2 <img src="/images/preferences.png" alt="The Preferences window">
9 Global <dfn>preferences</dfn> control general workflow and system
10 configuration, and should apply to all sessions. They are located in <kbd
11 class="menu">Edit > Preferences</kbd> and stored in Ardour's <dfn>user
12 configuration file</dfn> in the user's home directory.
16 Preferences are conveniently grouped by category:
20 <li><a href="#general">General</a></li>
21 <li><a href="#editor">Editor</a></li>
22 <li><a href="#mixer">Mixer</a></li>
23 <li><a href="#signal_flow">Signal Flow</a></li>
24 <li><a href="#audio">Audio</a></li>
25 <li><a href="#midi">MIDI</a></li>
26 <li><a href="#metronome">Metronome</a></li>
27 <li><a href="#metering">Metering</a></li>
28 <li><a href="#transport">Transport</a></li>
29 <li><a href="#sync">Sync</a></li>
30 <li><a href="#control_surfaces">Control Surfaces</a></li>
31 <li><a href="#midi_ports">MIDI Ports</a></li>
32 <li><a href="#plugins">Plugins</a></li>
33 <li><a href="#appearance">Appearance</a></li>
34 <li><a href="#video">Video</a></li>
37 <h2 id="general">General</h2>
41 <dfn>DSP CPU Utilization</dfn>
44 <dfn>Signal processing uses:</dfn> sets how many cpu processors can be
45 used to do signal processing. It can be set to use one up to all
51 <dfn>Memory Usage</dfn>
54 <dfn>Waveform image cache (megabytes):</dfn> sets the maximum amount of ram that
55 can be used to store the images representing the waveforms in the editor. Past
56 this amount, the images will be regenerated when needed, which can significantly
57 decrease the system's performance.
65 <dfn>Try to auto-launch audio/midi engine</dfn> allows Ardour to try to
66 automatically launch the audio and MIDI system, driver and device, thus not
67 showing the <a href="@@newopen-session-dialog">Audio/MIDI Setup</a> dialog. This
68 can save a little time if the system is always used the same way.
76 <strong>Thinning factor</strong> ranges from 0 to 1000 with larger
77 values sending fewer automation changes. Thinning is like lossy
78 audio compression, removing data that is less likely to be noticed,
79 although the more is removed, the more likely the loss will be noticed.
80 The advantage to thinning is reduced CPU usage.
83 <strong>Automation sampling interval</strong> ranges from 1 to
84 1000 ms. Determines how frequently the automation input is
85 sampled. The shorter the interval the higher the accuracy but also
86 the higher the CPU requirements.
94 <dfn>Allow non quarter-note pulse</dfn>: by default, Ardour understands the <a
95 href="@@tempo-and-meter">tempo</a> as the number of quarter notes in a minute.
96 Checking this option allows to set the tempo based on any division of the note,
97 from whole to 1/128th. This is reflected in the <kbd class="menu">Edit
98 Tempo</kbd> window (accessed by double clicking a tempo marker) that shows a
99 "Pulse" menu when this option is checked.
107 <dfn>Lock timeout (seconds):</dfn>locks the <abbr title="Graphical User
108 Interface">GUI</abbr> after this many idle seconds (zero being 'never lock').
109 The GUI can also be locked with <kbd class="menu">Session > Lock</kbd>. When
110 locked, a dialog will display a "Click to unlock" button.
116 <h3 id="session">Session</h3>
120 <dfn>Undo</dfn> defines the behaviour of the Undo operations:
123 <strong>Limit undo history</strong> sets how many commands can be
124 undone using <kbd class="mod1">Z</kbd> or <kbd class="menu">Edit > Undo</kbd>.
125 Unchecking will keep an endless memory of operations to undo, at the
129 <strong>Save undo history</strong> sets how many commands are saved so
130 they are available to be undone after reopening the session. This can
131 also be unchecked to keep all actions undoable, at the cost of bigger
135 <strong>Verify removal of last capture</strong> when enabled prompts to
136 verify removal the last recording capture when
137 <kbd class="menu">Edit > Remove Last Capture</kbd> is executed.
142 <dfn>Session Management</dfn>:
145 <strong>Make periodic backups of the session file</strong> will create
146 a backup session file after changes to the timeline. The backup file is
147 the session name followed by <em>.ardour.bak</em>. The backup can be
148 used to recover from crashes when the session had not been explicitly
152 <strong>Always copy imported files</strong> selects, and then disables
153 changes to, the <em>Copy files to session</em> option in the
154 <a href="@@import-dialog">Add Existing Media</a> dialog.
157 <strong>Default folder for new sessions:</strong> defaults the folder
158 where Ardour will create new session folders. This is used in the
159 <em>Session Setup</em> dialog displayed by
160 <kbd class="menu">Session > New</kbd>.
163 <strong>Maximum number of recent sessions:</strong> determines how many
164 of the last opened sessions shows in the
165 <em>Recent Sessions</em> dialog displayed by
166 <kbd class="menu">Session > Recent</kbd>.
172 <h3 id="translation">Translation</h3>
175 <dfn>Internationalization</dfn>
178 <dfn>Use translations</dfn> sets if Ardour should use a translated
179 version of all the messages. The default (unchecked) is English (US). When
180 checked, and if a language file exists for the system language, this file
181 will be used to translate Ardour.
187 <h2 id="editor">Editor</h2>
194 <dfn>Snap rubberband to grid</dfn> when
195 enabled uses the grid when <a href="@@select-regions">selecting regions</a>
196 with a rubberband rectangle.
199 <dfn>Prompt for new marker names</dfn> when enabled, popup a dialog
200 when a new <a href="@@working-with-markers">marker</a> is created. This allows
201 markers to be named as they are created.
204 <dfn>Allow dragging of the playhead</dfn>, when enabled, allows
205 dragging the playhead with the mouse in the <strong>Editor</strong> window.
208 <dfn>Playhead dragging speed (%):</dfn> chooses how fast the canvas
209 scrolls when dragging the playhead outside of the visible canvas.
212 <dfn>Limit zooming & summary view to X minutes beyond session extents</dfn>
213 prevents the zoom out both in the editor and the summary, to show anything past
214 the chosen time after the end marker, restraining the vision to only useful
218 <dfn>Zoom to mouse position when zooming with scroll wheel</dfn>: by default,
219 Ardour zooms to the <a href="@@edit-point-control">edit point</a>. When this
220 option is checked, and the zoom is done with <kbd class="mod1n"></kbd> + mousewheel,
221 the zoom will happen at the mouse cursor position regardless of the edit point
225 <dfn>Zoom with vertical drag in rulers</dfn> allows, when checked, to click
226 anywhere in an empty zone of the <a href="@@ruler">ruler</a> zone and drag
227 up to zoom in or down to zoom out.
230 <dfn>Double click zooms to selection</dfn> allows by double clicking, to zoom
231 on the selection, both on the time and tracks axes. If the selection has been
232 done with <kbd class="mod1n"></kbd> or <kbd class="mod3n"></kbd>, then this
233 key should still be pressed when double clicking for this to work, otherwise
234 the first click breaks the group selection.
237 <dfn>Update editor window during drags of the summary</dfn>: when
238 enabled the contents of the editor window will redraw the tracks area
239 as the selection rectangle in the <a href="@@summary">summary</a> area is
243 <dfn>Auto-scroll editor window when dragging near its edges</dfn>
244 when enabled will scroll the editor window automatically when dragging a
245 region. This can make it easier to see where to position the region.
248 <dfn>Show gain envelopes in audio regions:</dfn> sets in which
249 <a href="@@toolbox">modes</a> the gain envelope is displayed in audio regions.
250 The gain envelope is superimposed over the region in the selected modes, and
251 hidden otherwise for a better legibility.
257 <dfn>Editor Behaviour</dfn>
260 <dfn>Move relevant automation when audio regions are moved</dfn>,
261 when enabled, causes automation data to stay with a region when the
262 region is moved inside the playlist. When disabled, the automation is
263 not affected by movement of regions.
266 <dfn>Ignore Y-axis click position when adding new automation-points</dfn>
267 allows to create new automation points at the x-position of the mouse, without
268 using the Y-position as the value, hence creating a new automation point at
272 <dfn>Default fade shape:</dfn> sets which <a href="@@create-region-fades-and-crossfades">
273 fade shape</a> is the default.
276 <dfn>Regions in edit groups are edited together:</dfn> sets
277 the criteria to see if editing actions apply to tracks grouped together
281 <dfn>Layering model:</dfn> Ardour allows <a href="@@layering-display">layering</a>
282 multiple regions in the same track. This selector defines how these layers are
283 managed, either manually or by placing the latest on top.
286 <dfn>After splitting selected regions, select:</dfn> determines which,
287 if any, regions are selected after a split operation. The options are no
288 regions, the regions created by the split, and if more than one region
289 was selected to start with, the existing selection and the new regions.
295 <h3 id="modifiers">Modifiers</h3>
298 This page allows to choose how things are done in the editor. This is a very
299 flexible way for Ardour to match an existing workflow, or speed up the editing
300 process based on the user's most used actions.
303 The <kbd class="menu">Reset to recommended defaults</kbd> button at the bottom
304 provides a way to revert any user made change to its default value.
307 <h2 id="mixer">Mixer</h2>
311 <dfn>Solo</dfn> contains settings that affect the use of
312 <a href="@@muting-and-soloing">solo, muting</a>, and
313 <a href="@@panning">panning</a>.
316 <dfn>Solo controls are Listen controls</dfn>: when enabled, the
317 soloed track is soloed only on the monitor bus, the master fader mix
318 is not affected by the solo. This option can also be set by enabling
319 pre-fader listen or after-fader listen in the <strong>Mixer</strong>
323 <dfn>Exclusive solo</dfn> when enabled will only solo the last
324 track selected for solo. Previously soloed tracks will be un-soloed.
325 This setting is also available from the <strong>Mixer</strong> monitor
329 <dfn>Show solo muting</dfn> when enabled outlines the mute
330 button on tracks and busses when another track is soloed.
333 <dfn>Soloing overrides muting</dfn> when enabled allows a track
334 to be heard when it is soloed while muted. This setting is also
335 available from the <strong>Mixer</strong> monitor section.
338 <dfn>Solo-in-place mute cut (dB):</dfn> sets the attenuation of
339 the other tracks when another track is soloed in place. This setting
340 is also available from the <strong>Mixer</strong> monitor section. The
341 default is "−inf" for −∞, meaning the other tracks are
345 <dfn>Listen Position:</dfn> determines what is listened to when
346 the solo controls are used as listen controls. The options are
347 after-fader or pre-fader.
350 <dfn>PFL signals come from:</dfn> determines whether the
351 pre-fader listen position is before or after the pre-fader processors.
354 <dfn>AFL signals come from:</dfn> determines whether the
355 after-fader listen position is before or after the after-fader
362 <dfn>Default Track / Bus Muting Options</dfn> sets the muting options
363 for a newly created tracks or bus. The mute options for an existing track
364 or bus are changed by the right-click context menu on a mute button.
367 <dfn>Mute affects pre-fader sends</dfn> when enabled pre-fader
368 sends will be muted by default.
371 <dfn>Mute affects post-fader sends</dfn> when enabled post-fader
372 sends will be muted by default.
375 <dfn>Mute affects control outputs</dfn> when enabled control
376 outputs are muted by default.
379 <dfn>Mute affects main outputs</dfn> when enabled main outputs
380 are muted by default.
386 <dfn>Send Routing</dfn> affects <a href="@@aux-sends">aux and external sends</a>.
389 <dfn>Link panners of Aux and External Sends with main panner by default</dfn>
390 when enabled, sends follow the channel panner. When disabled, sends can panned
391 independently of the channel panner and fader. Double clicking the send in the
392 processor box toggles the main panner and fader between the aux send and the
400 <h2 id="signal_flow">Signal Flow</h2>
404 <dfn>Monitoring</dfn>
407 <dfn>Record monitoring handled by:</dfn> determines whether Ardour provides
408 monitoring of incoming audio or whether monitoring is provided by hardware.
409 See <a href="@@monitoring">Monitoring</a> for more information.
412 <dfn>Tape machine mode</dfn> when enabled defaults new audio tracks to
413 tape machine mode. See <a href="@@track-types">Track Types</a> for more
420 <dfn>Track and Bus Connections</dfn>
423 <dfn>Auto-connect main output (master or monitor) bus to physical ports</dfn>
424 auto-connects the outputs to the first N physical ports. In a session without a
425 <a href="@@monitor-section">monitor section</a>, the master-bus is
426 connected to the system's playback ports, and if a monitor section exists,
427 the monitor-bus' output are connected.
430 <dfn>Connect track inputs:</dfn> allows to choose when a new track is
431 created whether its inputs will be automatically connected to the physical
432 inputs of the system or not (hence the user has to manually connect it).
435 <dfn>Connect track and bus outputs:</dfn> allows to choose, for any new
436 track or bus created, whether its output will automatically be connected
437 to the master bus, directly to the physical outputs or to nothing (the
438 user has to manually connect it).
441 <dfn>Use 'Strict-I/O' for new tracks or busses</dfn> determines the default
442 choice for the <a href="@@trackbus-signal-flow">signal flow</a> of a newly created track or bus.
443 This can be overridden in the <a href="@@adding-tracks-busses-and-vcas">
444 Add Track/Bus/VCA</a> dialog
450 <h2 id="audio">Audio</h2>
454 <dfn>Buffering</dfn> settings determine how many seconds of audio off of disk
455 will be buffered in memory. Longer settings reduce the risk of buffer
456 under-runs but consume more memory.
459 <dfn>Preset:</dfn> will automatically choose the values for the playback
460 and recording buffer based on the chosen size of the session. The
461 <strong>Custom</strong> option allows to manually select the buffers with
462 the two sliders below.
465 <dfn>Playback (seconds of buffering):</dfn> sets how many seconds of
466 audio Ardour will buffer during playback.
469 <dfn>Recording (seconds of buffering):</dfn> sets how many seconds of
470 audio Ardour will buffer during recording.
476 <dfn>Denormals</dfn> are a specific type of very small numbers that
477 can cause issues with CPU consumption when using some plugins in some
479 Ardour provides two methods of handling the issue. Trying different
480 combinations of these settings may minimize CPU consumption.
483 <dfn>Use DC bias to protect against denormals</dfn> adds a small
484 constant value to numbers to move the numbers away from zero.
487 <dfn>Processor handling:</dfn>, if the computer's hardware
488 supports it, offers two methods that can be used individually or
489 combined. Flush to zero and denormals are zero.
498 <dfn>Enable automatic analysis of audio</dfn> generates the transient
499 values (used in e.g. the <a href="@@rhythm-ferret">Rhythm Ferret</a>)
500 automatically. When unchecked, the transient values will be generated
504 <dfn>Replicate missing region channels</dfn>: if a track is N-channel,
505 and the region has fewer channels, this option copies the existing
506 channel's data for this non-existent one. If left unchecked, the missing
507 channels will stay silent.
513 <h2 id="midi">MIDI</h2>
520 <dfn>MIDI read-ahead time (seconds):</dfn> defines how much time of MIDI data
521 must be read in advance by Ardour and put in the buffer. More time means more
522 stability while playing back, at the expense of more time to buffer the data.
523 This should be set to a low value for a reasonably capable machine.
532 <dfn>Initial program change:</dfn> Ardour will send a MIDI program
533 change message on the <code>ardour:MMC out</code> JACK port when a session
534 is loaded and whenever this field is changed. A value of -1 means don't
535 send any program change message.
544 <dfn>Sound MIDI notes as they are selected in the editor</dfn> will play
545 any selected or added MIDI note when in Draw or Internal Edit modes. The
546 note is sent as MIDI as if Ardour was playing it withe the session, so the
547 processors and signal routing will be applied.
550 <dfn>Midi Audition Synth (LV2):</dfn> allows to select in the list of LV2
551 instruments, which one will be used to audition MIDI when e.g. in the
552 <a href="@@import-dialog">import dialog</a>.
558 <h2 id="metronome">Metronome</h2>
562 <dfn>Metronome</dfn> handles the way Ardour's metronome is played when
563 enabled in the <a href="@@transport-bar">Transport Bar</a>.
566 <dfn>Emphasis on first beat</dfn> plays a different sound when the first
567 beat is played (e.g. 1/4 in 4/4, 1/3 in 3/4,…). When unchecked, all
568 the beats are indistinguishable.
571 <dfn>Use built-in default sounds</dfn> when checked, uses Ardour's own
572 sounds for the metronome click. Unchecking this allows to set some custom
576 <dfn>Audio file:</dfn> selects an audio file for the beats, in any
577 <a href="@@supported-file-formats">format</a> Ardour supports.
580 <dfn>Emphasis audio file:</dfn> in conjunction with
581 <kbd class="option">Emphasis on first beat</kbd>, selects an audio file
582 for the first beats of each bar.
585 <dfn>Gain level:</dfn> allows the metronome's click sounds to be boosted
595 <dfn>Enable Metronome only while recording</dfn>: when enabled, the
596 metronome will remain silent unless Ardour is recording.
602 <h2 id="metering">Metering</h2>
609 <dfn>Peak hold time:</dfn> allows the meter to keep displaying the highest
610 signal level for a period of time before reverting to showing the actual
611 instantaneous value (unless an even higher peak occurs). The longer this
612 time is, the easier it is to spot peaks, at the expense of instantaneous
616 <dfn>DPM fall-off:</dfn> describes how fast the Digital Peak Meters can
617 go from a high value to a lower one. Faster values are more accurate but
621 <dfn>Meter line-up level; 0 dBu:</dfn> chooses a standard for the
622 conversion between dBFS (Full Scale) which represent the numeric signal
623 level, and dBu which represents the analog signal level. This value is used
624 to configure meter-marks and color knee-points, or set the reference levels
625 for various meter-types.
628 <dfn>IEC1/DIN Meter line-up level; 0 dBu:</dfn> sets the reference
629 level for the IEC1/DIN Meter
632 <dfn>VU Meter standard:</dfn> selects which standard to use for the zero
633 value of the vu-meters, i.e. the analog dBu value that will show as 0 on the
637 <dfn>Peak indicator threshold [dBFS]:</dfn> at that value and over, the
638 signal will make the peak meter to turn red, indicating a level too high.
644 <dfn>Default Meter Types</dfn> sets the default meters when creating a session
645 or track. These meters can be changed afterwards by
646 <kbd class="mouse">right</kbd>-clicking a meter.
649 <dfn>Default Meter Type for Master Bus:</dfn> defines which kind of
650 <a href="@@metering-in-ardour">meter</a> will be used when creating a new
651 session (does not apply to the current session).
654 <dfn>Default Meter Type for busses:</dfn> defines which kind of
655 meter will be used when creating a new bus (applies to the bus created
656 after changing the value).
659 <dfn>Default Meter Type for tracks:</dfn> same as above, for tracks.
665 <dfn>Post Export Analysis</dfn>
668 <dfn>Save loudness analysis as image file</dfn> allows, when the
669 <kbd class="option">Analyze Exported Audio</kbd> is checked in the
670 <a href="@@export-dialog">Export dialog</a>, to save the analysis graph
671 as a file named <code>session.png</code> alongside the exported audio
672 file(s) (in the same folder).
678 <h2 id="transport">Transport</h2>
685 <dfn>Stop at the end of the session</dfn> causes the transport to
686 stop during playback when it reaches the end marker. Behavior during
687 recording is not changed.
690 <dfn>Keep record-enable engaged on stop</dfn> leaves the global
691 record-enable engaged after transport is stopped. Does not affect track
692 level record-enable which is never changed on stop.
695 <dfn>Disable per-track record disarm while rolling</dfn>, when
696 enabled, will not allow the any track's record-enable to be disarmed
697 during record, preventing accidentally stopping the recording of a take.
700 <dfn>12dB gain reduction during fast-forward and fast-rewind</dfn>
701 when enabled will reduce the unpleasant increase in perceived volume
702 that occurs when fast-forwarding or rewinding through some kinds of audio.
705 <dfn>Preroll:</dfn> sets the duration of the preroll for playing and
706 recording when using a preroll. Can be a musical duration (in bars) or a
716 <dfn>Play loop is a transport mode</dfn> changes the behavior of the
717 loop button, turning it into a toggle. When enabled, the loop button does
718 not start playback but forces playback to always play the loop. Looping
719 stays engaged when the transport is stopped. Playback continues where the
720 transport stopped and continues to loop. When disabled, the loop button
721 starts playing the loop but stop then cancels loop playback.
724 <dfn>Do seamless looping</dfn> removes any clicks that might
725 otherwise be audible when the transport moves from the end of the loop
726 range back to the beginning.
732 <dfn>Dropout (xrun) Handling</dfn>
735 <dfn>Stop recording when an xrun occurs</dfn> will stop the transport
736 when an xrun occurs during recording, ensuring no audible glitches are
740 <dfn>Create markers where xruns occur</dfn> will create a new
741 <a href="@@working-with-markers">marker</a> when an xrun occurs during
742 recording at the location of the xrun. This marks where possible xruns
743 might produce audible glitches.
749 <h2 id="sync">Sync</h2>
753 <dfn>External Synchronization</dfn>
756 <dfn>External timecode source</dfn> determines which external source to
757 use when Ardour is using an external
758 <a href="@@working-with-synchronization">synchronization</a> source.
759 Depending on the timecode source chosen, the additional preference options
763 <dfn>Match session video frame rate to external timecode</dfn>
764 controls the value of the video frame rate <em>while chasing</em>
765 an external timecode source. When enabled, the session video frame rate will be
766 changed to match that of the selected external timecode source. When disabled,
767 the session video frame rate will not be changed to match that of the selected
768 external timecode source. Instead, the frame rate indication in the main clock
769 will flash red and Ardour will convert between the external timecode standard
770 and the session standard.
773 <dfn>Sync-lock timecode to clock (disable drift compensation)</dfn>
774 When enabled, Ardour will never varispeed when slaved to external
775 timecode. Sync Lock indicates that the selected external timecode
776 source shares clock-sync (Black & Burst, Wordclock, etc) with
777 the audio interface. This options disables drift compensation.
778 The transport speed is fixed at 1.0. Vari-speed LTC will be ignored
779 and cause drift. When disabled, Ardour will compensate for potential
780 drift regardless if the timecode sources shares clock sync.
783 <dfn>Lock to 29.9700 fps instead of 30000/1001</dfn>, when
784 enabled, will force Ardour to assume the external timecode source
785 uses 29.97 fps instead of 30000/1001.
786 SMPTE 12M-1999 specifies 29.97 df as 30000/1001. The spec
787 further mentions that drop-frame timecode has an accumulated error
788 of -86 ms over a 24 hour period. Drop-frame timecode would
789 compensate exactly for an NTSC color frame rate of 30 × 0.9990 (i.e.
790 29.970000). That is not the actual rate. However, some vendors use
791 that rate—despite it being against the specs—because the
792 variant of using exactly 29.97 fps has zero timecode drift.
798 <h3 id="ltc">LTC</h3>
802 <dfn>Linear Timecode (LTC) Reader</dfn>
805 <dfn>LTC incoming port:</dfn> specifies which physical incoming port of
806 the system will provide the LTC signal.
812 <dfn>Linear Timecode (LTC) Generator</dfn>
815 <dfn>Enable LTC generator</dfn> when enabled Ardour will
816 output an LTC timecode signal on its <em>LTC-out</em> port.
817 If this option is checked, the two options below are active:
820 <dfn>Send LTC while stopped</dfn>, when enabled Ardour will
821 continue to send LTC information even while the transport (playhead) is
825 <dfn>LTC generator level [dBFS]:</dfn> specifies the peak volume of
826 the generated LTC signal in dbFS. A good value is 0dBu=−18dbFS
827 in an EBU calibrated system.
833 <h3 id="sync_midi">MIDI</h3>
837 <dfn>MIDI Beat Clock (Mclk) Generator</dfn>
840 <dfn>Enable Mclk generator</dfn> when enabled Ardour will generate a
841 (tempo dependant) beat clock at a rate of 24 pulses per quarter note on
842 the <code>ardour:MIDI clock out</code> JACK port.
848 <dfn>MIDI Time Code (MTC) Generator</dfn>
851 <dfn>Enable MTC Generator</dfn> when enabled Ardour will generate MIDI
852 time code on the <code>ardour:MTC out</code> JACK port.
855 <dfn>Percentage either side of normal transport speed to transmit MTC:</dfn>
856 MIDI time code generation will be disabled when the transport speed is
857 greater than normal speed plus this percentage or less than normal minus
864 <dfn>MIDI Machine Control (MMC)</dfn>
867 <dfn>Respond to MMC commands</dfn> when enabled Ardour will respond
868 to MIDI Machine Control commands received on the <code>ardour:MMC in</code>
872 <dfn>Send MMC commands</dfn> when enabled Ardour will send MIDI Machine
873 Control commands on the <code>ardour:MMC out</code>
877 <dfn>Inbound MMC device ID:</dfn> is the only device ID Ardour will
878 respond to when an MMC command is received on the <code>ardour:MMC in</code>
882 <dfn>Outbound MMC device ID:</dfn> is the MIDI device ID Ardour will
883 use when it sends MMC commands.
889 <h2 id="control_surfaces">Control Surfaces</h2>
892 This tab contains settings for <a href="@@control-surfaces">control surfaces</a>.
895 It lists all the Control Surface protocols Ardour knows. To enable a
896 <dfn>Control Surface Protocol</dfn>, the <kbd class="option">Enable</kbd> checkbox
897 next to its name should be ticked. Editing the settings related to this protocol
898 can be done by double-clicking its name or clicking the <kbd class="menu">Show
899 protocol settings</kbd> (only for Generic MIDI and Open Sound Control).
902 <h2 id="midi_ports">MIDI Ports</h2>
906 <dfn>MIDI Port Options</dfn>
909 <dfn>MIDI input follows MIDI track selection</dfn> allows Ardour to automatically
910 connect the MIDI input to the selected track. Selecting a different MIDI
911 track results in Ardour disconnecting the MIDI device from the former track
912 and connecting it to the newly selected one, so that the MIDI device is
913 always connected to the selected track. Which MIDI device will follow
914 selection can be chosen below.
920 <dfn>MIDI Inputs</dfn> This is a list of all the MIDI devices connected as
921 inputs (capture devices) to Ardour. For each devices, there are 3 checkboxes:
924 <dfn>Music Data</dfn> if checked, Ardour will consider this device as a source
925 for musical data input (notes, etc…)
928 <dfn>Control Data</dfn> if checked, Ardour will consider this device as a source
929 for control data input (play/stop, etc…)
932 <dfn>Follow selection</dfn> if the above
933 <kbd class="option">MIDI input follows MIDI track selection</kbd> is
934 checked, Ardour will make this device follow track selection.
940 <dfn>MIDI Outputs</dfn> This is a list of all the MIDI devices connected as
941 outputs (playback devices) to Ardour. For each devices, there are 2 checkboxes:
944 <dfn>Music Data</dfn> if checked, Ardour will consider this device as a target
945 for musical data output (notes, etc…)
948 <dfn>Control Data</dfn> if checked, Ardour will take this device as a target
949 for control data output (play/stop, etc…)
955 <h2 id="plugins">Plugins</h2>
958 The content of this preference page varies heavily between versions or Ardour:
959 both the platform and the build-time options can make Ardour support some types
960 of plugins and not others. While this documentation tries to show all possible
961 options, most systems will only show a subset of the options hereunder, e.g.
962 AudioUnits are macOS only…
967 <dfn>Scan/Discover</dfn>
970 <dfn>Scan for Plugins</dfn> will initiate an immediate scan of the system
971 for available plugins. Useful to get a newly installed plugin recognised
981 <dfn>Always Display Plugin Scan Progress</dfn> When enabled a
982 popup window showing plugin scan progress is displayed for indexing
983 (cache load) and discovery (detect new plugins).
986 <dfn>Silence plugins when the transport is stopped</dfn> when stopping
987 playback or recording, if this option is checked, the plugins that still
988 emit sound (reverbs, etc…) will be stopped. If unchecked, the plugins
989 will continue playing after the transport stop.
992 <dfn>Make new plugins active</dfn> when enabled, any plugin added to a track
993 will be in active mode. If unchecked, the plugins will be added in inactive
994 mode by default, hence have no processing effect on the track/bus.
997 <dfn>Limit automatable parameters per plugin</dfn>: as some plugins
998 (synthesizers, …) have a lot of parameters, and those parameters
999 can be automated by Ardour, checking this will limit the number of parameters
1000 that are listed as automatable, hence making the lists shorter and the GUI
1007 <dfn>Plugin GUI</dfn>
1010 <dfn>Automatically open the plugin GUI when adding a new plugin</dfn>
1011 shows the plugins GUI as soon as it is added to the processing box. If
1012 unchecked, the plugin will be added in the processor box but the GUI will
1013 only be shown when <kbd class="mouse">double clicking</kbd> it.
1016 <dfn>Show Plugin Inline Display on Mixer strip by default</dfn> allows Ardour
1017 to show, in the <a href="@@audiomidi-mixer-strips">mixer strips</a>, a
1018 visual rendering of the effect. These Inline Display are a special feature
1019 of Ardour, so not all plugins are able to show this display. Most of Ardour's
1020 <a href="@@plugins-bundled-with-ardour">own plugins</a> have an Inline Display.
1021 At any time, the plugin's Inline Display can be toggled on or off by
1022 <kbd class="mod3n"></kbd>double-clicking it.
1025 <dfn>Don't automatically open the plugin GUI when the plugin has an inline
1026 display mode</dfn>: this option, available only if
1027 <kbd class="option">Automatically open the plugin GUI when adding a new plugin</kbd>
1028 is checked, supercedes it and hides the plugin GUI at creation if it has an
1029 Inline Display, like Ardour's own <code>a-*</code> plugins.
1035 <dfn>Instrument</dfn>
1038 <dfn>Ask to replace existing instrument plugin</dfn>: if a MIDI track already
1039 has an instrument (i.e. MIDI to audio converter of some sort) and this
1040 option is checked, Ardour will detect it and offer to replace the existing
1041 instrument with the newly added one, avoiding a possible conflict.
1044 <dfn>Interactively configure instrument plugins on insert</dfn>: when inserting
1045 a multichannel instrument plugin, if this option is checked, prompts the
1046 user for the channel configuration for this plugin.
1052 <h3 id="vst">VST</h3>
1059 <dfn>Enable Mac VST support (requires restart or re-scan)</dfn> makes a
1060 MacOs system able to run VST-Mac plugins. As stated, a new scan for plugins
1061 is required, be it manually or by restarting Ardour.
1064 <dfn>Scan for [new] VST Plugins on Application Start</dfn> When
1065 enabled new VST plugins are searched, tested and added to the cache
1066 index on application start. When disabled new plugins will only be
1067 available after triggering a 'Scan' manually.
1070 <dfn>Verbose Plugin Scan</dfn>: adds information about the plugin in the
1071 <a href="@@status-bar">Log window</a>.
1074 <dfn>Scan Time Out</dfn> Specifies the default timeout for plugin
1075 instantiation. Plugins that require more time to load will be
1076 blacklisted. A value of ∞ disables the timeout.
1079 <dfn>VST Cache:</dfn> Clicking the <kbd class="menu">Clear</kbd> button
1080 removes all VST plugins from the list of plugins available to be
1081 inserted into the processor box. A new VST plugin scan is then required.
1084 <dfn>VST Blacklist:</dfn> Clicking the <kbd class="menu">Clear</kbd>
1085 button makes blacklisted VST plugins available to be added to the processor
1089 <dfn>Linux VST Path:</dfn> Clicking the <kbd class="menu">Edit</kbd> button
1090 pops up a dialog to manage the directories that will be searched for Linux
1091 VST plugins. When modified, Ardour will offer to scan those paths for plugins.
1094 <dfn>Path:</dfn> are the paths chosen above.
1097 <dfn>Windows VST Path:</dfn> Clicking the <kbd class="menu">Edit</kbd> button
1098 pops up a dialog to manage the directories that will be searched for Windows
1099 VST plugins. When modified, Ardour will offer to scan those paths for plugins.
1102 <dfn>Path:</dfn> are the paths chosen above.
1108 <h3 id="audio_unit">Audio Unit</h3>
1112 <dfn>Audio Unit</dfn>
1115 <dfn>Scan for [new] AudioUnit Plugins on Application Start</dfn> When
1116 enabled, new AU plugins are searched, tested and added to the cache
1117 index on application start. When disabled, new plugins will only be
1118 available after triggering a 'Scan' manually.
1121 <dfn>AU Cache:</dfn> Clicking the <kbd class="menu">Clear</kbd> button
1122 removes all AU plugins from the list of plugins available to be
1123 inserted into the processor box. A new AU plugins scan is then required.
1126 <dfn>AU Blacklist:</dfn> Clicking the <kbd class="menu">Clear</kbd>
1127 button makes blacklisted AU plugins available to be added to the processor
1134 <h2 id="appearance">Appearance</h2>
1138 <dfn>Graphics Acceleration</dfn>
1141 <dfn>Possibly improve slow graphical performance (requires restart)</dfn>
1142 Ardour uses hardware accelerated gradient creation by default for speed.
1143 Sometimes though, a buggy driver can cause this to make the system slow or
1144 unstable. Checking this will make Ardour draw its own gradients without
1145 hardware acceleration, improving stability and responsiveness on those
1152 <dfn>Graphical User Interface</dfn>
1155 <dfn>Highlight widgets on mouseover</dfn>, when checked, makes Ardour's
1156 widgets (buttons, sliders, …) slightly change color when the mouse
1157 hovers them, visually indicating what a mouse action would interact with.
1160 <dfn>Show tooltips if mouse hovers over a control</dfn> when checked,
1161 displays a little help bubble about the control the mouse hovers. The mouse
1162 pointer needs to stay idle for about 1 sec for the tooltip to appear.
1165 <dfn>Update clocks at TC Frame rate</dfn>: Ardour updates its clocks every
1166 100 ms. Checking this will make the clock refresh at every TimeCode
1167 frame which is more responsive, at the cost of a bit more system stress.
1170 <dfn>Blink Rec-Arm buttons</dfn>: when enabled, the record-armed
1171 buttons on tracks will blink when they are armed but not currently recording.
1172 When disabled, the record-armed buttons on tracks will be outlined in red
1173 instead of blinking. The global record-arm button in the
1174 <a href="@@transport-bar">Transport bar</a> is unaffected.
1177 <dfn>Blink Alert indicators</dfn>: when enabled, the Alert indicators (like
1178 the <kbd class="menu">Error Log</kbd> or the <kbd class="menu">Feedback</kbd>
1179 button) will blink when they are active (when an error or feedback
1180 has been detected, respectively). When disabled, the indicators will turn red instead of
1184 <dfn>GUI and Font scaling:</dfn> allows the display size of most of the
1185 text and buttons in the user interface to be scaled up or down. May
1186 require a restart to take effect.
1192 <h3 id="appearance_editor">Editor</h3>
1199 <dfn>Use name highlight bars in region displays (requires a restart)</dfn>:
1200 when enabled, the region name is displayed, in the editor, in its own opaque bar
1201 at the bottom of the region. When disabled, the region name is overlaid
1202 at the top of the region, possibly over audio waveforms or MIDI notes.
1205 <dfn>Region color follows track color</dfn>: when enabled,
1206 the background color of regions in the editor will be displayed using
1207 the color assigned to the track. When disabled the default region
1208 background color will be used.
1214 <dfn>Waveforms</dfn>
1217 <dfn>Show waveforms in regions</dfn> when enabled shows a visual
1218 representation of the region's audio waveform.
1221 <dfn>Show waveform while recording</dfn> when
1222 enabled, will draw the audio waveform in regions being recorded, in near
1223 real time. When disabled, only a region block will be drawn while recording,
1224 reducing CPU requirements.
1227 <dfn>Show waveform clipping</dfn>: when enabled the waveform
1228 displayed will show peaks marked in red if they exceed the clip level.
1231 <dfn>Waveform Clip Level (dBFS):</dfn> sets the level at which the
1232 waveform shown in an audio region will be drawn in red to indicate
1233 clipping. Setting lower than 0.0 dBFS can be useful if any tool in
1234 the audio chain has problems near 0.0 dBFS.
1237 <dfn>Waveform scale:</dfn> when waveforms are shown in audio regions,
1238 they can be displayed using a <em>linear</em> or a <em>logarithmic</em>
1239 scale. See <a href="@@waveform-display">Waveform display</a>.
1242 <dfn>Waveform shape:</dfn> when waveforms are shown in audio regions,
1243 they can be displayed using a <em>traditional</em> or a <em>rectified</em>
1244 shape. See <a href="@@waveform-display">Waveform display</a>.
1250 <dfn>Editor Meters</dfn>
1253 <dfn>Show meters in track headers</dfn>, when enabled, shows
1254 a small meter in the Editor's <a href="@@audio-track-controls">track headers</a>.
1255 The meter is shown on the right side area of the header and provides an
1256 instant, if unprecise, view of the levels on this track/bus.
1259 <dfn>Limit track header meters to stereo</dfn>: if a track has more than
1260 two outputs (e.g. with a drum plugin), limits the number of meters in the
1261 track header to the first two ones. Only affects audio meters, not MIDI.
1267 <dfn>MIDI Regions</dfn>
1270 <dfn>Display first MIDI bank/program as 0</dfn>: when patches and bank changes
1271 are displayed in the editor, if this option is checked, the numbering will
1272 be zero-based instead of one-based, i.e. banks/programs will be numbered
1273 O, 1 ,2… instead of 1, 2, 3…
1276 <dfn>Don't display periodic (MTC, MMC) SysEx messages in MIDI Regions</dfn>:
1277 if checked, will hide these control messages from the MIDI regions for better
1284 <h3 id="appearance_mixer">Mixer</h3>
1288 <dfn>Mixer Strip</dfn>
1291 This table enables (checked) or disables (unchecked) the display of controls
1292 in the <a href="@@audiomidi-mixer-strips">mixer strip</a>. Controls whose
1293 display can be toggled are:
1294 <strong>Input</strong>, <strong>Phase Invert</strong>,
1295 <strong>Record & Monitor</strong>, <strong>Solo Iso/Lock</strong>,
1296 <strong>Output</strong>, <strong>Comments</strong> and VCA Assigns.
1299 <dfn>Use narrow strips in the mixer for new strips by default</dfn> When
1300 enabled, new mixer strips are created in narrow format. When disabled,
1301 they are created in wide format. Existing mixer strips width can be toggled
1302 with the width control at the top left of the mixer strip.
1308 <h3 id="toolbar">Toolbar</h3>
1312 <dfn>Main Transport Toolbar Items</dfn>: this section allows to toggle the
1313 visibility of some elements of the main toolbar:
1316 <dfn>Display Record/Punch Options</dfn> toggles the visibility of the
1317 <a href="@@selection-and-punch-clocks#punch_controls">punch and record</a> slice of
1321 <dfn>Display Monitor Options</dfn> toggles the visibility of the
1322 <a href="@@other-toolbar-items#monitor-options">monitor options</a> slice of
1326 <dfn>Display Selection Clock</dfn> toggles the visibility of the
1327 <a href="@@selection-and-punch-clocks#selection_clocks">selection clocks</a> slice of
1331 <dfn>Display Secondary Clock</dfn> toggles the visibility of the
1332 <a href="@@transport-clocks">secondary clocks</a> slice of
1336 <dfn>Display Navigation Timeline</dfn> toggles the visibility of the
1337 <a href="@@mini-timeline">navigation/mini timeline</a> slice of
1341 <dfn>Display Master Level Meter</dfn> toggles the visibility of the
1342 <a href="@@other-toolbar-items#mode_selector">selection clocks</a> slice of
1349 <dfn>Lua Action Script Button Visibility</dfn> enables or disables the visibility
1350 of the four columns of <a href="@@other-toolbar-items#mode_selector">Lua script buttons</a>.
1351 Each columns contains two user-assignable buttons.
1355 <h3 id="theme">Theme</h3>
1362 <dfn>Draw "flat" buttons</dfn>: when enabled, button controls
1363 in the user interface will be drawn with a flat look. When disabled button
1364 controls will have a slight 3D appearance.
1367 <dfn>LED meter style</dfn> if checked, the bar meters in the editor and
1368 mixer will be styled to look like if they were made of LEDs, with a dotted
1369 bar. Unchecking this option makes the bars flat and continuous.
1372 <dfn>Waveforms color gradient depth:</dfn> determines how much gradient
1373 effect is applied to the inner of audio waveforms displayed in the editor.
1374 Values range from 0.0, no gradient effect, to 1.0, maximum effect.
1377 <dfn>Timeline item gradient depth:</dfn> Determines how much
1378 gradient effect is applied to the backgrounds of regions displayed in the
1379 editor. Values range from 0.0, no gradient effect, to 1.0, maximum effect.
1382 <dfn>Icon Set:</dfn> Changes the mouse cursor icons used to indicate
1383 different tool modes in the editor. An example would be the icons used to
1384 indicate whether the cursor will select a region or change the length of a
1391 <h3 id="colors">Colors</h3>
1398 <dfn>Color Theme</dfn> allows to switch between some presets bundled with
1399 Ardour, changing both the palette and items colors, hence styling Ardour
1403 The table allows to change the color settings in Ardour by acting on three
1407 <dfn>Items</dfn> that allow to choose any color from the palette (see below)
1408 to color a UI element. Clicking on a color sample in the <strong>Color</strong>
1409 column bring up the Palette, to choose from.
1412 <dfn>Palette</dfn> that allows to create a set of colors that will be used
1413 in the UI. Using a palette allows for better consistency, instead of
1414 picking "free" colors for each UI element. Clicking on a color patch brings
1415 up a full color selector, to assign this color to this patch of the palette.
1418 <dfn>Transparency</dfn> where possible, allows to select, with a slider,
1419 the transparency of the UI element, with 0 (slider to the left) being
1425 <dfn>Restore Defaults</dfn> turns all the palette, item colors and transparency
1426 back to Ardour's default base setting, in case Ardour's appearance has turned
1427 into a toddler's toy.
1433 <h3 id="quirks">Quirks</h3>
1437 <dfn>Various Workarounds for Windowing Systems</dfn>: As Ardour is available
1438 on a number of platforms and windowing systems, some specific workarounds are
1439 sometimes required to provide a smooth experience to the user.
1442 <dfn>Use visibility information provided by your Window Manager/Desktop</dfn>
1443 allows the system window manager's rules for the windows visibility to
1447 <dfn>All floating windows are dialogs</dfn>: when enabled, Ardour will
1448 use type "Dialog" for all floating windows instead of using type
1449 "Utility" for some of them. This may help usability with some
1450 window managers. This setting requires a restart of Ardour to take effect.
1453 <dfn>Transient windows follow front window.</dfn>: when enabled,
1454 transient windows will follow the front window when toggling between the
1455 editor and mixer. This setting requires a restart of Ardour to take effect.
1458 <dfn>Float detached monitor-section window</dfn>: as the <a href="@@monitor-section">
1459 monitor section</a> can be detached from the mixer, this option makes it a
1460 floating window, which may be handled differently by the windowing system
1461 and easier to access.
1467 <h2 id="video">Video</h2>
1471 <dfn>Video Server</dfn>
1474 <dfn>Show Video Export Info before export</dfn> Shows a warning message
1475 when exporting a video about licensing and offers to open the
1476 <a href="@@workflow-amp-operations#export">export video</a> section of
1480 <dfn>Show Video Server Startup Dialog</dfn>: when using video inside Ardour,
1481 this video is accessed via Xjadeo from a source file through a Video Server.
1482 This options shows the server's startup dialog (useful for debugging a
1483 malfunctioning video).
1486 <dfn>Advanced Setup (remote video server)</dfn> can be used when the setup
1487 is more complex than opening a local file with Ardour. The tools used behind
1488 the scene by Ardour allow a lot of flexibility, so for a competent user,
1489 the options below are provided to access a distant file (i.e. on another
1490 machine). The default options for the two following fields ("http://localhost:1554"
1491 and "/") are suitable for local files.
1494 <dfn>Video Server URL:</dfn> Base URL of the video server delivering the video
1495 through the network (<code>http://IP-or-address:port</code>).
1498 <dfn>Video folder</dfn> is the server's local path to the document-root,
1499 i.e. the files that can be delivered by the server.
1505 <dfn>Video Monitor</dfn>
1508 <dfn>Custom Path to Video Monitor (xjadeo) - leave empty for default:</dfn>
1509 Ardour bundles offer xjadeo bundled, so it should run flawlessly. Though,
1510 for custom builds or if a newer version of xjadeo is available, one can
1511 specify a path to the wanted version of xjadeo.