ConvolverNode.buffer

The buffer property of the ConvolverNode interface represents a mono, stereo, or 4-channel AudioBuffer containing the (possibly multichannel) impulse response used by the ConvolverNode to create the reverb effect.

This is normally a simple recording of as-close-to-an-impulse as can be found in the space you want to model. For example, if you want to model the reverb in your bathroom, you might set up a microphone near the door to record the sound of a balloon pop or synthesized impulse from the sink. That audio recording could then be used as the buffer.

This AudioBuffer must have the same sample-rate as the AudioContext or an exception will be thrown. At the time when this attribute is set, the buffer and the state of the attribute will be used to configure the ConvolverNode with this impulse response having the given normalization. The initial value of this attribute is null.

Syntax

var audioCtx = new AudioContext();
var convolver = audioCtx.createConvolver();
convolver.buffer = myAudioBuffer;

Value

An AudioBuffer.

Example

var audioCtx = new (window.AudioContext || window.webkitAudioContext)();
var convolver = audioCtx.createConvolver();

  ...

// grab audio track via XHR for convolver node

var soundSource, concertHallBuffer;

ajaxRequest = new XMLHttpRequest();
ajaxRequest.open('GET', 'concert-crowd.ogg', true);
ajaxRequest.responseType = 'arraybuffer';

ajaxRequest.onload = function() {
  var audioData = ajaxRequest.response;
  audioCtx.decodeAudioData(audioData, function(buffer) {
      concertHallBuffer = buffer;
      soundSource = audioCtx.createBufferSource();
      soundSource.buffer = concertHallBuffer;
    }, function(e){"Error with decoding audio data" + e.err});
}

ajaxRequest.send();

  ...

convolver.buffer = concertHallBuffer;

Specifications

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

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
bufferChrome Full support 14Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 25IE No support NoOpera Full support 15Safari Full support 6WebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 26Opera Android Full support 14Safari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support 1.0

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support

See also