Unity VFX : Audio-Reactive Particles
& Real-Time Effects
July 4 to 25, 2025
Fridays, 1-4 PM, Berlin Time
3 lessons at 3 hours in English Language live via Zoom, or as recording
Unlock the full potential of real-time visual effects in Unity with this specialized course designed for artists, designers, and developers. Whether you’re transitioning from TouchDesigner or diving deeper into Unity’s powerful VFX tools, this hands-on program will equip you with the skills to create high-quality, interactive, and audio-reactive particle simulations.
Through a structured, project-based approach, you’ll learn to design millions of particles that react to music, integrate Unity’s Visual Effect Graph, and explore real-time rendering techniques to enhance performance. You’ll also gain insights into Unity’s different rendering pipelines (HDRP, URP, Built-in) and how to choose the best one for your projects.
The course covers custom scripting, shader-based effects, and optimization techniques, ensuring that your visuals remain efficient even in performance-intensive applications. You’ll also implement interactive elements, such as microphone input and mouse-based controls, to create immersive, dynamic visuals for live performances, installations, and multimedia projects.
What You’ll Learn
Lesson 1: Getting Started with Unity & VFX Graph
Lesson 2: Interactive VFX & Cross-Device Deployment
- Installing Unity and understanding different versions & rendering pipelines (HDRP, URP, Built-in)
- Navigating the Unity interface, object placement, lighting, and scene setup
- Introduction to Visual Effect Graph (VFX Graph)
- Installing free additional packages for rendering and easier audioreactivity
- Preparing and building projects for different devices & platforms
- Making VFX Graph interactive using Unity’s node-based workflow
- Exploring particle math for dynamic effects
- Understanding lighting & shading in VFX Graph
Lesson 3: Advanced Techniques & Real-Time Interactions
- Using 3D meshes as particle spawn points & collision surfaces
- Introduction to Signed Distance Fields (SDFs) for particle interactions
- Integrating character movement with particle systems
- Optimizing and fine-tuning high-performance VFX for real-time applications
By the end of the program, you’ll have the knowledge and hands-on experience to build standalone applications that showcase cutting-edge audio-reactive VFX, pushing the boundaries of real-time graphics in Unity.
Requirements
This module is made for participants, who have no prior knowledge of visual programming.
- A recent PC or MAC Computer (discrete GPU recommended) with stable internet connection
- Zoom Client installed (please test your audio setup beforehand)
- Latest version of Unity installed. We will be working in Unity 6.
- 3-Button Mouse recommended
- A Chromium-based Browser like Chrome or Brave
- No prior knowledge of Unity is required
About the Instructors
Max Schweder is a creative coder, digital artist, and musician. With a background in freelance digital art, he brings a wide range of projects to life, including the ARD cultural production Einklang. As a founding member of Koproduktionslabor Dortmund, Max worked as a creative coder and digital consultant, contributing to numerous interdisciplinary projects. He is also an active member of the inclusive Un-Label Performing Arts Company, where he develops accessible stage productions and conducts workshops on accessibility and inclusion. Under the pseudonym Strange Attractor, Max releases music as a solo artist, while also collaborating with Tobias Hartmann as part of the duo CYLVESTER, creating both music and digital art installations. Max’s academic journey includes fellowships at the Academy for Theater and Digitality Dortmund, the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp, and the Academy of Media Arts Cologne. His research work at the Royal Conservatoire led to the development of interactive performances such as EMPTY MIND.
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Depending on your country of residence you may have to pay a different or no VAT.
You will see your individual price on check out.
