> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.convai.com/api-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.convai.com/api-docs/plugins-and-integrations/convai-unreal-engine-plugin/getting-started/configure-character-audio.md).

# Configure character audio

Character speech is played through `UConvaiAudioStreamer`, which extends Unreal Engine's `UAudioComponent`. All standard Unreal audio settings — volume multiplier, spatial audio, attenuation — are therefore available directly on the Convai Chatbot component in the **Details** panel alongside one Convai-specific property for interrupt fade behavior.

### Default audio behavior

| Setting                 | Default      | Notes                                                                                     |
| ----------------------- | ------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Playback volume         | `1.0`        | Full volume. Controlled by the inherited **Volume Multiplier** in the **Sound** category. |
| Spatial audio           | Disabled     | `AttenuationSettings` is `null` — speech plays at the same volume regardless of distance. |
| Interrupt fade duration | Configurable | See [Configure interrupt fade duration](#configure-interrupt-fade-duration).              |

### Adjust playback volume

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Open the character Blueprint

Open the character Blueprint in the Blueprint editor.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Select the Convai Chatbot component

Select the **Convai Chatbot** component in the **Components** panel.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Expand the Sound section

In the **Details** panel, expand the **Sound** section (inherited from `UAudioComponent`).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Adjust the Volume Multiplier

Set **Volume Multiplier** to the desired level. `1.0` is full volume; `0.0` is silent.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}
To mute or unmute the character's speech at runtime from Blueprint, call `SetVolumeMultiplier(0.0)` or `SetVolumeMultiplier(1.0)` on the Convai Chatbot component reference. This adjusts playback volume only — it does not affect whether the character receives or processes speech.
{% endhint %}

### Enable spatial audio

By default, character speech does not attenuate with distance. To add distance-based falloff:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Create a Sound Attenuation asset

In the **Content Browser**, right-click and select **Sounds > Sound Attenuation**. Name it (for example, `SA_ConvaiCharacter`). Open it and configure the attenuation shape, falloff distance, and volume curve to match your scene scale.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Assign the attenuation to the chatbot component

Open the character Blueprint and select the **Convai Chatbot** component. In the **Details** panel, expand the **Attenuation** section (inherited from `UAudioComponent`). Enable **Override Attenuation** and assign your `SA_ConvaiCharacter` asset.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Test the attenuation

Enter Play mode. Walk toward and away from the character. Speech volume should change with distance according to the falloff curve.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="success" %}
When spatial audio is working, the character's voice fades with distance. If the volume does not change, confirm that **Override Attenuation** is enabled on the component and that the attenuation asset's inner radius is smaller than your expected interaction distance.
{% endhint %}

### Configure interrupt fade duration

When `InterruptSpeech` is called on `UConvaiChatbotComponent`, the character's speech fades out over a configurable duration rather than cutting off abruptly.

| Property                        | Category | Description                                                                                                                               |
| ------------------------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `InterruptVoiceFadeOutDuration` | `Convai` | Seconds over which speech audio fades to silence when interrupted. Shorter values feel more responsive; longer values sound more natural. |

To configure it, select the **Convai Chatbot** component and find **Interrupt Voice Fade Out Duration** in the **Convai** category of the **Details** panel. You can also override the fade duration per-call by passing `InVoiceFadeOutDuration` directly to `InterruptSpeech` in Blueprint — the per-call value takes precedence over the component default for that interruption.

### Troubleshooting

#### Character speech is too quiet or inaudible

**Symptom:** The character's voice plays but is very quiet or cannot be heard at all.

**Cause:** **Volume Multiplier** on the chatbot component has been reduced below `1.0`, or a spatial attenuation asset is configured with a falloff that drops to zero at short distances.

**Fix:** Select the **Convai Chatbot** component and check **Volume Multiplier** in the **Sound** category. Reset it to `1.0`. If attenuation is enabled, review the attenuation curve and widen the inner and outer radii.

**Verify:** Enter Play mode and confirm the character's voice is audible at normal volume.

#### Character speech does not attenuate with distance

**Symptom:** The character is audible at the same volume regardless of the player's distance from it.

**Cause:** Spatial attenuation is disabled by default (`AttenuationSettings = null`).

**Fix:** Follow the [Enable spatial audio](#enable-spatial-audio) steps above.

**Verify:** Walk toward and away from the character in Play mode and confirm volume changes with distance.

#### Speech cuts off instead of fading when interrupted

**Symptom:** When `InterruptSpeech` is called, the character's audio stops instantly with no fade.

**Cause:** `InterruptVoiceFadeOutDuration` is set to `0` or a very small value.

**Fix:** Select the **Convai Chatbot** component and increase **Interrupt Voice Fade Out Duration** in the **Convai** category.

**Verify:** Trigger `InterruptSpeech` during character speech and confirm the audio fades out over the configured duration.

### Next steps

{% content-ref url="/pages/wO1MGAXD0InYM2apk7cV" %}
[Configure conversation input](/api-docs/plugins-and-integrations/convai-unreal-engine-plugin/getting-started/configure-conversation-input.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


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