# What do the badges on a canvas node mean?

> They are quick warnings about the sound attached to that node — it peaks too hot, it drifts from its family in loudness, length, or brightness, or it has no haptic paired with it.

> **Tip:** Hover a badge for the full explanation, including the measured number behind it.

> **Note:** Drift badges compare a sound against the other sounds in its own category, so they only appear once there is a family to compare against.

## Steps

1. "hot" means the sound peaks above the safe headroom and can clip on device speakers. Apply a limiter in the editor.
2. A loudness badge, like "+3 LU", means the sound is that much louder or quieter than the rest of its category.
3. A "duration" badge means the sound is noticeably longer or shorter than its family, or than the animation it is meant to cover.
4. A character badge — bright, warm, neutral, or dark — appears when the sound’s tone stands apart from the others in its group.
5. A haptic badge suggests a vibration pattern that would suit this sound, because none is paired yet.
6. Open the node in the editor to act on any of them, or run the Full Audit Report to see them all in one list.

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More Sound Kit help: https://systergon.com/sound-kit/help