Creating a 'Falling' audio level data-source using number FX chains in VDMX

Download the completed project file and sample media for this tutorial.

Along with the basic controls of inverting values and applying basic math equations, number FX chains can used to adjust the values of data-sources before they are applied to sliders. In this example the 'Fall' FX will be applied to an audio analysis level to create a falling style before being applied to a VU meter generator.

This tutorial begins from having a layer loaded with a VU meter ISF generator along with audio analysis, control surface and preview window plugins.

The setup is accomplished in a few steps:

  1. Right+click on slider in the control surface and select 'Filter 2' from the list of Audio Analysis data-sources (the 'clap' region)

  2. From the UI Inspector, click the 'Edit Num FX Chain' button to reveal the number FX chain for the receiver

  3. Add the 'Fall' FX to the receiver and adjust the value to the desired fall rate

  4. Click the 'Close' button to close the inspector

  5. Control+drag from the slider in the Control Surface to the 'audioLevel' slider in the Layer Source controls.

Note that number FX chains are available for every data-source receiver for each slider; in this example we used a Control Surface slider as a go between, but this can be directly applied to the 'audioLevel' slider as well.

Tips and Notes:

Inspect a slider then use the Edit Num FX Chain button from the sub-inspector.

Control+Drag from Control Surface UI elements to create quick assignments.

Advanced tip: Use a Control Surface slider to create an interface for the fall rate.