# Using master effects & realtime effects

## Adding effects to a track

You can add realtime effects using the following steps:

<div><figure><img src="https://2387260374-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhmBVzGzh8SctWQ6jPR%2Fuploads%2FzQTCPeNXailxVHQosnPl%2FRT%20Effects%20button.png?alt=media&#x26;token=49909a23-2923-45e2-86fe-8a8f0cf4b4f0" alt="Click the Effects button or press the E key to activate the realtime effects panel"><figcaption><p>1 Click the <strong>Effects</strong> button or press the <strong>E</strong> key to activate the realtime effects panel</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://2387260374-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhmBVzGzh8SctWQ6jPR%2Fuploads%2FqMnMfeBYfHKPPvGmyMa2%2FAdd%20effect%20button.png?alt=media&#x26;token=4ef827b3-8b5a-4942-bab4-0a0df61a4aa8" alt="Clck Add effect to display the list of available effects"><figcaption><p>2 Click <strong>Add effect</strong> to display the list of available effects</p></figcaption></figure></div>

<div><figure><img src="https://2387260374-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhmBVzGzh8SctWQ6jPR%2Fuploads%2FxfwLIYtSRpi97Cg7Q655%2FRT%20Effect%20selected.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d4e271ab-e3b5-4a37-bb6e-7f1bf5017239" alt="Select the effect to add to your track"><figcaption><p>3 Select the effect to add to your track</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://2387260374-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhmBVzGzh8SctWQ6jPR%2Fuploads%2FY4kPOHeGgne1mbmll8rn%2FRT%20Effect%20Enabled.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c99731db-c44d-4ea2-b104-221b9ebf4f81" alt="Click the blue power button to toggle the state of the effect"><figcaption><p>4 You can toggle the state of the effect if necessary</p></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Realtime effects always apply to an entire track. Since they're calculated realtime, they won't change the source waveform.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

## Adding effects to all tracks (Master effects)

To add master effects, first **open the realtime effects panel** (Shortcut: `E`). At the bottom of the panel, you'll find a **Master Effects** section.&#x20;

Master effects are effects which are applied to the master mix (that is, after all the individual tracks in the project are mixed together, with any per-track realtime effects as well as gain and pan faders applied).&#x20;

{% hint style="success" %}
Tips & Tricks:

* For music, use a little reverb on the master to make the project sound a little less "dry".&#x20;
* You can put a limiter on the master to prevent clipping. Limiters do distort the audio a little, but not as badly as clipping would.&#x20;
* You can adjust the loudness of your entire mix in this stage and do other tweaks to make the audio sound better - this is called "mastering".
  {% endhint %}

## Changing effect settings

<figure><img src="https://2387260374-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhmBVzGzh8SctWQ6jPR%2Fuploads%2FkKv2yViVvqzED3JwV8Sd%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=06b85723-a70a-449b-9673-c9074ff4d9e0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can change the effect settings by clicking on the effect's name. This will open a settings window, often with a graphical interface which looks nothing like Audacity itself. You still can interact with the main Audacity window while the effect settings are open.

## Bypassing an effect

<figure><img src="https://2387260374-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MhmBVzGzh8SctWQ6jPR%2Fuploads%2FaGYBEZZdl0lWahCVrA7e%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=daba71c4-aba4-475d-ba4b-6d4e9d779429" alt="the stack bypass is the first thing in focus when opening the effects panel. pressing down nagivates to any present effects. Pressing then tab first selects the power button"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can press the blue power button next to an effect (or the entire effects stack) to bypass it, causing it to be not applied to your audio.&#x20;

{% hint style="info" %}
**Tip:** If you want to completely remove an effect from the stack, **press the triangle** next to the effect name and select "**No Effect**".&#x20;
{% endhint %}

## Applying an effect stack to the waveform

It generally is not necessary to apply the effect stack. The stack is automatically applied when [**exporting the audio**](https://support.audacityteam.org/basics/saving-and-exporting-projects#exporting-audio).&#x20;

That said, you can apply the effect stack to the waveform by first selecting the track and then going to **Tracks > Mix > Mix and Render**.&#x20;

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Caution:** When selecting several tracks at once, the Mix and Render option will mix all tracks together.&#x20;

Master effects are only rendered when exporting the file.
{% endhint %}

## Getting more effects

While Audacity doesn't yet ship with many realtime effects, you can download plugins for it. Currently supported plugin formats are **Audio Units** (macOS only), **VST3**, **VST**, **LV2**, and **LADSPA**. You can get many of these effects via the Muse Hub, and we have collected some plugins at [plugins.audacityteam.org](https://app.gitbook.com/o/-MhmG2mhIIHTtQPuHV_k/s/klCVENFte0GRy5IqVz0W/). Once you install the plugins, they should be detected by Audacity once you restart it, if not, see the [installation instructions](https://support.audacityteam.org/basics/customizing-audacity/installing-plugins).&#x20;