Audio & tempo reactivity

The Tempo and Audio Analysis module in Proxima lets you sync visual effects to music, creating immersive, dynamic experiences. Whether you're designing a live performance, an interactive installation, or a timed show, this tool helps you match animations to the beat and react to sound frequencies in real time.

In this guide, you’ll discover:

• How to set and adjust tempo (BPM) for beat-matched effects.
• Ways to analyze audio sources (microphones, files, or system sound).
• Techniques to link effects to sound, enhancing your mapping with responsive visuals.

You’ll find the Tempo and Audio Analysis module in the Sequencer, at the bottom of the interface.

The Tempo

To make your mapping more dynamic, animate your effects on the beat. This is especially useful if you don’t have a high-quality microphone, simply match Proxima’s tempo to the rhythm of the music, and your animations will appear perfectly synced.

Note
The tempo set here also controls the timing of automated sequences if they’re set to tempo mode (instead of time mode).

Setting a BPM Value

You can set the tempo in two ways:

• Manually enter a value in the input box (between 20 and 999 BPM).
• Use the TAP button to match the rhythm by clicking along to the beat.

The visual indicator at the bottom of the module (a yellow line) helps you verify the tempo. If it’s slightly off, adjust it using the input field’s arrows.

The Resync button aligns the tempo with your audio: Click it on the first beat of a bar to reset the visual indicator.

Link the BPM value to another app

Head over to th Ableton Link article to learn how to link the tempo value of Proxima to other apps.

The Audio Analysis Module

This module lets your effects react to an audio source, making your mapping adapt to the sound environment. Activate it by clicking the toggle button in its title bar.

Selecting an Audio Source

When activated, Proxima automatically selects an available audio source.

Click the gear icon to choose from:

• Microphones: Capture live ambient sound.
• Audio files: Use files imported into your project (e.g., from the Timeline or Sequences).
• System sound: Route your computer’s audio (use Stereo Mix on Windows or tools like Soundflower on Mac).

Adjusting the Gains

Fine-tune the input level using the slider in the module or the settings window (accessed via the gear icon ). Adjust individual frequency ranges (Bass, Mid, High) for precise control.

Note
Also check your system’s audio settings (e.g., System Preferences → Sound on Mac or the taskbar volume icon on Windows).

Adjusting the Frequency Ranges

When active, the module’s bars react to sound, representing:

• Bass: Low frequencies.
• Mid: Mid-range frequencies.
• High: High frequencies.

Drag the spectrum sliders to define each range. Overlaps are allowed, but ranges must be continuous. If an average bar is high, it means that the frequencies contained in the associated range you have set have a high level in your sound.

Later, you’ll be able to make your effects react to these different ranges. By default, Bass is the range that contains the five lowest frequencies, Mid contains some in the middle and High contains the highest frequencies. 

Note
A frequency range cannot be discontinuous. However, the three ranges combined don’t have to cover the full spectrum and can overlap.

Making Effects React to Sound

Once your tempo and audio ranges are set, link effect parameters to the beat or sound. Compatible parameters (in group effects, sequences, players, or transitions) will have a dropdown menu for variations.