Abstract: Cues, or indicators, are associated with an audio waveform. The cues can be placed or arranged automatically, or manually by a human operator. During playback, the cues are detected by a playback device and can be used by a visualization to correlate images, animation, colors, or other characteristics of the waveform to a visual presentation. Different cues correspond to different basic song characteristics such as percussion or beat. Instrument cues are used for noticeable instrument phrases, notes, or effects. Instrument solo cues are used to indicate the start and end of instrument solos or passages that stand out. Vocal cues include a range of coarse, medium or fine vocal tracking to provide cues for, e.g., mere presence of vocals, to close tracking of words, melody and emotional delivery. A playback engine uses the cues to create a visualization.