Web/API/BaseAudioContext/createWaveShaper

The createWaveShaper() method of the BaseAudioContext interface creates a WaveShaperNode, which represents a non-linear distortion. It is used to apply distortion effects to your audio.

Syntax

baseAudioCtx.createWaveShaper();

Returns

A WaveShaperNode.

Example

The following example shows basic usage of an AudioContext to create a wave shaper node. For applied examples/information, check out our [[../../../../../../../mdn.github.io/voice-change-o-matic/index|Voice-change-O-matic]] [[../../../../../../../mdn.github.io/voice-change-o-matic/index|demo]] (see app.js for relevant code).

Note: Sigmoid functions are commonly used for distortion curves because of their natural properties. Their S-shape, for instance, helps create a smoother sounding result. We found the below distortion curve code on Stack Overflow.

var audioCtx = new (window.AudioContext || window.webkitAudioContext)();
var distortion = audioCtx.createWaveShaper();

  ...

function makeDistortionCurve(amount) {
  var k = typeof amount === 'number' ? amount : 50,
    n_samples = 44100,
    curve = new Float32Array(n_samples),
    deg = Math.PI / 180,
    i = 0,
    x;
  for ( ; i < n_samples; ++i ) {
    x = i * 2 / n_samples - 1;
    curve[i] = ( 3 + k ) * x * 20 * deg / ( Math.PI + k * Math.abs(x) );
  }
  return curve;
};

  ...

distortion.curve = makeDistortionCurve(400);
distortion.oversample = '4x';

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
Web Audio APIThe definition of 'createWaveShaper()' in that specification.	Working Draft

Browser compatibility

Update compatibility data on GitHub

	Desktop						Mobile
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari	Android webview	Chrome for Android	Firefox for Android	Opera for Android	Safari on iOS	Samsung Internet
`createWaveShaper`	Chrome Full support 10 Prefixed' Full support 10 Prefixed' Prefixed' Implemented with the vendor prefix: webkit	Edge Full support ≤18	Firefox Full support 53 Notes' Full support 53 Notes' Notes' Originally implemented on `AudioContext` in Firefox 25.	IE No support No	Opera Full support 22 Full support 22 Full support 15 Prefixed' Prefixed' Implemented with the vendor prefix: webkit	Safari Full support 6 Prefixed' Full support 6 Prefixed' Prefixed' Implemented with the vendor prefix: webkit	WebView Android Full support Yes	Chrome Android Full support 33	Firefox Android Full support 53 Notes' Full support 53 Notes' Notes' Originally implemented on `AudioContext` in Firefox Android 26.	Opera Android Full support 22 Full support 22 Full support 14 Prefixed' Prefixed' Implemented with the vendor prefix: webkit	Safari iOS Full support 6 Prefixed' Full support 6 Prefixed' Prefixed' Implemented with the vendor prefix: webkit	Samsung Internet Android Full support 2.0

Legend

Full support: Full support
No support: No support
See implementation notes.': See implementation notes.
Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.': Requires a vendor prefix or different name for use.