Coding an Audio Visualizer

[Sugarlumps]

I wish to learn how to code my own audio visualizer to be put to use in iTunes. I know iTunes already has one, and there are plenty more on the internet that offers it, but I would like to customize it myself, or make it myself.

Would anyone be so kind to point me in the right direction such as "applications needed" or some tutorials to get me started? I've tried google searching but it did not yield much. Now, I have about 1 month free on my hands, so any major tutorial is okay too.

I understand that this will be no easy task, but I will try my best.

I will appreciate any help given.

[zapconquest]

I think the apps you need are all in the developer's tools that come with osx. And I'm pretty sure they have an example of an iTunes visualizer somewhere in there.

[kiddten]

I honestly don't know, but you could try this:

1: Take LSD.
2: Listen to music.

[Mgalekgolo]

im pretty sure XCODE or whatever is 70 gigs or something. huge,

[Sugarlumps]

I think the apps you need are all in the developer's tools that come with osx. And I'm pretty sure they have an example of an iTunes visualizer somewhere in there.

Care to elaborate on which applications?

And I don't think Xcode is really that huge. No application should be.

[Slapzy]

xCode is hardly more than a gig or two.

However you should already have some apple developer tools installed unless you chose not to when your operating system was installed.

If you are using 10.4, you can use iVisualize, along with Quartz Composer to create your own visualizers as well as screen savers, among other things. In 10.5 you don't need iVisualize, you can just use Quartz to create your visualization and place it in the compositions folder of your library.

Watch this screencast for a basic overview of Quartz and creating an itunes visualizer:
Quartz Composer Screencast

[Sugarlumps]

^Thank you very much Slapzy.
Another question, I have installed my Mac OS X without the developer tools. If I just insert the disk in, can I install it now? I'm using the latest version of Snow Leopard too, so all applications should work.

[Slapzy]

Yes, one of your snowleopard disks should contain the apple developer tools.

[nil]

Download Xcode tools from online if you want to install the developer tools. There's no point in finding your snow leopard disc if it's just going to have an outdated version. Also, it's quite normal and sane for the tools to not already be installed.

[Sugarlumps]

Download Xcode tools from online if you want to install the developer tools. There's no point in finding your snow leopard disc if it's just going to have an outdated version. Also, it's quite normal and sane for the tools to not already be installed.

Hmm...it says that I need to be registered as an Apple Developer to download it. If i remembered correctly, the last time I checked, they ask you to pay $99 to register for 1 year, was it not? But I have my Snow Leopard disk, what do you mean by outdated version? Such as un-runnable or just older?

[zapconquest]

Download Xcode tools from online if you want to install the developer tools. There's no point in finding your snow leopard disc if it's just going to have an outdated version. Also, it's quite normal and sane for the tools to not already be installed.

Hmm...it says that I need to be registered as an Apple Developer to download it. If i remembered correctly, the last time I checked, they ask you to pay $99 to register for 1 year, was it not? But I have my Snow Leopard disk, what do you mean by outdated version? Such as un-runnable or just older?

To download stuff you don't have to pay them - just sign up on their website for free. The paying comes when you want to submit apps to the app store or other stuff that I don't know about.

[nil]

Outdated as in older, and using an older version never makes sense (plus, updates aren't done in small patches).

Zapconquest is right. The sign-up is free, as well as Xcode Tools. The other 'stuff' the paying comes with is access to pre-releases of new software (including OS's), technical support from Apple engineers, etc.

[Sugarlumps]

Just installed it. Mine looks pretty up-to-date. I don't know why my Quartz Composer has a darker background and looks...cleaner than the ones in tutorials, but I'm not complaining!
Anyway, since I just started, I looked for a tutorial. The one I found was related to Lenticular Halo's and making it follow your mouse pointer. Thats all I learnt. Then i experimented it, tried new things, and finally made a screensaver (visualizers later I guess)!

Download

To use it, simply copy it into your user/Library/Screen Savers then select it from your system preferences.
Its a very simple one, but took me quite a while to make it (as in the random generators, I wanted it to be as smooth as possible.)
At first it was blinking and flashing everywhere until I found the correct thing to do. Well, I'm pretty happy with it.

Thanks to everyone who answered my questions on my thread.

EDIT: Youtube Recording: