Tier 3 Series 206

206C: The Ducking Signal

Pilot Record
Student Profile
"When the Warning Alarm blares, the background music should quiet down automatically. This is called "Ducking" (Sidechain Compression). A Pilot does not code this with `Lerp`; they wire it in the Mixer."

The Concept: Sidechain Compression

Using the volume of Signal A to suppress the volume of Signal B.

* **Send:** The Alarm Group sends signal strength to the Music Compressor.
* **Threshold:** When Alarm gets loud enough, Music gets quiet.
* **Release:** How fast Music returns to normal.
Red Flag Detected

The AI Trap: "The Coroutine Fade"

You ask the AI: "Lower the music when the alarm plays."

// AI-Generated Code: Spaghetti Logic
IEnumerator AlarmRoutine() {
    musicSource.volume = 0.2f;
    alarmSource.Play();
    yield return new WaitForSeconds(3);
    musicSource.volume = 1.0f;
}

This is "State Conflict." If two alarms happen at once, the coroutines fight and the volume flickers.

Elite Telemetry

Research shows "Elite" teams achieve 15% faster lead times by keeping AI on a "very tight leash."

  • Small Batches Solving one problem at a time prevents logic drift.
  • Modular Design Localizing the "blast radius" of AI changes.
  • Tight Loops Rapid iteration with constant code review.

The Pilot's Correction

Corrective Protocol
// Corrected: Signal Processing
// No Code Needed!
// This is handled entirely by the Audio Mixer graph.
// The code just plays the alarm; the mixer handles the fade.
Your Pilot Command
> A skilled Pilot directs the AI to use the Mixer. You command: "Add a Send effect to the Alarm Group and a Ducking Compressor to the Music Group."
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The Randomizer