How to Create Audio Wave Effects in After Effects (Spectrum Waveforms)

After Effects 30/05/2022 4 min read

An audio waveform is the rate of vibration created from a sound and, in the real world, is something we can not see. Audio waveform visualizers are the animated interpretation of the vibrations; they look super cool and are fantastic for adding style to any music-driven composition. Today we’re going to show you the quick and easy process of creating audio waveform visualizers in After Effects.

Part 1: Create a Simple Audio Wave Visualizer in After Effects

Audio Waveform Visualizers are incredibly popular and a fantastic way to add some visuals to your music tracks. Remember, if you want to publish your videos online, you must have permission from the artists to do so. To try out these effects with some royalty-free music, check out the Motion Array music library. You can also find completely free music catalogs to use in your projects

Creating audio waveforms in After Effects is incredibly simple and requires just one effect: Audio Spectrum. Once you get the effect set up, you can quickly change the style and design to create hundreds of different looks.  

  1. Add your audio track to your timeline.
  2. Right-click in the timeline and choose New > New Solid.
  3. In the Effects panel search for Audio Spectrum and add it to the Solid layer.
  4. Go to the Effects Control panel > Audio Spectrum settings.
  5. The first step is to ensure the Composite on Original box is checked to remove the background.
  6. Next, go to the Audio Layer Source drop-down menu and choose your Track.
  7. Under Display Options, select the type of audio waveform you’d like: Analog Lines, Analog Dots, or Digital.
  8. Below the Display options, you can choose the side of the line animations: A, B, or both.
  9. Go through the other settings such as wave Height, Width, Thickness, and Color to create the look of your waveform.
  10. Use the Start and End Point settings to increase the overall width of your waveform line.

Pro Tip: Build up layers of audio spectrum effects to create complex compositions timed to your music.

Part 2: Top 3 AE Audio Waveform Styles & Designs

Now you’ve got the basic waveform effect, you can add even more customization to create the look you want.

1. Cool Audio Waveform Rings in After Effects

A Circular Waveform is fantastic for using in Logo Indents, Lyric Videos, and Audio-only Social Media updates. Once you’ve created your basic Waveform, you can quickly create a ring effect.

  1. In your Effects panel search for Polar Coordinates and add it to your Waveform layer.
  2. In the Effects Control panel, change the Type of Conversion setting from Rect to Polar.
  3. Change the Interpolation setting to 100%.
  4. Change the Audio Spectrum Side Option to B and adjust the Start and End Points until the circle ends meet.

2. Audio Block Designs with Venetian Blinds

The Block Audio waveform look is a popular and fun style that uses rectangle shapes rather than dots or lines. Unfortunately, there is no setting for the audio spectrum effect for this, but it can be achieved with the help of Venetian blinds.

  1. With your audio waveform created, go to the Effects panel and search for Venetian Blinds, then add it to your waveform layer.
  2. Hit U on your keyboard to reveal the keyframes, highlight them, and hit Delete.
  3. Adjust the Venetian Blind Transition Completion setting to 50% in the Effects Control panel.
  4. Play around with the other settings to create a style you like.

3. Freehand Audio Waveform Shapes Using Paths

The Audio Spectrum effect is so powerful you can even create waveforms around a path, allowing you to draw any shape based on your effect.

  1. Select your Waveform in the timeline and grab the Pen tool.
  2. In the Media Viewer, draw the shape you want your Waveform to follow.
  3. In the Effects Control panel go to the Path drop-down settings and choose the Mask number associated with the path you’ve just created.
  4. Your Waveform will now follow your path. Make any adjustments to the shape of the Mask Path or the Audio Spectrum settings to create the look you want.

Part 3: 5 Impressive & Modern After Effects Audio Wave Visualizers

If you’re looking for something more complex and don’t have much time to make your final edits, an audio waveform template for After Effects might be just what you need.

1. 3D Audio Waveform

The 3D Audio Waveform template is a fantastic full-screen audio visualizer, ideal for lyric videos and music visuals. The pack includes square, horizontal, and vertical versions with music placeholder and animated text elements.

Download 3D Audio Waveform Now

2. Music Visualizer Kit

The Music Visualizer Kits is ideal for editors and musicians regularly producing content. The kit includes mix and match waveform elements with a smooth and modern feel. The pack also includes animation titles, light leaks, and social badges.

Download Music Visualizer Kit Now

3. Pulsating Music Sphere

The Pulsating Music Sphere project is ideal for content creators and musicians producing social media updates. The bright colorful orb moves and spins with your Track and includes 2 animated title elements for track name and artist.

Download Pulsating Music Sphere Now

4. 12 Style Music Visualizers

The 12 Style Music Visualizers pack includes a set of mix and match elements with a trendy, modern feel. The smooth and dynamic animation offers plenty of space for titles as either full screen or lower third elements.

Download 12 Style Music Visualizers Now

5. Liquid Audio Spectrum

The Liquid Audio Spectrum template includes 1 logo and 2 title placeholders. The stunning design with bright, colorful Waveform elements and melting animation create a relaxing feeling like watching a lava lamp.

Download Liquid Audio Spectrum Now


Audio visualizers are quick and easy to make, giving you plenty of time to work on your animation style. Now you know how to make an audio waveform in After Effects, play around to create new and exciting looks. If you want to learn more about audio effects in AE, check out this handy tutorial.