Metaplugin
by DDMF · Utility · Plugin chainer and wrapper
Not rated yet
Metaplugin is a plugin host that loads other plugins inside your DAW so you can build your own effect networks, including mid-side and multiband chains.
It also bridges formats (VST or AU into AAX, VST to AU and back), 32 and 64-bit, and Intel to Apple Silicon, for $59.
Best for: Mix Bus, Mastering, Sound Design. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: AAX, mid/side, multi-band, Apple Silicon native, oversampling, sound design, utility, full mix, mastering, sidechain input, A/B compare, bus processing, MIDI-controllable, mix bus, modular, resizable UI, synths.
What it does
Metaplugin is DDMF's plugin host: it loads other plugins inside one instance and lets you wire them into your own effect networks. DDMF's aim is to let you build custom chains and modular sound design from the plugins you already own.
- Routing: up to eight channels in the effect version or 16 stereo output buses in the instrument version, a stereo sidechain input, drag-and-drop connections and an auto-connect option.
- Helper plugins: a mid-side matrix, a multiband splitter, cross-track send and receive, an A/B switch, an 8x2 channel mixer and a MIDI channel filter.
- FunctionPlugin: a mathematical expression parser for writing your own processing.
- works as a VST-to-AU, VST-to-AAX or AU-to-AAX wrapper, with internal 32/64-bit bridging and Intel-to-Apple Silicon bridging.
- Oversampling: up to 16x for the whole chain in realtime and up to 64x offline, with full plugin delay compensation.
- Control: automate up to 100 parameters with parameter learning, MIDI control of loaded synths, and dry/wet and bypass per plugin.
- Housekeeping: double-precision processing where supported, a plugin organizer, a freely resizable window and custom colour palettes.
Version 4.0 added Intel-to-Apple Silicon bridging. The demo is fully featured but doesn't save settings.
When to use it
Metaplugin is the better pick when plugin format is the problem: it lets Pro Tools users run VST or AU-only plugins and Logic users run VSTs. Compared with Kilohearts Multipass, it is an open patch bay rather than a ready-made multiband rack, so it takes more wiring but allows sidechain, cross-track and mid-side networks. It can also oversample the whole chain, up to 16x in realtime, which helps plugins that alias. DDMF's own Superplugin is simpler if you only need a fixed serial or multiband chain.
- Best for: Pro Tools users who need non-AAX plugins, building parallel, multiband or mid-side chains, and adding oversampling to plugins that lack it.
- Genres: any; it is a routing tool.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a quick fixed chain without wiring (Superplugin, Snap Heap) or ready-made multiband effects with modulation (Multipass).
- Tip: save a full chain, for example an M/S or multiband mastering setup, so you can recall it in one instance on later projects.
What producers say
Users and reviewers like how easy it makes chaining and routing; stability was the recurring complaint in older versions.
- KVR users rate it 4.5 out of 5 from 2 reviews, praising "effortless" connections, chain saving and hosting VST and AU together, plus responsive developer support.
- MusicRadar (version 2.2, 2012) gave it a thumbs-up for "almost limitless chaining possibilities" but noted that it "misbehaves a little", with occasional crashes.
- Criticisms: a KVR user reported crashes when enabling oversampling during playback, and both sources wanted more MIDI routing options.
Where to buy
- PluginFox: $59
- AudioDeluxe: $59
Tutorials and reviews
- DDMF Metaplugin Review
- YOU NEED THE DDMF METAPLUGIN MAKE YOUR OWN PRESETS
- How to Unlock Your AU, VST And VST3 Plugins On ProTools! DDMF METAPLUGIN
- Eventide SplitEQ clone with DDMF Metaplugin
- DDMF Metaplugin64 -Official Spanish Review-
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