
User Manual
Multiband Audio Splitter & Spectral
Performance Engine
1. Introduction
WavSplitter Pro is a multiband audio processor that splits a WAV file
into 2–48 independent frequency bands, each with its own gain control,
mute/solo state, metering, and MIDI-controlled playback. It is designed
for music producers, sound designers, live performers, audio engineers,
and experimental musicians.
By transforming a single audio file into multiple frequency-based
stems, WavSplitter Pro enables detailed spectral mixing, creative
resynthesis, and advanced sound design workflows.
Core Features
- Zero-phase, 4th-order Linkwitz–Riley multiband filtering
- 2–48 logarithmically spaced frequency bands
- Per-band gain, mute, solo, and metering
- True mixer-style mute/solo logic
- MIDI control for transport (play/stop)
- Real-time spectrum analyzer
- Waveform viewer with playhead
- Export each band as an individual WAV file
- Stereo-accurate filtering and offline rendering
2. System Requirements
Supported Browsers
- Google Chrome (recommended)
- Microsoft Edge
- Mozilla Firefox (recent versions)
- Apple Safari (recent versions)
Recommended Hardware
- Quad-core CPU or better
- 8 GB RAM or more
- MIDI controller (optional, for transport control)
3. Quick Start Guide
- Load an audio file. Click the file input control
and select a WAV file.
- Select the number of bands. Choose a value between
2 and 48.
- Click “Process”. WavSplitter Pro builds the
multiband filter network and displays the band controls.
- Press Play. The audio begins playback, and the
waveform and spectrum analyzer become active.
- Adjust bands. Use gain sliders, mute, and solo
buttons while observing per-band meters.
- Use MIDI (optional). Note 60 (C4) starts playback;
Note 62 (D4) stops playback.
- Export all bands. Click “Export All Bands” to
download each band as a separate WAV file.
4. User Interface Overview
4.1 Top Control Bar
- File Input: Selects the source WAV file.
- Band Count Selector: Sets the number of frequency
bands (2–48).
- Process Button: Builds the multiband filter
structure and initializes band controls.
- Play Button: Starts playback of the loaded audio.
- Stop Button: Stops playback.
- Export All Bands: Renders and downloads each band
as an individual WAV file.
- Theme Selector: Switches between Default and Kings
Pro visual themes.
4.2 Spectrum Analyzer
The spectrum analyzer displays a real-time frequency analysis of the
audio signal. Vertical bars represent amplitude across the spectrum,
updating continuously during playback. This view reflects the overall
signal, not individual bands.
4.3 Waveform Display
The waveform display shows the time-domain representation of the
loaded audio file. A red playhead moves across the waveform during
playback, indicating the current position in the file. The waveform is
redrawn as playback progresses.
4.4 Bands Panel
The bands panel lists all frequency bands from low to high. Each band
includes:
- Band Label: Displays the band index and its
frequency range in Hz.
- Solo Button: Isolates the band when solo mode is
active.
- Mute Button: Silences the band when no solos are
active.
- Per-Band Meter: Shows the average amplitude of the
band in real time.
- Gain Slider: Adjusts the band’s gain from 0.00 to
2.00.
5. Mixer-Style Mute & Solo Behavior
5.1 Solo Behavior
WavSplitter Pro implements solo behavior consistent with professional
mixing consoles:
- If any solo buttons are active, only soloed bands
are audible.
- All non-solo bands are muted, regardless of their mute state.
- Mute buttons are effectively ignored while any solo is active.
- Gain sliders still apply to soloed bands.
5.2 Mute Behavior
When no bands are soloed:
- Mute turns the corresponding band completely off.
- Other bands remain unaffected.
5.3 Gain Slider Behavior
Each band has a user gain value (set by the slider) and a state gain
(determined by mute/solo logic). The final gain applied to the band is:
finalGain = userGain × stateGain
This ensures that gain adjustments never override mute or solo states
and that no audio leakage occurs when a band is muted or excluded by
solo logic.
6. Working With Bands
6.1 Frequency Slicing
Bands are distributed logarithmically between approximately 20 Hz and
20 kHz, aligning with human auditory perception. This provides more
resolution in lower and mid frequencies where musical content is dense.
| Bands |
Typical Use Case |
| 2 |
Simple low/high split, DJ-style effects |
| 8 |
Drum separation, tonal vs. noise layers |
| 24 |
Spectral instruments and detailed resynthesis |
| 48 |
Extreme spectral slicing and experimental sound design |
6.2 Per-Band Controls
Gain Slider
- Range: 0.00 to 2.00 (0% to 200% of nominal level).
- Controls the loudness of the band before mute/solo state is applied.
- Combined with state gain to determine final output level.
Mute
- Silences the band when no solos are active.
- Has no effect while any band is soloed (solo takes precedence).
Solo
- Isolates the band when at least one solo is active.
- Forces all non-solo bands to be silent.
- Overrides mute states while solo mode is active.
Meter
- Displays the average amplitude of the band in real time.
- Useful for visualizing which bands carry the most energy.
7. MIDI Integration
7.1 Supported Messages
WavSplitter Pro uses the Web MIDI API to receive MIDI messages from
connected devices. It responds to:
- Note On messages (velocity > 0)
- Note Off messages
7.2 Default Mappings
| MIDI Note |
Function |
| 60 (C4) |
Start playback |
| 62 (D4) |
Stop playback |
7.3 Setup
- Connect a MIDI controller to your computer.
- Open WavSplitter Pro in a compatible browser.
- Grant MIDI access when prompted by the browser.
- Use the mapped notes to control playback.
8. Playback System
8.1 Play
- Starts playback of the loaded audio buffer.
- Activates the waveform playhead, spectrum analyzer, and band meters.
8.2 Stop
- Stops playback of the audio buffer.
- Freezes the playhead and metering until playback is started again.
9. Exporting Bands
9.1 Export All Bands
The “Export All Bands” function renders each band using an offline
audio context. The same filter configuration used in real-time playback
is applied during rendering, ensuring consistency between monitoring and
exported files.
- Each band is rendered as a stereo WAV file.
- Files are named sequentially: band_1.wav,
band_2.wav, etc.
9.2 Use in a DAW
Exported band files can be imported into any digital audio workstation
(DAW) for further processing. Common workflows include:
- Reconstructing the original signal by summing all bands.
- Applying different effects to different frequency regions.
- Creating spectral remixes and layered textures.
- Building custom instruments from selected bands.
10. Themes
Default Theme
The default theme provides a clean, neutral interface with
high-contrast meters and clear typography, suitable for most
environments.
Kings Pro Mode
Kings Pro Mode offers a darker, more premium aesthetic with enhanced
contrast, ideal for studio and low-light conditions.
11. Advanced Techniques
Spectral Drums
- Use 8–12 bands for drum loops.
- Solo transient-heavy bands to emphasize attacks.
- Export and process these bands separately for layered drum design.
Vocal Resynthesis
- Use 24–48 bands on vocal material.
- Adjust gain curves across bands to emphasize formants or harmonics.
- Create robotic, spectral, or harmonically enhanced vocal textures.
Noise/Tone Separation
- Lower bands typically contain tonal content (fundamentals, bass).
- Higher bands often contain noise and air.
- Mute or solo specific regions to isolate tonal or noisy components.
12. Troubleshooting
No Sound
- Verify that a valid WAV file has been loaded and processed.
- Ensure the Play button has been pressed.
- Check that the master system volume and browser tab are not muted.
- Confirm that gain sliders are above 0.00.
- Check mute/solo states: a soloed band may be isolating only certain
frequencies.
MIDI Not Working
- Ensure your browser supports the Web MIDI API.
- Confirm that the MIDI device is connected and recognized by the OS.
- Allow MIDI access when prompted by the browser.
- Try reconnecting the device and refreshing the page.
Exported Files Are Silent or Very Quiet
- Some bands may cover frequency ranges with little or no content.
- Verify that the original audio contains energy in the band’s range.
- Check that your DAW’s track gain is set appropriately after import.
13. Glossary
- Band: A defined frequency range of the audio
spectrum.
- Linkwitz–Riley (LR4) Filter: A 4th-order crossover
filter with flat summed response and minimal phase issues.
- Zero-Phase: Processing that avoids phase distortion
across bands.
- MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Interface, a
standard for communication between musical devices.
- FFT: Fast Fourier Transform, an algorithm used for
frequency analysis.
14. Credits
Product: WavSplitter Pro
Developer: SkansDream
Version: 1.0
Website: https://skansdream.com