Mac software: The 10 best, most awesome iTunes visualizers
Apple’s all-purpose music jukebox also comes with a slickly implemented visualizer that’s super easy to extend and here a 10 great plugins to get you started down the road to hallucinatory bliss. I’ve tested each of these iTunes visualizer plugins listed on an Early 2008 MacBook running Mac OS X 10.6.1, a.k.a. Snow Leopard, and iTunes 9.0.1.
Tip: Quit iTunes before installing a plugin or other type of visualizer. Also, install and try them one or two at a time — it will be easier to find the problem if one crops up.
• WhiteCap, 522K
— This plugin contains thousands of visual combinations, real-time audio response, configurable on-screen menus, and an extensive library of visual content, though the demo is somewhat less exciting
— Limited free demo, $20 gold, $30 platinum
• Ultragroovalicious, 144K
— With its unique eye melting OpenGL 3D effects, Ultragroovalicious explodes the Mac OS X visualizer scene with fresh new styles unlike any before. Psychadelic imagery from math magic reacting to your music
— Limited free demo, $10
• Wow Labs iTunes Visualizers, (multiple choices)
— The visuals change automatically in synchronicity with the music as if the sound itself paints a moving picture
— Lots of choices, but the overwhelming favorite seems to be dragon
— Freeware
• Dr Glitter Music Visualizer, 1.47MB
— Explore the finest fractals and spirals with Dr Glitter, the ultimate fractal visualizer for iTunes
— Freeware
• G-Force, 3.4MB
— The visuals have been described as “mind-blowing” and “legendary.” The full version of G-Force can be run standalone, as a screensaver, or as a plug-in to your favorite media player
— Free limited function demo, $20 gold, $30 platinum
Apple’s original visualizer still rocks after all of these years.
Tip: To start the iTunes visualizer without using the mouse or trackpad, press ⌘ + T. To invoke fullscreen mode, press ⌘ + F.
• Disco Brick, 3.9MB
— A concert-quality, highly optimized visualization plug-in that has the raw rendering power needed to pump out pixels to high-resolution screens during parties,concerts and professional use, yet doesn’t hog your CPU when used at home
— Limited demo, Full $9.70
• Jumping Steve, 130K
— A marionette style Steve Jobs that “jumps” to the music. Boring, but disrespectful
— Freeware
• Punkt, 14K
— Colors burst to the beat of your music (it’s much cooler than it sounds)
— Freeware
• Fountain Music, 800K
— A visualizer which animates a fountain of soft particles to the beat of the music
— Freeware
• GasLight, 730K
— Like the bar type burners found in furnaces and boilers (kind of like an iTunes “yule log”>
— Donationware
There are literally dozens of iTune visualizers, but I narrowed my search and testing mostly to products released or updated in the last year. Again, all of these installed and played well (enough) on an Early 2008 MacBook running OS X 10.6.1 and iTunes 9.0.1.
Did I miss the world’s coolest iTunes visualizer? Well, if you don’t see your favorite plugin here, just leave us a note and link in the comments below. Don’t be shy…
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October 7th, 2009
This latest spat does nothing good for iTunes, nor does any controversy that raises the possibility of iTunes alternatives. However, consumers have demonstrated a high level of path dependence, so iTunes will continue to reign. It just won’t be (as it isn’t now) the first choice of saavy users seeking flexibility and user control.
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Morphyre only came out in Sept 09 so not that many people know about it. It’s pretty high in awesomeness with 3D foregrounds moving over
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Check it out at http://www.morphyre.com