How to Make Your Own Soundwave Art Step by Step
This post may contain affiliate links that won’t change your price but will share some commission.
What is Soundwave Art?
Lately, I have seen sound wave art trending more and more. I decided it was time to teach myself and you how to create this precious idea as a DIY. But first, what exactly is sound wave art?
Soundwave art is a sign or picture of a soundwave image taken from an audio or video. So quite literally, the sound is being translated into an image that you can see. Often used with wedding vows, songs, the voice of a loved one who passed away, or something special said by your kids, soundwave is a great way to cherish a memory. I’ve seen so many of you create them after watching my Youtube video and sharing them in my Facebook group!
Today I will show you how to make custom sound wave art for your home or as a personalized gift to give at Christmas or any special occasion.
If you are not up to generating your own sound wave art as a DIY, then check out some of my fellow crafty besties below who will make the sound wave gift for you!
- 3D Sound Wave Art with Clear Acrylic
- Personalize Sound Wave Art With Pictures
- Night Sky Sound Wave Print
The process of making these is not at all hard, but rather just a lot of little steps. I have a full step-by-step video tutorial on this below and will also share all my free resources for converting video files into an image that can be cut and placed onto a wood sign or canvas.
Soundwave Art Video Tutorial
Supplies
Let’s review the supplies I used for both a simple wood sign for placing my soundwave art and QR code and also tried this craft on a canvas decorated with paper flowers.
- Cricut machine (any Explore or Maker model will work)
- A video recording (using your phone is fine!)
- Vinyl of choice (you can use iron-on or adhesive – both work on wood and canvas! (If you decide to use iron-on, follow this heat guide here for your Easypress or Easypress Mini) To see how I wrap my canvas in HTV, check out this post here.
- Transfer tape if you choose adhesive vinyl
- Wood sign or canvas. You can find these at Hobby Lobby or Michaels craft store. Also, check out Amazon’s selection of wood signs and canvases here.
- Paper flowers NOTE – the paper flowers that are shown here come from my ebook, The Joy of Paper Flowers! OR you can use a Print Then Cut image printed on printable vinyl. The one in my video below came from Freepik.com
- Glue gun if you decide to add paper flowers
- QR code generator. I also recently discovered that Canva has its own QR code generator, which is free and easy to use. Try Canva’s QR Code Generator here!
- Printer for the QR code and a QR app. Find the app for iPhone here and the app for Andriod here.
Instructions for Converting Video to Sound wave Art
Details are shown step by step in the video above.
- If you filmed the video on your phone, start by emailing yourself the video you recorded so you can access it on your computer. Download and save the video.
- Upload the video to https://online-audio-converter.com/ and follow their instructions to convert your video to audio. Download and save your new audio file.
- Next, upload your audio file to this sound wave generator.
- Scroll down and click Upload. Once the file has been converted, it will ask you to select color, etc. I changed these settings to Black and selected the large waveform size of 3600 x 1200 pixels. This ensures a good resolution for the PNG wave image download.
- Scroll down and click OK. You will be presented with your waveform image.
- Right-click and save the file to your computer. It will save as a PNG image.
Bringing the Sound wave Image into Design Space
- Open a new Canvas and upload your PNG image.
- When you get to the part where Cricut asks if you wish to save the file as a Print Then Cut or a Cut Image, be sure to select Cut Image.
- Select and bring the wave art into the Design Space Canvas.
- Measure your sign or canvas and scale your waveform to the correct size.
Decorating the Sign
In my video above, I use a Print Then Cut image on printable vinyl as one option to decorate my sign above the wavelength.
You can also use paper flowers which really add a special pop! You can find lots of flowers for download in my shop, or check out some freebies here on the blog!
Keep reading to see my suggestions for adding a QR code to the sound wave sign.
Join Thousands of Crafty Besties Inside the Freebie Vault!
Love freebies?! Me too! I have a gorgeous freebie vault you will love playing in. Create a free account by signing up via the form below to access hundreds of crafts!
Adding the QR Code to Your Sound Wave Art Sign
- To add the QR code, upload the original video to YouTube. Make sure to set the video as Unlisted so no one can see it but the person scanning the code.
- Navigate to the QR Code Generator. I use this one in the video, but I also recently discovered that Canva has its own QR code generator, which is free and easy to use. Try Canva’s QR Code Generator here!
- Create an account, then select the video option and input the URL from your Youtube video. You can create more than one QR code if you wish.
- Set a title or message under your video and save it. At this point, you will be able to download your QR code image.
- Download your QR code and print it out on sticker paper or printable vinyl
- Attach the code to the back of your sign (you could do the front as well). You could also add it to a card or tag attached to the sign.
Viola! You have created a special one-of-a-kind keepsake with lots of handmade love and meaning!
If you have any questions for me, feel free to leave a comment below!
About Abbi Kirsten
Welcome to my colorful corner of the internet, where we play with vibrant crafts and unlock your creative magic! Hang out with me and get lost in a fun array of projects, tutorials, and products, from stunning papercraft ideas to flower templates, Cricut help for beginners, and endless crafter’s hacks.
Join the Member Vault and participate in my monthly Craft-Alongs in my Facebook group to access all the magic!
More Tutorials to Love
- Free July 4th Printable – Happy Independence Day Wall Print
- Free Printable Planner Stickers: Tropical Summer
- 9 Best Paper Flowers Crafts: Easy Papercrafts to Brighten Your Day
- The Best Free Summer SVG Files For Cricut And Silhouette Crafts
- Paper Flowers for Baby Showers: A Special Guest Post
I attempted this today using your exact instructions. The problem I have is the waveform has so many VERY THIN lines it doesnt cut out well, it kinda shreds the vinyl. Any suggestions? is there a way of just capturing the bulk of the waveform without all the spindly lines?
Hi Barbara! If you are familiar with editing images in Inkscape at all you could use that. Here is a post on editing images in Inkscape. https://www.abbikirstencollections.com/2020/02/how-to-convert-an-image-to-svg-2.html
This is so creative!
I love this idea! It would be great for a mother’s day gift.
Thank you for this tutorial. I made one for my daughter.
I am interested in converting an audio file to sound wave art using the website convert.ing-now.com. However I’m uncomfortable entering my credit card info on their site to use the free software. Is there a way to use that website without the credit card info being entered? Many thanks,
Don
Hi Don, If you use my link in the post there is no credit card required. 🙂
Thank you very much, I figured it out and it worked great. Don
Love this! Can you say what text you used in the note from your kiddies? Love you memaw
Sure! That is the Carolina font!
I too love this font! Can you say where you got it, I did a goole search and theres A LOT!
I believe the name of the font is Charlinda!
Instructions worked perfect! Making a band director gift for end of our season. TY
You are welcome!
I love the process you demonstrated. How can the person listen to the waveform?
Thanks! The recipient can listen to the wave form via the QR code label. More details in the post above. 🙂
Hey, loved this tutorial, thanks! I just have one issue, wondering if you have any suggestions. When my video gets to the end, the final image it freezes on is the still from one of my other saved youtube videos. The viewer can then scroll through all the stills/highlight images from ALL of my other youtube videos in my library. Any ideas? I double and triple checked that I have the correct URL for the specific video I want to share. No luck.
Hi Michaelle!
This is an algorithm that is customized to your browser and activity. Other users will see their info. 🙂
So, can I hear the voice with the QR code ? My grandpa died and my mom has his voice mail saved. I thought this would be a better way for her to save it just incase something goes wrong with her phone. I just want to make sure I can make it so she can hear his voice on this,if that’s possible.
Yes, you can hear the voice just like if you are listening to a video.
Hi Abbi, I love this soundwave art. I created the soundwave and uploaded to DS.
My canvas is 16″ s0 I’m making it 14′ long but I’m not sure how wide I should the waveform.
I dont want to make it too narrow and have a problem weeding it.
Thank you, Mary
My waveform was about 3 inches high at its widest point. 🙂
Hi! LOVE this idea and my husband is going to love our toddler saying “love you daddy” with the finished father’s day project! My question is also about cutting the vinyl. I have a silhouette. I read the previous comments and followed the links and directions as closely as possible (with my silhouette) and am still having trouble getting some of the middle section of the sound wave to “thicken up” so it will cut without shredding.
Just for reference, in the silhouette software, when I upload a PNG file into the design space and I want to essentially quickly make it an SVG file, I use the trace function. (Not that I know what these mean…) but I can mess around with the threshold, filter and other scales within the trace panel and none of those seem to thicken up that middle section. When I search for help videos, I’m mostly finding videos where people are also using other programs such as Inkspace.
Any suggestions? Thank you so much!!
Hi Holly! Yes! Inkscape is a great way to thicken your lines. I have a free workshop here that can show about Inkscape – https://abbikirstencollections.lpages.co/magic-of-svgs-workshop/
Thank you for the editorial. It was perfectly explained. Your time is greatly appreciated! On the QR code link, I know it says free account and I did sign up as suggested. It has given me the free pro account trial. My question is this: are there unlimited QR scans on the code or will it eventually force me into a paid subscription? I’m using an MP3 only instead of a video. Someone requested this sign as an order from me and I wanted to make sure before using this site.
Great question! They recently changed their settings. I believe you may have to upgrade now but you can use this one I found for free. Up to 10 QR codes for free – https://www.flowcode.com/
Hi Abbi,
It is possible to record longer than a minute and will it still come out amazing? I want to do to my maid of honor speech as a Xmas present to my friend.
Yes, you can do that. The soundwave line may just be thinner due to needing to shrink it down to fit your canvas. 🙂