OscillatorNode.type

The type property of the OscillatorNode interface represents the shape of the oscillator wave generated. Different waves will produce different tones.

Syntax

js;highlight[7]
var oscillator = audioCtx.createOscillator();
oscillator.type = 'square';

Value

A DOMString specifying the shape of oscillator wave. The different available values are:

  • sine
  • square
  • sawtooth
  • triangle
  • custom

Note: You can use the OscillatorNode.setPeriodicWave method when using custom to use a custom wave type.

Example

The following example shows basic usage of an AudioContext to create an oscillator node. For an applied example, check out our Violent Theremin demo (see app.js for relevant code).

js;highlight[7]
// create web audio api context
var audioCtx = new (window.AudioContext || window.webkitAudioContext)();

// create Oscillator node
var oscillator = audioCtx.createOscillator();

oscillator.type = 'square';
oscillator.frequency.value = 3000; // value in hertz
oscillator.start();

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Web Audio API
The definition of 'type' in that specification.
Working Draft  

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari (WebKit)
Basic support 14 webkit 23 No support 15 webkit
22 (unprefixed)
6 webkit
Feature Android Chrome Firefox Mobile (Gecko) Firefox OS IE Phone Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support No support 28 webkit 25 1.2 No support No support webkit

See also

License

© 2016 Mozilla Contributors
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-us/docs/web/api/oscillatornode/type

API OscillatorNode Property Reference Type Web Audio API