Protostar

Explore a forming star, protoplanetary disc, solar atmosphere, audio waveform ring, and performance controls in BeamTracer.

Default demo track · live audio-reactive settings

Protostar is a forming-star performance scene in the Space category. Its turbulent stellar surface sits inside a rotating disc of gas and dust, with prominences, flares, streamers, magnetic loops, coronal rays, a waveform ring, and a deep-space environment that can all be shaped independently.

Open Protostar

Launch the visualizer with its matching left-nav entry selected.

Interesting facts

A real protostar is a stellar embryo: gravity is still pulling material inward, and much of its light comes from contraction and accretion before sustained hydrogen fusion begins. BeamTracer turns that violent growth phase into an audiovisual instrument rather than a scale scientific simulation.

The disc is part of the birth process. A collapsing cloud carries angular momentum, so infalling gas and dust flatten into a rotating disc. Some material feeds the star; material left in the disc can later become planets, asteroids, and comets.
Jets solve a rotation problem. Magnetic fields can channel bipolar outflows perpendicular to the disc. Those jets carry angular momentum away, allowing more material to fall inward.
Young stars hide in their nurseries. Dust blocks much of their visible light, while infrared observatories can see warm material in the surrounding envelope and disc.
Star formation starts extremely cold. Dense molecular-cloud regions can be only about 10–20 kelvin before gravity takes over and collapse begins.

These details are summarized from Grokipedia's protostar overview and cross-checked against NASA Webb's star-formation guide, NASA Hubble's planet-forming disc gallery, and the NASA Genesis protostar fact sheet.

Quick start

Start the demo track, choose a local audio file, or enable a live input.
Try a preset or style first, then open the section for the part of the image you want to change.
On a control with Assign modulation, open the source picker, choose a signal, and watch the slider's live fill.
Use Reset to Defaults whenever you want to return to the original look.

Presets and styles

Solar · Young Star · Red Giant · Blue Giant · Solar Max · Quiet Sun

Audio modulation

On a control with Assign modulation, select the activity icon to open Modulate with. Choose a named source, or choose — None to leave the control unmodulated. After you assign one, its name appears below the slider; select that name to edit the route, or use Clear modulation to remove it. The slider track shows the live signal reaching the control.

Modulated control	Section	What the route changes
Energy Output	2. Radiative Zone	Controls energy output; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Surface Blend	4. Photosphere	Controls surface blend; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Surface Brightness	4. Photosphere	Sets the visible strength of surface brightness.
Edge Softness	6. Transition Region	Controls edge softness; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Streamer Scale	Coronal Streamers	Sets the visual streamer scale.
Streamer Intensity	Coronal Streamers	Sets the visible streamer intensity.
Glow Intensity	Coronal Streamers	Sets the visible glow intensity.
Radial Falloff	Coronal Streamers	Controls radial falloff; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Glow Threshold	Coronal Streamers	Sets the level that must be crossed before glow appears.
Animation Speed	Coronal Streamers	Sets how quickly animation changes or moves.
Flare Size	Solar Flares	Sets the visible flare size.
Ejection Speed	Solar Flares	Sets how quickly ejection changes or moves.
Emissive Strength	Solar Flares	Sets the visible emissive strength.
Ray Opacity	Coronal Rays	Sets how transparent the ray appears.
Bloom Intensity	Post-Processing Fx	Sets the visible bloom intensity.
Ray Shimmer	Audio Reactivity	Controls ray shimmer; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.

Settings reference

1. Core

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Core Color	Color	Sets the core color.
Outer Color	Color	Sets the outer color.
Color Order	SWAP	Chooses the color order mode or style.
Plasma Density	0–5	Controls how concentrated the visible elements appear.
Turbulence Scale	0.1–6	Sets the visual turbulence scale.
Swirl Speed	0–3	Sets how quickly swirl changes or moves.

2. Radiative Zone

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Energy Output	0–5	Controls energy output; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Light Scattering	-1–1	Controls light scattering; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.

3. Convection Zone

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Cell Frequency	1–32	Sets how tightly the visible surface cells repeat.
Convection Warp	0–2	Controls convection warp; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Cell Evolution	0–2	Controls cell evolution; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Layer Drift	-1–1	Controls layer drift; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.

4. Photosphere

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Enable Photosphere	On / Off	Turns photosphere on or off.
Surface Blend	0–1	Controls surface blend; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Layer Scale	0.7–1.3	Sets the visual layer scale.
Layer Opacity	0–1	Sets how transparent the layer appears.
Fresnel Strength	0–2	Sets the visible fresnel strength.
Surface Brightness	0–5	Sets the visible strength of surface brightness. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Contrast Power	0.1–8	Controls contrast power; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Fbm Gain	0–4	Sets how strongly the input signal affects fbm.
Fbm Offset	-1–1	Controls fbm offset; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Emissive Strength	0–3	Sets the visible emissive strength.
Emissive Start	0–1	Controls emissive start; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Emissive End	0–1	Controls emissive end; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Surface Blur	0–1	Softens edges and spreads nearby light or color.
Base Color	Color	Sets the base color.
Hot Color	Color	Sets the hot color.
Deep Color	Color	Sets the deep color.
Emissive Color	Color	Sets the emissive color.

5. Chromosphere

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Enable Chromosphere	On / Off	Turns chromosphere on or off.
Layer Scale	0.7–1.3	Sets the visual layer scale.
Layer Opacity	0–1	Sets how transparent the layer appears.
Animation Speed	0–3	Sets how quickly animation changes or moves.
Orbit Ratio	-2–2	Sets the orbit ratio of the visible composition.
UV Distortion	0–0.1	Controls uv distortion; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.

6. Transition Region

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Edge Softness	0.2–3	Controls edge softness; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Edge Roughness	0–2	Moves the surface from polished toward matte.
Boundary Warp	0–2	Controls boundary warp; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.

7. Corona

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Enable Corona	On / Off	Turns corona on or off.
Corona Opacity	0–1	Sets how transparent the corona appears.
Inner Radius	0.1–1.5	Sets the visible inner radius.
Raymarch Bounds	1–8	Controls raymarch bounds; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.

Coronal Streamers

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Enable Streamers	On / Off	Turns streamers on or off.
Layer Count	1–4	Sets how many visible elements are drawn.
Streamer Scale	1–80	Sets the visual streamer scale. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Global Opacity	0–1	Sets how transparent the global appears.
Streamer Intensity	0–10	Sets the visible streamer intensity. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Glow Intensity	0–2	Sets the visible glow intensity. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Radial Falloff	1–15	Controls radial falloff; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Flare Falloff	0.1–5	Controls flare falloff; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Glow Threshold	0–1	Sets the level that must be crossed before glow appears. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Edge Fade Start	0–2.5	Sets how long edge fade start remains visible.
Edge Fade End	0.1–5	Sets how long edge fade end remains visible.
Rotation Speed	-5–5	Sets how quickly rotation changes or moves.
Animation Speed	0–5	Sets how quickly animation changes or moves. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Streamer Color	Color	Sets the streamer color.

Prominences

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Enable Prominences	On / Off	Turns prominences on or off.
Displacement	0–5	Controls how far the shape moves away from its base surface.
Animation Speed	0–3	Sets how quickly animation changes or moves.
Layer Scale	0.7–1.5	Sets the visual layer scale.
Layer Opacity	0–1	Sets how transparent the layer appears.
Brightness	0–4	Sets the visible strength of brightness.
Orbit Ratio	-2–2	Sets the orbit ratio of the visible composition.
Cloud Distortion	0–0.1	Controls cloud distortion; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.

Solar Flares

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Enable Flares	On / Off	Turns flares on or off.
Max Concurrent	1–12	Controls max concurrent; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Min Burst Count	1–12	Sets how many visible elements are drawn.
Max Burst Count	1–24	Sets how many visible elements are drawn.
Min Interval	100ms–5000ms	Controls min interval; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Max Interval	250ms–10000ms	Controls max interval; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Activity	0–1	Controls activity; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Erupt On Beat	On / Off	Turns erupt on beat on or off.
Flare Size	0.25–8	Sets the visible flare size. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Flare Lifetime	0.5s–20s	Controls flare lifetime; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Jet Count	1–8	Sets how many visible elements are drawn.
Turbulence	0–3	Sets how irregular or unpredictable the turbulence appears.
Particles Per Jet	1–24	Controls particles per jet; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Particle Size	0.02–1	Sets the visible particle size.
Ejection Speed	0.05–3	Sets how quickly ejection changes or moves. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Jet Spread	0.01–1	Controls how far elements separate from the center or from one another.
Particle Lifetime	0.1s–8s	Controls particle lifetime; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Surface Lift	0–1	Controls surface lift; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Fallback Ratio	0–1	Controls fallback ratio; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Gravity	0–10	Sets the downward pull on moving elements.
Drag	0.9–1	Controls drag; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Emissive Strength	0–4	Sets the visible emissive strength. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Flare Opacity	0–1	Sets how transparent the flare appears.

Coronal Rays

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Enable Rays	On / Off	Turns rays on or off.
Ray Count	1–24	Sets how many visible elements are drawn.
Ray Length	0.5–8	Sets the visible ray length.
Ray Opacity	0–1	Sets how transparent the ray appears. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Rotation Speed	-0.1–0.1	Sets how quickly rotation changes or moves.

Magnetic Loops

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Enable Loops	On / Off	Turns loops on or off.
Loop Count	1–24	Sets how many visible elements are drawn.
Max Height	0.2–3	Sets the visible max height.
Animation Speed	0.1–5	Sets how quickly animation changes or moves.
Loop Color	Color	Sets the loop color.

Protoplanetary Disc

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Enable Disc	On / Off	Turns disc on or off.
Inner Radius	1.05–3	Sets the visible inner radius.
Outer Radius	2–8	Sets the visible outer radius.
Vertical Thickness	0–3	Sets the visible vertical thickness.
Disc Opacity	0–1	Sets how transparent the disc appears.
Disc Brightness	0–5	Sets the visible strength of disc brightness.
Master Orbit Ratio	0–2	Sets the master orbit ratio of the visible composition.
Vortex Tightness	0–8	Controls the strength of the swirling motion.
Gas Turbulence	0.1–4	Sets how irregular or unpredictable the gas turbulence appears.
Spiral Bands	1–12	Sets how many spiral bands form the disc.
Dust Grain Size	0.02–0.8	Sets the visible dust grain size.
Audio Response	0–2	Controls audio response; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Starlight Response	0–3	Controls starlight response; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Dust Scattering	0–2	Controls dust scattering; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Underside Shadow	0–1	Controls underside shadow; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Inner Heat Color	Color	Sets the inner heat color.
Mid-Disc Color	Color	Sets the mid-disc color.
Outer Dust Color	Color	Sets the outer dust color.

Audio Visualizer

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Enable Audio Ring	On / Off	Turns audio ring on or off.
Ring Radius	0.8–3	Sets the visible ring radius.
Wave Amplitude	0–3	Controls the distance of the motion from its resting position.
Ring Color	Color	Sets the ring color.
Ring Opacity	0–1	Sets how transparent the ring appears.
Waveform Mode	On / Off	Turns waveform mode on or off.
Enable Echoes	On / Off	Turns echoes on or off.
Echo Count	0–8	Sets how many visible elements are drawn.
Echo Speed	0–0.3	Sets how quickly echo changes or moves.
Echo Decay	0.8–0.999	Sets how long echo decay remains visible.

Environment

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Enable Space Cubemap	On / Off	Turns space cubemap on or off.
Enable Stars	On / Off	Turns stars on or off.
Star Count	0–5000	Sets how many visible elements are drawn.
Star Speed	0–2	Sets how quickly star changes or moves.
Star Size	0.1–3	Sets the visible star size.
Random Seed	0–99999999	Sets how irregular or unpredictable the random seed appears.

Camera

Setting	Available values	What it changes
View	FRONT, TOP, ISOMETRIC, SOLAR ORBIT, PLANET ORBIT, CORONA	Chooses the view mode or style.
Auto Camera	On / Off	Advances through the available eased camera views using the current BPM.
Beats Per View	1–32 beats	Holds each view for this many beats before beginning the next camera move.
Remaining	Live readout	Counts down the current hold and previews the next camera view.
Camera Distance	5–60	Sets how far the camera sits from the subject.
Elevation	-89°–89°	Controls elevation; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Auto Rotate	On / Off	Turns auto rotate on or off.
Rotation Speed	-2–2	Sets how quickly rotation changes or moves.

Post-Processing Fx

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Enable Post Fx	On / Off	Turns post fx on or off.
Bloom Intensity	0–3	Sets the visible bloom intensity. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.
Bloom Threshold	0–1	Sets the level that must be crossed before bloom appears.
Bloom Spread	0–1	Controls how far elements separate from the center or from one another.
Halo Tint	Color	Sets the halo tint.
Halo Intensity	0–3	Sets the visible halo intensity.
Halo Size	0.5–3	Sets the visible halo size.
Chromatic Aberration	0–0.03	Controls chromatic aberration; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Enable Lens Flare	On / Off	Turns lens flare on or off.
Lens Intensity	0–3	Sets the visible lens intensity.
Lens Threshold	0–1	Sets the level that must be crossed before lens appears.
Ghost Count	1–8	Sets how many visible elements are drawn.
Ghost Spacing	0.05–0.5	Sets the spacing between visible elements.
Ghost Attenuation	1–50	Controls ghost attenuation; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it.
Lens Resolution	1–8	Trades visual detail against performance.

Audio Reactivity

Setting	Available values	What it changes
Master Gain	0–3	Sets how strongly the input signal affects master.
Bass Intensity	0–3	Sets the visible bass intensity.
Mid Intensity	0–3	Sets the visible mid intensity.
High Intensity	0–3	Sets the visible high intensity.
Smoothing	0.01–0.8	Balances immediate audio response against steadier motion.
Ray Shimmer	0–3	Controls ray shimmer; higher values increase the effect and lower values reduce it. Use Assign modulation to choose a source.

Some controls appear only after you enable a related mode or style. The settings panel always reflects the options available for the current selection.

Tips for a better audio visualization

Use bass for the largest orbital or camera motion and highs for stars, sparks, or glow accents.
Try assigning Bass to Energy Output, then compare Mid, High, and Volume while the demo track plays. The slider's live fill shows the signal reaching that control.

Protostar

Open Protostar

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