Plugin Builder Docs

Building Your First Plugin

3 min read

Building Your First Plugin

This guide walks you through creating a simple delay effect plugin from scratch. You’ll learn how to:

  • Create a new project
  • Add and connect nodes
  • Customize parameters with the Inspector
  • Design a user interface with the Faceplate
  • Test your plugin

Step 1: Create a New Project

  1. Open Plugin Builder
  2. Click File → New Project (or press Ctrl+N)
  3. Enter a name for your project (e.g., “My First Delay”)
  4. Click Create

You’ll see an empty workspace with the Builder Canvas in the center.

Step 2: Add Input and Output Nodes

Every plugin needs to receive audio from the host and send it back. By default, new projects include Input and Output nodes.

If they’re not present:

  1. Open the Collection panel (left sidebar)
  2. Find Input under I/O
  3. Drag it onto the Builder Canvas
  4. Repeat for Output

Step 3: Add a Delay Node

  1. In the Collection panel, expand the Effects category
  2. Find Delay under Time
  3. Drag it onto the canvas between Input and Output

Step 4: Connect the Nodes

Create the signal flow by connecting ports:

  1. Input → Delay: Drag from Input’s L output to Delay’s L input, then R to R
  2. Delay → Output: Drag from Delay’s L output to Output’s L input, then R to R

Your signal chain should now be: Input → Delay → Output

Step 5: Configure the Delay

Click on the Delay node to select it. The Inspector panel shows all parameters:

ParameterDescriptionSuggested Value
TimeDelay time in ms or synced to tempo250ms or 1/4 note
SyncEnable tempo syncOn
DivisionNote division when synced1/4
FeedbackHow much signal feeds back40%
MixDry/wet balance50%

Try these settings:

  • Enable Sync
  • Set Division to 1/4
  • Set Feedback to 40%
  • Set Mix to 50%

Step 6: Test Your Plugin

  1. Open the Sequencer panel (bottom)
  2. Load a sample or use the built-in test tone
  3. Press Play to hear your delay in action

Adjust parameters in real-time to hear the changes.

Step 7: Design the Faceplate (UI)

Switch to the Faceplate Canvas to design your plugin’s user interface:

  1. Click the Faceplate tab above the canvas
  2. The faceplate has a fixed size representing your plugin window

Add Controls

  1. From the Collection panel, drag a Knob onto the faceplate
  2. With the knob selected, open the Inspector
  3. Under Parameter Binding, select the Delay node
  4. Choose the Time parameter

Now this knob controls the delay time!

Repeat for other parameters:

  • Add knobs for Feedback and Mix
  • Add a toggle switch for Sync
  • Add a dropdown for Division

Add a Visualizer

Make your UI more engaging with real-time visuals:

  1. Drag a Delay Visualizer from Collection onto the faceplate
  2. It automatically connects to your Delay node
  3. Shows delay time and feedback visually

Step 8: Save Your Project

Press Ctrl+S or File → Save to save your work.

Your project is saved locally. To back it up to the cloud, see Projects & Sync.

Next Steps

Congratulations! You’ve built your first plugin. Here’s what to explore next:

Troubleshooting

No sound?

  • Check that Input and Output nodes are connected
  • Make sure the Sequencer is playing
  • Verify the Mix parameter isn’t at 0%

Connections won’t work?

  • You can only connect compatible ports (audio→audio, mod→mod)
  • Output ports connect to input ports, not the reverse

Changes not saving?

  • Press Ctrl+S to save manually
  • Check you have write permissions to the project folder

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