Audio and live input
Drive Astrofox with a song, microphone, desktop audio, or MIDI.
Astrofox can analyze a saved audio file for a repeatable timeline, or react to a live source for performance and experimentation.
Load an audio file#
Select Load audio in the action rail and choose a track. The waveform and progress controls appear in the player. You can play, pause, stop, seek, adjust monitor volume, and toggle repeat.
Use a file when you need:
- Precise scrubbing and repeatable timing
- A defined start and end range for export
- Audio included in the final video
- Identical results each time the project is rendered
Use live input#
Switch to input mode in the player, then choose an input. Available sources depend on the browser, operating system, and permissions.
Microphone#
Choose Microphone in input mode, select a device, and allow microphone access. Adjust input gain if the signal is too quiet or clips too often.
Desktop audio#
Choose Desktop Audio in input mode, then select a screen, window, or tab that provides an audio track. Browser screen-sharing rules determine which sources can expose audio.
MIDI#
Choose MIDI, select an input, and grant MIDI permission when prompted. MIDI provides a live control signal without an audio waveform.
Live input is designed for real-time visuals. The Save video workflow uses an audio file so Astrofox can render a deterministic time range and mux the selected audio into the result.
Troubleshoot a weak signal#
- Confirm the correct microphone, share source, or MIDI device is selected.
- Increase live input gain gradually.
- In the reactor, lower Max dB or expand the selected spectrum region.
- Lower Smoothing for faster response or raise it for steadier motion.
- Test with a direct audio-reactive display such as Bar Spectrum before debugging a reactor binding.
See Reactors to turn the analyzed signal into motion.