# Quick Start Guide
## Try It
The fastest way to see Excited Waves Acoustics in action is to download the packaged demo build:
* [Download standalone demo (Win64)](https://github.com/ExcitedWaves/EWAcousticsNativeUE_Trial/releases/latest)
See how the demo works and what to expect:
[](https://youtu.be/DyS5AQqjrp4?si=jY_htaqUShFEx7oQ)
## Demo Project from Source
If you want to explore the trial project source in Unreal Editor:
* [Trial project source (UE 5.6.1)](https://github.com/ExcitedWaves/EWAcousticsNativeUE_Trial)
* or [Trial project source (UE 5.7.4)](https://github.com/ExcitedWaves/EWAcousticsNativeUE_Trial/tree/ue-5.7)
### Requirements
* Unreal Engine 5.6.1 / Unreal Engine 5.7.4
* Windows (Win64)
* Trial license key is required to run Editor with acoustics. Request one at [contact@excitedwaves.com](/excitedwaves-docs/excited-waves-acoustics.md) and enter it in **Project Settings > Plugins > Excited Waves:**
### What's Inside
[EWAcousticsNativeUE\_Trial](https://github.com/ExcitedWaves/EWAcousticsNativeUE_Trial) is a playground designed to test the acoustics system across real-world scenarios.
#### **Dynamic emitters**
Multiple copies of `BP_EmitterTest` are placed around the level – actors with `AudioComponent` playing different Metasounds. Grab any of them with `[E]` and carry them around to hear reverb change in real time as they move through different spaces. Some emitters also move on their own.
Additionally, **100 bird emitters** spawn at runtime and fly continuously. Press `[4]` to debug draw their positions. Despite constant motion, acoustic re-evaluation is optimized with frame spreading, per-frame raycast budgeting, and LOD-based distance thresholds – the system scales without spiking CPU.
#### **Player and weapons**
The player character (`BP_ShooterCharacter`) has an `AcousticsDetector` component. Footstep sounds, tied to the player, use the player's own detector – no separate setup needed.
The weapon (`BP_ShooterWeapon_GrenadeLauncher`) demonstrates how to read acoustic data from the player's detector for gunshots. Since the gun moves with the player, there's no point in a separate detector on the weapon – the player's detector provides the acoustic context.
#### **Runtime-spawned detectors**
Explosions spawn their own `AcousticsDetector` components at runtime, directly on the explosion actors (`BP_ExplosionSFX`).
#### **Early Reflections**
ERs are active on the main `BP_EmitterTest` emitters, on the player's footsteps, and on weapon fire. Walk between different spaces and listen to the reflection pattern change.
### **Test cases to explore**
| What | Where to look | Example |
| ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Rooms of different height, length, and complexity | Indoor areas | |
| Open vs. closed ceilings | Covered building vs. semi-open | |
| Acoustics under bridges and overhangs | Bridge area, covered walkways | |
| Different absorption materials | Building with varied surface assignments | |
| Chaos destruction | Yellow destructible wall sections | |
| 100 flying birds | Constant motion, optimized with frame spreading and LOD | |
#### Runtime Hotkeys
| Key | Action |
| --- | ---------------------------------- |
| `0` | Toggle system on/off |
| `1` | Show results above nearby emitters |
| `2` | Show rays |
| `3` | Show hit points |
| `4` | Show detectors positions |
| `5` | Dry-to-reverb ratio drive |
| `6` | Cross-room on/off |
| `M` | Solo reverbs on/off |
#### Console Commands
Open the console (`~`) in a Development build:
* `stat ewa` – core detection performance
* `stat ewa_er` – ER DSP performance (Native Audio)
***
Website: [excitedwaves.com](https://excitedwaves.com) · Contact:
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