Making the Web Rock: The Web Audio API
summary
Web Audio API gives three concrete capabilities: precise timing for overlapping sounds (scheduling via audioContext.currentTime so events run at context.now+N), an audio graph with built-in filters/effects and off‑main‑thread processing, and real‑time analysis hooks. Demos include a 28‑band vocoder that runs without main‑thread work, a drum machine using tight scheduling, a MIDI polyfill + USB controller DJ deck that actually manipulates playback rate and cues, live input (behind a flag) for recording, and a basic synth prototype that compiles in about a week. Browser support: Chrome/Safari/iOS now, Firefox/Android in progress.
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chapters (26)
- 0:00Intro
- 1:20Why we need another Audio API
- 2:00Audio Element
- 2:45Timing
- 4:15Audio Pipeline
- 5:15Audio Analyzer
- 6:15Vocoder
- 7:05Spectrum Analysis
- 8:45Changing Web Audio Properties
- 10:40Music Applications
- 13:10Loading Sounds
- 17:30Scheduling Events
- 19:45Dynamic Scheduling
- 20:20Drum Machine Demo
- 22:10Audio Program
- 24:00Effects
- 25:30Audio Element Processing
- 27:00Musical Applications
- 27:35Complex Effects
- 28:15Headphones
- 28:35Input
- 31:30Voice Architecture
- 33:55Voice Template
- 35:55Controlling the API
- 38:55Web MIDI API
- 40:35DJ App
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