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Audio plug-in

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Screenshot of the guitar amplifier plugin software Guitrix

An audio plug-in, in computer software, is a plug-in that can add or enhance audio-related functions in a computer program, typically a digital audio workstation. Such functions may include digital signal processing or sound synthesis.[1][page needed] Audio plug-ins usually provide their own user interface, which often contains graphical user interface (GUI) widgets that can be used to control and visualise the plug-in's audio parameters.[2]

Types

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There are three broad classes of audio plug-in: those which transform existing audio samples, those which generate new audio samples through sound synthesis, and those which analyze existing audio samples.[2] Although all plug-in types can technically perform audio analysis, only specific formats provide a mechanism for analysis data to be returned to the host.[3]

Instances

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The program used to dynamically load audio plug-ins is called a plug-in host. Example hosts include Bidule, Gig Performer, Mainstage, REAPER, and Sonic Visualiser. Plug-ins can also be used to host other plug-ins.[4] Communication between host and plug-in(s) is determined by a plug-in application programming interface (API). The API declares functions and data structures that the plug-in must define to be usable by a plug-in host. Additionally, a functional specification may be provided, which defines how the plug-in should respond to function calls, and how the host should expect to handle function calls to the plug-in. The specification may also include documentation about the meaning of variables and data structures declared in the API. The API header files, specification, shared libraries, license, and documentation are sometimes bundled together in a software development kit (SDK).[5][6][7]

List of plug-in architectures

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Name Developer License GUI support Supported types Supported platforms Supported DAWs
Rack Extension Reason Studios BSD-style[8] Yes Transformation, synthesis macOS, Windows Reason
Virtual Studio Technology Steinberg Proprietary or GPLv3[9] Yes Transformation, synthesis Linux,[10] macOS,

Windows

(Most DAWs)
Audio Units Apple Proprietary Yes Transformation, synthesis iOS, macOS, tvOS[11] (Most DAWs on Apple Software)
Real Time AudioSuite Avid Proprietary Yes Transformation, synthesis macOS, Windows Pro Tools (32-bit only)
Avid Audio eXtension Avid Proprietary Yes Transformation, synthesis macOS, Windows Pro Tools
TDM Avid Proprietary Yes Transformation, synthesis macOS, Windows Pro Tools (32-bit only)
LADSPA ladspa.org LGPL No Transformation Linux, macOS, Windows Ardour, LMMS
DSSI dssi.sourceforge.net LGPL, BSD Yes Transformation, synthesis Linux, macOS, Windows Qtractor, Renoise
LV2 lv2plug.in ISC Yes Transformation, synthesis Linux, macOS, Windows Ardour, REAPER
DirectX plugin Microsoft Proprietary Yes Transformation, synthesis Windows ACID Pro (v3.0 or later), Adobe Audition, Cakewalk Sonar (v2.0 or later), MAGIX Samplitude, REAPER, Sound Forge, Steinberg (Wavelab, Nuendo, Cubase), OpenMPT
VAMP vamp-plugins.org BSD-style No Analysis Linux, macOS, Windows Audacity
CLAP Bitwig and others[12] MIT-style Yes Transformation, synthesis Linux, macOS, Windows Bitwig, REAPER, FL Studio, MultitrackStudio, MuLab, QTractor
Audio Random Access Celemony Software BSD-style macOS, Windows Melodyne

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Collins, Mike A. (2003). Professional Guide to Audio Plug-ins and Virtual Instruments. Burlington, MA: Focal Press. ISBN 9780240517063.
  2. ^ a b Goudard, Vincent; Müller, Remu (June 2, 2003), Real-time audio plugin architectures (PDF), IRCAM, p. 8
  3. ^ Cannam, C. 2008., The vamp audio analysis plugin api: A programmer’s guide. [1]. Revision 1.0, covering the Vamp plug-in SDK version 1.2. 51
  4. ^ Gibson, D. and Polfreman, R., 2011. "An Architecture For Creating Hosting Plug-Ins For Use In Digital Audio Workstations.", In: International Computer Music Conference 2011, 31 July - 5 August 2011, University of Huddersfield, England.
  5. ^ VST SDK
  6. ^ VAMP SDK
  7. ^ Reason Studios Rack Extension SDK
  8. ^ Reason Studios Rack Extension SDK License
  9. ^ "VST 3 SDK License". February 23, 2017.
  10. ^ "Welcome to VST SDK 3.7.x". GitHub. February 21, 2022.
  11. ^ "Apple Developer Documentation".
  12. ^ github.com/free-audio/clap