Player and status

The bottom panel changes with the selected input mode. With an audio file it acts as a timeline and transport. In live mode it becomes an input selector and signal monitor. A selected reactor adds its detailed editor above either view.

Audio-file mode#

After you load an audio file, the player provides:

• A waveform for seeing the track's overall shape
• Play or pause and stop controls
• Monitor volume
• A progress control for seeking through the track
• Elapsed and total time
• Repeat playback
• A button for switching to live input

Scrub to a busy or quiet part of the track when tuning a visual. Checking both extremes helps keep a reactor from feeling unresponsive in one section and overpowering in another.

Live-input mode#

Live mode replaces the timeline with controls for the selected source:

• Microphone: choose an available device and monitor its live signal.
• Desktop audio: start a capture when the current browser or desktop environment supports system or shared-content audio.
• MIDI: choose a MIDI input and connect it as the live control source.

Use the gain control when an audio input is consistently too weak or too strong. The oscilloscope provides immediate feedback that a source is active. Close input mode to return to the file transport. The previous audio file is not restored automatically; load it again if you need the timeline.

Source availability depends on the platform, permissions, and attached devices. See Input mode for connecting a source and Audio and live input for setup and troubleshooting.

Selected reactor editor#

Selecting a reactor in the left panel opens a signal editor above the player. It includes the reactor's options, spectrum or timing visualization when applicable, and an output meter. Closing this editor clears the reactor selection but leaves the reactor and its bindings intact.

Status bar#

The status bar runs along the bottom edge of the app:

• The left side shows current activity, including export progress and a cancel action while video is rendering.
• The center shows canvas dimensions and stage zoom controls.
• The right side shows rendering frames per second and the Astrofox version.

The FPS value shows an em dash while the renderer is idle. It is a preview performance indicator, not the frame rate selected for an export.