Tone Generator

About Tone Generator

This online tone generator creates audio test tones and signals with various waveforms. Generate pure sine waves for audio testing, square waves for synthesis, sawtooth waves for subtractive synthesis, and pink or white noise for acoustic measurements. All tones are generated in your browser and can be downloaded as high-quality WAV files.

What waveforms are available?

Sine Wave (pure tone, smooth), Square Wave (hollow, odd harmonics), Sawtooth Wave (bright, all harmonics), Triangle Wave (soft, odd harmonics), Pink Noise (equal energy per octave), White Noise (equal energy per frequency).

What is a sine wave used for?

Sine waves produce pure tones with a single frequency and no harmonics. Uses: audio equipment testing, speaker testing, hearing tests, tinnitus matching, room acoustics measurement, frequency response testing, calibration, and testing audio systems.

What is the difference between pink and white noise?

White noise has equal energy at all frequencies (sounds harsh/bright). Pink noise has equal energy per octave, meaning lower frequencies are louder (sounds more balanced/natural). Pink noise is better for speaker testing and acoustic measurements. White noise is used for masking and audio testing.

What frequency range can I generate?

20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (20 kHz), which covers the full range of human hearing. 20-250 Hz: bass/sub-bass, 250-2000 Hz: midrange, 2000-20000 Hz: treble/high frequencies. Common test frequencies: 100 Hz, 440 Hz (A4), 1000 Hz (1 kHz).

What are square and sawtooth waves used for?

Square waves produce a hollow sound with odd harmonics, used in synthesis for organs, retro game sounds, and electronic music. Sawtooth waves contain all harmonics and sound bright/buzzy, used for brass sounds, basses, and classic analog synthesizers.

Why would I need fade in/out?

Fade in/out prevents clicks or pops at the start and end of the tone. Without fade, abrupt starts/stops can create unwanted artifacts. Use short fades (10-50ms) for most purposes, longer fades (100-500ms) for smoother listening experience.

Can I use this for audio testing?

Yes! Common uses: test speaker frequency response, check for dead zones in room acoustics, calibrate audio equipment, test headphones, identify frequency problems, burn-in new speakers, and verify audio system performance.

What volume level should I use?

Start at -6 dB (default) which is safe and comfortable. 0 dB is maximum (may be too loud). -12 to -6 dB is good for general use. -20 dB or lower for background testing. Never use 0 dB with headphones at high system volume to protect your hearing.

What file format is generated?

Files are generated as WAV (PCM, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz stereo). WAV is uncompressed and high quality, suitable for all audio applications. The files can be imported into DAWs, audio editors, or played on any device.

Can I play the tone before downloading?

Yes! Click 'Play Tone' to hear it in real-time. You can adjust frequency and volume while it's playing. Click 'Stop' when done. Then use 'Generate & Download' to create a file with your chosen duration.

Is this tool safe for my speakers?

Yes, when used responsibly. Start at low volume (-12 to -6 dB) and moderate frequencies (100-1000 Hz). Extremely low frequencies (<30 Hz) at high volume can damage some speakers. Extremely high frequencies (>15 kHz) at high volume may be uncomfortable. Always start quiet and increase gradually.

What is the triangle wave?

Triangle waves are similar to square waves but smoother, containing only odd harmonics with less intensity. They sound softer and more flute-like than square waves. Used for synthesizing woodwinds and mellow electronic sounds.