GLava

What GLava is

GLava is a free, open-source audio visualizer that renders sound-driven graphics with OpenGL on X11. Its included visualizer modules cover bars, radial bars, a graph, a waveform, and a circle-style display. Audio input requires PulseAudio, and GLava can also read MPD audio sent through FIFO output. Users can run it as a desktop window or widget with EWMH-compliant window managers; behavior depends on the manager in use. A plugin enabled at compile time can render GLava inside an OBS scene, subject to limitations with EGL-based OBS builds and GLFW builds of GLava. Configuration is extensive: GLSL directives and shader code can change nearly every behavior, while the --pipe feature passes simple runtime values to shader sources. FFT calculations run on the CPU, and GLava stops when obscured to avoid unnecessary resource use. The project provides source-build instructions and identifies packages for Arch Linux, NixOS, and openSUSE. GLava is licensed under GPLv3, with MIT-origin notices for specified source components. The project accepts issue reports through GitHub Issues. Its listed plan costs nothing and requires Linux or BSD and X11.

Who it suits

GLava suits Linux desktop users who want audio-reactive visuals and are comfortable configuring software through GLSL directives and shader code. It can also suit OBS users who can build with the plugin and whose OBS and GLava builds fit the stated constraints.

Limits

The listed free plan costs nothing and requires Linux or BSD and X11. Audio input requires PulseAudio, and the OBS plugin has limitations for EGL-based OBS builds and GLFW builds of GLava.

Getting started

1. Open the GLava project website on GitHub.
2. Check the source-build instructions or the packages identified for Arch Linux, NixOS, and openSUSE.
3. Use a Linux or BSD system with X11.
4. Set up PulseAudio for audio input, or route MPD audio through FIFO output.
5. Configure visual behavior with GLSL directives and shader code.

Verdict

Choose GLava if you want a free, GPLv3 audio visualizer with several included styles and extensive shader-based configuration. Look elsewhere if you need audio input without PulseAudio, or if your OBS build or window manager conflicts with its stated constraints.