What this tool does
The Audio Visualizer turns sound into motion. Upload any audio file or use your microphone to see real-time visualizations that respond to the frequencies and amplitude of the audio signal.
Choose from three visualization modes: frequency bars that dance to the beat, a waveform that traces the raw audio signal, or a circular pattern that radiates outward with each sound.
How it works
**The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT):**
At the core of every audio visualization is the FFT algorithm, which decomposes an audio signal into its individual frequency components. The browser's Web Audio API performs this analysis in real time using an AnalyserNode.
\`\`\` Frequency Resolution = Sample Rate / FFT Size \`\`\`
A typical sample rate of 44,100 Hz with an FFT size of 256 yields 128 frequency bins, each representing roughly 172 Hz. Larger FFT sizes produce finer frequency detail but require more processing.
**Visualization modes:** - **Bars** use frequency data (FFT size 256) to show how much energy is present at each frequency band, from low bass on the left to high treble on the right. - **Waveform** uses time-domain data (FFT size 2048) to draw the raw audio signal as a continuous oscillating line. - **Circle** uses frequency data (FFT size 512) arranged radially, creating a starburst pattern where each spoke represents a frequency band.
Who should use this
- **Musicians and producers**: Visualize frequency content while mixing or mastering tracks - **Educators**: Demonstrate how sound waves and frequency spectra work in real time - **Content creators**: See the audio response visually when testing microphones or recording setups - **Anyone curious about sound**: Explore how different instruments, voices, and noises look when converted to visual patterns
How to use
1. **Choose your audio source**: Drop an audio file onto the upload area, or click "Use Microphone" to capture live input 2. **Select a visualization mode**: Switch between Bars, Waveform, and Circle using the toggle control 3. **Watch the visualization**: The canvas updates in real time as the audio plays 4. **Control playback**: For uploaded files, use the Play/Pause and Stop buttons. For microphone input, click "Stop Microphone" when finished
Supported formats
The tool accepts any audio format your browser can decode, which typically includes: - **MP3** (MPEG Layer 3) - **WAV** (Waveform Audio) - **OGG** (Ogg Vorbis) - **FLAC** (Free Lossless Audio Codec) - **AAC** (Advanced Audio Coding) - **WebM** (WebM Audio)
Format support varies by browser. If a file fails to load, try converting it to MP3 or WAV first.
FAQs
**Q: Is my audio uploaded to a server?** A: No. All processing happens entirely in your browser using the Web Audio API. No audio data leaves your device.
**Q: Why is there no sound when I use the microphone?** A: By design, microphone input is visualized but not played back through your speakers. This prevents audio feedback loops.
**Q: Can I change the visualization while audio is playing?** A: Yes. Switching modes while audio is active will seamlessly transition to the new visualization style.
**Q: Why does my browser ask for microphone permission?** A: The Web Audio API requires explicit permission to access your microphone. This is a standard browser security measure. The permission is only requested when you click the microphone button.
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