Listen, some of the most ignored settings in Fortnite are the audio settings. Just as much as we want our game to have great performance and the right visuals, we also can’t forget the importance of sound. Often, you’ll hear an opponent before you see an opponent, and that is where the greatest advantages lie.

10. Sound Effects

An example of how your volume settings should look. 

Pulling up Fortnite’s settings, the audio is split several ways. One category of sound is the “Sound Effects” ie: footsteps, shots, doors opening, structure damage hits, etc. These are the sounds you want to prioritize.

What to set it to:

• Go to Settings
• Go to the Audio Tab
• Look under Volume
• Put the Sound Effects slider significantly higher than everything else (above 50%)

9. Tone Down the Music

You don't need music with how we're playing.

Yeah, music is fun, but it’s not going to let you hear footsteps. While you’re jamming to the soundtracks of Fortnite, you aren’t doing yourself any competitive favors. Save the music for Fortnite Festival.

What to set it to:

• Go to Settings
• Go to the Audio Tab
• Look under Volume
• Put the Music slider significantly lower than everything else (seriously, like 5%)

8. Use a Headset

If you aren't using a headset, what are you doing?

For this tip, we need to step outside of the game for a moment and address your setup. Whatever you do, do not use speakers! Especially if you’re relying on your monitor’s speakers you will lose out on sound quality and the spatial awareness you could be getting from using a headset. 

What to set it to:

• Make sure you have a headset (easily obtainable online or at your local Walmart)
• Plug your headset into your computer
• Turn on Fortnite
• Go into Settings
• Go to the Audio Tab
• Look under Sound
• Make sure Audio Output Device is set to your headset

7. Car Radio

Take charge of the car radio. 

One place where audio might trip you up is while driving in the game. As far as vehicles go, if you enter a car the radio will be playing. By default, there’s no key bind to turn off the radio, which has hurt me too many times in the heat of a getaway. Make sure to go into your settings and change this so you aren’t stuck with the radio playing as you try to drive through the map.

What to set it to:

• Go into Settings
• Go to the Keyboard Controls tab
• Scroll to “Vehicles - Cars”
• Set a key bind for Driver Radio On/Off (I suggest something like “Y”)

6. Voice Chat

Make sure you can hear and be heard by enabling voice chat. 

Teamwork makes the dream work, right? Voice chat is great for collaborating with your friends and your squad. It’s a matter of preference whether to set it to “Friends and Teammates” or “Everyone”, but regardless, you’ll want to be able to hear those you’re playing with. By utilizing voice chat, you can get important intel specific to the match in real-time. 

What to set it to:

• Go to Settings
• Go to the Audio tab
• Look under Voice Chat
• Set Voice Chat to “Friends and Teammates” or “Everyone”

5. Voice Chat (part 2)

Open mic is key.

The worst thing that you can be in voice chat is muted. By default, voice chat is set to “push to talk” meaning that your teammates can only hear you if you press a button before speaking to turn on your mic. When I’m in the middle of combat, I don’t always remember to push to talk, so I opt for an open mic, which allows my teammates to hear me at all times. In other words: one less button equals fewer communication problems. 

What to set it to:

• Go to Settings
• Go to the Audio tab
• Look under Voice Chat
• Set Voice Chat Method to “Open Mic”

4. Background Audio

Keep your audio going, even when you're away.

We get it, sometimes you have to tab away from the game mid-match. However, the worst thing you can do is get so distracted that you miss the action happening in the game. With this setting, even if Fortnite is running in the background, it will still play audio, alerting you back to the game when it’s crucial. 

What to set it to:

• Go to Settings
• Go to the Audio tab
• Look under Sound
• Set Background Audio to All Sounds

3. Dialogue and Cinematics

Say hi, Jonesy!

We love how Fortnite keeps things fresh with lore and side quests. While not the main focus, you might want to keep these audio settings above 0%, especially when looking to do quests for extra XP. 

What to set it to:

• Go to Settings
• Go to the Audio tab
• Look under Volume
• Set the Dialogue slider anywhere from 5%-20%
• Set the Cinematics slider anywhere from 5%-20%

2. Sound Quality

Make sure your sound quality is set to high!

This is not the time or place to skimp on quality. You’ll want your audio to sound crisp and clear, alerting you to the best ways to action. Thankfully, you can toggle sound quality in settings to ensure it’s the best quality anytime you play. 

What to set it to:

• Go to Settings
• Go to the Audio tab
• Look under Sound
• Set Sound Quality to “High”

1. Visualize Sound Effects

See sounds happening in real time and what direction they're coming from.

I love the Visualize Sound Effects setting. This setting shows icons on your screen, signaling the kind of sound and its direction.  Spatial awareness is everything, and this is a fantastic way to combine audio and visuals to get the best advantage in locating your opponents. 

What to set it to:

• Go to Settings
• Go to the Audio tab
• Look under Sound
• Turn Visualize Sound Effects: ON

With these audio settings, you’re sure to have an advantage over your opponents and secure the sweet sound of emoting with a #1 Victory Royale.

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