p5.js | rate() Function

Last Updated : 12 Jul, 2025

The rate() function is an inbuilt function in p5.js library. This function is used to control the speed of the played audio on the web. This speed rate also can be controllable by a slider by dividing that in different ranges. Syntax:

rate( playbackRate )

Note: All the sound-related functions only work when the sound library is included in the head section of the index.html file. Parameter: This function accepts a single parameter as mentioned above and described below:

playbackRate: This parameter is used to hold the value of play speed rate.

Below examples illustrate the p5.rate() function in JavaScript: Example 1: In this example the audio will play 2x time faster than normal rate.

JavaScript

var sound; 
 
function preload() { 
 
    // Initialize sound 
    sound = loadSound("pfivesound.mp3"); 
} 
 
function setup() { 
 
    // Playing the preloaded sound 
    sound.play();

    //sound will play twice fast 
    sound.rate(2);
}

Example 2: In this example the audio will play in normal speed but you can change that. By sliding the slider, each step of the slider increases the 0.2 times faster. The range is 1 to 2, means normal speed to 2 times faster.

JavaScript

var sound; 
var speed; 
 
function preload() { 
  
    // Initialize sound 
    sound = loadSound("pfivesound.mp3"); 
} 
  
function setup() { 
  
    // Playing the preloaded sound 
    sound.play();

    //creating speed rate slider
    speed = createSlider(1, 2, 1, 0.2);
  
} 
  
function draw() {
    sound.rate(speed.value());
}