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Nov 14, 2008 Currently Mixxx does not support plugin effects. Our next version will support LADSPA effects, which is a cross-platform audio plugin architecture which probably has many effects you want. I'm also told that there is a LADSPA to VST bridge plugin which should allow you to use VST plugins within Mixxx. Thanks, Adam. Mixxx is a digital DJ system, where wave, ogg and mp3 files can be mixed on a computer for use in live performances. Filters, crossfader, and speed contr.
Mixxx has a powerful sound effects system. Understanding how it works can openyou up to a wide variety of mixing techniques.
11.1. Effect Units¶
Mixxx has 4 effect units. By default, only 2 of them are shown. The other 2effect units can be shown by toggling the setting in the skin settings menu.
Each effect unit can load up to 3 effects in a chain. These effects areprocessed one after the other in series. You will hear different soundsdepending on the order of effects within the chain. Each effect in the chainhas its own button to toggle it on and off.
- decks
- microphones
- auxiliary inputs
- the master mix
- the PFL (headphone) mix
- left/middle/right crossfader buses
The buttons to route effect units to decks, microphones, and auxiliary inputsare located in the deck, microphone, and auxiliary sections of the skin. Thebuttons for routing other inputs to effect units are in different locationsdepending on the skin.
If a channel is assigned to multiple effect units, those effect units arechained together. This allows you to chain more than 3 effects at a time.
The mix knob adjusts the mix between the dry signal (input to the unit) and thewet signal (output of the last effect in the unit). It changes the level ofall 3 effects in the unit together. Refer to the Effect Unit Mix Modes sectionbelow for details.
Effects are processed after the deck faders and crossfader. This allows effectslike Echo and Reverb to continue outputting sound after their input has beencut off by lowering the fader. Unlike other DJ software and hardware, effectscan also be heard in headphones even though they are processed after the fadersfor the master output. Refer to the Effects In Headphones section belowfor details.
Note that equalizer and filter effects create a phase shift. If the mix knob isanywhere in the middle between dry and wet and any of these effects are enabledin the unit, there will be comb filtering which is probably not desired. Formore background information, read Equalizers and Phase Shift.
11.2. Effect Parameters & Metaknobs¶
Every effect within an Effect Unit has its own setof parameters. By default, these are hidden. Instead, there is a single knobcalled a “metaknob” for each effect which is linked to the differentparameters. The metaknob allows you to easily control the effects in a unitwithout having to manipulate every parameter individually.
If you want more detailed control of effects, press the expansion button on theeffect unit to reveal the effect parameters:
You can customize how the metaknob is linked to the parameters by clicking thebuttons below the parameter knobs. The button under the parameter namecontrols the metaknob link mode:
- Inactive: parameter not linked
- Active: parameter moves with metaknob
- Left side active: parameter moves with left half of metaknob turn
- Right side active: parameter moves with right half of metaknob turn
- Left and right side active: parameter moves across range with half ofmetaknob turn and back with the other half
The button below the metaknob link button inverts the parameter’s relationshipto the metaknob.
For information about specific effects and their parameters, hover your mouseover them to show the tooltip. If you do not see tooltips, check that you havethem enabled for the skin in Preferences ‣ Interface.
Effects (except for Reverb) that have a length of time as a parameter aresynchronized to the tempo of decks.
11.3. Effect Unit Mix Modes¶
The effect unit mix knob controls the level of all 3 effects in the unittogether. It can be toggled between two different modes with the mix modebutton adjacent to it.
In the default Dry/Wet mode, the mix knob crossfades between the dry signal(input to the first effect in the unit) and the wet signal (output of the lasteffect in the unit). When the knob is fully left, no sound will be heard fromthe effect unit. When the knob is fully right, only the output of the effectunit will be heard without any of the dry input signal.
An effect unit in Dry+Wet mode¶
In Dry+Wet mode, the dry signal is always at full volume. The mix knob controlshow much of the wet signal is added to the dry signal. A useful example forDry+Wet mode is loading a filter or equalizer effect before the Echo effect. Withthis setup, the filter or equalizer can remove bass frequencies from the echoedsignal without removing them from the unechoed signal. If the effect unit isswitched to Dry/Wet mode with the same effects in the same order, the bassfrequencies will be taken out of the echoed signal, but they will also beremoved from the unechoed signal.
11.4. Effects In Headphones¶
To preview how a track will sound with effects before you mix in the track,simply assign the deck to an effect unit and enable the headphone button forthe deck. Note that this will increase CPU compared to assigning an effectunit to a deck without the headphone button enabled. This is because effectsare processed in parallel for the headphone output (prefader) and master output(postfader).
Effects can also be previewed in headphones on decks that are playing to theaudience, but this requires a few more steps:
- Disable the effect unit for the deck
- Enable the headphone button for the deck
- Enable the headphone button for the effect unit
- Enable effects and adjust their metaknobs and parameters for how you wantthe effects to sound.
- When you are ready to mix in the effect, turn the mix knob fully left (dry)
- Enable the effect unit for the deck
- Turn the mix knob right so the effects are heard in the master output
- Disable the headphone button for the effect unit so you do not forget toturn it off later
How To Use Effects In Minecraft
Mixxx, I love the speed, the skins, and the fact it's free. But I am starting to miss the effects and the sounds that you could use. Now, there might already be effects and I just can't see them, but if they aren't, should they be? Personally, I think there should be, but what's your opinion?If you wish, explain what effects you would like added! I would want an effect similar to the one which would juggle the beat...it's been a while since I've used Virtual DJ, so I can't remember any of the effects.
Thank you for your comments!