name: generating-sounds-with-ai
description: Audit Web Audio API code for sound synthesis best practices. Use when reviewing procedural audio, implementing UI sounds, or checking audio parameter quality. Outputs file:line findings.
license: MIT
metadata:
author: raphael-salaja
version: "2.0.0"
source: /content/generating-sounds-with-ai/index.mdx

Generating Sounds with AI

Review Web Audio API code for sound synthesis best practices.

How It Works

1. Read the specified files (or prompt user for files/pattern)
2. Check against all rules below
3. Output findings in file:line format

Rule Categories

Rules

Context Management Rules

context-reuse-single

Reuse a single AudioContext instance; do not create new ones per sound.

Fail:

function playSound() {
  const ctx = new AudioContext();
  // Creates new context every call
}

Pass:

let audioContext: AudioContext | null = null;

function getAudioContext(): AudioContext {
  if (!audioContext) {
    audioContext = new AudioContext();
  }
  return audioContext;
}

context-resume-suspended

Check and resume suspended AudioContext before playing.

Fail:

function playSound() {
  const ctx = getAudioContext();
  // Plays immediately without checking state
}

Pass:

function playSound() {
  const ctx = getAudioContext();
  if (ctx.state === "suspended") {
    ctx.resume();
  }
}

context-cleanup-nodes

Disconnect and clean up audio nodes after playback.

Fail:

source.start();
// Nodes remain connected after sound ends

Pass:

source.start();
source.onended = () => {
  source.disconnect();
  gain.disconnect();
};

Envelope Rules

envelope-exponential-decay

Use exponential ramps for natural decay, not linear.

Fail:

gain.gain.linearRampToValueAtTime(0, t + 0.05);

Pass:

gain.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.001, t + 0.05);

envelope-no-zero-target

Exponential ramps cannot target 0; use 0.001 or similar small value.

Fail:

gain.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0, t + 0.05);

Pass:

gain.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.001, t + 0.05);

envelope-set-initial-value

Set initial value before ramping to avoid glitches.

Fail:

gain.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.001, t + 0.05);
// No setValueAtTime before ramp

Pass:

gain.gain.setValueAtTime(0.3, t);
gain.gain.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(0.001, t + 0.05);

Sound Design Rules

design-noise-for-percussion

Use filtered noise for clicks/taps, not oscillators.

Fail:

// Click sound using sine oscillator
const osc = ctx.createOscillator();
osc.type = "sine";
// Results in tonal "beep" not "click"

Pass:

// Click sound using noise burst
const buffer = ctx.createBuffer(1, ctx.sampleRate * 0.008, ctx.sampleRate);
const data = buffer.getChannelData(0);
for (let i = 0; i < data.length; i++) {
  data[i] = (Math.random() * 2 - 1) * Math.exp(-i / 50);
}

design-oscillator-for-tonal

Use oscillators with pitch movement for tonal sounds (pops, confirmations).

Fail:

// Confirmation sound using static frequency
osc.frequency.value = 400;

Pass:

// Confirmation sound with pitch sweep
osc.frequency.setValueAtTime(400, t);
osc.frequency.exponentialRampToValueAtTime(600, t + 0.04);

design-filter-for-character

Apply bandpass filter to shape percussive sounds.

Fail:

// Raw noise without filtering
source.connect(gain).connect(ctx.destination);

Pass:

const filter = ctx.createBiquadFilter();
filter.type = "bandpass";
filter.frequency.value = 4000;
filter.Q.value = 3;
source.connect(filter).connect(gain).connect(ctx.destination);

Parameter Rules

param-click-duration

Click/tap sounds should be 5-15ms duration.

Fail:

const buffer = ctx.createBuffer(1, ctx.sampleRate * 0.1, ctx.sampleRate);
// 100ms is too long for a click

Pass:

const buffer = ctx.createBuffer(1, ctx.sampleRate * 0.008, ctx.sampleRate);
// 8ms is appropriate for a click

param-filter-frequency-range

Bandpass filter for clicks should be 3000-6000Hz.

Fail:

filter.frequency.value = 500; // Too low, sounds muffled

Pass:

filter.frequency.value = 4000; // Crisp, present

param-reasonable-gain

Gain values should not exceed 1.0 to prevent clipping.

Fail:

gain.gain.setValueAtTime(1.5, t);

Pass:

gain.gain.setValueAtTime(0.3, t);

param-q-value-range

Filter Q for clicks should be 2-5 for focused but not harsh sound.

Fail:

filter.Q.value = 15; // Too resonant, harsh

Pass:

filter.Q.value = 3; // Focused but natural

Output Format

When reviewing files, output findings as:

file:line - [rule-id] description of issue

Example:
lib/sounds.ts:23 - [envelope-exponential-decay] Using linearRampToValueAtTime instead of exponential
lib/sounds.ts:45 - [context-reuse-single] Creating new AudioContext on each call

Summary Table

After findings, output a summary:

Parameter Translation Table

When user describes issues, translate to parameter changes:

References

• Web Audio API - MDN