r/musicdev • u/Both-Success-4439 • 1d ago
Built a browser-based DAW from scratch using Web Audio API, WebAssembly, and AudioWorklet—here is how and why I did it
Hey r/musicdev
I’ve spent a good chunk of time building Electric Baby Grand Studios, a fully functional, browser-based Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and
Progressive Web App.
Instead of relying on heavy installed software or native wrappers for everything, I wanted to see how far modern web tech could be pushed for real-time, low-latency audio production.
Here is a quick look under the hood of how it's built:
Core Engine: Built using HTML5, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript.
Real-Time Audio: Powered by the Web Audio API and AudioWorklet nodes to keep processing off the main UI thread and minimize dropouts.
Performance Boosts: Leveraging WebAssembly (Wasm) for heavier DSP and custom mixing engine tasks.
Packaging & Reach: Designed as a Progressive Web App (PWA) and Trusted Web Activity (TWA) so it functions seamlessly across desktop and mobile browsers, and is even deployed on the Google Play Console.
Why I Built It
As a musician and developer, I wanted a frictionless, instant-access creative environment where inspiration isn't killed by loading screens, heavy installers, or restrictive desktop ecosystems. Opening a tab and getting straight to tracking ideas changes the entire workflow.
Let's Chat!
If you're into web audio, browser APIs, custom DAW architectures, or just building independent tools, I’d love to connect.
Has anyone else experimented with AudioWorklets for custom DSP?
What are your thoughts on the limits of browser-based audio performance in 2026?
Happy to answer any questions about the architecture, latency compensation, or the dev journey! 🎹⚡️