Generating Sounds With AI

Generating Sounds with AI

Review Web Audio API code for sound synthesis best practices.

How It Works

1. Read the specified files (or prompt user for files/pattern)
2. Check against all rules below
3. Output findings in file:line format

Rule Categories

Rules

Context Management Rules

context-reuse-single

Reuse a single AudioContext instance; do not create new ones per sound.

Fail:

function playSound() {
  const ctx = new AudioContext();
  // Creates new context every call
}

Pass:

let audioContext: AudioContext | null = null;

function getAudioContext(): AudioContext {
  if (!audioContext) {
    audioContext = new AudioContext();
  }
  return audioContext;
}

context-resume-suspended

Check and resume suspended AudioContext before playing.

Fail:

function playSound() {
  const ctx = getAudioContext();
  // Plays immediately without checking state
}

Pass:

function playSound() {
  const ctx = getAudioContext();
  if (ctx.state === "suspended") {
    ctx.resume();
  }
}

context-cleanup-nodes

Disconnect and clean up audio nodes after playback.

Fail:

source.start();
// Nodes remain connected after sound ends

Pass:

source.start();
source.onended = () => {
  source.disconnect();
  gain.disconnect();
};

Envelope Rules

envelope-exponential-decay

Use exponential ramps for natural decay, not linear.

Fail:

gain.gain.linearRampToValueAtTime(0, t + 0.05);

Pass:

gain.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.001, t + 0.05);

envelope-no-zero-target

Exponential ramps cannot target 0; use 0.001 or similar small value.

Fail:

gain.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0, t + 0.05);

Pass:

gain.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.001, t + 0.05);

envelope-set-initial-value

Set initial value before ramping to avoid glitches.

Fail:

gain.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.001, t + 0.05);
// No setValueAtTime before ramp

Pass:

gain.gain.setValueAtTime(0.3, t);
gain.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.001, t + 0.05);

Sound Design Rules

design-noise-for-percussion

Use filtered noise for clicks/taps, not oscillators.

Fail:

// Click sound using sine oscillator
const osc = ctx.createOscillator();
osc.type = "sine";
// Results in tonal "beep" not "click"

Pass:

// Click sound using noise burst
const buffer = ctx.createBuffer(1, ctx.sampleRate * 0.008, ctx.sampleRate);
const data = buffer.getChannelData(0);
for (let i = 0; i < data.length; i++) {
  data[i] = (Math.random() * 2 - 1) * Math.exp(-i / 50);
}

design-oscillator-for-tonal

Use oscillators with pitch movement for tonal sounds (pops, confirmations).

Fail:

// Confirmation sound using static frequency
osc.frequency.value = 400;

Pass:

// Confirmation sound with pitch sweep
osc.frequency.setValueAtTime(400, t);
osc.frequency.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(600, t + 0.04);

design-filter-for-character

Apply bandpass filter to shape percussive sounds.

Fail:

// Raw noise without filtering
source.connect(gain).connect(ctx.destination);

Pass:

const filter = ctx.createBiquadFilter();
filter.type = "bandpass";
filter.frequency.value = 4000;
filter.Q.value = 3;
source.connect(filter).connect(gain).connect(ctx.destination);

Parameter Rules

param-click-duration

Click/tap sounds should be 5-15ms duration.

Fail:

const buffer = ctx.createBuffer(1, ctx.sampleRate * 0.1, ctx.sampleRate);
// 100ms is too long for a click

Pass:

const buffer = ctx.createBuffer(1, ctx.sampleRate * 0.008, ctx.sampleRate);
// 8ms is appropriate for a click

param-filter-frequency-range

Bandpass filter for clicks should be 3000-6000Hz.

Fail:

filter.frequency.value = 500; // Too low, sounds muffled

Pass:

filter.frequency.value = 4000; // Crisp, present

param-reasonable-gain

Gain values should not exceed 1.0 to prevent clipping.

Fail:

gain.gain.setValueAtTime(1.5, t);

Pass:

gain.gain.setValueAtTime(0.3, t);

param-q-value-range

Filter Q for clicks should be 2-5 for focused but not harsh sound.

Fail:

filter.Q.value = 15; // Too resonant, harsh

Pass:

filter.Q.value = 3; // Focused but natural

Output Format

When reviewing files, output findings as:

file:line - [rule-id] description of issue

Example:
lib/sounds.ts:23 - [envelope-exponential-decay] Using linearRampToValueAtTime instead of exponential
lib/sounds.ts:45 - [context-reuse-single] Creating new AudioContext on each call

Summary Table

After findings, output a summary:

Parameter Translation Table

When user describes issues, translate to parameter changes:

References

• Web Audio API - MDN