---
name: dev-assets-audio-loading
description: Audio loading patterns for R3F/Three.js. Use when adding sound effects.
category: assets
---

# Audio Loading

Sound and music loading for React Three Fiber.

## When to Use

Use when:
- Adding sound effects
- Playing background music
- Positional audio for 3D scenes

## Quick Start

```typescript
import { useRef, useEffect } from 'react';
import { PositionalAudio } from '@react-three/drei';

function SoundEffect({ url, volume = 1 }) {
  const audioRef = useRef();

  useEffect(() => {
    if (!audioRef.current) return;

    const audio = audioRef.current;
    audio.load(url);
    audio.setVolume(volume);
    audio.setRefDistance(1);
    audio.setMaxDistance(20);

    return () => {
      audio.stop();
    };
  }, [url, volume]);

  return (
    <PositionalAudio
      ref={audioRef}
      position={[0, 0, 0]}
      autoplay={false}
    />
  );
}
```

## HTML Audio (Simple)

```typescript
function SimpleSound({ url, volume = 1 }) {
  const audioRef = useRef<HTMLAudioElement>(null);

  useEffect(() => {
    const audio = new Audio(url);
    audio.volume = volume;
    audio.loop = false;

    audio.onended = () => {
      audio.currentTime = 0;
    };

    audio.play().catch(err => {
      console.error('Audio play error:', err);
    });

    return () => {
      audio.pause();
      audio.src = '';
    };
  }, [url, volume]);

  return null;
}
```

## Three.js Positional Audio

```typescript
import { PositionalAudio } from '@react-three/drei';

function PositionalSound() {
  return (
    <PositionalAudio
      url="/sounds/footstep.ogg"
      distance={5}
      loop={false}
      autoplay={false}
    />
  );
}
```

## Audio Listener

```typescript
import { AudioListener } from '@react-three/drei';

function Scene() {
  return (
    <>
      <AudioListener />
      <PositionalAudio url="/sounds/explosion.ogg" position={[0, 0, 0]} />
    </>
  );
}
```

## Audio Manager

```typescript
class AudioManager {
  private sounds: Map<string, HTMLAudioElement> = new Map();
  private volume: number = 1;

  preload(url: string, id: string) {
    const audio = new Audio(url);
    audio.preload = 'auto';
    this.sounds.set(id, audio);
  }

  play(id: string) {
    const audio = this.sounds.get(id);
    if (audio) {
      audio.currentTime = 0;
      audio.play();
    }
  }

  stop(id: string) {
    const audio = this.sounds.get(id);
    if (audio) {
      audio.pause();
      audio.currentTime = 0;
    }
  }

  setVolume(volume: number) {
    this.volume = volume;
    this.sounds.forEach(audio => {
      audio.volume = volume;
    });
  }
}
```

## Audio Formats

| Format | Browser Support | Use Case |
|--------|-----------------|----------|
| MP3 | Universal | Music, long sounds |
| OGG | Good | Sound effects |
| AAC | Excellent (Apple) | Mobile |
| WAV | Poor | Short effects (uncompressed) |

## Common Mistakes

| ❌ Wrong | ✅ Right |
|----------|----------|
| Not cleaning up audio | Always pause/cleanup in useEffect |
| Using uncompressed WAV | Use MP3/OGG for production |
| No volume control | Add volume slider |
| Loading on every play | Preload common sounds |

## Mobile Considerations

```typescript
// iOS requires user interaction to play audio
const [audioEnabled, setAudioEnabled] = useState(false);

function EnableAudioButton() {
  const enable = () => {
    // Play silent sound to unlock audio
    const audio = new Audio('/sounds/silent.mp3');
    audio.play();
    setAudioEnabled(true);
  };

  return <button onClick={enable}>Enable Audio</button>;
}
```

## Reference

- **[dev-assets-model-loading](references/upstream/662a1d026496915b-SKILL.md)** — FBX model loading
- **[dev-assets-texture-loading](references/upstream/008bc2cac385db96-SKILL.md)** — Texture loading
- **[dev-assets-vite-asset-loading](references/upstream/8f1d27a3252909bf-SKILL.md)** — Vite 6 asset handling


---
Source attribution: feliperyba
Original project: https://github.com/feliperyba/ralph-orchestra/blob/9338a5a194fac4e20e174decc6ce1b7400744866/.claude/skills/dev-assets-audio-loading/SKILL.md
License: MIT
License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit
Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Dave AI.

## Upstream license notice

MIT License

Copyright (c) 2026 feliperyba

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.



# Dave AI resource metadata

Creator / publisher: feliperyba
Original project: https://github.com/feliperyba/ralph-orchestra/blob/9338a5a194fac4e20e174decc6ce1b7400744866/.claude/skills/dev-assets-audio-loading/SKILL.md
Attribution basis: Recovered original package and original project license at a pinned revision

Fields of work: Development & Engineering, Product Management
Roles: Frontend Developer, Game Developer, Product Manager
Specialties: Backend, Cross Platform, Frontend
Tools: Tool not specified
Country applicability: Country not specified
Classification basis: Source catalog labels
Instruction SHA-256: 99736854516d27722446d4118184bf26adc1713addd96669c2a2b3b8aaaa7ac9
Metadata reviewed: 2026-10-27
This metadata supersedes earlier Dave AI catalog attribution. Original instruction and supporting files are preserved.