SweejTech Docs

Introduction and Features ​

Watch this video for a quick overview of the HDR workflow:

SweejTech HDR is a dynamic range management plugin for Unreal Engine 5 that automatically mixes and prioritizes sounds based on perceived loudness. It preserves audio clarity and balance by scaling the mix to prioritize louder, more important sounds while preserving relationships between adjacent sounds. A moving HDR window maps active sounds to the dynamic range of the playback system, automatically culling sounds below its threshold for optimal performance.

Beyond its core HDR audio processing capabilities, SweejTech HDR also provides significant workflow and productivity enhancements, acting as a streamlined command center for making audio changes quickly and efficiently. The HDR Authoring Window can become a central command centre for audio work, replacing the Content Browser for many tasks:

  • Audio Focussed View: See only audio-relevant assets, reducing visual clutter
  • Snappy Filtering: Fast string-based filtering (including subtractive strings) for audio assets only
  • Immediate Access: Skip navigating through complex Content Browser folder structures
  • Direct Property Editing: Modify Loudness and dB offset without opening individual asset editors
  • Per-Asset Mute/Solo: Quickly isolate sounds for mixing and debugging
  • HDR Mode Control: Full/Write/Read HDR modes with per-asset overrides
  • Real-time Adjustment: Translate mix ideas directly into sound without editor switching
  • Big Picture + Detail: Focus on overall project sound while adjusting individual elements

HDR isn't just about mixing - it also offers valuable optimization opportunities. The system can automatically stop distant quiet sounds from playing and cull low-loudness ambient sounds when appropriate. It helps manage voice counts and can be particularly efficient when working with dense or cluttered soundscapes. The result is a more streamlined audio production process where technical excellence and practical workflow efficiency work together to improve both the final audio quality and the daily development experience.

Requirements

  • Unreal Engine: UE5 or newer
  • Compatible with: All UE5 sound sources (SoundWaves, SoundCues, MetaSounds)