Make Some Noise: Generating Audio From Signals

Let's look at how we can use signals to generate sound. In this example, we'll generate a simple tone from a WaveformSignal.

• Let's start fresh by clicking on File menu/New

Creating the SignalAudioStream

• Undock the browser panel
• On the bottom right of the panel, click the + button
• Under Audio, select New SignalAudioStream
• Double-click the newly added SignalAudioStream from the browser. The SignalAudioStream properties are displayed.
• On the property editor panel, hover your mouse over the Signal property then click the 'new' button that appears.
• Select New WaveformSignal from the menu that appears

We've now created our SignalAudioStream and defined it to produce its audio data from a WaveformSignal. All that's left to do is create a Sound in the space so we can hear it.

• Drag-and-drop the SignalAudioStream object from the browser into the space
• Press play

You should be able to hear a tone coming from the Sound in the space. Now, let's see how we can change its frequency.

• Double-click the SignalAudioStream from the browser panel
• From the property editor panel, click the WaveformSignal link from the Signal property
• Adjust the Wavelength property

Try changing the Wave Type property for interesting results. Also, try assigning a signal to the wavelength property (via the white arrow button next to the wavelength property) to create various sound effects.