How to Create a Music Visualizer in Adobe After Effects

Music visualizers are great ways to engage listeners when they are watching your videos. This article will use Adobe After Effects to create one.

Steps

  1. Image titled Create a Music Visualizer in Adobe After Effects Step 1
    1
    Open Adobe After Effects.
  2. Image titled Create a Music Visualizer in Adobe After Effects Step 2
    2
    Import your music file. Using a .mp3 file is recommended, but any audio file type will work.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Create a Music Visualizer in Adobe After Effects Step 3
    3
    Create a new composition. Click on "Composition > New Composition > OK" which is located at the top of your program screen. (Shortcuts: ⌘ Cmd+N or Ctrl+N)
  4. Image titled Create a Music Visualizer in Adobe After Effects Step 4
    4
    Drag your music file into the composition.
  5. Image titled Create a Music Visualizer in Adobe After Effects Step 5
    5
    Adjust composition duration. Record how long your music file is. Click on "Composition > Composition Settings". Under "Duration", change the current duration to one second longer than your music file. (Shortcuts: ⌘ Cmd+Kor Ctrl+K)
  6. Image titled Create a Music Visualizer in Adobe After Effects Step 6
    6
    Add a new layer. Click on "Layer > New > Solid > Ok". (Shortcuts: ⌘ Cmd+Y or Ctrl+Y)
  7. Image titled Create a Music Visualizer in Adobe After Effects Step 7
    7
    Select the new layer in your Composition assets.
  8. Image titled Create a Music Visualizer in Adobe After Effects Step 8
    8
    Click on "Effect > Generate > Audio Spectrum".
  9. Image titled Create a Music Visualizer in Adobe After Effects Step 9
    9
    In the Effect Controls window, change the Audio Layer property to the name of your music file. For example, if the name of my music file was "Toze - Jurassic Love (ft. Sarah Abad)" then you would select that file from the list.
  10. Image titled Create a Music Visualizer in Adobe After Effects Step 10
    10
    You are done! Play your composition to see the visualizer.
    11. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Why is the music slowing down?
    Chapoos
    Chapoos
    Community Answer
    Depending on the capabilities of your computer, the playback time before exporting can be significantly delayed and sometimes very choppy. You can lower the playback resolution or export it, and the video should play normally.
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How to Print Vinyl Stickers with an Inkjet or Laser Printer
Justify Text in Photoshop
How to
Justify Text in Photoshop
Print Multiple Pages Per Sheet in Adobe Reader
How to
Print Multiple Pages Per Sheet in Adobe Reader
Install After Effects PluginsHow to Install Plugins and Scripts in Adobe After Effects
Add a Signature in Adobe Reader2 Easy Ways to Add a Signature in Adobe Acrobat Reader
Delete Items in PDF Documents With Adobe Acrobat
How to
Delete Items in PDF Documents With Adobe Acrobat
Add Transitions in Adobe Premiere ProHow to Create Transitions in Adobe Premiere Pro
Install Adobe Fonts
How to
Install Adobe Fonts
How to
Use Adobe After Effects
Install Adobe Acrobat Reader
How to
Install Adobe Acrobat Reader
Repeat a Clip in Premiere
How to
Repeat a Clip in Premiere
Make Video Black and White in Adobe Premiere
How to
Make Video Black and White in Adobe Premiere
Remove Background With Photoshop Elements
How to
Remove Background With Photoshop Elements
Edit the Frame Size in Premiere ProHow to Edit the Frame Size in Premiere Pro
Advertisement

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 60,263 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 4
Updated: September 18, 2017
Views: 60,263
Categories: Adobe Software
Advertisement