Contents
Unreal Engine 5.8 · Focused reference
Presets, Patches, and interfaces
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Patch
Extract a Patch when the same bounded DSP/control behavior is reused: randomized wave choice, envelope mapping, surface selection, filter chain, or musical utility. Document every pin, unit, default, and timing assumption. Changes propagate to containing graphs; test representative callers.
Preset
Right-click a Source/Patch -> Create MetaSound Preset. A Preset inherits a read-only graph and overrides selected default Inputs. Parent changes propagate. Use Presets for variants sharing the same behavior contract; convert from Preset only when the graph must diverge. Constructor-pin status cannot be overridden on Presets.
Interfaces
Interfaces supply standardized Inputs/Outputs connecting MetaSounds to audio-engine systems:
UE.Source.OneShot:On Finishedfor finite source lifetime.UE.Attenuation: listener distance input.UE.Spatialization: azimuth/elevation inputs.
Add/remove interfaces in the MetaSound Interfaces panel. Do not retain OneShot on indefinite sources. Treat interface changes like an API migration because dependent graphs/callers may rely on members.
Use templates only when repeated asset construction and curated designer controls justify the extra framework. For a small graph, a normal Source/Patch/Preset is clearer.
Sources and version
Documentation target: Unreal Engine 5.8. Confirm behavior in your installed engine; no per-procedure test result is implied.
Read this system’s sources and verification notes →
Canonical reference and AI copy
unreal-metasounds/references/presets-patches-and-interfaces.md