What Is Sonoray? Features, Limits, and How to Use It
Sonoray is a free browser-based tool that turns audio or video into an MP4 with visuals that move with the sound.
- Make an MP4 from a track and one image, or add audio-reactive visuals to an existing video.
- All creation features are free without an account. Export up to 180 minutes, with 4K available on supported computers and browsers.
- Your source audio, video, and images are processed in your browser, without being sent to a server for editing or export.
What Can You Make With Sonoray?
Sonoray adds visuals that move with sound, known as an audio visualizer, to your media and saves the result as an MP4. It runs in your browser, so there is no software to install.
You can make:
- A music video for YouTube using a track and its cover art.
- A short podcast clip for social media using audio and a show image.
- A performance video with a waveform that moves with its audio.
When you load a video, its picture becomes the background and the visualizer reacts to its audio. If you do not have an image, you can start with one of six backgrounds: Black, Dark teal, Charcoal, Off-white, Beige, or Mint.
Make a Video in Three Steps
- Choose your media: load MP3, WAV, or M4A audio, or an MP4 or MOV video. Add a background image if needed.
- Shape the visuals: choose a style and adjust its color, size, position, and motion.
- Save an MP4: choose the aspect ratio and resolution, then export.
Open the editor to try it with a sample track. For the full first-video walkthrough, see How to Create Your First Audio Visualizer Video.
Thirteen Visualizer Styles
All 13 styles are free. Their names stay in English when you switch the interface to Japanese.
- Bars: vertical bars rising from a horizontal baseline
- Mirror bars: vertical bars extending above and below a center line
- Spectrum: a filled shape following the peaks of a spectrum
- Line: a single line connecting spectrum peaks and dips
- Wave: an oscillating waveform running across the image
- Circle: bars arranged around an open circular center
- Radial bars: thin bars radiating outward from a circle
- Double ring: bars arranged around an inner and outer ring
- Neon glow: glowing bars extending above and below a center line
- Multi-band: three stacked rows of vertical bars
- Orbit: concentric circles layered with radial bars
- Halo: a central disc surrounded by concentric segmented rings
- Prism: thin pointed peaks extending above and below a horizontal line
The best fit depends on the space in your artwork and what you want people to notice. Music Visualizer Styles: Bars, Line or Circle for Your Artwork? compares three shapes on the same night scene.
Quick styles apply a combination of shape, layout, and color at once. There are 12 quick styles; they are separate from the 13 visualizer types.
Design Controls
The controls below reflect the interface in October 2026.
| Group | Controls | What You Can Change |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Primary color, Accent color, Opacity, Color style, Glow, Rotation | Solid or Gradient color; 10–100% opacity; 0–100% glow; −180° to 180° rotation |
| Size & position | Width, Height, Position X, Position Y | Start with one of nine alignment positions, then adjust the values |
| Shape | Thickness, Gap, Elements | Thickness: 1–20 px; Gap: 0–20 px; Elements: 16–128 |
| Motion | Response, Smoothing | Response: 0.50–2.50×; Smoothing: 0–95% |
| Motion | Frequency focus, Frequency balance | Choose which frequencies drive the visuals. Custom frequency focus lets you set lower and upper frequencies |
| Circle only | Inner size, Mirror | Inner size: 10–80% |
Some controls depend on the style. Wave does not support Gap, Frequency focus, or Frequency balance. Gap is unavailable for Spectrum and Line.
Frequency focus and Frequency balance change the visual response. They do not change the audio's volume or sound quality.
Export Conditions
These conditions reflect the service in October 2026.
| Setting | Available Options |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 16:9, 9:16, 1:1, 4:5, or Custom with numeric width and height |
| Resolution | 720p, 1080p, or 4K on a supported computer and browser |
| Format | MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio, at 30 fps |
| Duration | Up to 180 minutes. Use Range to set a Start point and End point for a shorter section |
| Sequential exports | Queue up to six more videos while an export runs. Each becomes a separate MP4 |
| Save location | Your browser's download location. Desktop Chrome and Edge, and Chrome on Android, also support choosing a save folder |
| Saved settings | Store up to 12 appearance presets in this browser with Browser presets |
Your device does the export. Keep the tab open and the device awake until it finishes. Export time depends on the device, video length, and resolution.
Pricing and Accounts
All creation features are free, including all 13 styles, detailed adjustments, exports up to 180 minutes, 4K on supported devices, and sequential exports. You do not need an account. Sonoray does not add a watermark to your MP4, and there are no ads.
The optional paid plan, Pro, is coming soon. Its price and launch date have not been announced as of October 2026. Check Pricing for its current status.
Supported Devices and Browsers
Use the latest desktop Chrome or Edge for export. Before starting, Sonoray checks whether your browser supports the export settings and shows a reason if export is unavailable.
Safari and mobile browsers may support opening and editing a project. Export availability depends on the device and browser. See Supported Browsers for the conditions.
The interface is available in English and Japanese.
What Happens to Your Media?
Audio, video, and image analysis, visual rendering, and MP4 creation happen in your browser. Source files, filenames, and finished MP4s are not sent to Sonoray's servers for editing or export.
That does not mean the site makes no connections. Alongside delivering the pages, Sonoray records anonymous daily usage aggregates. These include media type, duration bands, resolution, visualizer type, export outcomes, and rounded processing times. They do not include your media or filenames. See the Privacy Policy and How to Make Videos Without Uploading Your Audio.
After a reload, select your audio, video, and background images again. Save reusable appearance settings with Browser presets to use them again in the same browser.
Who Is Sonoray For?
Sonoray suits people who want to:
- Turn a track and one image into an audio-reactive video.
- Add a waveform to a video they have already recorded.
- Make a video from an unreleased track without uploading the source to a processing server.
- Keep the same visual style across a series.
- Make videos up to 180 minutes long without paying for creation features.
A video editor or another tool is a better fit when you need to:
- Join several tracks into one video. You can combine the audio first in an audio editor, then load that single file into Sonoray.
- Add text, lyrics, or subtitles.
- Edit multiple video clips on a timeline, rearrange them, or join them together.
- Remove noise or separate speech from background music.
- Create a transparent video or a GIF.
- Render on a server while your computer is closed.
You can also export an MP4 from Sonoray and finish it in a video editor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Really Free?
Yes. All creation features are free. The paid plan is coming soon.
Are My Tracks or Videos Sent to a Server?
They are not sent to a server for editing or export. Loading, rendering, and export happen in your browser. Sonoray records anonymous usage aggregates, but those do not include your media or filenames.
Can I Load a Video?
Yes. You can load MP4 or MOV video. Its picture becomes the background, with visuals that react to its audio. Files with the same extension can use different codecs, so the file must also be playable in your browser.
Can I Use a Phone?
You may be able to open and edit a project, but export support depends on the device and browser. The latest desktop Chrome or Edge is recommended for export.
Can I Make Long Videos?
The export limit is 180 minutes. For a longer source, export separate sections.
Can I Export in 4K?
You can choose 4K on a supported computer and browser. If it is unavailable, choose 1080p or 720p.
Can I Join Several Tracks Into One Video?
Sonoray does not join tracks. Sequential exports create a separate MP4 for each source. To make one video from several tracks, join the audio in an audio editor first, then load the combined file.
Can I Add Lyrics or Subtitles?
Sonoray does not have a text or subtitle tool. Put a track title into your background image before loading it. For timed lyrics or subtitles, use a video editor with subtitle controls.
Can I Publish My Video on YouTube or Social Media?
Your rights to your media and exported work remain with you, and Sonoray adds no watermark. You must have permission to use the music, images, and footage, and follow Sonoray's terms and the destination platform's rules. Using Sonoray does not grant permission to use someone else's media.
Find a Guide for Your Project
- Share a track on YouTube: MP3 to YouTube: Make a Video With One Image.
- Promote a podcast: How to Make a Podcast Audiogram for X.
- Add a waveform to a performance: How to Add a Waveform to a Performance Video Without Covering Your Face or Hands.
- Frame your cover art: How to Make a Circular Audio Visualizer Around Album Art.
- Compare free tools: Free Music Visualizer Websites: Compare Watermarks, Captions and Media Handling.
- Find a fix or a detailed procedure: Help.
Try a Sample Track First
A built-in sample track lets you make an MP4 without preparing your own media.