Footsteps sound effect

no-reply@allegro.cc (childski) — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 12:11:01 +0000

Hello,

I am trying to implement a footsteps sound effect in my 2D RPG game.
The audio file that I currently have is the sound of 2 footsteps only.

Currently, I have this function in my game to control the player:

#SelectExpand
  1if(state != IDLE)
      {
          active = true;
          if(al_key_down(&keystate, ALLEGRO_KEY_DOWN))
          {
              character1.y += movespeed;
              dir = DOWN;
              al_play_sample(footsteps,1,0,1,ALLEGRO_PLAYMODE_ONCE,NULL);
          }
          else if(al_key_down(&keystate, ALLEGRO_KEY_UP))
          {
              character1.y -= movespeed;
              dir = UP;
              al_play_sample(footsteps,1,0,1,ALLEGRO_PLAYMODE_ONCE,NULL);
          }
          else if(al_key_down(&keystate, ALLEGRO_KEY_RIGHT))
          {
              character1.x += movespeed;
              dir = RIGHT;
              al_play_sample(footsteps,1,0,1,ALLEGRO_PLAYMODE_ONCE,NULL);
          }
          else if(al_key_down(&keystate, ALLEGRO_KEY_LEFT))
          {
              character1.x -= movespeed;
              dir = LEFT;
              al_play_sample(footsteps,1,0,1,ALLEGRO_PLAYMODE_ONCE,NULL);
          }
          else
              active = false;

I have tried to use ALLEGRO_PLAYMODE_LOOP, but it loops the sound effect very slowly (like a 1 second break before the sound effect loops itself).
And obviously it only plays once since I used ALLEGRO_PLAYMODE_ONCE.

Is there any better way to implement this sound effect?

Thank you so much!

no-reply@allegro.cc (Paulinek13) — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 15:26:14 +0000

Hi,

One solution may be like this:

#SelectExpand
  1// ...
  2
  3case ALLEGRO_EVENT_TIMER:
  4{
  5    // ...
  6
  7    if(!(al_get_timer_count(timer) % 12)) // adjust the number
  8    {
  9        switch(runner.state)
 10        {
 11            case RUNNER_STATE::WALK_L:
 12            case RUNNER_STATE::WALK_R: al_play_sample(sample_runner_steps, .5f, 0.f, 1.f, ALLEGRO_PLAYMODE_ONCE, 0); break;
 13
 14            default: break;
 15        }
 16    }
 17    // ...
 18}
 19
 20// ...

I'm not sure if it is actually better, but it works fine for me.

no-reply@allegro.cc (childski) — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 13:02:20 +0000

@Paulinek13: hi, thanks for your input! I have tried several methods using a timer but it still doesn't work properly. It only plays once every 1~2 seconds.

no-reply@allegro.cc (Paulinek13) — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 13:28:34 +0000

Now I guess that your footsteps sample lasts,
let's say, 2 seconds, but the actual sound takes only
1 secon, or something, and there is a relatively
long empty gap.
Maybe you should try to cut your sample a little
so that there will not be any silent break?

no-reply@allegro.cc (pmprog) — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 18:02:20 +0000

Just something else to consider - how long does it take for your game loop take?

Also, what options did you select when creating your voice and mixer?

no-reply@allegro.cc (Edgar Reynaldo) — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 03:38:03 +0000

You could loop the sample, and pause it when they are not walking.

Are you trying to sync the sample with your player's footsteps?