diff --git a/src/App.vue b/src/App.vue
index cfc2251..88a34c0 100644
--- a/src/App.vue
+++ b/src/App.vue
@@ -178,7 +178,10 @@
                   '--ray-hue': rayHue.toFixed(0)
                 }"
               ></div>
-              <div class="pulse-tentacles">
+              <div
+                class="pulse-tentacles"
+                :style="{ '--pulse': pulseLevel.toFixed(3) }"
+              >
                 <span
                   v-for="(level, index) in tentacleLevels"
                   :key="index"
@@ -199,9 +202,7 @@
                 @pause="handlePlayerPause"
                 @ended="handlePlayerPause"
               ></audio>
-              <div v-if="!currentClipUrl" class="player-empty">
-                Pick a tile to start the round.
-              </div>
+              <div v-if="!currentClipUrl" class="player-empty"></div>
             </div>
           </div>
         </section>
diff --git a/src/styles.css b/src/styles.css
index 52bd5ec..8cb3eb3 100644
--- a/src/styles.css
+++ b/src/styles.css
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ audio.hidden-audio {
   top: 50%;
   width: 100px;
   height: 100px;
-  transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
+  transform: translate(-50%, -50%) scale(calc(1 + var(--pulse, 0) * 0.9));
   z-index: 1;
   pointer-events: none;
 }