What is a Soundwave Tattoo?

What is a Soundwave tattoo?

A Soundwave tattoo is a tattoo that looks like, well, a sound wave that you “scan” with an app. The app then playbacks back a sound clip of your choice. The app is owned by a company called Skin Motion. If you don’t remember the viral video from 2017, it shows Nate Siggard (the creator)’s Soundwave tattoo. He tattooed himself to test things out, put it up online and very quickly it went viral.

How did Nate come up with this? The idea came from his girlfriend. He had recently tattooed Elton John themed tattoos on a couple of clients. His girlfriend suggested it would be neat if the tattoos could have played Tiny Dancer.

We’ve all had these thoughts – how cool would it be if this thing could do that impossible thing? Usually it’s a fun daydream.  Apparently, if you’re dating Nate, these thoughts can become reality.

He already had developed a program for a gallery that would “scan” paintings to animate them on the screen. It took Nate four days to re-work the program to recognize an image and playback audio. This was the point that he filmed his trial video.

As it was blowing up, he was advised to take the video down until he could file a patent – which he did. This is how Soundwave Tattoos and Skin Motion became such a big thing.

Here’s how to get a Soundwave tattoo:

• Upload audio to the Soundwave app to generate your unique sound wave. Skin Motion advises using audio like a loved one speaking. Commercial music is mastered in a way that removes the highs and lows from the audio. This removes the charm, so to speak, from the sound wave.
• Find a certified artist to do your tattoo on Skinmotion's site.

That’s it!

Things to know before you get tattooed:

You can customize your sound wave with a design inside or around it.  But the outline of the sound wave must be distinct for the app to recognize it and play your audio.

The Soundwave tattoo must be on a flat surface on your body, like your forearm. If the Soundwave wraps around, the app won’t be able to read it.

You can get multiple Soundwave tattoos. The only thing is you need to keep them far enough part that the camera on the app only picks one up at a time.

It’s also better to get it in a spot with little hair. Thick hair can cause the app to be unable to recognize your sound wave.

There is a cost beyond getting the tattoo: it is $39.99 to start and 9.99/year after that. Activation can take 24-48hrs.
Wanna learn more about Soundwave tattoos? Check out our feature in the Surrey-Now Leader here .