Set up an Audio Source component

Create an audio source to control how an audio clip plays, where it plays and how often.

To create and configure an audio source:

1. Import your audio files.
2. Create an audio source.
3. Assign an audio generator to your audio source.
4. Alter the settings of your audio source.

Import your audio files

To import your audio files into your Unity project, drag your audio file into your project. Unity imports these files as audio clips. For a list of the audio file formats Unity supports, refer to Audio file compatibility.

Create an audio source

There are multiple ways to create an audio source. Use one of the following methods:

• Create an audio source from an audio file.
• Create an audio source from an existing GameObject.
• Create an audio source from the menu.

Create an audio source from an audio file

A quicker way to create an audio source is to click and drag an audio file from your Project window into the scene.

As a result, Unity automatically creates a GameObject with an Audio SourceA component which plays back an Audio Clip in the scene to an audio listener or through an audio mixer. More info
See in Glossary component, and assigns your audio file to its Audio ClipA container for audio data in Unity. Unity supports mono, stereo and multichannel audio assets (up to eight channels). Unity can import .aif, .wav, .mp3, and .ogg audio file format, and .xm, .mod, .it, and .s3m tracker module formats. More info
See in Glossary property.

Create an audio source from an existing GameObject

If you have a GameObject in your scene you want to add an audio source to:

1. Click on the GameObject.
2. In the Inspector window, select Add Component.
3. Select Audio > Audio Source.

As a result, Unity adds an Audio Source component to your GameObject.

Another way to do this is to drag an audio file from your Project window onto the GameObject. Unity attaches the clip along with a new audio source if it doesn’t already have one. If the object already has an audio source the new clip will replace the one that the source currently uses.

Create an audio source from the menu

To create a new audio source from the menu:

1. In the Hierarchy tab, select the Add (+) button.
2. Select Audio > Audio Source.

Unity adds a new GameObject that contains an Audio Source component to your scene.

Assign an audio generator to your audio source

If your audio source doesn’t have an audio generator assigned, you need to assign one. To do this:

1. Click on your GameObject that contains the Audio Source component. The Inspector window shows.

2. In the Inspector window, on the Audio Source component, locate the Audio Generator property.

3. Then, do one of the following:

4. Drag an audio clip or audio random container from the Project window to the property.

5. Click the small circle icon to the right of the property, then select a resource from the list.

Alter the settings of your audio source

If you want to configure your audio source more to your liking, refer to Audio Source component reference.

Additional resources

• Audio Source
• Introduction to the Audio Source component
• Audio Source component reference