Audio plug-in

{{Short description|Software signal processor or synthesizer module}}

File:Guitarix_gx_head_jan2011.jpeg

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.{{Cite book

|last = Collins

|first = Mike A.

|title = Professional Guide to Audio Plug-ins and Virtual Instruments

|location = Burlington, MA

|publisher = Focal Press

|year = 2003

|isbn = 9780240517063

}}{{page needed|date=April 2012}} Audio plug-ins usually provide their own user interface, which often contains graphical user interface (GUI) widgets that can be used to control and visualize the plug-in's audio parameters.{{Citation

|last1 = Goudard

|first1 = Vincent

|last2 = Müller

|first2 = Remu

|publisher = IRCAM

|url = http://mdsp2.free.fr/ircam/pluginarch.pdf

|title = Real-time audio plugin architectures

|date = 2 June 2003

|page = 8

}}

Types

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. 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.Cannam, C. 2008., The vamp audio analysis plugin api: A programmer’s guide. [http://www.vamp-plugins.org/]. Revision 1.0, covering the Vamp plug-in SDK version 1.2. 51

Instances

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.Gibson, D. and Polfreman, R., 2011. [http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/18249/1/ICMC2011%2DPaper_Final_Camera_Ready_ver2.pdf "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. 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).[http://www.steinberg.net/en/company/developer.html VST SDK][http://vamp-plugins.org/develop.html VAMP SDK][https://developer.reasonstudios.com Reason Studios Rack Extension SDK]

List of plug-in architectures

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center"

! Name

! Developer

! License

! GUI support

! Supported types

! Supported platforms

!Supported DAWs

Rack Extension

| Reason Studios

| BSD-style[https://developer.reasonstudios.com/agreements/Agreements#_rack_extension_sdk_license_agreement Reason Studios Rack Extension SDK License]

| {{yes}}

| Transformation, synthesis

| macOS, Windows

|Reason

Virtual Studio Technology

| Steinberg

| Proprietary or GPLv3{{Cite web|url=http://www.steinberg.net/sdklicenses_vst3|title = VST 3 SDK License|date = February 23, 2017}}

| {{yes}}

| Transformation, synthesis

| Linux,{{Cite web |date=February 21, 2022 |title=Welcome to VST SDK 3.7.x |url=https://github.com/steinbergmedia/vst3sdk#system-requirements |website=GitHub}} macOS,

Windows

|(Most DAWs)

Audio Units

| Apple

| Proprietary

| {{yes}}

| Transformation, synthesis

| iOS, macOS, tvOS{{Cite web|url=https://developer.apple.com/documentation/audiounit|title=Apple Developer Documentation}}

|(Most DAWs on Apple Software)

Real Time AudioSuite

| Avid

| Proprietary