---
title: "Oscillator"
slug: "oscillator-input"
updated: 2026-02-26T08:56:12Z
published: 2026-02-26T08:56:12Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://composer.docs.vindral.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Oscillator

Use the **Oscillator** input to create a continuous audio signal. This virtual input generates various waveform types commonly used for audio testing, tone generation, and sound design purposes.

The Oscillator is an audio-only input that produces a continuous tone at a specified frequency and gain level. It supports multiple waveform types including sine, square, triangle, sawtooth, and white noise.

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(310).png)

**Location:** Virtual

## When to Use

- **Audio testing** — Generate reference tones for testing audio equipment and signal paths
- **Tone generation** — Create simple audio signals for calibration or synchronization
- **Sound design** — Use as a basic building block for audio experimentation
- **Signal verification** — Verify audio routing and levels in your composition

## Properties

### Configuration

| Property | Options | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Show advanced options** | No / Yes | No | Reveals additional settings when set to Yes. |
| **Start when loaded** | Checkbox | Enabled | Automatically starts playback when the input is loaded into the composition. |
| **Oscillator Type** | Sine, Square, Triangle, Sawtooth, WhiteNoise | Sine | The waveform shape to generate (see below). |
| **Frequency (Hz)** | 20 - 20,000 | 1000 | The pitch of the generated tone in Hertz. |
| **Gain (dB)** | -60 - 24 | -6 | The output volume level in decibels. |
| **Antialiasing** | Checkbox | Disabled | Enables antialiasing to reduce artifacts in the generated waveform. |
| **Playback state** | — | Stopped | Current state of the oscillator (read-only). |

**Oscillator Types:**

- **Sine** — A smooth, pure tone. The most basic waveform with no harmonics.
- **Square** — A harsh, buzzy tone rich in odd harmonics.
- **Triangle** — A softer tone than square, with fewer harmonics.
- **Sawtooth** — A bright, buzzy tone containing both odd and even harmonics.
- **WhiteNoise** — Random noise containing all frequencies at equal intensity.

### Commands

| Command | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Play** | Starts audio generation. Available when playback is stopped. |
| **Stop** | Stops audio generation. Available when playback is running. |

## Advanced Options

Enable **Show advanced options** to reveal additional settings.

### Icon

| Property | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Icon text** | OSC | Text displayed on the input icon in the inputs list. |

### Audio mixer

| Property | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Hide in audio mixer** | Disabled | Hides and removes the input from the Audio Mixer view without disabling its audio. |

### Render Options

| Property | Options | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Invisible (Do not render in scene)** | Checkbox | Disabled | An invisible input will not be rendered in any layer, in any scene. |
| **Do not render input** | Let Composer decide, Manual Configuration | Let Composer decide | Select how the "Do not render input" setting should be controlled. |
| **Render / Do not render** | Toggle | Render | Disables the internal render method of the input. This can reduce load in some use cases. Only available when "Do not render input" is set to Manual Configuration. |

💡Tip: Performance and Options

While the render options can help improve performance, there are additional ways to optimize Composer. See [Performance and Options](/v1/docs/runtime-performance) to detailed information.

### Optional TAGS

| Property | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **TAGS** | (empty) | Tag input with a name. Tags can be used with Smart Search to search for tags. |

## Usage Examples

### Standard Test Tone

For a standard 1 kHz reference tone:

- Oscillator Type: Sine
- Frequency (Hz): 1000
- Gain (dB): -6

### Low Frequency Test

For testing subwoofers or low-frequency response:

- Oscillator Type: Sine
- Frequency (Hz): 50-100
- Gain (dB): -6

### Audio Path Verification

For verifying audio is routed correctly using an easily identifiable signal:

- Oscillator Type: Square
- Frequency (Hz): 440
- Gain (dB): -12

### Noise Source

For generating white noise for testing or ambient sound:

- Oscillator Type: WhiteNoise
- Gain (dB): -12

## Tips

1. **Use Sine for clean test tones.** Sine waves produce a pure tone without harmonics, making them ideal for frequency response testing.
2. **Enable Antialiasing for higher frequencies.** When generating high-frequency signals, antialiasing helps reduce unwanted artifacts in the waveform.
3. **Start with lower gain levels.** The default of -6 dB provides headroom. Increase carefully to avoid clipping downstream.
4. **Use Start when loaded for automated workflows.** When enabled, the oscillator begins generating audio as soon as it's loaded, useful for automated testing scenarios.
5. **WhiteNoise is useful for testing.** White noise contains all frequencies and is helpful for quickly verifying that audio is passing through your entire signal chain.