Editing Ardour (software)

{{Short description|Open-source digital audio workstation}}
{{Infobox software
| name = Ardour
| logo = Ardour-icon.png
| screenshot = File:Ardour 6.7 Recorder Editor Mixer.png
| caption = Screenshot of Ardour 6.7
| author = Paul Davis
| developer = David Robillard, Robin Gareus, Nick Mainsbridge, Colin Fletcher, Ben Loftis, Tim Mayberry.
| released = {{Start date and age|2005|9|23|df=yes}}
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|edit|reference|P348}}
| latest release date = {{start date and age|{{wikidata|qualifier|P348|P577}}}}
| latest preview version = <!--{{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q640004|P348|P548=Q51930650}}-->
| latest preview date = <!--{{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q640004|P348|P548=Q51930650|P577}}-->
| programming_language = [[C++]] ([[GTK|GTK 2]])
| operating_system = [[FreeBSD]], [[Linux]], [[macOS]], [[Microsoft Windows]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
| genre = [[Digital audio workstation]]
| license = [[GNU General Public License|GPL-2.0-or-later]]
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}

'''Ardour''' is a [[open-source software|free and open-source]] [[digital audio workstation]] and [[hard disk recorder]] that runs on [[Linux]], [[macOS]], [[FreeBSD]] and [[Microsoft Windows]]. Its primary author is [[Paul Davis (programmer)|Paul Davis]], who is also responsible for the [[JACK Audio Connection Kit]]. Released under the [[GNU General Public License]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ardour.org/copying.html |title=Ardour is licensed under the GNU Public License v2 |access-date=2019-03-06 |archive-date=2020-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216174123/https://ardour.org/copying.html |url-status=live }}</ref> it is intended to be suitable for professional use.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/fullHtml/10.5555/1053490.1053494 |title=Introducing Ardour |author=Dave Phillips |access-date=2024-07-06 |archive-date=2024-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706142950/https://dl.acm.org/doi/fullHtml/10.5555/1053490.1053494 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Features ==

=== Recording ===
Ardour's recording abilities are limited by only the hardware it is run on; there are no built-in limits on the number of tracks the user can record to. When recording on top of existing media, it can perform [[Latency (audio)|latency]] compensation, positioning recorded material where it was intended to be when recording it. Monitoring options include self-monitoring, external hardware support (dependent on [[sound card]] support), and specialized hardware support (e.g. [[JACK Audio Connection Kit]]). Self-monitoring makes it possible to apply [[Plug-in (computing)|plug-in]] effects while recording. Using the JACK audio, Ardour can record concurrently from both the audio card and compatible software.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prokoudine.github.io/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/starting-ardour/|title=Starting Ardour :: Ardour Tutorial}}</ref>

=== Mixing ===
Ardour supports an arbitrary number of tracks and buses through an "anything to anywhere" routing system. All [[Gain (electronics)|gain]], [[Panning (audio)|panning]] and plug-in parameters can be automated. All sample data is mixed and maintained internally in [[32-bit computing|32-bit]] [[Floating-point arithmetic|floating point]] format.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macworld.co.uk/review/audio-music/ardour-review-3297941/|title=Ardour review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216174136/https://www.macworld.co.uk/review/audio-music/ardour-review-3297941/|archive-date=2020-02-16|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Editing ===
Ardour supports dragging, trimming, splitting and time-stretching recorded regions with sample-level resolution, and supports layer regions. It includes a [[Crossfade (audio engineering)|crossfade]] editor and [[beat detection]], unlimited undo/redo, and a "snapshot" feature for saving the current state of a session to a file.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://manual.ardour.org/working-with-sessions/snapshots/|title=The Ardour Manual - Snapshots|access-date=2025-01-06|archive-date=2024-06-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603062337/https://manual.ardour.org/working-with-sessions/snapshots/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Mastering ===
Ardour can be used as an [[audio mastering]] environment. Its integration with the [[JACK Audio Connection Kit]] makes it possible to use mastering tools such as JAMin. Its mixer's output can be sent to third-party audio processing software for processing and/or recording. It can also export [[Table of contents|TOC]] and [[Cue sheet (computing)|CUE]] files for creating [[Red Book (audio CD standard)|audio CD]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://manual.ardour.org/exporting/edit-export-format-profile/#create-toc-cue-chapter-mark-file|title=The Ardour Manual - Export Format Profiles|access-date=2025-01-06|archive-date=2024-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241114160425/https://manual.ardour.org/exporting/edit-export-format-profile/#create-toc-cue-chapter-mark-file|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Compatibility ==
Ardour attempts to adhere to industry standards, such as [[MIDI timecode|SMPTE/MTC]], [[Broadcast Wave Format]], [[MIDI Machine Control]] and [[XML]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://manual.ardour.org/preferences-and-session-properties/preferences-dialog/|title=The Ardour Manual - Preferences|access-date=2025-01-06|archive-date=2025-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116084728/https://manual.ardour.org/preferences-and-session-properties/preferences-dialog/|url-status=live}}</ref>

It has been tested on [[Linux]], [[x86-64]], [[x86]], [[PowerPC]] and [[ARM architecture|ARM]] (for at least version 3) architectures; [[Solaris (operating system)|Solaris]], [[macOS]] on Intel and PowerPC, [[Windows]] on Intel architectures and [[FreeBSD]]. It takes advantage of all of these systems' [[Multiprocessing|multiprocessor]], [[Multi-core processor|multicore]] [[Symmetric multiprocessing|SMP]] and [[Real-time computing|real-time]] features.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://manual.ardour.org/lua-scripting/#Overview|title=The Ardour Manual - Lua Scripting}}</ref>

Pre-built binaries of Ardour are available for purchase for Linux, macOS and Windows.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://community.ardour.org/download|title=Ardour Downloads|date=3 November 2023 }}</ref> It is also possible to build Ardour yourself for free from the freely available source code.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://community.ardour.org/download|title=Ardour Downloads|date=3 November 2023 }}</ref>

=== Plug-ins ===
Ardour relies on plug-ins for many features, from [[audio signal processing|audio effects]] processing to [[dynamics (music)|dynamic]] control. It supports the following plugin format and platform combinations:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://github.com/Ardour/ardour/blob/master/libs/ardour/ardour/plugin_types.h#L24|title=plugin_types.h|website=[[GitHub]] }}</ref> [[LV2]] on Linux, FreeBSD, macOS and Windows; [[Audio Units]] on macOS; [[Steinberg]]'s [[Virtual Studio Technology|VST2]] on Linux, macOS and Windows; [[LADSPA]] on Linux, FreeBSD, macOS and Windows. It is theoretically possible to use plugins created for Windows in the VST2 format on Linux with the help of [[Wine (software)|Wine]], but the project team does not recommend it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://manual.ardour.org/working-with-plugins/windows-vst-support/|title=Using Windows VST Plugins on Linux|access-date=2020-10-11|archive-date=2021-01-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111101222/https://manual.ardour.org/working-with-plugins/windows-vst-support/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Since version 6.5, it also supports [[VST3]] plugins on all supported platforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://discourse.ardour.org/t/ardour-6-5-is-released/105023|title=Ardour 6.5 release notes|date=23 November 2020|access-date=15 January 2021|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121054853/https://discourse.ardour.org/t/ardour-6-5-is-released/105023|url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike most modern 64-bit DAW's, Ardour does not run 32bit VST's natively.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://discourse.ardour.org/t/32-bit-vst-plugins-are-not-recognised-on-a-64-bit-windows-build-of-ardour-6-2/104469 | title=32 bit VST plugins are not recognised on a 64 bit Windows build of Ardour 6.2 | date=25 July 2020 | access-date=24 July 2022 | archive-date=24 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724105449/https://discourse.ardour.org/t/32-bit-vst-plugins-are-not-recognised-on-a-64-bit-windows-build-of-ardour-6-2/104469 | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Import and export ===
Ardour can import audio clips into sessions from many common audio file formats, including [[WAV]], [[FLAC]], [[Vorbis]], [[Audio Interchange File Format|AIFF]], [[Core Audio Format|CAF]], W64, [[Broadcast Wave Format|BWF]] and [[MP3]]; SMF files are supported for [[MIDI]] import.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://manual.ardour.org/adding-pre-existing-material/supported-file-formats/|title=Ardour Manual - Importing - Supported File Formats|date=3 November 2023 }}</ref>

Ardour can export whole sessions or parts of sessions, and import audio clips into sessions,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://manual.ardour.org/adding-pre-existing-material/import-dialog/|title=The Ardour Manual - Import Dialog|access-date=2025-01-06|archive-date=2024-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241114123547/https://manual.ardour.org/adding-pre-existing-material/import-dialog/|url-status=live}}</ref> using its built-in audio file [[database manager]], or directly from an ordinary file browser.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prokoudine.github.io/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/importing-audio-and-midi/#importing-directly-to-a-track|title=Importing audio and MIDI :: Ardour Tutorial|access-date=2025-01-06|archive-date=2025-02-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207114158/https://prokoudine.github.io/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/importing-audio-and-midi/#importing-directly-to-a-track|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Supporting companies and future ==
The [[SAE Institute]] provided corporate support for Ardour until February 2009, an initiative for providing a more integrated experience on [[Mac OS X]] and the development of a simpler version for students and others new to audio processing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://discourse.ardour.org/t/sae-institute-sponsors-ardour-open-source-daw-project/78215|title=SAE Institute sponsors Ardour open source DAW project|access-date=2025-01-06|archive-date=2025-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126063627/https://discourse.ardour.org/t/sae-institute-sponsors-ardour-open-source-daw-project/78215|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Solid State Logic]] employed Paul Davis to work full-time on Ardour during the development of version 2, until the end of 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://discourse.ardour.org/t/solid-state-logic-announces-support-for-the-ardour-project/78164|title=Solid State Logic announces support for the Ardour project|date=6 October 2006|access-date=6 January 2025|archive-date=23 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523102607/https://discourse.ardour.org/t/solid-state-logic-announces-support-for-the-ardour-project/78164|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Harrison Audio]] has supported the Ardour project since early 2005. Harrison's [[Harrison Mixbus|Mixbus]] DAW, LiveTrax{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} front-of-house multi-track recorder, and their destructive film dubber, the Xdubber, are based on Ardour. Mixbus extends Ardour to add Harrison's own proprietary DSP and a more console-like workflow. The Xdubber was a customizable platform for enterprise-class [[digital audio workstation]] (DAW) users.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forum.harrisonconsoles.com/thread-1628-post-10868.html#pid10868|title=Mixbus support forum|date=18 September 2015}}</ref>

[[Waves Audio]] privately supported Ardour development in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://discourse.ardour.org/t/development-update-whats-going-on-with-ardour/110168|title=Development update - what's going on with Ardour|date=20 April 2024|access-date=6 January 2025|archive-date=15 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115093445/https://discourse.ardour.org/t/development-update-whats-going-on-with-ardour/110168|url-status=live}}</ref> It also developed the Waves Track Live software<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.waves.com/mixers-racks/tracks-live#presenting-tracks-live|title=Introducing Waves Tracks Live}}</ref> in collaboration with Ardour developers,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home-page/2015/3/18/waves-tracks-live-review|title=Waves Tracks Live Review|date=15 March 2015 }}</ref> with most of the source code changes becoming part of Ardour's codebase.

== See also ==
{{Portal|Free and open-source software}}
* [[JACK Audio Connection Kit]], a real-time low-latency audio server.
* [[Comparison of digital audio editors]]
* [[Comparison of free software for audio]]
* [[Linux audio software]]
* [[Digital audio workstation#Software|List of free and open source digital audio workstation software]]
* [[List of music software]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Articles ==
* {{cite web|last=Hinkle-Turner|first=Elizabeth|title=Ardour et al., or Free and Easy Laptop Pro Audio: An Essay Perspective from a desperate working mother composer|url=http://cec.sonus.ca/econtact/11_3/hinkle_turner_ardour.html|work=eContact! 11.3 — Open Source for Audio Application|date=September 2009|publisher=Canadian Electroacoustic Community}}
* {{cite web|last=Nettingsmeier|first=Jörn|title=Ardour and Ambisonics: A FLOSS approach to the next generation of sound spatialisation|url=http://cec.sonus.ca/econtact/11_3/nettingsmeier_ambisonics.html|work=eContact! 11.3 - Jörn Nettingsmeier - Ardour and Ambisonics|date=September 2009|publisher=Canadian Electroacoustic Community}}
* {{cite thesis |last=Gareus|first=Robin|title=The Ardour DAW - Latency Compensation and Anywhere-to-Anywhere Signal Routing Systems|url=http://www.theses.fr/2017PA080116|work=PhD Thesis|date=December 2017|publisher=Université Paris 8|type=These de doctorat }}

==External links==
*{{Official website}}

{{Audio editors}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ardour (Software)}}
[[Category:2005 software]]
[[Category:Audio editing software that uses GTK]]
[[Category:Audio software that uses GTK]]
[[Category:Audio software with JACK support]]
[[Category:Cross-platform free software]]
[[Category:Digital audio editors for Linux]]
[[Category:Digital audio workstation software]]
[[Category:Free audio editors]]
[[Category:Free music software]]
[[Category:Free software programmed in C++]]
[[Category:MacOS audio editors]]
[[Category:Software that uses GStreamer]]
[[Category:Software using the GNU General Public License]]