Why is GameMaker 3D audio falloff wrong?

Default falloff model is INVERSE_DISTANCE_CLAMPED with reference 1.0 / max 100. Tune via audio_falloff_set_model and audio_emitter_falloff per emitter.

NONE, INVERSE_DISTANCE, INVERSE_DISTANCE_CLAMPED (recommended), LINEAR_DISTANCE, EXPONENTIAL_DISTANCE. Inverse with clamp is most natural.

audio_listener_position to track camera or player. Without listener positioned, all 3D audio plays at full volume.

Fix: GameMaker 3D Audio Emitter Falloff Wrong

Quick answer: audio_falloff_set_model(audio_falloff_inverse_distance_clamped). Per-emitter audio_emitter_falloff(em, ref, max, factor).

3D footsteps audible at extreme distance. Default model didn’t match scene scale.

The Fix

// Game Start
audio_falloff_set_model(audio_falloff_inverse_distance_clamped);
audio_listener_orientation(0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0);

// Per emitter
audio_emitter_falloff(em, 100, 600, 1);   // ref, max, factor

// Per frame
audio_listener_position(camera_x, camera_y, 0);

Inverse-distance-clamped models real-world falloff. ref/max distances control reach.

Verifying

Move emitter further; volume drops naturally. Beyond max distance: silent.

“Set model. Tune ref/max. Listener tracks.”

Related Issues

For shader uniform, see uniform. For blend bleed, see blend.

Inverse clamp. Reaches right.