index.md

---

title: AudioNode.channelInterpretation
slug: Web/API/AudioNode/channelInterpretation
page-type: web-api-instance-property
browser-compat: api.AudioNode.channelInterpretation

---

{{ APIRef("Web Audio API") }}

The channelInterpretation property of the {{domxref("AudioNode")}} interface represents an enumerated value describing how input channels are mapped to output channels when the number of inputs/outputs is different. For example, this setting defines how a mono input will be up-mixed to a stereo or 5.1 channel output, or how a quad channel input will be down-mixed to a stereo or mono output.

The property has two options: speakers and discrete. These are documented in Basic concepts behind Web Audio API > up-mixing and down-mixing.

Value

The values are documented in Basic concepts behind Web Audio API > up-mixing and down-mixing.

In summary:

• speakers

  • : Use set of "standard" mappings for combinations of common speaker input and outputs setups (mono, stereo, quad, 5.1). For example, with this setting a mono channel input will output to both channels of a stereo output.

• discrete

  • : Input channels are mapped to output channels in order. If there are more inputs that outputs the additional inputs are dropped; if there are fewer than the unused outputs are silent.

Examples

const audioCtx = new AudioContext();

const oscillator = audioCtx.createOscillator();
const gainNode = audioCtx.createGain();

oscillator.connect(gainNode);
gainNode.connect(audioCtx.destination);

oscillator.channelInterpretation = "discrete";

Specifications

{{Specifications}}

Browser compatibility

{{Compat}}

See also

• Using the Web Audio API