LED Spectrum Analyzer plug-in for iTunes

Version 2.0.4 - for OSX 10.2 or later, PPC only [download]

Version 2.0.5 - for OSX 10.3 or later, PPC only [download]

Version 2.0.6 - Universal Binary, OSX 10.3 or later [download]

Complete Source Code (v2.0.6) [download]

Requires any version of iTunes from 4.0 or above (including 7.0). Version 2.0.4 is necessary for Mac OSX 10.2, and lacks some features that the later versions have. Please read this important note about unpacking .zip files for a successful outcome.

What is it?

This is a visualizer plug-in for iTunes on Mac OS X.

What does it do?

It creates a spectrum analyser display in the style of a typical hi-fi system, using bargraph displays that emulate LEDs or similar electronic display technology. The bargraphs can show linear or logarithmic levels, and also the peak value of the signal in a number of frequency bands per audio channel. In addition it can show the overall level on a pair of VU (Volume Unit) bargraph meters. Numerous options are included to make a colourful and interesting display.

What do I do with it?

Copy or move the file into the "iTunes Plug-ins" folder within your home folder hierarchy. The correct location is ~/Library/iTunes/iTunes Plug-ins, where "~" means your personal Home folder. If the plug-ins folder doesn't already exist, simply create it in the Finder, making sure it's named correctly. Within iTunes, the visualizer can be opened using the "LED Spectrum Analyser" menu item in the Visualizer menu. You need to Quit iTunes before moving this to the plug-ins folder to ensure that it loads it next time it runs.

How do I use it?

Start some music, click the visualizer button*, sit back and enjoy the blinking lights! Once you get bored with that, you might wish to fiddle about with the settings. *In iTunes 7.0, the visualizer button has been replaced by the Turn On Visualizer menu (command-T) under 'View'.

What about iTunes for Windows?

What about it?

About the source code

I have decided to release the source code for LED Spectrum Analyser. Really, there's no reason not to since I make not a penny from it, but also I just don't get any time at the moment to add features or respond to others' requests for features and the odd fix.

Unlike most code on this site, LEDSA is written in C++ and uses Carbon rather than Cocoa. However it's relatively modern Carbon, using a NIB file for the user interface, etc. The design also includes an abstract base class for making iTunes plug-ins (visualizers) which provides a simpler layer on top of Apple's example code for those who know C++. I make no claims as to the well-writteness or otherwise of this code - it was not originally created with public scrutiny in mind.

No warranty or fitness for purpose is implied - use as you wish and at your own risk. The source code is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 License. Note that I'm happy to help out if you need help understanding the code, though I'm not opening an official developer channel for this - just drop me a line.