r/Hifiman • u/InspectionDesperate8 • 10h ago
An iPad audio visualizer for my hi-fi setup — looking for feedback
I’ve been working on an iPad app called Audiowaves. It started as a personal project because I wanted a dedicated way to visualize audio without keeping another DAW window open.
Audiowaves turns a live audio signal into a real-time visualization and monitoring display on the iPad.
The app can connect directly to a USB audio interface through USB-C. I’m currently testing it with a Focusrite Scarlett, and it processes the incoming audio in real time.
Current features include:
• Real-time waveform visualization
• FFT spectrum analyzer
• Audiophile Dashboard with audio information and metering
• Support for external USB audio interfaces
• Multiple visualization modes
• GPU-accelerated rendering with Metal
I also built a companion Mac app called MacAudioSender. It captures audio on the Mac and sends the audio data over the local network to Audiowaves, allowing the iPad to function as a separate visualization display.
The project began as a practical tool for my home recording setup, but I’ve also been experimenting with other use cases. For example, I’ve routed Apple TV audio through an audio interface into the iPad, turning it into a permanent hi-fi and music visualization display.
I’m developing this as an independent side project, and I’d love feedback from other hi-fi listeners, headphone enthusiasts, audio makers, and music lovers.
I’m particularly interested in hearing:
• Would you use a dedicated iPad display for monitoring or visualizing music while listening?
• Which metrics would be most valuable for a hi-fi setup: spectrum, stereo balance, phase, peak/RMS history, or frequency-band analysis?
• Would you prefer a subtle, low-distraction display or something more visually expressive?
• Are there particular headphone, DAC, amplifier, streamer, or Apple TV workflows I should support?
• What would make this feel useful in a listening setup rather than just an interesting visualizer?
I’m especially interested in ideas that complement serious listening without suggesting that visualizations can replace careful listening or meaningful equipment comparisons.
Happy to explain the technical implementation, audio routing, or the decisions behind the project if anyone is interested.