How can I graphically render audio(visualizations)?

Question

I want to create very high resolution graphic representations of some high bitrate WAV files I have for printing in a book a la art project. Here's some examples:

I could just get a trial / buy Audition or Soundbooth but those will just be screen resolution. Is there any software that will render at a higher res but in an artistic style?

Answer 1

Plasmavis creates countless varieties of high resolution animations from the music playing in Windows Media Player, responding directly to rhythm, volume, and pitch changes.High Performance, hardware-accelerated graphics produce elaborate displays by varying and combining hundreds of mathematical formulas for movement, a multitude of color patterns, and textures. The ever changing display is, twisting, exploding, kaleidoscopic, fractal-like, galactic, flowing, geometrical, radiant, and most often simply "indescribable".

Plasmavis is freeware, the $9 shareware version offers even more features.

Answer 2

You can use iTunes visualizers.

For example:

• WhiteCap (seems to meet your requirements?)
• GasLight

But others should exist !

WhiteCap:

GasLight:

Answer 3

Breakaway RTA is free and can display either oscilloscopes, meters or both

Answer 4

If you want to visualise the whole file then Audacity has some functionality that may be of use:

Analysis

* Spectrogram mode for visualizing frequencies.
* “Plot Spectrum” command for detailed frequency analysis

Audacity also supports LADSPA plugins so you may find something else of use there...