Skip to content

Loading in a host

Install an effect first: download it and run ./install.sh, which puts the plugins in ~/.lv2, ~/.vst3 and ~/.clap. Every common Linux host scans those folders. The plugins are mono, take their names from the effect (for example “BassDrive”), and report their latency to the host so it can compensate.

Built from source?

make install, make install-vst3 and make install-clap copy the LV2, VST3 and CLAP builds into the same folders (see Build from source).

Ardour

Ardour scans ~/.lv2 at start-up. If it was already open, use Window → Plugin Manager → Re-scan.

On the track's mixer strip, right-click the processor box, choose New Plugin → Plugin Selector…, search for the effect's name and add it.

REAPER (Linux)

The REAPER guide covers this in more detail, including input level, latency and presets.

  1. Go to Options → Preferences → Plug-ins and choose CLAP, VST or LV2. Check that ~/.clap, ~/.vst3 or ~/.lv2 is in the path list, then click Re-scan.
  2. Open the track's FX window, choose Add, and find the effect under CLAP, VST3 or LV2.
  3. The effects are mono. On a stereo track, REAPER feeds a mono plugin channel 1, so record onto a mono track or set the plugin's pin connector.

Carla

  1. Open Settings → Configure Carla → Paths → LV2 and check that ~/.lv2 is listed.
  2. Click Add Plugin, then Refresh with LV2 ticked.
  3. Pick the effect. In the patchbay, connect your audio input to it and it to the system outputs.

jalv

jalv is the quickest way to hear a plugin without a DAW:

jalv urn:pedalkit/bassdrive

Connect its ports with your patchbay of choice (qpwgraph, helvum or Carla on PipeWire).

Latency

Effects that oversample add a fixed delay, which they report to the host (through an LV2 latency port, the VST3 latency call or the CLAP latency extension). BassDrive adds 32 samples (0.67 ms at 48 kHz) and BassPreamp, with two oversampled stages, adds 64 samples (1.3 ms). Hosts with plugin delay compensation, including Ardour and REAPER, use the reported value to line the track up with the others.

Input level

The models treat 0 dBFS as 1 V at the pedal's input. A DI'd bass or guitar peaking around −12 dBFS is a sensible starting point. If your interface records hot or quiet, every drive setting will feel shifted, so set the input gain before reaching for the plugin's controls.