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Using Plugins update

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content/mixing-sessions/using-plugins/index.en.md
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title = "Using plugins" title = "Using plugins"
chapter = false chapter = false
weight = 4 weight = 4
#pre = "<b>1. </b>"
+++ +++
**Plugins** can be used to enhance or transform the sound of individual _Plugins_ can be used to enhance or transform the sound of individual tracks.
Tracks.
They can be applied directly to a single track, or to a group of Tracks using a **Send**. Later in They can be applied directly to a single track, or to a group of tracks using
this tutorial, we will discuss some Plugins specific to the Mixing a _send_. Later in this tutorial, we will discuss some plugins specific to the
process, such as **Compressors**, **Limiters**, **Parametric Mixing process, such as _Compressors_, _Limiters_, _Parametric Equalizers_,
Equalizers**, **Reverbs** and others. _Reverbs_ and others.
## Processor Box ## Processor Box
In Ardour terminology, a **Processor** is anything which gets plugged In Ardour terminology, a _processor_ is anything which gets plugged
into a Mixer Strip, and treats the signal in some way. Ardour provides into a Mixer Strip, and treats the signal in some way. Ardour provides
several built-in processors such as the Fader or Panners. Processors can several built-in processors such as the fader or panners. Processors can
also be plugins used for effects or as instruments, as well as sends or also be plugins used for effects or as instruments, as well as sends or
inserts which affect signal routing. The arrangement of processors is inserts which affect signal routing. The arrangement of processors is
arbitrary, and there is no limit to how many there can be. arbitrary, and there is no limit to how many there can be.
![mixer strip 2](en/Ardour4_Mixer_Strip_2.png) ![mixer strip 2](en/Ardour4_Mixer_Strip_2.png)
The main space shown in the screenshot above is the **Processor Box**. The main space shown in the screenshot above is the **processor box**. The blue
The blue box Fader is in fact a **Processor** that comes by default box fader is in fact a _processor_ that comes by default inside the processor
inside the Processor Box. It represents the Fader that you use to box. It represents the fader that you use to control the track's volume. All
control the Track's volume. All Processors are shown as colored Processors are shown as colored rectangles, with a small "LED" beside them that
rectangles, with a small "LED" beside them that lights up when the lights up when the processor is enabled. The colour of the processor depends on
processor is enabled. The colour of the processor depends on its its location in the sequence; processors that are pre-fader are colored in red,
location in the sequence; processors that are pre-fader are colored in and post-fader processors are colored green.
red, and post-fader processors are colored green.
## Adding a Plugin to a Track or a Bus ## Adding a Plugin to a Track or a Bus
Plugins can be added by right-clicking in the Processor Box of the Track Plugins can be added by right-clicking in the processor box of the track or
or Bus. A menu of options is presented. From the menu, new processors bus. A menu of options is presented. From the menu, new processors can be
can be inserted. inserted.
![plugins1](en/Ardour4_Plugins_1.png) ![plugins1](en/Ardour4_Plugins_1.png)
The Plugin Manager is a convenient way to browse and choose plugins: The _Plugin Selector_ is a convenient way to browse and choose plugins:
![plugins2](en/Ardour4_Plugins_2.png) ![plugins2](en/Ardour4_Plugins_2.png)
From the Plugin Manager, you can search them by Name, Type, or other From the _Plugin Selector_, you can search them by name, type, or other
search parameters available from the drop-down menu. For example, we criteria available from the drop-down menu. For example, we will add the
will add the reverb plugin called "Freeverb": reverb plugin called "ACE Reverb":
![plugins3](en/Ardour4_Plugins_3.png) ![pSelecting ACE Reverb](en/ardour7-select-ace-reverb.png)
Once selected, click "*Add*" and the plugin will show up in the bottom Once selected, click **Add** and the plugin will show up in the bottom list of
list of "Plugins to be connected". Then click "*Insert Plugin(s)*" and "Plugins to be connected". Then click **Insert Plugin(s)** and they will show
they will show up in the Processor Box. up in the processor box.
![plugins reverb](en/Ardour4_Plugins_Freeverb.png) ![plugins reverb](en/ardour7-ace-reverb-added-to-processor-box.png)
## Editing Plugin Parameters ## Editing Plugin Parameters
Double-click a Plugin to edit its parameters. In this example, we double Double-click a plugin to edit its parameters. In this example, we double click
click the "Freeverb" green box and get this window: the "Freeverb" green box and get this window:
![freeverb settings](en/Ardour4_Plugin_Freeverb_Settings.png)  ![freeverb settings](en/ardour7-ace-reverb-settings.png) 
Here you can control reverb parameters such as Room Size, Damping, Here you can control reverb parameters such as Room Size, Damping,
amount of Wet and Dry signal, and Width. The effect will apply to all amount of Wet and Dry signal, and Width. The effect will apply to all
sounds contained in the Track. sounds contained in the track.
## Bypassing Plugins ## Bypassing Plugins
To bypass the Plugin, press the *Bypass* button in the Plugin settings To bypass the plugin, press the *Bypass* button in the plugin settings
window, or simply click the "LED" of the plugin in the Processor Box. window, or simply click the "LED" of the plugin in the processor box.
This turns the plugin off and allows the signal to pass by it This turns the plugin off and allows the signal to pass by it
unaffected. This is useful when you want to compare how a track sounds unaffected. This is useful when you want to compare how a track sounds
with and without the plugin. with and without the plugin.
![bypass](en/Ardour4_Plugins_Bypass.png) ![bypass](en/ardour7-ace-reverb-bypass-in-mixer-strip.png)
Bypassed plugins are shown greyed out and with the "LED" turned off. Bypassed plugins are shown with the LED turned off.
Right-Clicking the Plugins will give a menu with several options, Right-clicking the plugins will give a menu with several options, including
including *Delete*. _Delete_.
## Pre-Fader vs Post-Fader ## Pre-Fader vs Post-Fader
You have a choice whether you would like to add your Plugin before or You have a choice whether you would like to add your plugin before or
after the Fader rectangle in the **Processor Box**. Pre-fader plugins after the fader rectangle in the **processor box**. Pre-fader plugins
are inserted in the signal path *before* the Fader, so that the Fader are inserted in the signal path *before* the fader, so that the fader
controls the level of the signal coming out of the Plugin. Post-Fader controls the level of the signal coming out of the plugin. Post-Fader
Plugins are inserted *after* the Fader: the Fader controls the level of Plugins are inserted *after* the fader: the fader controls the level of
the signal going into the Plugin. For some Plugins, Pre- or Post-fader the signal going into the plugin. For some plugins, Pre- or Post-fader
placement does not matter. For others, the difference is subtle. For placement does not matter. For others, the difference is subtle. For
others still, inserting them in the right place is absolutely essential others still, inserting them in the right place is absolutely essential
(for more details, see for example (for more details, see for example
@ -99,37 +96,32 @@ at the Ardour discussion forum).
## Plugin Formats ## Plugin Formats
For those interested in learning more about plugin formats, here's a quick overview: For those interested in learning more about plugin formats, here's a quick
overview:
**LADSPA Plugins** are the "native" Plugin format for Ardour.  They were **LADSPA plugins** are a somewhat obsolete plugin format mainly used on Linux.
initially developed for Linux, but since have been ported to OS X as
well.
**LV2** is a simple but extensible successor of LADSPA, which can be **LV2** is an extensible successor to LADSPA. LV2 plugins are available on
used to display sound characteristics in a graphical manner. LV2 Plugins Linux, Windows, and macOS, should respective developers choose to build them
can be used on OS X and Linux. for these systems.
**AU Plugins** are the "native" Plugin format for OS X. They will only **AU plugins** are the native plugin format for macOS and will only work in
work in Ardour if you have made a donation when you downloaded the that operating system.
program. See the **Installing OS X** chapter for details. AU Plugins
will not work on Linux at all.
**VST Plugins** is a Plugin format common to Microsoft Windows. Some **VST plugins** is a fairly common on both Windows and macOS. Some VST plugins
VST Plugins can be used on Linux, however they may not function can be used on Linux, however they may not function correctly, or even cause
correctly, or even cause Ardour to crash. Using these Plugins requires Ardour to crash. Using these plugins requires manually **Compiling** the Ardour
manually **Compiling** the Ardour application, a task which is outside application, a task which is outside the scope of this manual.
the scope of this manual.
More information about using plugins with Ardour can be found here: More information about using plugins with Ardour can be found
[http://manual.ardour.org/working-with-plugins/](http://manual.ardour.org/working-with-plugins/) [in the user manual](http://manual.ardour.org/working-with-plugins/).
## Continuing ## Continuing
In this chapter, we learned how to add a Plugin to a single Track. This In this chapter, we learned how to add a plugin to a single track. This is
is useful if that Track needs a specific Plugin, but if you have a useful if that track needs a specific plugin, but if you have a plugin which is
Plugin which is used for many Tracks at the same time, you should used for many tracks at the same time, you should continue to the next chapter
continue to the next chapter about **Using Sends**. You can also about using sends. You can also continue to the various, plugin-specific
continue to the various, Plugin-specific chapters such as **Dynamics** chapters such as _Dynamics_ and _Equalizing_.
and **Equalizing**.
Next: [USING SENDS](../using-sends) Next: [USING SENDS](../using-sends)