Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- filters [2015/06/30 01:56]
slackermedia
+++ filters [2017/06/08 09:52]
slackermedia
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Audio Effects & Filters ======
-Since the JACK audio system runs as a server, it is ideally suited for smaller client applications which can plug into it, and combine one another's features to create a modular studio setup much like one would have in the physical world. There are several small (and sometimes not-so-small) sound applications that expect to be used as clients of the JACK server.
+Open source creativity is very prolific; this section contains a small sample of the applications available for a modular studio, and is only curated by a tool's stability and reliability.
+With JACK, all applications can be channeled through a single system, whether the application was designed as a stand-alone application or as a plugin. This blurs the line between what it means to be a stand-alone application or a plugin, and that's a powerful level of flexibility that simply does not exist in closed systems.
-<WRAP notice prewrap 50%>
+There are three native, free plugin formats for Linux Audio: DSSI, LADSPA, and LADSPA version 2. In this section, each tool is marked with an icon:
-<WRAP rightalign>
-===== Strengths [Weaknesses] =====
-</WRAP>
-**Modular**
+  * <typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>D</typo> DSSI plugin; requires that you install ''dssi'' from [[http://slackbuilds.org]]
+  * <typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>L</typo> LADSPA plugin; requires that you install ''ladspa_sdk'' from [[http://slackbuilds.org]]
-<WRAP indent>
+  * <typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>V</typo> LV2 plugin; requires that you install ''lv2'' and ''slv2'' from [[http://slackbuilds.org]]
-One of the best things about open source software is the variety in what is available. With modular tools, you can pick and choose what to use, and chain them together through JACK.
+  * <typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>A</typo> Stand-alone application
-</WRAP>
-**Roadie-Friendly**
-<WRAP indent>
-If you are accustomed to real-world gear and all the cables and sub-mixers MIDI pass-throughs and unsolvable routing puzzles that go along with it, going modular will feel refreshingly familiar. Design the sound studio of your dreams, all on the comfort of your own computer screen, and without the danger of tripping over cables!
-</WRAP>
-<WRAP rightalign>
-===== Weaknesses [Strengths] =====
-</WRAP>
-**Modular**
-<WRAP indent>
-Since there is no integrated environment (a DAW) managing the parts of a modular studio, all settings and routing must be managed by the user.
-</WRAP>
-**Unmanaged**
-<WRAP indent>
-If you are not used to real-world studio set-ups, understanding how and why MIDI and audio signals need to be routed and processed could be confusing at first. Conversely, you might have started out with hardware and are happy to give it up for a managed environment.
-</WRAP>
-</WRAP>
-====== Install ======
-The point of using modular applications is that they are independent of one another. Installing them, therefore, is not just one process; each on you want to use must be installed separately. This section of the Slackermedia handbook collects many independent effects and filters and groups them together based simply on the criteria that they are JACK-aware and capable of processing (and sometimes generating, but see the [[syths|Synths]] section for a dedicated list of software synths) sound.
-Open source creativity is profoundly prolific; this section contains only a small sample of the applications available for a modular studio, and is only curated by a tool's stability and reliability.
+None of these are exclusive to the others.
 ===== Stand-Alone, Hosting, Plugins =====
-With JACK, all applications can be channeled through a single system, whether the application was designed as a stand-alone application or as a plugin. This blurs the line between what is stand-alone and what is a plugin, and that's a powerful level of flexibility that simply does not exist in closed systems.
+There are three different ways to run many (not all) JACK-aware applications. There is no "right" or "wrong" way; it depends on what the project needs and what your style of working is. Your choices are:
-There are three native, free plugin formats for Linux Audio: DSSI, LADSPA, and LADSPA version 2. In this section, these (and more) are indicated:
-  * <typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>D</typo> DSSI plugin
-  * <typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>L</typo> LADSPA plugin
-  * <typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>V</typo> LV2 plugin
-  * <typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>A</typo> Stand-alone application
-And there are three different ways to run many (not all) JACK-aware applications. There is no "right" or "wrong" way; it depends on what the project needs and what your style of working is. Your choices are:
 **Plugins to larger JACK applications**
@@ Line 77: / Line 36: @@
 <WRAP indent>
-If you cannot run the application as a stand-alone application, there is probably a JACK host (such as Jack-Rack, Calf JACK Host, or ''dssi-jack-host'') which can act as a non-DAW into which the plugin can be loaded and used. The settings (banks, patches, levels, and so on) are maintained by the host application, but independent of any DAW you might be using, so you still have to keep track of the saved session files of whatever host you are using.
+If you cannot run the application as a stand-alone application, there is probably a JACK host (such as Jack-Rack, Calf JACK Host, or ''jack-dssi-host'') which can act as a non-DAW into which the plugin can be loaded and used. The settings (banks, patches, levels, and so on) are maintained by the host application, but independent of any DAW you might be using, so you still have to keep track of the saved session files of whatever host you are using.
 </WRAP>
+====== Calf Jack Host ======
+Host rack for Calf plugins. See [[calf|Calf]].
@@ Line 90: / Line 52: @@
 [[http://www.quitte.de/dsp/caps.html|CAPS]] is a collection of audio plugins comprising basic virtual guitar amplification and a small range of classic effects, signal processors and generators of mostly elementary and occasionally exotic nature.
+Install them from [[http://slackbuilds.org]], and find them listed with your LADSPA plugins in your DAW or [[jackrack|Jack Rack]] as **C* Audio Plugins**.
+[{{ caps.jpg?666 | They may not look like much, but CAPS are top quality. }}]
-{{anchor:jackrack}}
+====== Disthro Mini Series ======
-====== JACK Rack ======
 <wrap left>
-<typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>L</typo>
+<typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>V</typo>
 </wrap>
-[[http://jack-rack.sourceforge.net/|Jack-Rack]] is a straight-forward, no-frills host for LADSPA effects. It enables you to use any LADSPA (version 1) effect unit on your system as a stand-alone application rather than as a plug-in for a DAW.
+A small collection minor (but useful) plugins written by the tireless maintainer of the [[http://kxstudio.sourceforge.net|KXStudio]] multimedia distribution. The pack consists of:
-{{ jackrack.jpg?512 }}
+  * Ping Pong Pan
+  * 3-Band EQ
+  * 3-Band Splitter
-After you launch jack-rack, add effect units via the ''Add'' button in the top toolbar or its menus. Each effect creates a JACK input and output, so you can send any signal into each effect and the processed signal to anything else in your studio.
+[{{ mini.jpg | Although petite, **Ping Pong Pan** packs a powerful punch.}}]
-When using jack-rack, its sessions must be saved along with your project in order to be restored the next time you use the rack. Save sessions in ''File'' → ''Save''. A jack-rack session contains only what effect unit is loaded into the rack, //not// the routing in and out (for the routing, the over-all JACK session must be saved with a tool like [[aj|aj-snapshot]] .
+====== Disthro Ports ======
-====== JACK Capture ======
+<wrap left>
+<typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>V</typo>
+</wrap>
+[[http://distrho.sourceforge.net/ports|Disthro Ports]] is a collection of "ported" applications (meaning that the author of the LV2 plugins did not write the code, but made it compatible with Linux in an LV2 wrapping). This is a mixed bag, full of mostly small plugins that probably don't qualify as "must have" effects at first glance, but can make all the difference when you need something a bit niche or unique.
+This collection currently includes:
+  * Artican The Pilgrim
+  * Artican The Function
+  * [[synths#dexed|Dexed]] DX7 Emulator
+  * dRowAudio plugins
+  * Easy Sound Space Perception
+  * Juced Plugins
+  * KlangFalter convolution (requires impulse responses)
+  * LUFS Meter
+  * Luftikus EQ
+  * Mverb reverb
+  * [[synths#nekobi|Nekobi]] TB-303 inspired drum sequencer
+  * [[synths#obxd|Obxd]] Obx (and family) emulator
+  * Pitched Delay
+  * Stereo Source Separator
+  * TAL Dub-3, Filter, NoiseMaker, Reverb, and Vocoder
+  * [[synths#vex|Vex]] 3-oscillator subtractive waverom synth
+  * [[synths#wolpertinger|Wolpertinger]] subtractive, antialiased polyphonic software synthesizer
+[{{ ports.jpg | Rack 'em and Stack 'em. }}]
+====== DSSI Jack Host ======
+Jack host for DSSI plugins. See [[dssijackhost|DSSI Jack Host]].
+{{anchor:guitarix}}
+====== Guitarix ======
 <wrap left>
-<typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>S</typo>
+<typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>S</typo> <typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>L</typo>
 </wrap>
-[[http://users.notam02.no/~kjetism/|Jack Capture]] is a recorder for whatever is streaming to the ''System Out'' JACK port. This means that you can record improv or sequenced pieces on the fly; it's the Master Out for your modular studio.
+Guitarix is intended for on-the-fly, live performances. It is //not// intended to be a longterm effects unit to be incorporated into your projects. You [[http://sourceforge.net/p/guitarix/wiki/How_to_use_the_new_ladspa_plugins/|have been warned]].
-There is no configuration required; Jack Capture attaches itself to the master output of JACK no matter what.
+As such, [[http://guitarix.sourceforge.net/|Guitarix]] is a mono amp designed for, as its name implies, guitars; it even has controls for tube amp emulation. Like [[filters#rakarrack]], it is not modular in the sense that JACK only sees one input to it, so all sound fed to Guitarix goes through all active Guitarix effects, so it's probably an effect unit you will use mostly on a per-instrument basis.
-{{ jackcapture.jpg }}
+<WRAP alert>
+The Guitarix developers warn "Guitarix is evolving, and so are the Guitarix LADSPA plugins. This means you cannot add them to a DAW track, wait a year, install the then current version and expect it to work (or have the same sound)."
+</WRAP>
-Jack Capture handles its own settings (not its routing), and there isn't much to be set; choose the file format and bitrate, and Jack Capture will maintain its settings across sessions.
+A unique feature of Guitarix is an inbuilt recording unit (a little like JACK capture), so if you are jamming and want to record, that capability is available as part of your rack.
+[{{ guitarix.jpg?512 | Meet your new rig. }}]
+There are a few different views into your Guitarix window. The default is a basic single-column rack, but clicking the ''Show Plugin Bar'' button in the top toolbar reveals a list of available plugins in a panel on the left of the window. click the ''Order Rack Horizonally'' button in the top toolbar to show a two-column view of your rack.
+If you have Meterbridge installed, launch meters for your effects from the ''Options'' menu → ''Meterbridge''.
+Save your Guitarix sessions in the ''Presets'' menu. Do this for each guitarix instance of each project.
+====== Invada ======
+<wrap left>
+<typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>V</typo>
+</wrap>
+The [[http://invada.bigcartel.com|Invada]] plugins are a series of high quality audio plugins that contain all the basic filters you need in a studio. This is not an everything-and-the-kitchen-sink collection of "fun" filters for the sake of experimentation, this is a serious, stable, and effective set of filters.
+{{ invada.jpg?512 | State of the art, and artfully done. }}
-====== JackBeat ======
+{{anchor:jackbeat}}
+====== Jack Beat ======
 <wrap left>
@@ Line 135: / Line 153: @@
 Install Jackbeat from [[http://studioware.org|StudioWare]].
-{{ jackbeat.jpg?512 }}
+[{{ jackbeat.jpg?512 | You can't beat a good drum sequencer. }}]
 Using Jackbeat is fairly intuitive. Load a sample using the track panel properties or the ''Edit'' menu.  Toggle with a ''click'' (or ''b'' on your keyboard) the cells in the grid workspace to sequence the sounds.
@@ Line 145: / Line 163: @@
 Use ''Shift'' ''Click'' (or press ''N'' on your keyboard) to toggle a "mask" (or "negation") for any given beat. This mutes the track during the duration of that beat.
+=====Exporting the Loop=====
-====== Meter Bridge and Jack_Meter ======
+Jack Beat has no song editor; it creates one pattern, looped endlessly. You can either create very long patterns and just compose music in jack beat (you probably do not want to do that), or you can export the loops, as ''wav'' files, that you create incrementally for use in a proper sequencer.
+Jack Beat doesn't just do a play-through export; its default behaviour is to blend the in and out points of your loop so that playing it back is //seamless//.
+[{{ jackbeatex.jpg?512 | A proper loop creator, with edge blending and everything! }}]
+{{anchor:jackcapture}}
+====== Jack Capture ======
 <wrap left>
@@ Line 152: / Line 178: @@
 </wrap>
-Monitoring your sound can be done with [[http://plugin.org.uk/meterbridge|meterbridge]], or even in a unix shell with [[http://www.aelius.com/njh/jackmeter|jack_meter]].
+[[http://users.notam02.no/~kjetism/|Jack Capture]] is a recorder for whatever is streaming to the ''System Out'' JACK port. This means that you can record improv or sequenced pieces on the fly; it's the Master Out for your modular studio.
-Both attach to a JACK output and display the decibel level of its sound.
+There is no configuration required; Jack Capture attaches itself to the master output of JACK no matter what.
-{{ meterbridge.jpg?512 }}
+[{{ jackcapture.jpg | Does one thing, does it well. }}]
-Since Jack Capture does not have a monitoring tool itself, a separate monitor like Meterbridge or Jackmeter is essential.
+Jack Capture handles its own settings (not its routing), and there isn't much to be set; choose the file format and bitrate, and Jack Capture will maintain its settings across sessions.
-They have no settings as such, but the connection to a meter is recorded along with the overall JACK session recorded with a tool such as [[aj|aj-snapshot]].
+{{anchor:jackkeyboard}}
+====== Jack Keyboard ======
+<wrap left>
+<typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>S</typo>
+</wrap>
+MIDI controllers with USB connections are common and easy to use, but if you do not have one or do not have one handy, then a virtual keyboard is useful.
+[[http://jack-keyboard.sourceforge.net/|Jack Keyboard]] provides exactly what you would expect; it displays a keyboard onscreen that you can use when sequencing notes.
+[{{ jackkeyboard.jpg?666 | Tickle some ivory. }}]
+After launching Jack Keyboard, connect it to a MIDI port from the ''Connected to'' dropdown menu at the top left.
-====== Calf Jack Host ======
-<wrap left>
-<typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>S</typo> <typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>V</typo>
-</wrap>
-Calf Jack Host is an inbuilt stand-alone [[calf]] effects rack. While Calf v1 effects can be loaded into [[filters#jackrack]], Calf LV2 effects cannot, so this rack is essential if you are using the newer Calf plugins.
+====== JACK Rack ======
-{{ calf.jpg?666 }}
+Host rack for LADSPA plugins. See [[jackrack|Jack Rack]].
-Otherwise, the rack itself is basically the same as Jack Rack; start the rack and add effects from the ''Add Plugin'' menu. Save the rack and the settings for the items in the rack from the ''File'' menu; as always, save each rack session along with the rest of your project files.
-For information on the actual plugins and not just the rack, read the [[calf|Calf]] section.
+====== Jalv ======
-{{anchor:rakarrack}}
+Jack host for LV2 plugins. See [[jalv|Jalv]].
-====== Rakarrack ======
+====== Jamin ======
+Audio mastering suite. See [[jamin|Jamin]].
+{{anchor:meterbridge}}
+====== Meter Bridge and Jack_Meter ======
 <wrap left>
@@ Line 189: / Line 226: @@
 </wrap>
-[[http://rakarrack.sourceforge.net|Rakarrack]] is intended as a guitar effect box and models itself, more or less, after an all-in-one stomp box. As such, it is not terribly modular in itself (any effect that is activated in one Rakarrack instance is automatically chained to the other active effects in the same Rakarrack instance), but that doesn't mean you can't have multiple Rakarrack instances if you want them.
+Monitoring your sound can be done with [[http://plugin.org.uk/meterbridge|meterbridge]], or even in a unix shell with [[http://www.aelius.com/njh/jackmeter|jack_meter]].
-The effect quality is very high, and all the essentials are present; reverbs, echo, chorus, phaser, flanger, EQ, and more.
+Both attach to a JACK output and display the decibel level of its sound.
-{{ rakarrack.jpg?512 }}
+[{{ meterbridge.jpg?512 | Keep it out of the red. }}]
-Rakarrack is configurable in many ways, including its theme, so you are free to change it to suit your own style.
+Since Jack Capture does not have a monitoring tool itself, a separate monitor like Meterbridge or Jackmeter is essential.
-Save settings for a Rakarrack instance with the ''Save'' button at the top of the window. Do this for each instance in each project. As with many modular Linux tools, you can launch Rakarrack from a shell such that its pre-set is automatically loaded, and you can even launch it without a GUI if you don't have any need to modify settings.
+They have no settings as such, but the connection to a meter is recorded along with the overall JACK session recorded with a tool such as [[aj|aj-snapshot]].
-====== Guitarix ======
-<wrap left>
+====== Non ======
-<typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>S</typo> <typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>L</typo>
-</wrap>
-Guitarix is intended for on-the-fly, live performances. It is //not// intended to be a longterm effects unit to be incorporated into your projects. You [[http://sourceforge.net/p/guitarix/wiki/How_to_use_the_new_ladspa_plugins/|have been warned]].
+A modular studio for your modular studio; session management, sequencing, and mixing all in distinct executables.
-As such, [[http://guitarix.sourceforge.net/|Guitarix]] is a mono amp designed for, as its name implies, guitars; it even has controls for tube amp emulation. Like [[filters#rakarrack]], it is not modular in the sense that JACK only sees one input to it, so all sound fed to Guitarix goes through all active Guitarix effects, so it's probably an effect unit you will use mostly on a per-instrument basis.
+See [[non|Non]].
-<WRAP alert>
-The Guitarix developers warn "Guitarix is evolving, and so are the Guitarix LADSPA plugins. This means you cannot add them to a DAW track, wait a year, install the then current version and expect it to work (or have the same sound)."
-</WRAP>
-A unique feature of Guitarix is an inbuilt recording unit (a little like JACK capture), so if you are jamming and want to record, that capability is available as part of your rack.
-{{ guitarix.jpg?512 }}
+{{anchor:rakarrack}}
+====== Rakarrack ======
-There are a few different views into your Guitarix window. The default is a basic single-column rack, but clicking the ''Show Plugin Bar'' button in the top toolbar reveals a list of available plugins in a panel on the left of the window. click the ''Order Rack Horizonally'' button in the top toolbar to show a two-column view of your rack.
+<wrap left>
+<typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>S</typo>
+</wrap>
-If you have Meterbridge installed, launch meters for your effects from the ''Options'' menu → ''Meterbridge''.
+[[http://rakarrack.sourceforge.net|Rakarrack]] is intended as a guitar effect box and models itself, more or less, after an all-in-one stomp box. As such, it is not terribly modular in itself (any effect that is activated in one Rakarrack instance is automatically chained to the other active effects in the same Rakarrack instance), but that doesn't mean you can't have multiple Rakarrack instances if you want them.
-Save your Guitarix sessions in the ''Presets'' menu. Do this for each guitarix instance of each project.
+The effect quality is very high, and all the essentials are present; reverbs, echo, chorus, phaser, flanger, EQ, and more.
-===== Non =====
+[{{ rakarrack.jpg?512 | Rack 'em and rack 'em. }}]
-A modular studio. The "non" DAW. See the section on [[non]].
+Rakarrack is configurable in many ways, including its theme, so you are free to change it to suit your own style.
-===== Synths =====
+Save settings for a Rakarrack instance with the ''Save'' button at the top of the window. Do this for each instance in each project. As with many modular Linux tools, you can launch Rakarrack from a shell such that its pre-set is automatically loaded, and you can even launch it without a GUI if you don't have any need to modify settings.
-If it's synths you love, you'll never run out of knobs, dials, and switches to play with on Linux. There are so many ways to generate, shape, and transform sound that you may just give up writing music in favour of writing synth patches.
-There are far too many free soft synths out there to cover them all, but a list of a few interesting ones is available in the [[synths|Synths]] section.
+====== Steve Harris LADSPA Plugins ======
+<wrap left>
+<typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>L</typo>
+</wrap>
-===== Jack Keyboard =====
+The [[http://plugin.org.uk|Steve Harris LADSPA]] plugins are innumerable, an amazing feat of mass production for maximum variety. Being LADSPA version 1, they are not the prettiest plugins to look at:
-MIDI controllers with USB connections are common and easy to use, but if you do not have one or do not have one handy, then a virtual keyboard is useful.
+[{{ swh.jpg?512 | No matter what, we'll always have Steve Harris. }}]
-[[http://jack-keyboard.sourceforge.net/|Jack Keyboard]] provides exactly what you would expect; it displays a keyboard onscreen that you can use when sequencing notes.
+And they aren't always the most useful, or the most stable. There are so many to choose from that you're bound to find and fall in love with at least a few effects that you suddenly will find yourself unable to live without. But take care when trying new ones; audition them and learn what they do, whether it is stable, and whether your computer can handle the values you are dialing in.
-{{ jackkeyboard.jpg?666 }}
-After launching Jack Keyboard, connect it to a MIDI port from the ''Connected to'' dropdown menu at the top left.
+====== TAP ======
+<wrap left>
+<typo ff:icono;fs:1.33em;>L</typo>
+</wrap>
-====== And Much Much More ======
+The [[http://tap-plugins.sourceforge.net|TAP]] plugins are a set of basic LADSPA plugin effects. It's something of a mixed bag, with, for instance, a reverb that is not realtime capable (fine for [[audacity|Audacity]] but not great for anything else). It is a stable set, however, and worth installing for those small but essential plugins.
-This list is not exhaustive and it is, at best, a loose collection of tools that should not be listed together in the first place. Each of the tools listed in this section are unique and independent, and they can be used with DAWs just as easily as with a completely modular setup. The purpose of this list has only been to highlight a few of the great tools you have available, not to suggest a correlation between any of them, or even to suggest a workflow binding them all together. Try the tools out, chain them together in whatever way you see fit, and embrace the chaos (or impose strict order; it's up to you).
+[{{ tap.jpg?512 | Cap or Tap? }}]
-<WRAP tip>
-**See Also** \\
-non \\
-sooper looper \\
-muse \\
-ardour \\
-yoshimi \\
-hydrogen \\
-lmms
-</WRAP>
+====== Synths ======
+If it's synths you love, you'll never run out of knobs, dials, and switches to play with on Linux. There are so many ways to generate, shape, and transform sound that you may just give up writing music in favour of writing synth patches.
-========================================
+There are far too many free soft synths out there to cover them all, but a list of a few interesting ones is available in the [[synths|Synths]] section.
-Steve Harris
-Invada
+====== And Much Much More ======
-TAP
+This list is not exhaustive and it is, at best, a loose collection of tools that should not be listed together in the first place. Each of the tools listed in this section are unique and independent, and they can be used with DAWs just as easily as with a completely modular setup.
-[[calf|CALF]]
+The purpose of this list has only been to highlight a few of the great tools you have available, not to suggest a correlation between any of them, or even to suggest a workflow binding them all together.
-Disthro
+Try the tools out, chain them together in whatever way you see fit, and embrace the chaos (or impose strict order; it's up to you).
-Rakarrack
+<WRAP centeralign>
+<wrap fa>[[audacity|R]]</wrap> <wrap fa>[[start|S]]</wrap> <wrap fa>[[blender|Q]]</wrap>
+</WRAP>