DSP Motion and DSP Action let you draw sound effects
Originally posted on 5 August 2020. Scroll down for the latest DSP Motion and DSP Action updates.
Japanese developer Tsugi has released DSP Motion, an interesting new tool that lets users ‘draw’ sound effects for animation, motion graphics and real-time projects.
The $49 app provides an inexpensive alternative to stock audio libraries, translating the motion of your stylus or mouse into abstract sounds that can be exported to editing software or game engines.
Updated 3 August 2021: Another new tool, DSP Action, does a similar job for explosions and gunfire.
‘Draw’ sound effects in time to your animations or motion graphics
We don’t normally cover audio tools on CG Channel, but the basic premise of DSP Motion is so appealing that we felt it was worth running a story.
The software’s procedural audio engine translates the motion of the user’s mouse or stylus into sound, making it possible to ‘draw’ abstract sound effects.
Users simply select a motion property – for example, rotation or scaling – to translate into sound, along with an audio style preset, like fire, water or electricity, or mechanical and animal noise.
Tsugi’s demo videos show users drawing along to existing animations and FX clips in software like After Effects and Unity, creating sound effects matching the visuals in real time.
Retime sound effects to match footage, or generate variations automatically
The resulting sound clip effect can be adjusted through a set of simple parameter sliders and, being procedural, can be retimed to match footage precisely without introducing artefacts.
The software can also generate variations of a base sound effect automatically, helping to avoid obvious repetition when an effect is used frequently in a game or animation.
Completed sound effects can be exported as .wav files for use in editing or compositing software. DSP Motion also exports directly to Unity, generating metafiles and C# playback scripts automatically.
Part of a family of audio tools for game developers
Although DSP Motion is Tsugi’s first product aimed specifically at motion graphics and animation, the firm has an established track record in creating professional audio tools.
Its sister applications include DSP Fantasy, DSP Sci-Fi, DSP Anime and DSP Retro, which create similar sound effects for games, along with a range of audio middleware and sound-processing tools.
The firm also does R&D work for a number of entertainment clients, including Capcom and Activision.
Updated 3 August 2021: Tsugi has released a second new tool aimed at animation work, DSP Action.
It works in the same way as DSP Motion, but is aimed at ‘high-impact’ sounds like explosions, destruction, gunfire and sound effects for action sports.
Updated 10 November 2022: Tsugi has released DSP Motion 1.3 and DSP Action 1.1.
Both updates add video playback synchronised to a drawing session – playback starts when the user begins drawing and stops when they stop – making it easier to match the timing of sound effects to footage.
You can also synchronise playback of audio files, to create effects matching timing of background music.
Pricing and system requirements
DSP Motion and DSP Action are available for Windows only. New perpetual licences cost $49. The updates are free to existing users.