Plug-ins

This page is an overview of the audio plug-in formats supported by Audacity. Audacity has cross-platform support for LADSPA, LV2, Nyquist and Vamp plug-ins, and platform-specific support for VST and Audio Unit plug-ins.

Types of plug-in

Audacity can use the following types of plug-in effects:

• LADSPA Plug-ins
• LV2 Plug-ins
• Nyquist Plug-ins
• Vamp Analysis Plug-ins
• VST effect plug-ins (only on Windows and Mac).
• Audio Unit Plug-ins (only on Mac)

How do you add plug-ins to Audacity?

See Installing Plug-ins in the Audacity Manual.

Free plug-in downloads

• LADSPA
  • Set of over 90 plug-ins for Windows
  • Set of over 90 plug-ins for Mac
  • Linux information

• Nyquist
  • Recommended Plug-ins
  • Experimental Plug-ins

• VST
  • Free-Loops (Windows)
  • Hitsquad for Windows and Mac
  • KVR Audio for Windows and Mac
  • Open Directory (Windows, Mac)

• Audio Units (only on Mac)
  • Hitsquad

Limitations

• Audacity cannot yet apply effects to audio while it is playing or recording.
• Real-time effects: Not all effects in Audacity can preview an effect while changing the parameters of the effect.
• VST instrument (VSTi) plug-ins that generate sound are not supported. VST 3 plug-ins are not yet supported.

Also please see Plug-ins that crash Audacity or fail to work properly in Audacity.

For Developers

• If you're interested in writing your own plug-ins, see "Creating your own Plug-in".
• To help us improve support for audio plug-ins, subscribe to audacity-devel and introduce yourself.