manual/include/processor-box.html

<figure class=right>
<img src="/images/processor-box.png" alt="the Processor Box" />
</figure>

<p>
  In Ardour terminology, a <dfn>processor</dfn> is anything which treats the signal in some way and gets plugged into a mixer strip. Ardour provides several builtin processors such as the fader or panners. Processors can also be <dfn>plugins</dfn> used for effects or as instruments, as well as sends or inserts which affect <a href="/signal-routing">signal routing</a>.
</p>

<p>
  The arrangement of processors is arbitrary, and there is no limit to how many there can be. The Processor Box will automagically add a scrollbar to itself if there are more processors in it than can be shown in the given space.
</p>

<p>
  The main box in the top half of a mixer strip shows the <dfn>processor box</dfn>. Processors are shown as colored rectangles, with a small "LED" beside them that lights up when the processor is enabled. The color of the processor depends on its location in the sequence; processors that are <dfn>pre-fader</dfn> are colored in red, and <dfn>post-fader</dfn> processors are colored green (in the default theme).
</p>

<p>
  The <dfn>processor box</dfn> will always contain a blue <dfn>Fader</dfn> processor. This indicates where in the processor chain the main channel fader is located; this is the fader shown in the lower half of the strip. It can be enabled and disabled like any other processor.
</p>

<h2>Adding Processors</h2>

<p>
  Processors can be added to the chain by <kbd class="mouse">Right</kbd>-clicking in the processor list, This does three things:
</p>

<ul>
  <li>A gap is opened up to indicate the location of the click. The gap shows where any new processors will be inserted.</li>
  <li>The processor under the click is selected.</li>
  <li>An options menu is presented.</li>
</ul>

<p>
  From the menu, new processors can be inserted.
</p>

<p>
  Processors can also be dragged and dropped from the <a href="/working-with-plugins/plugin-sidebar/"><dfn>Favorite Plugins</dfn> window</a> to an appropriate spot in the Processor Box.
</p>

<p class="note">
  The <dfn>Favorite Plugins</dfn> window can be populated via the <a href="/working-with-plugins/plugin-manager/">Plugin Manager</a>, or by dragging and dropping an existing processor from the <dfn>processor box</dfn> to the <dfn>Favorite Plugins</dfn> window.
</p>

<h2>To Reorder (Move) Processors</h2>

<p>
  Processors can be re-ordered using drag &amp; drop. Dragging a processor allows it to be moved around within the chain, or copied to another processor list on another track or bus.
</p>

<h2>To Enable/Disable a Processor</h2>

<figure class=right>
<img src="/images/processor.png" alt="a typical processor" />
<figcaption class=center>A typical processor.</figcaption>
</figure>

<p>
  To the left of the name of each processor is a small LED symbol; if this is lit-up, the processor is active. Clicking on it will deactivate the processor and effectively bypass it.
</p>

<p class="note">
  Some processors have their own bypass controls that are independent of the one that Ardour provides; this can make it appear that the plugin is non-responsive when its independent bypass control is active.
</p>

<h2>Selecting Processors</h2>

<p>
  A processor in the <dfn>processor box</dfn> can be selected with a <kbd class=mouse>Left</kbd>-click on it; it will be highlighed in red. Other processors can be selected at the same time by <kbd class=mouse>Left</kbd>-clicking on them while holding down the <kbd class=mod1n></kbd> key, and ranges can be selected by <kbd class=mouse>Left</kbd>-clicking on them while holding down the <kbd class=mod3n></kbd> key.
</p>

<h2>Removing Processors</h2>

<p>
  Context-click on the processor to be removed, and select <kbd class="menu">Delete</kbd>; or <kbd class=mod3n></kbd><kbd class=mouse>Right</kbd>-click on it; or <kbd class=mouse>Left</kbd>-click on it and press the <kbd>Delete</kbd> key. If multiple processors are selected, they will all be deleted at the same time.
</p>