# x, y, and z vars (sound)

Source: https://ref.dm-lang.org/sound/var/xyz

### Default value
> all 0

Set to different values to give your sound a 3D effect which will be applied when it is played. Positive values for `x` will sound as if they come from the right, positive `y` sounds like it is above the player's head, and positive `z` sounds like it is directly ahead. The effect of 3D sound depends on the player's computer's sound card, and is greatly enhanced when wearing headphones.

Depending on the value of `falloff`, the settings for the location of the sound can also affect its volume. Once the distance passes the value of `falloff`, the volume will diminish.

If these values are all set to 0, you should set `environment` if you want to treat it as a 3D sound. Otherwise BYOND will assume this is meant to be a non-3D sound such as music or the interface.

If the [atom](https://ref.dm-lang.org/sound/var/atom.md) var is set to an atom that's visible on the map (that is, if it's close enough to the center of view to be sent by the server), its relative x and y coordinates are fed through the [transform](https://ref.dm-lang.org/sound/var/transform.md) matrix, if present, and added to the x,y,z coordinates. This way, a sound's 3D position can change in real time. A sound is considered 3D if the `atom` var is set, even if the base x,y,z coordinates are all 0.

### See also
- [vars (sound)](https://ref.dm-lang.org/sound/var/index.md)
- [atom var (sound)](https://ref.dm-lang.org/sound/var/atom.md)
- [transform var (sound)](https://ref.dm-lang.org/sound/var/transform.md)
- [falloff var (sound)](https://ref.dm-lang.org/sound/var/falloff.md)