OscillatorNode.type

The type property of the OscillatorNode interface specifies what shape of waveform the oscillator will output. There are several common waveforms available, as well as an option to specify a custom waveform shape. The shape of the waveform will affect the tone that is produced.

Syntax

OscillatorNode.type = type;

Value

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

sine
A sine wave. This is the default value.
square
A square wave with a duty cycle of 0.5; that is, the signal is "high" for half of each period.
sawtooth
A sawtooth wave.
triangle
A triangle wave.
custom
A custom waveform. You never set type to custom manually; instead, use the setPeriodicWave() method to provide the data representing the waveform. Doing so automatically sets the type to custom.

Exceptions

InvalidStateError
The value custom was specified. To set a custom waveform, just call setPeriodicWave(). Doing so automatically sets the type for you.

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).

// create web audio api context
var audioCtx = new (window.AudioContext || window.webkitAudioContext)();

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

oscillator.type = 'square';
oscillator.frequency.setValueAtTime(440, audioCtx.currentTime); // value in hertz
oscillator.start();

Specifications

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

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
typeChrome 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