Wide Blue Sound has launched Tracer, a beat-synced oscilloscope plugin for macOS and Windows. The plugin is available in VST3, AU, and AAX formats and is designed to provide tempo-aware visualisation within a DAW environment.
Tracer is an oscilloscope that synchronises directly to the host tempo and transport. It offers three visual modes: Beat, Bar, and Waveform. Each mode aligns with the DAW’s timing, allowing users to view audio material in relation to musical structure rather than free-running waveform movement.
The plugin includes a sidechain overlay function that enables two signals to be displayed simultaneously. A Sum sidechain mode combines both signals into a single waveform, with real-time colour changes indicating which signal is louder at any given moment. This is intended to provide visual insight into the interaction between sources such as kick and bass or other layered elements.
Tracer operates with zero latency and does not alter the incoming signal. According to the developer, audio passes through the plugin without coloration. Tempo and transport data are read directly from the host application, removing the need for tap tempo or additional routing for synchronisation.
The visual engine is GPU-accelerated, with rendering handled by the graphics processor rather than the CPU. Wide Blue Sound states that CPU usage typically remains under one percent of a single core. The display runs at up to 60 frames per second, aiming to maintain consistent visual performance while minimising processing load.
Key features include:
- Three tempo-synced view modes: Beat, Bar, and Waveform
- Sidechain overlay and Sum sidechain display with real-time colour indication
- GPU-accelerated rendering at up to 60fps
- Zero sample latency and no audio coloration
Tracer also supports visual customisation. Users can create and load custom themes using .wbstheme files, which can be edited, organised into folders, and shared. The default Wide Blue Sound branding can be replaced with a custom logo, with the option to sync the logo’s movement to the project tempo.
The plugin supports mono, stereo, and individual left or right channel monitoring. A visual display scale ranging from -24 dB to +24 dB is available for metering reference. Tracer can be run full-screen on a second display and captured using screen recording software such as OBS, which may suit streaming, educational content, or live visual applications.
System compatibility includes:
- macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later, with Safari up to date
- Windows 10 or later
- Support for Apple Silicon, Intel, and x64 architectures
Every download includes free lifetime updates.
Tracer is currently available as a free download for a limited time. After the promotional period, it will be priced at $39.
Click here to find out more about Tracer, a beat-synced oscilloscope plugin developed by Wide Blue Sound.
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