Unlocking the Secrets of MetaSounds and the Builder API in ‘Mix Universe’ | Unreal Fest Chicago 2026

In this session recorded at Unreal Fest Chicago 2026, Chris Zukowski of Zuko Media demonstrates an Audio-FX-Stack method of building and changing MetaSounds at runtime using the MetaSound Builder API, along with various methods to visualize them.

This workflow uses the live update option for the API, which comes with a few gotchas. These techniques are showcased in ‘Mix Universe’—Zukowski’s musical sandbox game where you play as a Mixonaut adding beautiful vibes to the universe—to build and play hundreds of sounds at runtime, using Niagara to make them look cool.

It is useful to have prior C++ experience to understand the more technical aspects of the talk, but anyone interested in Unreal Engine’s innovative audio technology will find the recording useful, too.

Find out more about MetaSounds in Unreal Engine here: dev.epicgames.com/documentation/unreal-engine/metasounds-in-unreal-engine

#GameAudio, #MetaSounds, #BuilderAPI, #MixUniverse, #NiagaraVFX, #C++, #ZukoMedia, #UnrealEngine, #UnrealFestChicago2026