By default, a transition is a simple change from one music object to another. The real power of transitions appears when you customize the source and destination to make a unique musical passage. By setting source and destination properties, you can make a transition between objects sound both smooth and musical.
To give you additional control and flexibility over the transitions between objects, you can choose from a number of different exit and entry points for the source and destination respectively. You can also decide to pick random entry points in the destination object. This results in a different entry point being used each time the transition is played making your transitions less repetitive.
When you set the properties for a source or destination, keep in mind that you are setting them for that one transition only. For example, let's say your transition matrix defines transitions from Happy Music to Sad Music and from Happy Music to Scary Music. If you want each Happy Music source to exit at the first custom cue, you will have to set this property separately for each transition.
![[Note]](/images/2024.1.0_8669/?source=Help&id=note.png) | Note |
|---|---|
Many different properties can be set for each source and destination, though the properties available will depend on the type of object being used and the type of container holding it. |
To set the properties of a source:
Load a Music Switch or Playlist Container into the Property Editor.
Switch to the Transitions tab of the Secondary Editor.
Select a transition from the transition matrix.
You can now edit the properties of the source for this transition.
If the source is in a Switch Container, select one of the following options from the Exit source at list:
Immediate: The source stops playing immediately.
Next Grid: The source stops playing at the next grid interval. The grid is an arbitrary method by which music objects can be virtually partitioned.
Next Bar: The source stops playing at the next bar.
Next Beat: The source stops playing at the next beat.
Next Cue: The source stops playing at the next cue, whether it be a custom cue or the exit cue.
Next Custom Cue: The source stops playing at the next custom cue. If the current Music Segment doesn't contain a custom cue, Wwise continues to the next segment until it finds a custom cue.
Exit Cue: The source stops playing at the exit cue.
If you selected Next Cue or Next Custom Cue, you may further refine the selection of valid cues where the transition may occur by entering a cue name in the Match edit box.
If you want the post-exit of the source to play during the transition, select Play post-exit.
Note The post-exit of a source will only play if that source exits at its exit cue, or fades out at or beyond its exit cue. Otherwise, the post-exit will never play during a transition.
If you want the source to end playing with a fade-out, select Fade-out.
To set the properties of a destination:
Load a Music Switch or Playlist Container into the Property Editor.
Switch to the Transitions tab of the Secondary Editor.
Select a transition from the transition matrix.
You can now edit the properties of the destination for this transition.
If the destination is a Music Playlist Container, you can select a specific item within the Playlist Container to be played first. Click the Browse button (...) to specify the item for the Jump to option.
If the owner of the transition is a Switch Container, select one of the following options from the Sync to list:
Entry Cue: The destination will begin playing at its entry cue.
Same Time as Playing Segment: The destination will begin playing at the same time mark as the source segment. For example, if the source segment has been playing for 10 seconds since its beginning, the destination will start playing 10 seconds in.
Random Cue: The destination will begin playing at a randomly chosen cue. When this option is selected, any cue can be chosen, including the entry cue or any custom cue.
Random Custom Cue: The destination will begin playing at a randomly chosen custom cue. If there are no custom cues in the segment, the entry cue will be used.
Last Exit Position: The destination will begin playing at a point offset by the amount of time elapsed in the last played segment of the destination. For example, if a point 15 seconds into the third segment of the destination was reached the last time it was played, the destination will start playing 15 seconds in.
If you selected Random Cue or Random Custom Cue, you may further refine the selection of valid start positions with the Custom Cue Filter.
Match: Only cues with this name may be selected as the start position.
Match source cue name: Only cues which name is the same as the name of the cue that was used in the source segment for this transition may be selected as the start position.
If you want the pre-entry of the destination to play during the transition, select Play pre-entry.
If you want the destination to begin playing with a fade-in, select Fade-in.
Fade-ins and fade-outs are special properties assigned to destination and source music objects, respectively. They can also be applied to the beginning and endings of transition segments. By using fades, you can refine the entrance and exit of music objects and establish smoother transitions. You can define the length and offset of each fade, as well as the curve shape to further customize its sound.
To edit a fade-out:
On the Transitions tab of the Secondary Editor, make sure Fade-out is selected, and then click Edit.
The Music Fade Editor opens.
In the Time field, specify the duration of the fade-out.
In the Offset field, specify the amount of time between the exit cue and the end of the fade-out.
From the Curve list, select a curve shape for the fade-out.
The fade-out will be played according to your specifications.
To edit a fade-in:
On the Transitions tab of the Secondary Editor, make sure Fade-in is selected, and then click Edit.
The Music Fade Editor opens.
In the Time field, specify the duration of the fade-in.
In the Offset field, specify the amount of time between the entry cue and the beginning of the fade-in.
From the Curve list, select a curve shape for the fade-in.
The fade-in will be played according to your specifications.
Was this page helpful?
Need Support?
Questions? Problems? Need more info? Contact us, and we can help!
Visit our Support pageTell us about your project. We're here to help.
Register your project and we'll help you get started with no strings attached!
Get started with Wwise