# LoadAudioData()

> Loads the asset data of an AudioClip into memory, so it will immediately be ready to play.

## Definition

* **Type:** Method
* **Namespace:** [UnityEngine](/engine/6000.3/script-reference/unityengine.md)
* **Assembly:** UnityEngine.AudioModule

```csharp
public bool LoadAudioData()
```

### Returns

| Type                                                          | Description                                     |
| ------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| [bool](https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/api/system.boolean) | Returns true if the clip is loaded into memory. |

### Remarks

Use this method when your application can afford an upfront performance overhead. The overhead happens because this method loads resources in ahead-of-time. It's recommended that you use `AudioClip.LoadAudioData` in methods like `Start()` of MonoBehaviour.

If you don't use this method and use [AudioSource.Play](/engine/6000.3/script-reference/unityengine/audiosource/play.md) on an unloaded audio clip, the clip still loads in before playback, but it can cause delays due to the clip loading in dynamically. In contrast, `AudioClip.LoadAudioData` loads your audio clips in advance so they're ready to immediately play when necessary.

Key details about `AudioClip.LoadAudioData`:

* If you call it on an audio clip that is already loaded, it does nothing and returns `true`.
* It doesn't reload clips that have [AudioClip.preloadAudioData](/engine/6000.3/script-reference/unityengine/audioclip/preloadaudiodata.md) set to `true`.
* It loads the [AudioClip](/engine/6000.3/script-reference/unityengine/audioclip.md) synchronously, unless [AudioClip.loadInBackground](/engine/6000.3/script-reference/unityengine/audioclip/loadinbackground.md) is set to `true`.
* If you play a clip that is loading in the background, the audio source will delay playback until the clip is ready to play.
* You can use [AudioClip.loadState](/engine/6000.3/script-reference/unityengine/audioclip/loadstate.md) to monitor the current load state of the audio data.

### Examples

```csharp
using UnityEngine;

public class LoadClipAtStart : MonoBehaviour
{
    AudioClip m_Clip;
    void Start()
    {
        m_Clip.LoadAudioData();
        //Components that use AudioClip, for example AudioSource, are ready to immediately use the audio data, rather
        // than triggering a load themselves.

    }
}
```