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So I have a unique challenge. I want to take an audio file, and pick out the peaks in the samples and plot that onto a graph. Each point based on the amplitude/pitch(?) will be represented as either a small dot (lower amplitude) or a bigger dot (higher amplitude).

So if I had to look at a drum track, I should notably see big dots where the drum is hit, but smaller dots when a cymbal is hit.

From a technology stack perspective, I am using Python - and using a Library called Aubio (although I am not sure if there is a better library out there).

EDIT:

Forgive me on the lingo - very new at this audio stuff. Okay so the issue I have currently is that I have a waveform graph that shows the samples over time using a standard sampling technique.

But I found an article on Peak detection, which is exactly what I am looking for (I think).

The challenge I have now is pulling those peak values out via Python and Aubio and plotting them on a Graph.

enter image description here

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    $\begingroup$ Hi! Welcome to signals.SE; this is a bit hard to answer, because you (ab)use the word "frequency" for different things. Because of that (or maybe, because I'm generally a bit of a confused person), I simply don't get the picture you're aiming for. So, we need to clarify first: "peaks in the frequencies" <-- I think you might be thinking of maxima in a power spectral density (PSD) plot? Can you confirm that? "Each point based on the frequency" <-- you mean you arrange points on an axis that means "higher frequencies to the right, lower frequencies to the left"? your "bigger"/"lower" … $\endgroup$
    – Marcus Müller
    Commented May 9, 2017 at 8:49
  • $\begingroup$ … notation isn't clear, either: you mean "higher frequency" (as in: 10 kHz is higher than 100 Hz), or do you mean "higher amplitude at that frequency" (as in: the sound at 100 Hz is much louder than the one at 10 kHz). What is a "symbol" in this context? $\endgroup$
    – Marcus Müller
    Commented May 9, 2017 at 8:51
  • $\begingroup$ Hi, thanks for the questions. Please see above edit I made to the post. In essence I am trying to create the following link (orange dots when peaks happen) $\endgroup$
    – Johan Steyn
    Commented May 9, 2017 at 10:54
  • $\begingroup$ Drums and cymbals don't really have a frequency or pitch. Are drums and cymbals the only thing you need to detect? Are they always from the same drum kit? $\endgroup$
    – endolith
    Commented May 9, 2017 at 13:36
  • $\begingroup$ I am using a STEMS file, which has different tracks embedded into one 1 (Drums on a different track to bass, separate to melody, etc). What I found so far is that if I use peak detection, I might be able to represent the output the way I need it link Just need to figure out how I do that in Python. $\endgroup$
    – Johan Steyn
    Commented May 9, 2017 at 13:50

1 Answer 1

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I found the answer finally. I found a great article that explains many different libraries that can be utilized for peak detection. I now have the peaks I am really interested in, and can now create the output I am requiring.

Finding Peaks in Python

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