diff --git a/crates/horizon-client/examples/sound_event_fixture.rs b/crates/horizon-client/examples/sound_event_fixture.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..57c6dd7be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/horizon-client/examples/sound_event_fixture.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+//! Resolves sound instances through Horizon's sound event registry for
+//! `tools/test_sound_event_parity.py`: `sound_event_fixture ROOT INPUT OUTPUT [NAMES]`.
+use horizon_client::sound_engine::{Attenuation, MASTER, SoundEngine, SoundInstance};
+use horizon_client::sound_events::{Sentinel, SoundRegistry};
+use horizon_core::random::{LegacyRandom, RandomSource};
+use std::io::Write;
+
+fn bits(v: f32) -> String {
+    format!("{:08x}", v.to_bits())
+}
+
+fn main() {
+    let args: Vec<String> = std::env::args().collect();
+    let registry = SoundRegistry::load(std::path::Path::new(&args[1]));
+    let mut engine = SoundEngine::new(registry);
+    let input = std::fs::read_to_string(&args[2]).expect("input");
+    let mut out = std::io::BufWriter::new(std::fs::File::create(&args[3]).expect("output"));
+    let mut names: Vec<String> = engine.registry.names().cloned().collect();
+    names.sort();
+    for name in names {
+        writeln!(out, "registered {name}").expect("write");
+    }
+    for line in input.lines() {
+        let f: Vec<&str> = line.split(' ').collect();
+        let seed: i64 = f[1].parse().expect("seed");
+        let volume = f32::from_bits(u32::from_str_radix(f[2], 16).expect("volume"));
+        let pitch = f32::from_bits(u32::from_str_radix(f[3], 16).expect("pitch"));
+        let event = horizon_client::sound_events::normalize(f[0]);
+        let instance = SoundInstance::new(
+            &event,
+            MASTER,
+            volume,
+            pitch,
+            LegacyRandom::new(seed),
+            false,
+            0,
+            Attenuation::Linear,
+            [0.0; 3],
+            false,
+        );
+        let id = engine.add(instance, true);
+        engine.resolve(id);
+        let weight = engine.registry.weight(&event);
+        let i = engine.instance_mut(id).expect("instance");
+        let mut s = line.to_owned();
+        match &i.event {
+            None => s.push_str(" event=none"),
+            Some(subtitle) => s.push_str(&format!(
+                " event weight={weight} subtitle={}",
+                subtitle.as_deref().unwrap_or("-")
+            )),
+        }
+        let v = i.get_volume();
+        let p = i.get_pitch();
+        let sound = i.sound.clone().expect("resolved");
+        let (namespace, path) = sound.path();
+        let sentinel = match sound.sentinel {
+            Sentinel::None => "-",
+            Sentinel::Empty => "empty",
+            Sentinel::IntentionallyEmpty => "intentionally_empty",
+        };
+        s.push_str(&format!(
+            " sound={} path={namespace}:{path} sentinel={sentinel} weight={} type={} stream={} preload={} attenuation={} volume={} pitch={} range={} next={}",
+            sound.location,
+            sound.weight,
+            if sound.event { "SOUND_EVENT" } else { "FILE" },
+            sound.stream,
+            sound.preload,
+            sound.attenuation_distance,
+            bits(v),
+            bits(p),
+            bits(sound.attenuation_distance(v)),
+            i.random.next_long()
+        ));
+        writeln!(out, "{s}").expect("write");
+        engine.release(id);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/horizon-client/src/lib.rs b/crates/horizon-client/src/lib.rs
index e5080ea4a..01c135262 100644
--- a/crates/horizon-client/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/horizon-client/src/lib.rs
@@ -83,6 +83,8 @@ pub mod settings;
 pub mod shadows;
 pub mod signs;
 pub mod snbt;
+pub mod sound_engine;
+pub mod sound_events;
 pub mod sprint;
 pub mod sprites;
 pub mod stations;
diff --git a/crates/horizon-client/src/sound_engine.rs b/crates/horizon-client/src/sound_engine.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f51545595
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/horizon-client/src/sound_engine.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,936 @@
+//! Vanilla's `SoundEngine` bookkeeping, separated from the mixer: sound
+//! instances resolved from the registry with their own random, the channel
+//! pools (`Library.CountingChannelPool`), `calculateVolume`/`calculatePitch`,
+//! the channel parameters a play sets (gain, pitch, linear attenuation, looping,
+//! position, relative), the subtitle notifications, tickable instances,
+//! delayed and manually looped sounds, the 20-tick minimum channel lifetime,
+//! `isActive`, category gains and stopping by sound or source.
+//!
+//! The executor is modelled as running every channel task immediately (the
+//! sound thread keeps up between ticks); a channel's own end is reported by the
+//! backend through `stopped`.
+use crate::sound_events::{INTENTIONALLY_EMPTY, Sentinel, Sound, SoundRegistry};
+use horizon_core::random::LegacyRandom;
+use std::collections::HashMap;
+
+/// `SoundSource` indices (vanilla order).
+pub const MASTER: usize = 0;
+pub const MUSIC: usize = 1;
+pub const RECORDS: usize = 2;
+pub const AMBIENT: usize = 8;
+pub const UI: usize = 10;
+/// The pool sizes `Library.init` derives from OpenAL Soft's default 255 mono
+/// sources: `clamp((int) sqrt(255), 2, 8)` streaming, the rest static.
+pub const STATIC_CHANNELS: usize = 247;
+pub const STREAMING_CHANNELS: usize = 8;
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum PlayResult {
+    Started,
+    StartedSilently,
+    NotStarted,
+}
+/// `SoundInstance.Attenuation`.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum Attenuation {
+    None,
+    Linear,
+}
+/// The tickable instance kinds Horizon plays (`TickableSoundInstance`).
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum Ticking {
+    /// Not tickable.
+    No,
+    /// `BiomeAmbientSoundsHandler.LoopSoundInstance`.
+    BiomeLoop { fade: i32, direction: i32 },
+    /// `UnderLiquidAmbientSoundInstance`.
+    UnderLiquidLoop { fade: i32 },
+    /// `UnderLiquidSubSound`.
+    UnderLiquidSub,
+}
+/// What tickable instances read about the player.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Default)]
+pub struct TickContext {
+    pub player_underwater: bool,
+    pub player_removed: bool,
+}
+/// `AbstractSoundInstance` and its subclasses' fields.
+#[derive(Clone, Debug)]
+pub struct SoundInstance {
+    pub identifier: String,
+    pub source: usize,
+    pub volume: f32,
+    pub pitch: f32,
+    pub position: [f64; 3],
+    pub looping: bool,
+    pub delay: i32,
+    pub attenuation: Attenuation,
+    pub relative: bool,
+    pub random: LegacyRandom,
+    pub can_start_silent: bool,
+    pub ticking: Ticking,
+    /// `AbstractTickableSoundInstance.stopped`.
+    pub stopped: bool,
+    /// `sound` after `getOrResolve`.
+    pub sound: Option<Sound>,
+    /// `soundEvent != null` after `getOrResolve`, and its subtitle.
+    pub event: Option<Option<String>>,
+}
+impl SoundInstance {
+    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
+    pub fn new(
+        identifier: &str,
+        source: usize,
+        volume: f32,
+        pitch: f32,
+        random: LegacyRandom,
+        looping: bool,
+        delay: i32,
+        attenuation: Attenuation,
+        position: [f64; 3],
+        relative: bool,
+    ) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            identifier: identifier.to_owned(),
+            source,
+            volume,
+            pitch,
+            position,
+            looping,
+            delay,
+            attenuation,
+            relative,
+            random,
+            can_start_silent: false,
+            ticking: Ticking::No,
+            stopped: false,
+            sound: None,
+            event: None,
+        }
+    }
+    /// `new SimpleSoundInstance(sound, source, volume, pitch, random, x, y, z)`.
+    pub fn at(
+        id: &str,
+        source: usize,
+        volume: f32,
+        pitch: f32,
+        random: LegacyRandom,
+        at: [f64; 3],
+    ) -> Self {
+        Self::new(
+            id,
+            source,
+            volume,
+            pitch,
+            random,
+            false,
+            0,
+            Attenuation::Linear,
+            at,
+            false,
+        )
+    }
+    /// `SimpleSoundInstance.forUI(sound, pitch, volume)`.
+    pub fn for_ui(id: &str, pitch: f32, volume: f32, random: LegacyRandom) -> Self {
+        Self::new(
+            id,
+            UI,
+            volume,
+            pitch,
+            random,
+            false,
+            0,
+            Attenuation::None,
+            [0.0; 3],
+            true,
+        )
+    }
+    /// `SimpleSoundInstance.forMusic`.
+    pub fn for_music(id: &str, random: LegacyRandom) -> Self {
+        Self::new(
+            id,
+            MUSIC,
+            1.0,
+            1.0,
+            random,
+            false,
+            0,
+            Attenuation::None,
+            [0.0; 3],
+            true,
+        )
+    }
+    /// `SimpleSoundInstance.forJukeboxSong`.
+    pub fn for_jukebox_song(id: &str, at: [f64; 3], random: LegacyRandom) -> Self {
+        Self::new(
+            id,
+            RECORDS,
+            4.0,
+            1.0,
+            random,
+            false,
+            0,
+            Attenuation::Linear,
+            at,
+            false,
+        )
+    }
+    /// `SimpleSoundInstance.forLocalAmbience`.
+    pub fn for_local_ambience(id: &str, pitch: f32, volume: f32, random: LegacyRandom) -> Self {
+        Self::new(
+            id,
+            AMBIENT,
+            volume,
+            pitch,
+            random,
+            false,
+            0,
+            Attenuation::None,
+            [0.0; 3],
+            true,
+        )
+    }
+    /// `SimpleSoundInstance.forAmbientAddition`.
+    pub fn for_ambient_addition(id: &str, random: LegacyRandom) -> Self {
+        Self::for_local_ambience(id, 1.0, 1.0, random)
+    }
+    /// `SimpleSoundInstance.forAmbientMood`.
+    pub fn for_ambient_mood(id: &str, random: LegacyRandom, at: [f64; 3]) -> Self {
+        Self::new(
+            id,
+            AMBIENT,
+            1.0,
+            1.0,
+            random,
+            false,
+            0,
+            Attenuation::Linear,
+            at,
+            false,
+        )
+    }
+    /// A relative looping ambient instance (the loop sound constructors).
+    fn ambient_loop(id: &str, random: LegacyRandom, looping: bool, ticking: Ticking) -> Self {
+        let mut s = Self::new(
+            id,
+            AMBIENT,
+            1.0,
+            1.0,
+            random,
+            looping,
+            0,
+            Attenuation::Linear,
+            [0.0; 3],
+            true,
+        );
+        s.ticking = ticking;
+        s
+    }
+    /// `new BiomeAmbientSoundsHandler.LoopSoundInstance(event)`.
+    pub fn biome_loop(id: &str, random: LegacyRandom) -> Self {
+        Self::ambient_loop(
+            id,
+            random,
+            true,
+            Ticking::BiomeLoop {
+                fade: 0,
+                direction: 0,
+            },
+        )
+    }
+    /// `UnderLiquidAmbientSoundInstance.underwater(player)`.
+    pub fn under_liquid_loop(id: &str, random: LegacyRandom) -> Self {
+        Self::ambient_loop(id, random, true, Ticking::UnderLiquidLoop { fade: 0 })
+    }
+    /// `new UnderLiquidSubSound(player, event)`.
+    pub fn under_liquid_sub(id: &str, random: LegacyRandom) -> Self {
+        Self::ambient_loop(id, random, false, Ticking::UnderLiquidSub)
+    }
+    pub fn tickable(&self) -> bool {
+        self.ticking != Ticking::No
+    }
+    /// `AbstractSoundInstance.getVolume` (after `getOrResolve`).
+    pub fn get_volume(&mut self) -> f32 {
+        let sample = match &self.sound {
+            Some(s) => s.volume.sample(&mut self.random),
+            None => 1.0,
+        };
+        self.volume * sample
+    }
+    /// `AbstractSoundInstance.getPitch`.
+    pub fn get_pitch(&mut self) -> f32 {
+        let sample = match &self.sound {
+            Some(s) => s.pitch.sample(&mut self.random),
+            None => 1.0,
+        };
+        self.pitch * sample
+    }
+    /// `AbstractTickableSoundInstance.stop`.
+    fn stop(&mut self) {
+        self.stopped = true;
+        self.looping = false;
+    }
+    /// `TickableSoundInstance.tick`.
+    pub fn tick(&mut self, ctx: &TickContext) {
+        match &mut self.ticking {
+            Ticking::No => {}
+            Ticking::BiomeLoop { fade, direction } => {
+                let stop = *fade < 0;
+                *fade += *direction;
+                self.volume = (*fade as f32 / 40.0).clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+                if stop {
+                    self.stop();
+                }
+            }
+            Ticking::UnderLiquidLoop { fade } => {
+                if !ctx.player_removed && *fade >= 0 {
+                    if ctx.player_underwater {
+                        *fade += 1;
+                    } else {
+                        *fade -= 2;
+                    }
+                    *fade = (*fade).min(40);
+                    self.volume = 0.0f32.max((*fade as f32 / 40.0).min(1.0));
+                } else {
+                    self.stop();
+                }
+            }
+            Ticking::UnderLiquidSub => {
+                if ctx.player_removed || !ctx.player_underwater {
+                    self.stop();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    /// `LoopSoundInstance.fadeOut`.
+    pub fn fade_out(&mut self) {
+        if let Ticking::BiomeLoop { fade, direction } = &mut self.ticking {
+            *fade = (*fade).min(40);
+            *direction = -1;
+        }
+    }
+    /// `LoopSoundInstance.fadeIn`.
+    pub fn fade_in(&mut self) {
+        if let Ticking::BiomeLoop { fade, direction } = &mut self.ticking {
+            *fade = 0.max(*fade);
+            *direction = 1;
+        }
+    }
+}
+/// A sound instance handle.
+pub type InstanceId = u64;
+/// A backend channel (an OpenAL source).
+pub type ChannelId = u64;
+/// The OpenAL side: `Channel` operations, all applied immediately.
+pub trait Backend {
+    /// `Channel.create`.
+    fn create(&mut self, streaming: bool) -> Option<ChannelId>;
+    /// `Channel.destroy`.
+    fn destroy(&mut self, channel: ChannelId);
+    fn set_pitch(&mut self, channel: ChannelId, pitch: f32);
+    fn set_volume(&mut self, channel: ChannelId, volume: f32);
+    /// `Some(max distance)` for `linearAttenuation`, None for `disableAttenuation`.
+    fn set_attenuation(&mut self, channel: ChannelId, linear: Option<f32>);
+    fn set_looping(&mut self, channel: ChannelId, looping: bool);
+    fn set_position(&mut self, channel: ChannelId, position: [f64; 3]);
+    fn set_relative(&mut self, channel: ChannelId, relative: bool);
+    /// Attach the sound's buffer or stream (when loaded) and play it.
+    fn start(&mut self, channel: ChannelId, sound: &Sound, looping: bool);
+    fn stop(&mut self, channel: ChannelId);
+    fn pause(&mut self, channel: ChannelId);
+    fn unpause(&mut self, channel: ChannelId);
+    /// `Channel.stopped`.
+    fn stopped(&mut self, channel: ChannelId) -> bool;
+}
+/// A `SoundEventListener.onPlaySound` call.
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq)]
+pub struct Notification {
+    pub identifier: String,
+    pub subtitle: Option<String>,
+    pub position: [f64; 3],
+    pub relative: bool,
+    pub looping: bool,
+    pub range: f32,
+}
+/// `ChannelAccess.ChannelHandle`.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug)]
+struct Handle {
+    channel: Option<ChannelId>,
+    streaming: bool,
+    stopped: bool,
+}
+pub struct SoundEngine {
+    pub registry: SoundRegistry,
+    /// `loaded`: the library opened.
+    pub loaded: bool,
+    tick_count: i32,
+    instances: HashMap<InstanceId, SoundInstance>,
+    /// Instances their owner still refers to.
+    retained: HashMap<InstanceId, ()>,
+    next_instance: InstanceId,
+    /// `instanceToChannel` (insertion order).
+    instance_to_channel: Vec<(InstanceId, u64)>,
+    handles: HashMap<u64, Handle>,
+    next_handle: u64,
+    /// `instanceBySource`.
+    instance_by_source: Vec<(usize, InstanceId)>,
+    gain_by_source: [f32; 11],
+    ticking: Vec<InstanceId>,
+    /// `queuedSounds` (insertion order).
+    queued: Vec<(InstanceId, i32)>,
+    delete_time: HashMap<InstanceId, i32>,
+    queued_tickable: Vec<InstanceId>,
+    used: [usize; 2],
+    pub limits: [usize; 2],
+    /// `Options.getSoundSourceVolume` per source (index 0 is master).
+    pub source_volumes: [f32; 11],
+    /// A `SoundEventListener` is registered.
+    pub listening: bool,
+    pub notifications: Vec<Notification>,
+}
+fn handle_channel(h: &Handle) -> Option<ChannelId> {
+    h.channel
+}
+impl SoundEngine {
+    pub fn new(registry: SoundRegistry) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            registry,
+            loaded: true,
+            tick_count: 0,
+            instances: HashMap::new(),
+            retained: HashMap::new(),
+            next_instance: 1,
+            instance_to_channel: Vec::new(),
+            handles: HashMap::new(),
+            next_handle: 1,
+            instance_by_source: Vec::new(),
+            gain_by_source: [1.0; 11],
+            ticking: Vec::new(),
+            queued: Vec::new(),
+            delete_time: HashMap::new(),
+            queued_tickable: Vec::new(),
+            used: [0, 0],
+            limits: [STATIC_CHANNELS, STREAMING_CHANNELS],
+            source_volumes: [1.0; 11],
+            listening: false,
+            notifications: Vec::new(),
+        }
+    }
+    /// Hand an instance to the engine. A retained instance stays until
+    /// `release`; others go once the engine no longer refers to them.
+    pub fn add(&mut self, instance: SoundInstance, retain: bool) -> InstanceId {
+        let id = self.next_instance;
+        self.next_instance += 1;
+        self.instances.insert(id, instance);
+        if retain {
+            self.retained.insert(id, ());
+        }
+        id
+    }
+    /// The owner drops its reference.
+    pub fn release(&mut self, id: InstanceId) {
+        self.retained.remove(&id);
+        self.collect(id);
+    }
+    fn referenced(&self, id: InstanceId) -> bool {
+        self.retained.contains_key(&id)
+            || self.instance_to_channel.iter().any(|(i, _)| *i == id)
+            || self.queued.iter().any(|(i, _)| *i == id)
+            || self.queued_tickable.contains(&id)
+            || self.ticking.contains(&id)
+    }
+    fn collect(&mut self, id: InstanceId) {
+        if !self.referenced(id) {
+            self.instances.remove(&id);
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn instance(&self, id: InstanceId) -> Option<&SoundInstance> {
+        self.instances.get(&id)
+    }
+    pub fn instance_mut(&mut self, id: InstanceId) -> Option<&mut SoundInstance> {
+        self.instances.get_mut(&id)
+    }
+    pub fn tick_count(&self) -> i32 {
+        self.tick_count
+    }
+    /// `Options.getFinalSoundSourceVolume`.
+    pub fn final_source_volume(&self, source: usize) -> f32 {
+        if source == MASTER {
+            self.source_volumes[MASTER]
+        } else {
+            self.source_volumes[source] * self.source_volumes[MASTER]
+        }
+    }
+    /// `calculateVolume(volume, source)`.
+    pub fn calculate_volume(&self, volume: f32, source: usize) -> f32 {
+        volume.clamp(0.0, 1.0)
+            * self.final_source_volume(source).clamp(0.0, 1.0)
+            * self.gain_by_source[source]
+    }
+    /// `calculatePitch`.
+    pub fn calculate_pitch(pitch: f32) -> f32 {
+        pitch.clamp(0.5, 2.0)
+    }
+    fn channel_of(&self, id: InstanceId) -> Option<u64> {
+        self.instance_to_channel
+            .iter()
+            .find(|(i, _)| *i == id)
+            .map(|(_, h)| *h)
+    }
+    /// `refreshCategoryVolume`.
+    pub fn refresh_category_volume(&mut self, source: usize, backend: &mut impl Backend) {
+        if !self.loaded {
+            return;
+        }
+        for (id, handle) in self.instance_to_channel.clone() {
+            let Some(instance) = self.instances.get_mut(&id) else {
+                continue;
+            };
+            if source == instance.source || source == MASTER {
+                let (v, s) = (instance.get_volume(), instance.source);
+                let volume = self.calculate_volume(v, s);
+                if let Some(c) = self.handles.get(&handle).and_then(handle_channel) {
+                    backend.set_volume(c, volume);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    /// `updateCategoryVolume`.
+    pub fn update_category_volume(&mut self, source: usize, gain: f32, backend: &mut impl Backend) {
+        self.gain_by_source[source] = gain.clamp(0.0, 1.0);
+        self.refresh_category_volume(source, backend);
+    }
+    pub fn category_gain(&self, source: usize) -> f32 {
+        self.gain_by_source[source]
+    }
+    /// `stop(SoundInstance)`.
+    pub fn stop(&mut self, id: InstanceId, backend: &mut impl Backend) {
+        if !self.loaded {
+            return;
+        }
+        if let Some(handle) = self.channel_of(id)
+            && let Some(c) = self.handles.get(&handle).and_then(handle_channel)
+        {
+            backend.stop(c);
+        }
+    }
+    /// `ChannelHandle.release`.
+    fn release_handle(&mut self, handle: u64, backend: &mut impl Backend) {
+        if let Some(h) = self.handles.get_mut(&handle) {
+            h.stopped = true;
+            if let Some(c) = h.channel.take() {
+                self.used[usize::from(h.streaming)] -= 1;
+                backend.destroy(c);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    /// `stopAll`.
+    pub fn stop_all(&mut self, backend: &mut impl Backend) {
+        if !self.loaded {
+            return;
+        }
+        let ids: Vec<InstanceId> = self.instances.keys().copied().collect();
+        self.instance_to_channel.clear();
+        let handles: Vec<u64> = self.handles.keys().copied().collect();
+        for h in handles {
+            self.release_handle(h, backend);
+        }
+        self.handles.clear();
+        self.queued.clear();
+        self.ticking.clear();
+        self.instance_by_source.clear();
+        self.delete_time.clear();
+        self.queued_tickable.clear();
+        self.gain_by_source = [1.0; 11];
+        for id in ids {
+            self.collect(id);
+        }
+    }
+    /// `stop(Identifier sound, SoundSource source)`.
+    pub fn stop_matching(
+        &mut self,
+        sound: Option<&str>,
+        source: Option<usize>,
+        backend: &mut impl Backend,
+    ) {
+        let matches = |engine: &Self, id: InstanceId| {
+            sound.is_none_or(|s| engine.instances.get(&id).is_some_and(|i| i.identifier == s))
+        };
+        if let Some(source) = source {
+            let ids: Vec<InstanceId> = self
+                .instance_by_source
+                .iter()
+                .filter(|(s, _)| *s == source)
+                .map(|(_, i)| *i)
+                .collect();
+            for id in ids {
+                if matches(self, id) {
+                    self.stop(id, backend);
+                }
+            }
+        } else if sound.is_none() {
+            self.stop_all(backend);
+        } else {
+            let ids: Vec<InstanceId> = self.instance_to_channel.iter().map(|(i, _)| *i).collect();
+            for id in ids {
+                if matches(self, id) {
+                    self.stop(id, backend);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    /// `getRange`.
+    fn range(relative: bool, attenuation: Attenuation, distance: f32) -> f32 {
+        if !relative && attenuation != Attenuation::None {
+            distance
+        } else {
+            f32::INFINITY
+        }
+    }
+    fn notify(&mut self, id: InstanceId, subtitle: Option<String>, distance: f32) {
+        let Some(i) = self.instances.get(&id) else {
+            return;
+        };
+        self.notifications.push(Notification {
+            identifier: i.identifier.clone(),
+            subtitle,
+            position: i.position,
+            relative: i.relative,
+            looping: i.looping,
+            range: Self::range(i.relative, i.attenuation, distance),
+        });
+    }
+    /// `getOrResolve`.
+    pub fn resolve(&mut self, id: InstanceId) {
+        let Some(instance) = self.instances.get_mut(&id) else {
+            return;
+        };
+        if instance.identifier == INTENTIONALLY_EMPTY {
+            instance.sound = Some(Sound::intentionally_empty());
+            instance.event = Some(None);
+            return;
+        }
+        match self.registry.get(&instance.identifier) {
+            None => {
+                instance.event = None;
+                instance.sound = Some(Sound::empty());
+            }
+            Some(event) => {
+                instance.event = Some(event.subtitle.clone());
+                instance.sound = self
+                    .registry
+                    .sound(&instance.identifier, &mut instance.random);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    /// `play(SoundInstance)`.
+    pub fn play(&mut self, id: InstanceId, backend: &mut impl Backend) -> PlayResult {
+        let result = self.play_inner(id, backend);
+        self.collect(id);
+        result
+    }
+    /// Add and play an instance.
+    pub fn play_new(
+        &mut self,
+        instance: SoundInstance,
+        retain: bool,
+        backend: &mut impl Backend,
+    ) -> (InstanceId, PlayResult) {
+        let id = self.add(instance, retain);
+        (id, self.play(id, backend))
+    }
+    fn play_inner(&mut self, id: InstanceId, backend: &mut impl Backend) -> PlayResult {
+        if !self.loaded || !self.instances.contains_key(&id) {
+            return PlayResult::NotStarted;
+        }
+        self.resolve(id);
+        let instance = &self.instances[&id];
+        let Some(subtitle) = instance.event.clone() else {
+            return PlayResult::NotStarted;
+        };
+        let sound = instance.sound.clone().unwrap_or_else(Sound::empty);
+        if sound.sentinel != Sentinel::None {
+            return PlayResult::NotStarted;
+        }
+        let instance = self.instances.get_mut(&id).expect("present");
+        let instance_volume = instance.get_volume();
+        let attenuation_distance = sound.attenuation_distance(instance_volume);
+        if self.listening {
+            self.notify(id, subtitle, attenuation_distance);
+        }
+        let instance = &self.instances[&id];
+        let source = instance.source;
+        let volume = self.calculate_volume(instance_volume, source);
+        let mut silently = false;
+        if volume == 0.0 {
+            if !instance.can_start_silent && source != MUSIC {
+                return PlayResult::NotStarted;
+            }
+            silently = true;
+        }
+        let position = instance.position;
+        let looping = instance.looping && instance.delay <= 0;
+        let streaming = sound.stream;
+        let pool = usize::from(streaming);
+        let channel = if self.used[pool] >= self.limits[pool] {
+            None
+        } else {
+            backend.create(streaming)
+        };
+        let Some(channel) = channel else {
+            return PlayResult::NotStarted;
+        };
+        self.used[pool] += 1;
+        let handle = self.next_handle;
+        self.next_handle += 1;
+        self.handles.insert(
+            handle,
+            Handle {
+                channel: Some(channel),
+                streaming,
+                stopped: false,
+            },
+        );
+        self.delete_time.insert(id, self.tick_count + 20);
+        if let Some(entry) = self.instance_to_channel.iter_mut().find(|(i, _)| *i == id) {
+            entry.1 = handle;
+        } else {
+            self.instance_to_channel.push((id, handle));
+        }
+        if !self.instance_by_source.contains(&(source, id)) {
+            self.instance_by_source.push((source, id));
+        }
+        let instance = self.instances.get_mut(&id).expect("present");
+        let pitch = Self::calculate_pitch(instance.get_pitch());
+        let (attenuation, relative, tickable) =
+            (instance.attenuation, instance.relative, instance.tickable());
+        backend.set_pitch(channel, pitch);
+        backend.set_volume(channel, volume);
+        backend.set_attenuation(
+            channel,
+            (attenuation == Attenuation::Linear).then_some(attenuation_distance),
+        );
+        backend.set_looping(channel, looping && !streaming);
+        backend.set_position(channel, position);
+        backend.set_relative(channel, relative);
+        backend.start(channel, &sound, looping);
+        if tickable {
+            self.ticking.push(id);
+        }
+        if silently {
+            PlayResult::StartedSilently
+        } else {
+            PlayResult::Started
+        }
+    }
+    /// `queueTickingSound`.
+    pub fn queue_ticking(&mut self, id: InstanceId) {
+        self.queued_tickable.push(id);
+    }
+    /// `playDelayed`.
+    pub fn play_delayed(&mut self, id: InstanceId, delay: i32) {
+        let at = self.tick_count + delay;
+        if let Some(entry) = self.queued.iter_mut().find(|(i, _)| *i == id) {
+            entry.1 = at;
+        } else {
+            self.queued.push((id, at));
+        }
+    }
+    /// `isActive`.
+    pub fn is_active(&self, id: InstanceId) -> bool {
+        self.loaded && self.channel_of(id).is_some()
+    }
+    /// `tick(paused)`, then `ChannelAccess.scheduleTick`.
+    pub fn tick(&mut self, paused: bool, ctx: &TickContext, backend: &mut impl Backend) {
+        if !paused {
+            self.tick_in_game(ctx, backend);
+        } else {
+            self.tick_music_when_paused();
+        }
+        self.schedule_tick(backend);
+    }
+    fn schedule_tick(&mut self, backend: &mut impl Backend) {
+        let live: Vec<(u64, ChannelId)> = self
+            .handles
+            .iter()
+            .filter_map(|(h, handle)| handle.channel.map(|c| (*h, c)))
+            .collect();
+        for (h, c) in live {
+            if backend.stopped(c) {
+                self.release_handle(h, backend);
+            }
+        }
+        // Released handles nobody maps any more.
+        let mapped: Vec<u64> = self.instance_to_channel.iter().map(|(_, h)| *h).collect();
+        self.handles
+            .retain(|h, handle| handle.channel.is_some() || mapped.contains(h));
+    }
+    fn handle_stopped(&self, handle: u64) -> bool {
+        self.handles.get(&handle).is_none_or(|h| h.stopped)
+    }
+    fn tick_in_game(&mut self, ctx: &TickContext, backend: &mut impl Backend) {
+        self.tick_count += 1;
+        for id in std::mem::take(&mut self.queued_tickable) {
+            self.play(id, backend);
+        }
+        for id in self.ticking.clone() {
+            let Some(instance) = self.instances.get_mut(&id) else {
+                continue;
+            };
+            instance.tick(ctx);
+            if instance.stopped {
+                self.stop(id, backend);
+                continue;
+            }
+            let (v, source) = (instance.get_volume(), instance.source);
+            let pitch = Self::calculate_pitch(instance.get_pitch());
+            let position = instance.position;
+            let volume = self.calculate_volume(v, source);
+            let Some(handle) = self.channel_of(id) else {
+                continue;
+            };
+            if let Some(c) = self.handles.get(&handle).and_then(handle_channel) {
+                backend.set_volume(c, volume);
+                backend.set_pitch(c, pitch);
+                backend.set_position(c, position);
+            }
+            let instance = self.instances.get_mut(&id).expect("present");
+            if instance.looping
+                && self.tick_count % 10 == 0
+                && volume > 0.0
+                && self.listening
+                && let (Some(sound), Some(subtitle)) =
+                    (instance.sound.clone(), instance.event.clone())
+            {
+                let distance = sound.attenuation_distance(instance.get_volume());
+                self.notify(id, subtitle, distance);
+            }
+        }
+        let mut removed = Vec::new();
+        let mut index = 0;
+        while index < self.instance_to_channel.len() {
+            let (id, handle) = self.instance_to_channel[index];
+            if self.handle_stopped(handle)
+                && self.delete_time.get(&id).copied().unwrap_or(0) <= self.tick_count
+            {
+                if let Some(i) = self.instances.get(&id)
+                    && i.looping
+                    && i.delay > 0
+                {
+                    let at = self.tick_count + i.delay;
+                    if let Some(entry) = self.queued.iter_mut().find(|(q, _)| *q == id) {
+                        entry.1 = at;
+                    } else {
+                        self.queued.push((id, at));
+                    }
+                }
+                self.instance_to_channel.remove(index);
+                self.handles.remove(&handle);
+                self.delete_time.remove(&id);
+                let source = self.instances.get(&id).map(|i| i.source);
+                self.instance_by_source
+                    .retain(|e| Some(e.0) != source || e.1 != id);
+                if let Some(p) = self.ticking.iter().position(|t| *t == id) {
+                    self.ticking.remove(p);
+                }
+                removed.push(id);
+            } else {
+                index += 1;
+            }
+        }
+        let mut index = 0;
+        while index < self.queued.len() {
+            let (id, at) = self.queued[index];
+            if self.tick_count >= at {
+                self.queued.remove(index);
+                if let Some(i) = self.instances.get_mut(&id)
+                    && i.tickable()
+                {
+                    i.tick(ctx);
+                }
+                self.play(id, backend);
+            } else {
+                index += 1;
+            }
+        }
+        for id in removed {
+            self.collect(id);
+        }
+    }
+    fn tick_music_when_paused(&mut self) {
+        let mut index = 0;
+        while index < self.instance_to_channel.len() {
+            let (id, handle) = self.instance_to_channel[index];
+            let music = self.instances.get(&id).is_some_and(|i| i.source == MUSIC);
+            if music && self.handle_stopped(handle) {
+                self.instance_to_channel.remove(index);
+                self.handles.remove(&handle);
+                self.delete_time.remove(&id);
+                self.instance_by_source
+                    .retain(|e| e.0 != MUSIC || e.1 != id);
+                self.collect(id);
+            } else {
+                index += 1;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    /// `pauseAllExcept`.
+    pub fn pause_all_except(&mut self, sources: &[usize], backend: &mut impl Backend) {
+        if !self.loaded {
+            return;
+        }
+        for (id, handle) in self.instance_to_channel.clone() {
+            let source = self.instances.get(&id).map_or(MASTER, |i| i.source);
+            if !sources.contains(&source)
+                && let Some(c) = self.handles.get(&handle).and_then(handle_channel)
+            {
+                backend.pause(c);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    /// `resume`.
+    pub fn resume(&mut self, backend: &mut impl Backend) {
+        if !self.loaded {
+            return;
+        }
+        let channels: Vec<ChannelId> = self.handles.values().filter_map(handle_channel).collect();
+        for c in channels {
+            backend.unpause(c);
+        }
+    }
+    /// Channels in use (static, streaming).
+    pub fn used_channels(&self) -> [usize; 2] {
+        self.used
+    }
+    /// The live channel of an instance.
+    pub fn channel(&self, id: InstanceId) -> Option<ChannelId> {
+        self.channel_of(id)
+            .and_then(|h| self.handles.get(&h))
+            .and_then(handle_channel)
+    }
+    /// Instances with a channel, in insertion order.
+    pub fn active_instances(&self) -> Vec<InstanceId> {
+        self.instance_to_channel.iter().map(|(i, _)| *i).collect()
+    }
+    /// A fresh unseeded random (`RandomSource.create()`).
+    pub fn unseeded() -> LegacyRandom {
+        LegacyRandom::new(unique_seed())
+    }
+}
+/// `RandomSupport.generateUniqueSeed`.
+pub fn unique_seed() -> i64 {
+    use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicI64, Ordering};
+    static UNIQUIFIER: AtomicI64 = AtomicI64::new(8_682_522_807_148_012);
+    let mut current = UNIQUIFIER.load(Ordering::Relaxed);
+    let next = loop {
+        let next = current.wrapping_mul(1_181_783_497_276_652_981);
+        match UNIQUIFIER.compare_exchange(current, next, Ordering::Relaxed, Ordering::Relaxed) {
+            Ok(_) => break next,
+            Err(v) => current = v,
+        }
+    };
+    let nanos = std::time::SystemTime::now()
+        .duration_since(std::time::UNIX_EPOCH)
+        .map_or(0, |d| d.as_nanos() as i64);
+    next ^ nanos
+}
diff --git a/crates/horizon-client/src/sound_events.rs b/crates/horizon-client/src/sound_events.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6a5e179c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/horizon-client/src/sound_events.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,385 @@
+//! `sounds.json` sound events as vanilla's `SoundManager.Preparations` builds
+//! them: `WeighedSoundEvents` holding files and references to other events
+//! (whose weight is the referenced event's total weight, resolved lazily), the
+//! `replace` and `subtitle` fields, files that do not exist being dropped, and
+//! `WeighedSoundEvents.getSound` drawing `nextInt(totalWeight)` from the sound
+//! instance's random.
+use horizon_core::random::RandomSource;
+use serde_json::Value;
+use std::{collections::HashMap, fs, path::Path};
+
+/// `SoundManager.EMPTY_SOUND_LOCATION`.
+pub const EMPTY: &str = "minecraft:empty";
+/// `SoundManager.INTENTIONALLY_EMPTY_SOUND_LOCATION`.
+pub const INTENTIONALLY_EMPTY: &str = "minecraft:intentionally_empty";
+
+/// `SampledFloat` as sounds use it: constants and `MultipliedFloats`.
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq)]
+pub enum Sampled {
+    Constant(f32),
+    Product(Vec<Sampled>),
+}
+impl Sampled {
+    /// `SampledFloat.sample`: constants draw nothing.
+    pub fn sample(&self, random: &mut impl RandomSource) -> f32 {
+        match self {
+            Self::Constant(v) => *v,
+            Self::Product(values) => {
+                let mut result = 1.0f32;
+                for v in values {
+                    result *= v.sample(random);
+                }
+                result
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+/// `Sound`.
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq)]
+pub struct Sound {
+    /// The file identifier (`namespace:path`, under `sounds/` with `.ogg`).
+    pub location: String,
+    pub volume: Sampled,
+    pub pitch: Sampled,
+    pub weight: i32,
+    /// `Sound.Type.SOUND_EVENT` (a reference to another event).
+    pub event: bool,
+    pub stream: bool,
+    pub preload: bool,
+    pub attenuation_distance: i32,
+    /// The `EMPTY_SOUND` / `INTENTIONALLY_EMPTY_SOUND` singletons (vanilla
+    /// compares them by identity).
+    pub sentinel: Sentinel,
+}
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Default, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum Sentinel {
+    #[default]
+    None,
+    Empty,
+    IntentionallyEmpty,
+}
+impl Sound {
+    fn file(location: &str) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            location: location.to_owned(),
+            volume: Sampled::Constant(1.0),
+            pitch: Sampled::Constant(1.0),
+            weight: 1,
+            event: false,
+            stream: false,
+            preload: false,
+            attenuation_distance: 16,
+            sentinel: Sentinel::None,
+        }
+    }
+    /// `SoundManager.EMPTY_SOUND`.
+    pub fn empty() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            sentinel: Sentinel::Empty,
+            ..Self::file(EMPTY)
+        }
+    }
+    /// `SoundManager.INTENTIONALLY_EMPTY_SOUND`.
+    pub fn intentionally_empty() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            sentinel: Sentinel::IntentionallyEmpty,
+            ..Self::file(INTENTIONALLY_EMPTY)
+        }
+    }
+    /// `Sound.getAttenuationDistance(volume)`.
+    pub fn attenuation_distance(&self, volume: f32) -> f32 {
+        volume.max(1.0) * self.attenuation_distance as f32
+    }
+    /// `Sound.getPath`: the resource path (`namespace`, `sounds/<path>.ogg`).
+    pub fn path(&self) -> (&str, String) {
+        let (namespace, path) = split(&self.location);
+        (namespace, format!("sounds/{path}.ogg"))
+    }
+}
+/// `WeighedSoundEvents`.
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, PartialEq)]
+pub struct WeighedSoundEvents {
+    /// Files, or references to events (`Sound.event`).
+    pub sounds: Vec<Sound>,
+    /// The subtitle translation key.
+    pub subtitle: Option<String>,
+}
+/// The sound event registry (`SoundManager.registry`).
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default)]
+pub struct SoundRegistry {
+    events: HashMap<String, WeighedSoundEvents>,
+}
+/// `Identifier.parse` with the default namespace.
+fn split(id: &str) -> (&str, &str) {
+    match id.split_once(':') {
+        Some((namespace, path)) => (
+            if namespace.is_empty() {
+                "minecraft"
+            } else {
+                namespace
+            },
+            path,
+        ),
+        None => ("minecraft", id),
+    }
+}
+pub fn normalize(id: &str) -> String {
+    let (namespace, path) = split(id);
+    format!("{namespace}:{path}")
+}
+/// `GsonHelper.getAsFloat`: Gson parses the number's text as a float.
+fn json_float(v: &Value, fallback: f32) -> f32 {
+    match v {
+        Value::Number(n) => n.to_string().parse().unwrap_or(fallback),
+        Value::String(s) => s.parse().unwrap_or(fallback),
+        _ => fallback,
+    }
+}
+fn json_int(v: &Value, fallback: i32) -> i32 {
+    match v {
+        Value::Number(n) => n
+            .as_i64()
+            .map(|i| i as i32)
+            .or_else(|| n.as_f64().map(|f| f as i32))
+            .unwrap_or(fallback),
+        Value::String(s) => s.parse().unwrap_or(fallback),
+        _ => fallback,
+    }
+}
+fn json_bool(v: &Value, fallback: bool) -> bool {
+    match v {
+        Value::Bool(b) => *b,
+        Value::String(s) => s == "true",
+        _ => fallback,
+    }
+}
+/// `SoundEventRegistrationSerializer.getSound`; None for an invalid entry
+/// (vanilla rejects the whole file).
+fn parse_sound(v: &Value) -> Option<Sound> {
+    if let Value::String(name) = v {
+        return Some(Sound::file(&normalize(name)));
+    }
+    let name = v.get("name")?.as_str()?;
+    let event = match v.get("type") {
+        None => false,
+        Some(t) => match t.as_str()? {
+            "file" => false,
+            "event" => true,
+            _ => return None,
+        },
+    };
+    let volume = json_float(v.get("volume").unwrap_or(&Value::Null), 1.0);
+    let pitch = json_float(v.get("pitch").unwrap_or(&Value::Null), 1.0);
+    let weight = json_int(v.get("weight").unwrap_or(&Value::Null), 1);
+    if !(volume > 0.0 && pitch > 0.0 && weight > 0) {
+        return None;
+    }
+    Some(Sound {
+        location: normalize(name),
+        volume: Sampled::Constant(volume),
+        pitch: Sampled::Constant(pitch),
+        weight,
+        event,
+        stream: json_bool(v.get("stream").unwrap_or(&Value::Null), false),
+        preload: json_bool(v.get("preload").unwrap_or(&Value::Null), false),
+        attenuation_distance: json_int(v.get("attenuation_distance").unwrap_or(&Value::Null), 16),
+        sentinel: Sentinel::None,
+    })
+}
+impl SoundRegistry {
+    /// Every `assets/<namespace>/sounds.json` under a resource root, files
+    /// validated against `assets/<namespace>/sounds/`.
+    pub fn load(root: &Path) -> Self {
+        let assets = root.join("assets");
+        let mut namespaces: Vec<String> = fs::read_dir(&assets)
+            .into_iter()
+            .flatten()
+            .flatten()
+            .filter_map(|e| e.file_name().to_str().map(str::to_owned))
+            .collect();
+        namespaces.sort();
+        let mut registry = Self::default();
+        for namespace in namespaces {
+            let Ok(text) = fs::read(assets.join(&namespace).join("sounds.json")) else {
+                continue;
+            };
+            let exists = |ns: &str, path: &str| assets.join(ns).join(path).is_file();
+            registry.add_file(&namespace, &text, &exists);
+        }
+        registry
+    }
+    /// One `sounds.json` (`Preparations.handleRegistration` for each entry).
+    /// `exists(namespace, path)` says whether a sound file is present.
+    pub fn add_file(&mut self, namespace: &str, text: &[u8], exists: &dyn Fn(&str, &str) -> bool) {
+        let Ok(Value::Object(map)) = serde_json::from_slice::<Value>(text) else {
+            return;
+        };
+        // A malformed entry makes Gson reject the whole file.
+        let mut parsed = Vec::new();
+        for (name, def) in &map {
+            let Value::Object(object) = def else { return };
+            let replace = json_bool(object.get("replace").unwrap_or(&Value::Null), false);
+            let subtitle = match object.get("subtitle") {
+                None | Some(Value::Null) => None,
+                Some(Value::String(s)) => Some(s.clone()),
+                Some(_) => return,
+            };
+            let mut sounds = Vec::new();
+            if let Some(list) = object.get("sounds") {
+                let Value::Array(list) = list else { return };
+                for s in list {
+                    let Some(sound) = parse_sound(s) else { return };
+                    sounds.push(sound);
+                }
+            }
+            parsed.push((format!("{namespace}:{name}"), replace, subtitle, sounds));
+        }
+        for (location, replace, subtitle, sounds) in parsed {
+            let entry = match self.events.get_mut(&location) {
+                Some(entry) if !replace => entry,
+                _ => {
+                    self.events.insert(
+                        location.clone(),
+                        WeighedSoundEvents {
+                            sounds: Vec::new(),
+                            subtitle,
+                        },
+                    );
+                    self.events.get_mut(&location).expect("inserted")
+                }
+            };
+            for sound in sounds {
+                if !sound.event {
+                    let (ns, path) = sound.path();
+                    if !exists(ns, &path) {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                }
+                entry.sounds.push(sound);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    pub fn get(&self, event: &str) -> Option<&WeighedSoundEvents> {
+        self.events.get(event)
+    }
+    pub fn contains(&self, event: &str) -> bool {
+        self.events.contains_key(event)
+    }
+    /// Every registered event id.
+    pub fn names(&self) -> impl Iterator<Item = &String> {
+        self.events.keys()
+    }
+    /// `Weighted.getWeight` of one entry.
+    fn entry_weight(&self, sound: &Sound, depth: u32) -> i32 {
+        if !sound.event {
+            return sound.weight;
+        }
+        if depth > 64 {
+            return 0;
+        }
+        self.events
+            .get(&sound.location)
+            .map_or(0, |e| self.total(e, depth + 1))
+    }
+    fn total(&self, event: &WeighedSoundEvents, depth: u32) -> i32 {
+        event
+            .sounds
+            .iter()
+            .fold(0i32, |sum, s| sum.wrapping_add(self.entry_weight(s, depth)))
+    }
+    /// `WeighedSoundEvents.getWeight`.
+    pub fn weight(&self, event: &str) -> i32 {
+        self.events.get(event).map_or(0, |e| self.total(e, 0))
+    }
+    /// `WeighedSoundEvents.getSound`: None when the event is not registered.
+    pub fn sound(&self, event: &str, random: &mut impl RandomSource) -> Option<Sound> {
+        let e = self.events.get(event)?;
+        Some(self.pick(e, random, 0))
+    }
+    fn pick(
+        &self,
+        event: &WeighedSoundEvents,
+        random: &mut impl RandomSource,
+        depth: u32,
+    ) -> Sound {
+        let weight = self.total(event, depth);
+        if event.sounds.is_empty() || weight == 0 {
+            return Sound::empty();
+        }
+        let Ok(mut index) = random.next_int_bound(weight) else {
+            return Sound::empty();
+        };
+        for sound in &event.sounds {
+            index -= self.entry_weight(sound, depth);
+            if index < 0 {
+                if !sound.event {
+                    return sound.clone();
+                }
+                // The anonymous reference Weighted: the referenced event's
+                // sound with this entry's volume, pitch and stream folded in.
+                let Some(inner) = self.events.get(&sound.location) else {
+                    return Sound::empty();
+                };
+                if depth > 64 {
+                    return Sound::empty();
+                }
+                let wrapped = self.pick(inner, random, depth + 1);
+                return Sound {
+                    location: wrapped.location,
+                    volume: Sampled::Product(vec![wrapped.volume, sound.volume.clone()]),
+                    pitch: Sampled::Product(vec![wrapped.pitch, sound.pitch.clone()]),
+                    weight: sound.weight,
+                    event: false,
+                    stream: wrapped.stream || sound.stream,
+                    preload: wrapped.preload,
+                    attenuation_distance: wrapped.attenuation_distance,
+                    sentinel: Sentinel::None,
+                };
+            }
+        }
+        Sound::empty()
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use horizon_core::random::LegacyRandom;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn references_weigh_as_much_as_their_event() {
+        let mut r = SoundRegistry::default();
+        let json = br#"{
+            "a": {"sounds": ["x", "y", "z"]},
+            "b": {"sounds": [{"name": "a", "type": "event", "weight": 9, "volume": 0.5}, "w"], "subtitle": "s.b"}
+        }"#;
+        r.add_file("minecraft", json, &|_, _| true);
+        assert_eq!(r.weight("minecraft:b"), 4);
+        let mut random = LegacyRandom::new(1);
+        let mut seen = std::collections::HashSet::new();
+        for _ in 0..64 {
+            let s = r.sound("minecraft:b", &mut random).unwrap();
+            if s.location != "minecraft:w" {
+                assert_eq!(s.volume.sample(&mut random), 0.5);
+            }
+            seen.insert(s.location);
+        }
+        assert_eq!(seen.len(), 4);
+        assert_eq!(
+            r.get("minecraft:b").unwrap().subtitle.as_deref(),
+            Some("s.b")
+        );
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn missing_files_are_dropped_and_empty_events_give_the_empty_sound() {
+        let mut r = SoundRegistry::default();
+        r.add_file("minecraft", br#"{"a": {"sounds": ["gone"]}}"#, &|_, _| {
+            false
+        });
+        assert_eq!(r.weight("minecraft:a"), 0);
+        let mut random = LegacyRandom::new(1);
+        assert_eq!(r.sound("minecraft:a", &mut random).unwrap(), Sound::empty());
+        assert!(r.sound("minecraft:b", &mut random).is_none());
+    }
+}
diff --git a/mods/horizon/src/test/java/dev/horizonlab/parity/VanillaSoundEventOracle.java b/mods/horizon/src/test/java/dev/horizonlab/parity/VanillaSoundEventOracle.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b02ef2783
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mods/horizon/src/test/java/dev/horizonlab/parity/VanillaSoundEventOracle.java
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+package dev.horizonlab.parity;
+
+import com.google.gson.*;
+import java.io.*;
+import java.lang.reflect.*;
+import java.nio.file.*;
+import java.util.*;
+import net.minecraft.client.Options;
+import net.minecraft.client.resources.sounds.*;
+import net.minecraft.client.sounds.*;
+import net.minecraft.network.chat.Component;
+import net.minecraft.network.chat.contents.TranslatableContents;
+import net.minecraft.resources.Identifier;
+import net.minecraft.server.packs.*;
+import net.minecraft.server.packs.repository.PackSource;
+import net.minecraft.server.packs.resources.MultiPackResourceManager;
+import net.minecraft.server.packs.resources.ResourceManager;
+import net.minecraft.sounds.SoundSource;
+import net.minecraft.util.RandomSource;
+import net.minecraft.util.profiling.InactiveProfiler;
+
+/**
+ * Builds vanilla's sound event registry with the real SoundManager.prepare
+ * (sounds.json read through a resource manager over the client asset root,
+ * files validated against the listed .ogg resources) and Preparations.apply,
+ * then resolves SimpleSoundInstances: getOrResolve with a seeded random,
+ * getVolume/getPitch, and the instance random's next draw (to fix the number
+ * of draws). Lines: "event seed volume pitch".
+ */
+public final class VanillaSoundEventOracle {
+    static Field field(Class<?> type, String name) throws Exception {
+        var f = type.getDeclaredField(name);
+        f.setAccessible(true);
+        return f;
+    }
+
+    static String bits(float v) {
+        return String.format("%08x", Float.floatToRawIntBits(v));
+    }
+
+    static String sentinel(Sound sound) {
+        if (sound == SoundManager.EMPTY_SOUND) return "empty";
+        if (sound == SoundManager.INTENTIONALLY_EMPTY_SOUND) return "intentionally_empty";
+        return "-";
+    }
+
+    /** The real registry, prepared from an asset root. */
+    @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+    static SoundManager load(Path root) throws Exception {
+        var info = new PackLocationInfo("horizon", Component.literal("horizon"), PackSource.BUILT_IN, Optional.empty());
+        ResourceManager resources = new MultiPackResourceManager(PackType.CLIENT_RESOURCES, List.of(new PathPackResources(info, root)));
+        var u = Class.forName("sun.misc.Unsafe");
+        Object unsafe = field(u, "theUnsafe").get(null);
+        Options options = (Options) u.getMethod("allocateInstance", Class.class).invoke(unsafe, Options.class);
+        var manager = new SoundManager(options);
+        Method prepare = SoundManager.class.getDeclaredMethod("prepare", ResourceManager.class, net.minecraft.util.profiling.ProfilerFiller.class);
+        prepare.setAccessible(true);
+        Object preparations = prepare.invoke(manager, resources, InactiveProfiler.INSTANCE);
+        Method apply = preparations.getClass().getDeclaredMethod("apply", Map.class, Map.class, SoundEngine.class);
+        apply.setAccessible(true);
+        apply.invoke(preparations, field(SoundManager.class, "registry").get(manager), field(SoundManager.class, "soundCache").get(manager),
+            field(SoundManager.class, "soundEngine").get(manager));
+        return manager;
+    }
+
+    public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
+        net.minecraft.SharedConstants.tryDetectVersion();
+        net.minecraft.server.Bootstrap.bootStrap();
+        var manager = load(Path.of(args[0]));
+        try (var out = new PrintWriter(Files.newBufferedWriter(Path.of(args[2])))) {
+            var names = new ArrayList<String>();
+            for (var id : manager.getAvailableSounds()) names.add(id.toString());
+            Collections.sort(names);
+            for (String name : names) out.println("registered " + name);
+            for (String line : Files.readAllLines(Path.of(args[1]))) {
+                String[] f = line.split(" ");
+                long seed = Long.parseLong(f[1]);
+                float volume = Float.intBitsToFloat(Integer.parseUnsignedInt(f[2], 16));
+                float pitch = Float.intBitsToFloat(Integer.parseUnsignedInt(f[3], 16));
+                RandomSource random = RandomSource.create(seed);
+                var instance = new SimpleSoundInstance(Identifier.parse(f[0]), SoundSource.MASTER, volume, pitch, random, false, 0,
+                    SoundInstance.Attenuation.LINEAR, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, false);
+                WeighedSoundEvents event = instance.getOrResolve(manager);
+                Sound sound = instance.getSound();
+                StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder(line);
+                if (event == null) {
+                    sb.append(" event=none");
+                } else {
+                    String subtitle = "-";
+                    if (event.getSubtitle() != null && event.getSubtitle().getContents() instanceof TranslatableContents t) subtitle = t.getKey();
+                    sb.append(" event weight=").append(event.getWeight()).append(" subtitle=").append(subtitle);
+                }
+                float v = instance.getVolume();
+                float p = instance.getPitch();
+                sb.append(" sound=").append(sound.getLocation()).append(" path=").append(sound.getPath())
+                    .append(" sentinel=").append(sentinel(sound))
+                    .append(" weight=").append(sound.getWeight())
+                    .append(" type=").append(sound.getType().name())
+                    .append(" stream=").append(sound.shouldStream())
+                    .append(" preload=").append(sound.shouldPreload())
+                    .append(" attenuation=").append(sound.getAttenuationDistance())
+                    .append(" volume=").append(bits(v))
+                    .append(" pitch=").append(bits(p))
+                    .append(" range=").append(bits(sound.getAttenuationDistance(v)))
+                    .append(" next=").append(random.nextLong());
+                out.println(sb);
+            }
+        }
+        System.exit(0);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tools/audio_harness.py b/tools/audio_harness.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bfd18e05e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/audio_harness.py
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Shared runner for the audio differential harnesses.
+
+Each harness writes an input file, runs a Java oracle against the pinned
+client (the real SoundManager / SoundEngine / MusicManager / ambient handlers;
+OpenAL runs on OpenAL Soft's "No Output" device so channel parameters can be
+read back from real AL sources) and a Rust example replaying the same inputs
+through Horizon's audio code, then requires byte-identical output.
+"""
+import json
+import os
+from pathlib import Path
+import platform
+import subprocess
+
+try:
+    from . import lab, test_rust_parity as base, test_model_baking_parity as baking
+except ImportError:
+    import lab, test_rust_parity as base, test_model_baking_parity as baking
+
+RESOURCES = lab.LOCAL / 'horizon-client/26.3'
+COMMON_SOURCES = [
+    lab.ROOT / 'tools/audio_harness.py',
+    lab.ROOT / 'tools/test_rust_parity.py',
+    lab.ROOT / 'tools/lab.py',
+    lab.ROOT / 'Cargo.toml',
+    lab.ROOT / 'Cargo.lock',
+    lab.ROOT / 'crates/horizon-client/Cargo.toml',
+    lab.ROOT / 'crates/horizon-client/src/sound_events.rs',
+    lab.ROOT / 'crates/horizon-client/src/sound_engine.rs',
+]
+
+
+def require_sounds():
+    if not (RESOURCES / 'assets/minecraft/sounds.json').is_file():
+        raise SystemExit('Sound assets missing: run tools/fetch_sounds.py first')
+
+
+def run_harness(name, oracle, example, inputs_text, extra_sources=(), java_args=(), rust_args=(), scope='', timeout=1800):
+    """Run oracle and example on inputs; returns the number of matched lines."""
+    require_sounds()
+    lock, jars, _ = base.verify_artifacts()
+    libraries = baking.client_libraries()
+    build = lab.LOCAL / f'rust-{name}'
+    build.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    report = build / 'report.json'
+    report.unlink(missing_ok=True)
+    oracle_path = lab.ROOT / f'mods/horizon/src/test/java/dev/horizonlab/parity/{oracle}.java'
+    example_path = lab.ROOT / f'crates/horizon-client/examples/{example}.rs'
+    sources = [*COMMON_SOURCES, oracle_path, example_path, *[Path(s) for s in extra_sources]]
+    tested = base.source_hashes(sources)
+    inputs = build / 'inputs.txt'
+    inputs.write_text(inputs_text)
+    input_hash = lab.digest(inputs, 'sha256')
+
+    def run(command, log, env=None):
+        with (build / (log + '.log')).open('w') as out:
+            subprocess.run(list(map(str, command)), cwd=lab.ROOT, check=True, timeout=timeout, stdout=out, stderr=subprocess.STDOUT, env=env)
+
+    classes = build / 'classes'
+    classes.mkdir(exist_ok=True)
+    dependencies = os.pathsep.join(map(str, [jars['client'], *libraries]))
+    run(['javac', '--release', lock['minecraft']['java_major'], '-proc:none', '-sourcepath', lab.ROOT / 'mods/horizon/src/test/java',
+         '-cp', dependencies, '-d', classes, oracle_path], 'compile-java')
+    run(['cargo', 'build', '--locked', '-p', 'horizon-client', '--example', example], 'compile-rust')
+    metadata = json.loads(subprocess.check_output(['cargo', 'metadata', '--locked', '--no-deps', '--format-version', '1'], cwd=lab.ROOT))
+    binary = Path(metadata['target_directory']) / 'debug/examples' / (example + ('.exe' if os.name == 'nt' else ''))
+    run([binary, *rust_args, inputs, build / 'rust.txt'], 'rust')
+    env = dict(os.environ, ALSOFT_DRIVERS='null')
+    run(['java', '-Xmx1G', '-cp', str(classes) + os.pathsep + dependencies, f'dev.horizonlab.parity.{oracle}', *java_args, inputs, build / 'client.txt'],
+        'client', env=env)
+    matched = base.compare(build / 'client.txt', build / 'rust.txt')
+    base.ensure_sources_unchanged(sources, tested)
+    if input_hash != lab.digest(inputs, 'sha256'):
+        raise AssertionError('Input fixtures changed')
+    lab.write_json(report, dict(
+        schema=1, minecraft=lock['minecraft']['version'], manifest_sha1=lock['minecraft']['manifest_sha1'], platform=platform.platform(),
+        rustc=subprocess.check_output(['rustc', '--version'], text=True).strip(),
+        java=subprocess.check_output(['java', '--version'], text=True).splitlines()[0],
+        sources_sha256=tested, input_sha256=input_hash, client_jar_sha256=lab.digest(jars['client'], 'sha256'),
+        sounds_json_sha256=lab.digest(RESOURCES / 'assets/minecraft/sounds.json', 'sha256'),
+        matched_output_lines=matched, output_sha256=lab.digest(build / 'rust.txt', 'sha256'), scope=scope))
+    return matched, report
+
+
+def bits(value):
+    import struct
+    return struct.pack('>f', value).hex()
diff --git a/tools/test_sound_event_parity.py b/tools/test_sound_event_parity.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..49dc98a96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/test_sound_event_parity.py
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Compare sound event resolution with the vanilla 26.3 client.
+
+The oracle builds the real `SoundManager` registry from the client asset root
+(`SoundManager.prepare` + `Preparations.apply`: sounds.json, `replace`,
+subtitles, file validation against the listed .ogg resources, event references
+weighing as much as their event) and resolves seeded `SimpleSoundInstance`s:
+`getOrResolve`, `getVolume`, `getPitch`, `Sound.getAttenuationDistance`, the
+stream/preload/type fields and the instance random's next draw. Horizon's
+`SoundRegistry` + `SoundEngine::resolve` replay the same inputs.
+"""
+import json
+import random
+
+try:
+    from . import audio_harness as h
+except ImportError:
+    import audio_harness as h
+
+
+def fixtures():
+    sounds = json.loads((h.RESOURCES / 'assets/minecraft/sounds.json').read_text())
+    rng = random.Random(0x534f554e44)
+    volumes = [1.0, 0.5, 0.25, 2.0, 4.0, 0.0, 1e-3, 16.0]
+    pitches = [1.0, 0.5, 2.0, 0.8, 1.2, 3.0, 0.1]
+    lines = []
+    for name in sorted(sounds):
+        event = 'minecraft:' + name
+        count = len(sounds[name].get('sounds', []))
+        seeds = [0, 1, -1, 42] + [rng.getrandbits(64) - (1 << 63) for _ in range(max(4, 2 * count))]
+        for seed in seeds:
+            lines.append(f'{event} {seed} {h.bits(rng.choice(volumes))} {h.bits(rng.choice(pitches))}')
+    for event in ['minecraft:intentionally_empty', 'minecraft:empty', 'minecraft:not.a.sound', 'horizon:missing', 'block.stone.break', 'music.game']:
+        for seed in [0, 7, -99]:
+            lines.append(f'{event} {seed} {h.bits(1.0)} {h.bits(1.0)}')
+    return lines
+
+
+def main():
+    lines = fixtures()
+    matched, report = h.run_harness(
+        'sound-events', 'VanillaSoundEventOracle', 'sound_event_fixture', ''.join(l + '\n' for l in lines),
+        java_args=[h.RESOURCES], rust_args=[h.RESOURCES],
+        scope='Real SoundManager.prepare/Preparations.apply over the client asset root and SimpleSoundInstance.getOrResolve/getVolume/getPitch '
+              'for every sounds.json event with seeded randoms (weighted choice, nested event references, MultipliedFloats volume/pitch, '
+              'stream/preload/attenuation fields, EMPTY and INTENTIONALLY_EMPTY sentinels, draw counts) and the full registered event list.')
+    print(f'{matched:,} sound event lines match the pinned client ({len(lines):,} resolutions): {report}', flush=True)
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    main()