13 Wonderful JavaScript Audio Libraries for Developers
Howler.js – Modern Web Audio JavaScript Library
Browsers have come a long way over the years, and we are now able to achieve surprising results using all of the excellent new technologies often referred to as HTML5. However, generally speaking, audio still sucks. Thankfully, Google decided to create Web Audio API and make all our lives easier. The problem is that only the latest browsers support this new-fangled browser audio, so what are we to do?
Howler.js is a JavaScript library that works with Web Audio API by default and falls back to HTML5 Audio when not supported.
The jQuery HTML5 Audio / Video Library
jPlayer is the completely free and open source (GPL/MIT) media library written in JavaScript. A jQuery plugin, jPlayer allows you to rapidly weave cross platform audio and video into your web pages. jPlayer’s comprehensive API will enable you to create innovative media solutions while jPlayer’s active and growing community provides support and encouragement.
Speech Recognition Library – Annyang.js
Annyang is a tiny javascript library that lets your visitors control your site with voice commands. Annyang supports multiple languages, has no dependencies, weighs just 2kb and is free to use.
A JavaScript Library to Add Voice Commands to Sites, Apps or Games – Voix.js
Voix JS is a free JavaScript library to add voice commands to your sites, apps or games.
Drop-in JavaScript Audio Library – Audio.js
Audio.js is a drop-in javascript library that allows HTML5’s <audio> tag to be used anywhere. It uses native <audio> where available and an invisible flash player to emulate <sound> for other browsers. It provides a consistent HTML player UI to all browsers which can be styled used standard CSS.
A Javascript HTML5 Audio Library – Buzz
Buzz is a small but powerful Javascript library that allows you to take advantage of the new HTML5 audio element easily. It degrades silently on non-modern browsers.
SoundManager 2 – JavaScript Sound for the Web
SoundManager 2 makes it easier to play audio using JavaScript.
Open Source JavaScript, Canvas & Audio Implementation for iOS – Ejecta
Ejecta is like a Browser without the Browser. It’s specially crafted for Games and Animations. It has no DIVs, no Tables, no Forms – only Canvas and Audio elements. This focus makes it fast.
JavaScript code is executed directly by a JavaScript VM (JavaScriptCore), the HTML5 Canvas 2D and WebGL API are implemented in native code with OpenGL, Audio is implemented with OpenAL. Several other APIs (touch, accelerometer, localStorage) behave like those in a real browser.
JavaScript Library for HTML Audio – Sound.js
A Javascript library that provides a simple API, and powerful features to make working with audio a breeze.
Audiolet
Audiolet is a JavaScript library for real-time audio synthesis and composition from within the browser.
Open Source Audio Library – Wedge.JS
Wedge.js is a small audio library that provides HTML5 apps with low latency audio if available, and falls back to Buzz! If not.
ION.Sound – jQuery Plugin for Playing Sounds on Events
A free jQuery-plugin for playing sounds on events.
The HTML Audio Compatibility Layer – Audio5js
Audio5js is a Javascript library that provides a seamless compatibility layer to the HTML5 Audio playback API, with multiple codec support and a Flash-based MP3 playback fallback for older or unsupported browsers.
The motivation for creating Audio5js is to provide a light-weight, library-agnostic, Javascript-only interface for audio playback in the browser.
