Can I set my parameter based on activity (play/no-play)?

FMOD Studio
1

I need a parameter called “ACTIVITY” set to 1 or 0 based on if my (multi) instrument is currently playing or not.
I want to use it as a condition for other sounds playing only if ACTIVITY = 0

Is there a way to do so?

2

Yes and no.

Technically, there is no way to make a parameter’s value dependent on whether a particular instrument is playing. However, there is a way to make a parameter’s value dependent on whether there is a signal playing in a particular event track; if the instrument whose activity you want to detect is the only instrument on that track, you should be able to make it work.

  1. Select the track that contains the multi insturment.
  2. In the deck, right-click in a black space and select “Add Sidechain > New Sidechain” from the context menu.
  3. In the transport bar, click on the word “ACTIVITY” to select the “ACTIVITY” parameter.
  4. In the deck, set the parameter’s value to 0.
  5. In the deck, right-click on the parameter’s value and select “Add Modulation > Sidechain” from the context menu.
  6. Set the modulator’s “Sidechain Inputs” dropdown to the sidechain you added in step 2.
  7. Set the modulator’s “Amount” property to 1.00.
  8. Set the modulator’s “Threshold” property to -76 dB to -76 dB.
  9. Optionally, set the modulator’s “Attack” property to 10 ms.

Following these steps will ensure that whenever there is a signal playing audibly in the audio track that contains the multi instrument, the parameter’s value will be 1; and that if no signal audibly playing in the track, the parameter’s value will fall to 0.

However, be aware that this method detects audible signals only. If any of the audio files used by the multi instrument contains long silences between sounds, this event will detect that silence as no instance playing and may therefore begin playing some other instrument.

3

what a clever approach. I test it