# Using Plugins

Using Plugins in ardour is easy and fun!

Fortunately for us, there's LADSPA!! Ladspa stands for Linux Audio Developers Simple Plugin A PI, and there is a great suite of Free plugins maintained by Steve Harris at plugin.org.uk.

Once you have the plugins installed, restart Ardour (don't forget to save!) and open up the mixer window. See the black rectangle about 3/4 of the way down the mixer strip? That's the sends list. Think of a mixer strip as a signal path. Follow the signal as it flows from the top down through inputs, varispeed settings, volume controls, plugins and sends, pan control and then output. Right-click on the empty sends list and select New Plugin from the popup menu.

You'll be presented with a list of available LADSPA plugins. experiment and choose the one that's right for you. I really like the VyNil effect. It creates an old worn out vynil record sound.

In the screenshot below, you will find a bouquet of various LADSPA plugins. aaahhh... le mot juste...