Music visualization is the electronic creation of shapes and images based on music, allowing music fans to “see” the songs they are listening to. Computer software designed to capture data from a music audio file is the primary tool for creating shapes and images through music visualization. It collects data on frequency and volume levels, for example, both of which can be represented numerically. The data is then translated into a specific hue on a predefined color spectrum computer software. It also uses the X and Y axes to assign a spatial point to the data.
The computer program defines new colors and spatial assignments in real time as it receives continuous data from the audio file. This “animates” the music changing the shapes and images in time with the music. Because music is more than one data set, music visualizations are typically quite complex. Multiple frequencies and amplitudes may be present at any given time, and the program must deal with as many as possible within the constraints of the programmer’s software code.
One of the most distinguishing features of music visualization is that each piece of music has its own set of visualizations that work in tandem with the visualization software. Because the data the software captures is never the same from song to song, the visualizations vary from job to job. As a result, part of the allure of music visualization is that users of the software, who may have hundreds or even thousands of audio files to work with, perceive the visualizations as new and exciting each time.
Music visualization, in a broader sense, can also entail the manipulation of light via computer programs that capture music audio data. Instead of assigning the data to what amounts to a constantly evolving graph, this works on the same basic principles as regular music visualization, but it assigns it to specific light circuits and fixtures. This type of music visualization usually requires the user to provide basic information about the lighting system to which the computer is connected. At concerts and other similar events, this is a common form of music visualization.
Most people who want to visualize their own music use visualization programs on their desktop, laptop, or computer systems. However, thanks to technological advancements, the programs can now be run on mobile devices such as cell phones. In addition, manufacturers sometimes include stand-alone visualization applications in devices like televisions so that viewers can visualize music from the shows they’re watching or from music stations.