Tools
Sonification tools, organized by difficulty level and format. Descriptions and links included.
There are a wide range of data sonification tools available, each with varying levels of time investment, knowledge requirements, and output capabilities. Some tools are easy to use and do not require any coding experience. Other tools have a steeper learning curve and require some time to set up and read the documentation. There are options for everyone. 🔧
While more advanced tools may provide additional customization capability, they are not necessary for creating excellent sonification pieces. It’s best to start at your comfort level and go from there. Find methods that work best for you and stay open to experimentation. This is a creative process! 👂 Hop to a section 🐸 👇
Sonification Tools
Web Applications and Softwares (Level: Easy)
TwoTone
Web-based, no-code sonification tool. Users can adjust instrument, key, octave range, and tempo to customize their sonification output. Additional layers of music can be added, as well as narration audio.
Level: Easy Platform: Web browser Output Formats: MP3, WAV, PCM Documentation: Getting Started, Tutorials, Examples, About.
Highcharts Sonification Studio
Web-based, no-code sonification tool that generates dynamic audio-visual charts. It allows the user to customize both the visual settings of the chart, as well as a wide range of audio specifications (global and series-specific settings). Adjustable audio parameters include duration, precision, range, instrument, pitch, volume, panning, and more.
Level: Easy Platform: Web browser Output Formats: Video, Audio Only, Audio as MIDI, Image, Vector Image, CSV Data, Text Description, Highcharts JS Config, HTML file Documentation: Tutorial, Community page video tutorials, YouTube channel, feedback thread.
Data Sonifyer
Web-based, no-code sonification app developed by Christian Basl (of SoniFriday, a sonification duo with Berit Kruse). It has an intuitive and simple user interface, with helpful documentation in the pop-out side panel. It allows the user to upload CSV data, and adjust audio parameters such as instrument, tempo, frequency, amplitude, filter, envelope, rhythm, and effect (see “add sound module” button). The user can export the sonification output by using the “record” feature in the app and downloading the resulting WAV file.
csv-to-midi
Web application created by Evan King that allows a user to upload a CSV file, adjust audio parameters, and export a MIDI file. Adjustable audio parameters include duration, musical key, musical scale, and note range. For inspiration, check out Evan King’s sonification of sea level data in a project called “Bait/Switch.” This ambient composition transforms sea level data into a digital underwater soundscape.
Level: Easy Platform: Web browser Output Formats: MIDI Documentation: GitHub Documentation Note: Click the question mark symbol ❓ in the upper right corner of the webpage for a brief explanation of the tool.
Data Mapper
Tool that allows users to linearly map a CSV file to a range of values that you supply. The user defines a list of musical notes in ISO (International Standards Organization) format (e.g. B3, C4, D4, etc.), and the CSV data gets mapped to the appropriate note.
Level: Easy Platform: Web browser (Observable) Output Format: Information (list of musical notes)
StarSound
Downloadable sonification application compatible with Mac OS X. It is designed as a standalone tool for sonifying multidimensional datasets. The interface includes a visualization of the uploaded data and selected variables, and an array of modules for customizing the audio output. Within a given module, users can adjust frequency, loudness, duration, instrument, and more. The application offers a range of play modes, allowing users to play, loop, or record their sonification. Developed by Jeffrey Hannam.
Level: Easy Platform: Downloadable software Output Formats: WAV Documentation: StarSound Tutorial
Dev Environments and Softwares (Level: Intermediate)
Sonic Pi
Downloadable software, designed as a tool for code-based music creation and performance. It is highly flexible, allowing for audio in/out, MIDI in/out, Open Sound Control (OSC) in/out, and interaction with Ableton Live. Sounds produced from Sonic Pi are extremely customizable, offering a wide range of parameter customization, sample manipulation, instrument selection, programming structures, and effects. While the tool is geared towards “live coding,” it can be used to design and export a data-driven composition. Developed by Sam Aaron.
Level: Easy/Intermediate Platform: Downloadable software Output Formats: WAV, live playback Documentation: Sonic Pi Tutorial, Sonic Pi Course ($25), Sonic Pi Community, List of Resources for Learning Sonic Pi, Sam Aaron’s YouTube Channel, and many more tutorials on YouTube.
MIDITime (Python)
Python library that converts any kind of time series data into pitch, velocity and duration values based on musical options adjusted by the user. Developed by Michael Corey. MIDITime was used to produce the data sonification in this episode of Reveal.
Level: Intermediate Platform: Python package / dev environment Output Formats: MIDI file Documentation: https://pypi.org/project/miditime/
audiolazy (Python)
Python package for digital audio signal processing (DSP). Helpful for converting MIDI and frequency values. Used in Matt Russo's sonification tutorial.
Level: Intermediate Platform: Python package / dev environment Output Formats: MIDI file Documentation: Convert music to data with Python, audiolazy docs
MIDIUtil (Python)
Python library for writing MIDI files. Used in Matt Russo's sonification tutorial.
Level: Intermediate Platform: Python package / dev environment Output Formats: MIDI file Documentation: Read the Docs, MIDIUtil Python page
Astronify (Python)
Python package for sonifying astronomical data. It sonifies light curve data by representing changes in brightness as changes of pitch. Users can supply a data table containing two columns representing time and flux. Various parameters can be adjusted, and the program uses a default algorithm that converts data (an array of float values) into pitch (values in Hz).
Level: Easy/Intermediate Platform: Python package / dev environment Output Formats: Audio files (WAV, etc.) Documentation: Installation, Documentation, API, Tutorials, GitHub, sonification examples, explanatory videos
STRAUSS (Python)
A flexible Python package for sonification, aimed towards data analysis and/or accessible communications. It allows for highly customizable parameter mapping and even spectral audification. Users can synthesize audio or manipulate sound samples. Built by astrophysicists at Audio Universe.
Level: Easy/Intermediate Platform: Python package / dev environment Output Formats: Audio files (WAV, etc.) Documentation: Read the Docs, Audio Universe page, YouTube channel, Google Colab tutorials.
p5 Sound / p5.js
Tone.js (JavaScript)
Erie
A "declarative grammar for data sonification," consisting of Erie for Web and Erie.js. Erie for Web allows users to generate sonification design specifications that can be played back in an online editor.
Level: Intermediate Platform: Web browser, dev environment Output Formats: Web-embedded audio with extension, Player API Documentation: Erie Editor, Erie Documentation, Research Paper, GitHub
FoxDot
SuperCollider
Pure Data
Csound
ChucK
Level: Intermediate Platform: Dev environment Output Formats: Real-time audio (DAC output), WAV, or data types Documentation: ChucK documentation, GitHub, "Creating Electronic Music with ChucK" tutorial series on YouTube, Examples, sonification homework from Computer-Generated Sound course at Stanford, ChucK community.
Max / MSP ($)
Manifest Audio Sonification Bundle (Ableton $)
Audio Editing Tools
Audio Editing Softwares
GarageBand
GarageBand is a digital audio workstation (DAW) that is included with macOS.
Logic Pro X
Logic Pro X is a more advanced digital audio workstation (DAW) for the macOS. ($)
Signal
Signal is an open source online MIDI editor. It allows users to apply an instrument and effects to MIDI values, and export as MP3 or WAV.
Online Sequencer
Online Sequencer is an open source online MIDI and audio editor.
It allows users to import MIDI or audio, edit/customize, and export as MP3, WAV, or MIDI.
Audacity
Audacity is a free, downloadable software for recording and editing audio. Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Soundtrap
Soundation
Audio Sample Resources
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