GainNode

The GainNode interface represents a change in volume. It is an AudioNode audio-processing module that causes a given gain to be applied to the input data before its propagation to the output. A GainNode always has exactly one input and one output, both with the same number of channels.

The gain is a unitless value, changing with time, that is multiplied to each corresponding sample of all input channels. If modified, the new gain is applied using a de-zippering algorithm in order to prevent unaesthetic 'clicks' from appearing in the resulting audio.

The GainNode is increasing the gain of the output.

Number of inputs 1
Number of outputs 1
Channel count mode "max"
Channel count 2 (not used in the default count mode)
Channel interpretation "speakers"

Properties

Inherits properties from its parent, AudioNode.

GainNode.gain Read only
Is an a-rate AudioParam representing the amount of gain to apply.

Methods

No specific method; inherits methods from its parent, AudioNode.

Example

The following example shows basic usage of an AudioContext to create a GainNode, which is then used to mute and unmute the audio when a Mute button is clicked by changing the gain property value.

The below snippet wouldn't work as is — for a complete working example, check out our Voice-change-O-matic demo (view source.)

<div>
  <a class="mute">Mute button</a>
</div>
var audioCtx = new (window.AudioContext || window.webkitAudioContext)();
var gainNode = audioCtx.createGain();
var mute = document.querySelector('.mute');
var source;

if (navigator.getUserMedia) {
 navigator.getUserMedia (
   // constraints - only audio needed for this app
   {
     audio: true
   },

   // Success callback
   function(stream) {
     source = audioCtx.createMediaStreamSource(stream);

   },

   // Error callback
   function(err) {
     console.log('The following gUM error occured: ' + err);
   }
  );
} else {
   console.log('getUserMedia not supported on your browser!');
}

source.connect(gainNode);
gainNode.connect(audioCtx.destination);

  ...

mute.onclick = voiceMute;

function voiceMute() {
  if(mute.id == "") {
    gainNode.gain.value = 0;
    mute.id = "activated";
    mute.innerHTML = "Unmute";
  } else {
    gainNode.gain.value = 1;
    mute.id = "";
    mute.innerHTML = "Mute";
  }
}

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Web Audio API
The definition of 'GainNode' in that specification.
Working Draft  

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari (WebKit)
Basic support 10.0webkit 25.0 (25.0)  No support 15.0webkit
22
6.0webkit
Feature Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) Firefox OS IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile Chrome for Android
Basic support ? 26.0 1.2 ? ? ? 33.0

See also

Document Tags and Contributors

 Contributors to this page: fscholz, Sebastianz, Jeremie, chrisdavidmills, kscarfone, stuajc, teoli, Sheppy
 Last updated by: fscholz,