Build an Animating 3D 'Subwoofer' Audio Visualizer in Apple Motion

Written by Peter Wiggins Published: 04 October 2021

Category: Motion Tutorials

Top BlogReading time: 00:31

Construct a 3D graphic subwoofer visualiser in Motion that automatically moves to the beat!

We always like publishing new tutorial makers here on FCP.co and this new one from CoRazón caught our attention as it pushes a Motion technique to another level.

In this Motion tutorial, we find out how to build a subwoofer emulation graphic using a Replicator. Then by adding an Audio Parameter Behaviour, the graphic can be 'tuned' to follow the bass notes of a track.

Well worth a watch to see how flexible and quick Motion can be compared to other motion graphic programs.

Written by Peter Wiggins

Top BloggerThought Leader

I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.

I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.

Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.

I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!

Current Editing

great house giveaway 2020

2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.

Tour de france 2020
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.

BBC snooker the crucible

BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.

amazon kindle BF

Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.

As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.

Plugin Design & Development

I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.

I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.

FCP.co

Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.

The Future

I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!

Posts in discussion: Build an Animating 3D 'Subwoofer' Audio Visualizer in Apple Motion

corazonconrazon replied the topic: #116704 12 Oct 2021 19:48

Thank you for writing an article about my tutorial, it means a lot!

VTC replied the topic: #116740 16 Oct 2021 16:16

All those prompts to subscribe, follow, like, or notify were annoying. After the third one I finally had enough and abandoned the video. (Tip: Don't treat your viewers as idiots who aren't smart enough to figure out how to get more of your content on their own while pestering those of us who are.)

corazonconrazon replied the topic: #116746 17 Oct 2021 17:08

Sorry for the double reply, I wrote the other one after I wrote this one, since I thought this one didn't go through.

Thanks for the constructive criticism. It was not my intention to treat the viewer as an idiot. In present times, people tend to skip ahead to get to the main point of the video, that is why I laid down so many call to action animations. I will refrain from including so many in the future. In retrospect, it was a little overkill. I appreciate you watching the video though.

However, annoyance is subjective. Some people tend to get annoyed more than others and vise versa. I would like to add that if Peter found it too annoying he wouldn't have included it in this forum. Maybe you need to work something out with a therapist. (I only mention the therapist part, since I myself have a therapist and he helps me work out existential stuff like this 😃).

corazonconrazon replied the topic: #116749 17 Oct 2021 17:43

@VTC Thank you for your constructive criticism. My intention was not to treat my viewers as idiots, so I am sorry if you or anyone else thought I was condescending in anyway.

Looking back at the video, I can see your point that there were too many call-to-actions, and I understand your annoyance. I will refrain from using so many in the future. Thank you for that.

However, In some respects, no offense, you are ignorant in terms of being a creator on YouTube. This was my actual intention, which you or no one else knows but me or other content creators: most people watch bits and pieces of the tutorial, and skip ahead, so I am trying to target those people as well as the ones who watch the full tutorial. Some peoples' attention span is lacking now-a-days. Most people who want to watch the tutorial and learn something new, will, at full length, even with all the quirks the video may have. They are curious about the process and not so much about the bells and whistles if that makes sense.

If Peter thought the call-to-actions were too disruptive, he wouldn't have included this tutorial in the forum. The pros out-weigh the cons.

Again, I am sorry if I appeared condescending in anyway. In animation or in narration. That was not my intention.

JoeEditor replied the topic: #116753 17 Oct 2021 20:43

Very well done video! Good job. I personally didn't see anything wrong with it. And if you don't promote those Likes and Subscribes then you don't become successful on YouTube. Good job! Do more!

corazonconrazon replied the topic: #116755 17 Oct 2021 21:39

@Ben Balser Thank you for your difference of opinion. This helps me gauge the usefulness of my tutorials. I am glad and grateful even if one person benefits! 😃