How to create Reactive Audio Spectrum Waveform Effects in Adobe After Effects (Tutorial)

Summary

In this Adobe After Effects CC tutorial, Justin Odisho demonstrates how to create dynamic audio spectrums and waveforms that react to music and sound. The tutorial covers setting up a composition, applying the Audio Spectrum effect, and customizing various parameters like frequency, height, and appearance. Additionally, Justin shows how to create ring-shaped spectrums using Polar Coordinates and enhance the visuals with effects like Venetian Blinds. Whether you're a beginner or looking to fine-tune your projects, this tutorial provides valuable techniques for creating professional audio visualizations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Learn how to create audio spectrums and waveforms in Adobe After Effects CC.
• 🎵 The tutorial demonstrates how to sync the audio spectrum with a music file using the 'Audio Spectrum' effect.
• 🖤 The starting point involves setting up a 1920 x 1080 composition and adding an audio track.
• 🎚️ Adjust the start and end points to customize the visual size and position of the audio spectrum.
• 🛠️ You can apply a custom path or mask to control the audio spectrum's shape and alignment.
• 🔊 Use the frequency controls (start frequency and end frequency) to display specific sound ranges from your music.
• 🎚️ Customize the number of frequency bands to adjust how spaced out or dense the waveform appears.
• 📏 Maximize or reduce the height of the spectrum using the 'Maximum Height' setting to control the jumpiness of the waveform.
• 🎨 Customize the spectrum’s appearance by adjusting the colors, including the option for a dynamic hue effect.
• 🔄 Use display options like digital, analog lines, or analog dots to alter the look of the spectrum.
• 💡 Add transitions like Venetian Blinds to create dynamic effects, including adjusting width and direction for added visual interest.
• ⭕ Create ring-shaped audio spectrums by applying the 'Polar Coordinates' distortion effect, transforming the shape from rectangular to circular.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the tutorial in the video?

The main goal of the tutorial is to show how to create audio spectrums and waveforms in Adobe After Effects that react to sound and music.

What are the two types of audio effects discussed in the tutorial?

The two types of audio effects discussed are 'Audio Spectrum' and 'Audio Waveform.' The 'Audio Spectrum' creates a graph-like display, while 'Audio Waveform' generates a zigzag waveform.

How do you make the audio spectrum react to your audio file?

To make the audio spectrum react to the audio file, you must select the audio track in the 'Effect Controls' panel of the dark gray solid layer.

What does the 'Start and End Frequency' control do in the Audio Spectrum effect?

The 'Start and End Frequency' control defines the range of frequencies in the music to be displayed. The start frequency is the low end (0 Hz), and the end frequency is the high end, adjusting the scope of frequencies considered.

What happens when you adjust the 'Frequency Bands' control?

Adjusting the 'Frequency Bands' control changes the number of lines or bands in the audio spectrum. Increasing it creates more bands, while decreasing it spaces them out more, affecting the overall visual density.

How can you customize the colors of the audio spectrum?

You can customize the audio spectrum's colors by adjusting the 'Inside Color' and 'Outside Color' settings, and further tweak the color effects using 'Hue Interpolation' for a dynamic, rainbow-like color shift.

What is the purpose of the 'Maximum Height' control?

The 'Maximum Height' control increases the visible jumpiness or amplitude of the audio spectrum, making the bars rise higher in response to the audio's intensity.

How does the 'Audio Offset' setting affect the audio spectrum?

The 'Audio Offset' setting introduces a delay between the audio and the visual representation, allowing for a desynchronized effect, but this tutorial keeps it set to zero for perfect synchronization.

What effect does the 'Venetian Blinds' transition create in the audio spectrum?

The 'Venetian Blinds' transition creates a slicing effect on the audio spectrum, making it appear like it opens and closes like blinds. Adjusting the direction and width changes how the slices appear.

How can you create a ring-shaped audio spectrum?

To create a ring-shaped audio spectrum, you can apply the 'Polar Coordinates' distortion effect to the solid layer, changing it from rectangular to polar and adjusting the start and end points to form a circular shape.