We just scheduled the release of our new AudioUnit, the JAX AudioVisualizer, available as a super universal release for iOS, iPadOS, visionOS and macOS. The app will be available as PUBLIC TestFlight release on all platforms too and appear in the app store with an introduction price.
JAX AudioVisualizer is a new audio visualization tool, written from scratch, in form of a special app extension, namely: AudioUnit (AUv3). It is available as universal release on iOS, iPadOS, visionOS and macOS with a single purchase.
AudioViszalizer‘s graphics core is based on Apples native performance shaders using the Metal framework, which is integral part of all Apple‘s operating systems. Metal shaders are highly optimized for mobile devices and deliver excellent performance with low CPU/GPU utilisation. Metal works always best with latest devices from Apple. It actually will outperform any OpenGL shader framework with excellence.
JAX AudioVisualzer is implemented as a classic audio effect unit with MIDI support but does not alter the audio stream in any way, just analyzing and passing it thru. It can be inserted anywhere, prior the main effect processing or after.
The audio signal will be analyzed inside the CPU audio kernel and certain frequency and energy components calculated and extracted from the realtime stream. After that, the shaders will be feed with synchronized data for adapting to their shader algorithms in various ways but always inside the GPU. So the performance-heavy part will happen inside the graphic chips and not alter the common audio performance. Internal textures are sized moderately, for keeping inside app extension’s memory limitations.
There are loads of different style, high quality preset shaders available, which can be selected via the integrated preset browser. The size of the window can be adjusted for certain popular screen ratios, as 1:1, 4:3, and 16:9. The window of the audio unit is freely sizeable and moveable if the host even supports it. Frame rate is adjusted to 60Hz at maximum and depends on the general processing speed of the system.
The audio unit is thought for host applications, which can host and handle audio effect units in AUv3 format with own graphical user interface. Mainly music application hosts. The embedding app is a distribution envelope and provides some sound files for testing. By installing the app, the visualizer is available to all supporting apps in the system.
With the operating system’s inbuilt screen recording mechanisms, the visual output of the AudioVisualizer unit can be mixed with the audio stream in realtime and exported to performance videos. Or the unit can just be seen as a tool for enjoyment, while working and listening to music.
We recommend to switch the unit explicitely off, if visual output is not required.
JAX AudioVisualizer is available soon for one-time-payment lifetime access and not as subscription and we hope users will honor this.