diff --git a/openpilot/sunnypilot/selfdrive/ui/custom_audio.py b/openpilot/sunnypilot/selfdrive/ui/custom_audio.py
index dcb354ddc2..1654ded544 100644
--- a/openpilot/sunnypilot/selfdrive/ui/custom_audio.py
+++ b/openpilot/sunnypilot/selfdrive/ui/custom_audio.py
@@ -11,8 +11,7 @@ AUDIO_DIR = Path("/data/media/0/custom_audio")
 SAMPLE_RATE = 48000
 MAX_SECONDS = 300
 GEAR_TIMEOUT = 0.5
-DUCK_FRAMES = int(0.05 * SAMPLE_RATE)
-RESTORE_FRAMES = int(0.15 * SAMPLE_RATE)
+RESUME_FRAMES = int(0.15 * SAMPLE_RATE)
 
 
 class GearTransition:
@@ -55,6 +54,7 @@ class AudioPlayer:
     self.samples = np.empty(0, dtype=np.float32)
     self.position = 0
     self.gain = 1.0
+    self.paused = False
 
   def render(self, frames, alert_active):
     command = self.command
@@ -63,15 +63,23 @@ class AudioPlayer:
       self.samples = command if command is not None else np.empty(0, dtype=np.float32)
       self.position = 0
       self.gain = 1.0
+      self.paused = False
     out = np.zeros(frames, dtype=np.float32)
     if self.position == len(self.samples):
       return out
+    if alert_active:
+      self.paused = True
+      self.gain = 0.0
+      return out
+    if self.paused:
+      self.paused = False
+      self.gain = 0.0
     n = min(frames, len(self.samples) - self.position)
-    step = -0.5 / DUCK_FRAMES if alert_active else 0.5 / RESTORE_FRAMES
-    gains = np.clip(self.gain + np.arange(n) * step, 0.5, 1.0)
+    gains = np.minimum(1, self.gain + np.arange(n) / RESUME_FRAMES)
     out[:n] = self.samples[self.position:self.position + n] * gains
     self.position += n
-    self.gain = float(np.clip(self.gain + n * step, 0.5, 1.0))
+    if n:
+      self.gain = float(gains[-1])
     return out
 
 
diff --git a/openpilot/sunnypilot/selfdrive/ui/docs/custom_audio.md b/openpilot/sunnypilot/selfdrive/ui/docs/custom_audio.md
index 095fb789ca..5586019ad4 100644
--- a/openpilot/sunnypilot/selfdrive/ui/docs/custom_audio.md
+++ b/openpilot/sunnypilot/selfdrive/ui/docs/custom_audio.md
@@ -7,8 +7,7 @@ Each gear change plays `<gear>.wav`: `park.wav`, `drive.wav`, `sport.wav`, `reve
 - Entering a gear starts its audio from the beginning at full volume, with no fade-in.
 - Changing gears cuts the previous audio without a fade-out. If the new file is missing or invalid, playback stays silent.
 - Returning to a previous gear restarts its audio from the beginning. Staying in the same gear does not replay it.
-- While any alert sounds, custom audio keeps playing and fades to **50% volume over 50 ms**. Afterward it fades back to full volume over **150 ms**.
-- Alert volume is unchanged. Custom audio may be reduced further to prevent clipping when both sounds are loud.
+- Safety alerts pause custom audio immediately. After the alert, it resumes from its saved position with a **150 ms fade-in**. Audio triggered during an alert waits, then fades in.
 - Startup and recovery from unknown/invalid gear data or data gaps establish a silent baseline.
 
 No settings or dismiss control. Replace or remove files to change future playback.
diff --git a/openpilot/sunnypilot/selfdrive/ui/soundd.py b/openpilot/sunnypilot/selfdrive/ui/soundd.py
index f2e936376a..e75d8f45e0 100644
--- a/openpilot/sunnypilot/selfdrive/ui/soundd.py
+++ b/openpilot/sunnypilot/selfdrive/ui/soundd.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import numpy as np
 
 from openpilot.cereal import messaging
-from openpilot.selfdrive.ui.soundd import Soundd
+from openpilot.selfdrive.ui.soundd import AudibleAlert, Soundd
 from openpilot.sunnypilot.selfdrive.ui.custom_audio import CustomAudio
 
 
@@ -12,13 +12,12 @@ class SounddSP(Soundd):
     self.gear_sock = messaging.sub_sock("carState", conflate=False)
 
   def callback(self, data_out: np.ndarray, frames: int, time, status) -> None:
+    alert_active = self.current_alert != AudibleAlert.none
     super().callback(data_out, frames, time, status)
-    alert_data = data_out[:frames, 0]
-    alert_peak = float(np.max(np.abs(alert_data)))
-    custom_data = self.custom_audio.player.render(frames, alert_peak > 0)
-    custom_peak = float(np.max(np.abs(custom_data)))
-    gain = min(1.0, max(0.0, 1.0 - alert_peak) / max(custom_peak, 1e-9))
-    alert_data += custom_data * gain
+    alert_active = alert_active or self.current_alert != AudibleAlert.none or bool(np.any(data_out[:frames, 0]))
+    custom_data = self.custom_audio.player.render(frames, alert_active)
+    if not alert_active:
+      data_out[:frames, 0] = custom_data
 
   def get_audible_alert(self, sm):
     super().get_audible_alert(sm)