projectM
projectM is an open-source music visualization project that turns audio input into visuals in real time.
What projectM is
projectM is an open-source music visualization project that turns audio input into visuals in real time. Its libprojectM component is a reusable library for application developers, reimplementing Winamp MilkDrop and supporting visualizations contributed by users. It analyzes PCM audio with beat detection and FFT, then renders the results through OpenGL. Visuals are defined by preset files using pixel shaders and MilkDrop-style equations and parameters; the library does not include those presets. For desktop use, projectMSDL listens to audio input and generates visuals, with standalone options for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The project also links to an Android app, but its developers say they do not create or support the Play Store apps. GStreamer and Qt-based desktop apps are listed, alongside third-party integrations including Kodi, Silverjuke, and VLC; the team does not develop or support those integrations. The available end-user frontends are development previews and may be incomplete or contain bugs. The core library is under the GNU Lesser General Public License 2.1.
Good
- Open-source library for application development.
- Analyzes PCM audio with beat detection and FFT.
- Supports user-contributed visualizations.
- Desktop frontend options include Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Watch out
- Library does not ship with visualization presets.
- End-user frontends may be incomplete or buggy.
- ProjectM developers do not support linked Play Store apps.
- Third-party integrations are not supported by the team.
Who it suits
projectM is suited to developers who want a reusable music visualization library, and desktop users seeking MilkDrop-style visuals. Android users should note that the linked Play Store apps are not created or supported by projectM's developers.
Verdict
projectM offers a developer-oriented library and desktop frontend for real-time audio visuals. Its previews may have bugs, and users need to source preset files separately.
The facts
Each one read from projectM's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audience
- The core library is intended for application development, while separate frontends are available for end users.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Audio analysis
- It analyzes PCM audio with beat detection and FFT, then renders visualizations with OpenGL.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Audio integrations
- Qt desktop applications for Linux have PipeWire, PulseAudio, and JACK audio backends.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Custom presets
- Preset files define visualizations using pixel shaders and MilkDrop-style equations and parameters.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Desktop availability
- Standalone applications are listed for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with available builds and release status varying by platform.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Desktop frontend
- The projectMSDL frontend listens to audio input and produces visuals, with standalone options listed for Windows, macOS, and Linux.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Development status
- The repository says available end-user frontends are development previews that may be incomplete and contain bugs.checked 4 Oct 2026
- History
- The official site says projectM was initiated in 2003 and released in 2004 to bring MilkDrop-style visualizations to non-Windows systems and open-source environments.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The repository lists GStreamer and Qt-based desktop apps, and names Kodi, Silverjuke, and VLC as third-party integrations.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integration support
- The projectM team says third-party integrations are not developed or supported by its development team.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Library
- The project provides libprojectM, a reusable shared or static library for application development.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Library audio input
- The core library takes audio data through its API; it does not capture audio on its own.checked 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The core library is released under the GNU Lesser General Public License 2.1.checked 11 Oct 2026
- MilkDrop compatibility
- The library reimplements Winamp MilkDrop and supports MilkDrop-style visualization presets.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Mobile availability
- The repository links to an Android app on Google Play and says the Play Store apps are not created or supported by the projectM developers.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Mobile support
- Android apps are listed, but the projectM developers say they did not create or support them.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Presets
- Preset files define visualizations using pixel shaders and MilkDrop-style equations and parameters; the library itself does not ship with presets.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Preview status
- The project says available end-user frontends are development previews that may be incomplete or have bugs.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- projectM is an open-source music visualization library that turns audio into real-time visuals.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Security and license
- The core projectM library is released under the GNU Lesser General Public License 2.1.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to GitHub issue trackers for the library and official frontends, and to Discord for contact.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Third-party integrations
- Kodi, Silverjuke, and VLC are listed as third-party integrations; their developers support those integrations.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2003checked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platform builds
- The library documentation says it builds on Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and WebGL/WASM, among other platforms.checked 11 Oct 2026
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