Plugin Types
Comprehensive guides for building specific plugin types. Each guide includes recommended controls, visualizers, and layout patterns.
Categories
Utility & Dynamics
| Type | Description |
|---|
| Utility | Gain, pan, metering, routing tools |
| Dynamics | Compressors, limiters, gates, expanders |
Frequency & Tone
Time & Space
| Type | Description |
|---|
| Delay | Digital, analog, tape delays |
| Reverb | Room, hall, plate, spring reverbs |
Modulation & Character
Advanced
| Type | Description |
|---|
| Multi-FX | Combined effects, channel strips |
| Creative | Experimental, glitch, generative |
Quick Reference
Controls Per Type
| Plugin Type | Typical Control Count |
|---|
| Utility | 2-5 |
| Dynamics | 5-8 |
| EQ & Filter | 3-12 |
| Distortion | 3-6 |
| Amp Sim | 6-10 |
| Delay | 4-8 |
| Reverb | 4-8 |
| Modulation | 3-6 |
| Lo-Fi | 4-7 |
| Multi-FX | 8-15 |
| Creative | 3-10 |
Visualizer Recommendations
| Plugin Type | Primary Visualizer |
|---|
| Utility | Meter Gradient |
| Dynamics | Meter Gradient, Meter Segments |
| EQ & Filter | Spectrum Bars, Radial |
| Distortion | Scope Grid, Scope Glow |
| Amp Sim | Wave Filled, Scope Glow |
| Delay | Wave Filled, Wave Line |
| Reverb | Wave Filled, Plasma |
| Modulation | Blob, Particles |
| Lo-Fi | Scope Glow, Wave Filled |
| Multi-FX | Spectrum Bars, Meter Gradient |
| Creative | Plasma, Fractal, Particles |
Layout Pattern Suggestions
| Plugin Type | Recommended Pattern |
|---|
| Utility | Minimal |
| Dynamics | Minimal, Clustered |
| EQ & Filter | Clustered, Minimal |
| Distortion | Clustered, Hero |
| Amp Sim | Clustered |
| Delay | Hero, Immersive |
| Reverb | Hero, Immersive |
| Modulation | Hero, Asymmetric |
| Lo-Fi | Hero, Minimal |
| Multi-FX | Clustered |
| Creative | Immersive, Asymmetric |
Choosing Your Type
Not sure which category your plugin falls into?
By Primary Function
| If it primarily… | It’s probably a… |
|---|
| Adjusts level/pan | Utility |
| Controls dynamics | Dynamics |
| Shapes frequency | EQ & Filter |
| Adds harmonics/grit | Distortion |
| Emulates an amplifier | Amp Sim |
| Creates echoes | Delay |
| Creates space/ambience | Reverb |
| Adds movement/animation | Modulation |
| Adds vintage character | Lo-Fi |
| Does multiple things | Multi-FX |
| Defies categorization | Creative |
Hybrid Plugins
Some plugins span categories:
- Tape emulation = Lo-Fi + Dynamics + Distortion
- Channel strip = Multi-FX (EQ + Dynamics + Utility)
- Creative delay = Delay + Modulation + Creative
Pick the primary category, then borrow ideas from secondary categories.
11 items under this folder.