• Organic and fleshy

For movement:

• Airy and swift
• Weighty and grounded
• Floaty and ethereal
• Sharp and precise

For UI:

• Clean and modern
• Warm and organic
• Retro and chunky
• Minimal and subtle

"What material quality?" (if applicable)

• Metal, wood, stone, flesh, magic, digital

Phase 4: Design Layers

Break down into component layers.

Consult sfx-design:references/layering-recipes.md for category-specific layer templates (impacts, movement, UI, weapons, creatures, ambient).

Present layer template based on sound category. Standard approach uses 3-4 layers:

• Transient: Timing, definition (10-50ms)
• Body: Character, identity (50-200ms)
• Tail: Space, context (200ms+)
• Sweetener: Polish (optional)

Ask user to confirm or modify layer approach.

Phase 5: Configure Synthesis

For each layer, define creation method:

Method options:

• Synthesis (generate from scratch)
• Sample (recorded source)
• Hybrid (synth + sample)

Consult sfx-design:references/material-signatures.md for material-specific frequency/envelope parameters.

For synthesis layers, specify: Waveform, Envelope (ADSR), Filter (type/cutoff/Q), Effects.

Phase 6: Set Variations

Define randomization for repeated sounds:

Ask: "This sound may play [frequency]. Should it have variations?"

Consult sfx-design:references/variation-strategies.md for variation types (pre-made, pitch, volume, layer, parameter) with implementation patterns.

For frequent sounds (footsteps, hits), recommend at least pitch + volume randomization (±2 semitones, ±2 dB).

Phase 7: Output Specification

Present the SFX specification in the conversation. Do NOT write to a file - the specification stays in context for immediate use by sfx-architect.

Present this specification:

# SFX Specification: [Sound Name]

## Overview
- **Category:** [Impact/Movement/UI/etc.]
- **Trigger:** [What causes this sound]
- **Context:** [Where it plays]
- **Priority:** [1-5]
- **Duration:** [Approximate length]

## Character
- **Feel:** [Description]
- **Weight:** [Light/Medium/Heavy]
- **Material:** [If applicable]
- **Reference:** [Similar sounds in other games]

## Layers

### Layer 1: [Name]
| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Purpose | [What this provides] |
| Method | [Synthesis/Sample/Hybrid] |
| Duration | [Length] |
| Frequency range | [Low/Mid/High] |

**Synthesis details (if applicable):**
- Waveform: [Type]
- Envelope: A:[X]ms D:[X]ms S:[X] R:[X]ms
- Filter: [Type] @ [Frequency], Q=[X]
- Effects: [List]

**Sample details (if applicable):**
- Source: [Description of what to record]
- Processing: [Any processing needed]

### Layer 2: [Name]
[Same structure...]

### Layer 3: [Name]
[Same structure...]

## Mix

### Layering
| Layer | Volume | Pan | Notes |
|-------|--------|-----|-------|
| 1 | 0 dB | C | Primary transient |
| 2 | -3 dB | C | Body layer |
| 3 | -6 dB | C | Tail/ambience |

(Fill in actual values based on the designed layers)

### Master Processing
- Compression: [Settings if any]
- EQ: [Adjustments if any]
- Limiting: [Peak target]

## Variations

### Random Parameters
| Parameter | Range | Notes |
|-----------|-------|-------|
| Pitch | ±2 semitones | Natural variation |
| Volume | ±1 dB | Subtle dynamics |

(Adjust ranges based on user preferences from Phase 6)

### Pre-made Variations (if applicable)
- Variation A: [Description]
- Variation B: [Description]
- Variation C: [Description]

## Implementation

### Spatial
- **Mode:** [2D/3D/Both]
- **Attenuation:** Min [X]m, Max [X]m
- **Curve:** [Linear/Log/Custom]

### Playback
- **Polyphony:** [Max instances]
- **Priority:** [Steal behavior]
- **Bus:** [Which audio bus]

### Memory
- **Estimated size:** [KB]
- **Load type:** [Resident/Streaming/OnDemand]

## Technical Notes
- [Any special considerations]
- [Integration specifics]
- [Testing notes]

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*Generated by sound-design plugin*

After presenting, summarize and offer next steps:

"SFX Design Complete!

Summary:

• [Duration] [Category] sound
• [Layer count] layers: [Brief description]
• Variation: [Type]
• Priority: [Level]

Ready to synthesize? The sfx-architect agent can create a .spec.py file with synthesis code from this design.

Would you like me to:

• Generate the synthesis code now? (spawns sfx-architect with this spec)
• Design another sound effect first?
• Refine this specification?"

If user wants synthesis code: Use Task tool with subagent_type: "sound-design:sfx-architect" Pass the full specification from this conversation as context.