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Using ARA in DAWs

Prism currently supports these DAWs in ARA mode:​

If you are not using one of these DAWs, then this article is probably not for you.

ARA Plugins Are Added to a Track Differently​

You don't insert ARA plugins in the same way as you do effect plugins. Each DAW manages this process in slightly different ways so you will have to check with your DAW for details. Basically, some DAWs will apply an ARA plugin to all audio clips in a track (Logic Pro, Reaper, Cubase) while other DAWs (Studio One, Sonar) require you to "apply" the plugin on a per-clip basis.

How to Add ARA Plugins in Major DAWs​

Below are quick instructions for inserting ARA plugins inside the most common workstation environments.

Studio One​

mac users will want to install the VST3 version (Studio One doesn't support ARA from AU plugins).

ARA plugins are added to individual clips (not an entire track).

  1. Right-click any audio event/clip.
  2. Expand the sub-menu for Event FX and select the ARA plugin
studio_one

Studio One integrates ARA plugins into the same panel used to display it's own editors.

Cubase​

mac users will want to install the VST3 version (Cubase/Nuendo do not support ARA from AU plugins).

ARA plugins for Cubase are added to a track and will be applied to every clip in the track.

  1. Select the Track
  2. In the Inspector panel (to the right of the Track list), click Extensions and select the ARA plugin from the drop-down.
cubase

Cubase integrates ARA plugins into the same panel used to display it's own editors.

Reaper​

mac users will want to install the VST3 version (Reaper doesn't support ARA from AU plugins).

ARA plugins for Reaper are added to a track and will be applied to every clip in the track.

  1. In the desired track header, click the FX button
  2. Find the plugin in the list and click it (use the search bar to quickly find the plugin).
reaper

Reaper gives each ARA plugin it's own stand-alone window.

Logic Pro​

Logic only supports ARA plugins on Intel processors or when Logic is run under Rosetta for Apple Silicon.

Apple Silicon requires Rosetta​

Running Logic under Rosetta is less than ideal, so you may want to run Prism as a traditional plugin on Apple Silicon.

note

If you are on a mac with Apple Silicon, then be sure to install the macOS Intel version of Prism.

If you are on Apple Silicon, it's simple to switch Logic to run under Rosetta:

  • Close Logic
  • Find Logic in your Applications folder, and right-click the Logic Pro icon ad select Get Info
  • Check the "Open using Rosetta" box
rosetta

Adding Prism to a Track in Logic​

ARA plugins for Logic are added to a track and will be applied to every clip in the track.

  1. Select the Track
  2. In the Track panel displayed to the left, click "Audio FX" and select the ARA plugin. For ARA plugins, it must be added as the first plugin in the list. Be sure to select the plugin that has "(ARA)" in its name.
logic

Unlike other DAWs, Logic is a bit quirky with ARA plugins and you won't see any results in the ARA plugin window until you press Play. Once Play is pressed, Logic passes info to the ARA plugin so it can analyze the audio.

Logic gives each ARA plugin it's own stand-alone window.

Sonar​

ARA plugins are added to clips (not for an entire track).

  1. Right-click the region/clip
  2. Expand the Region FX submenu
  3. Choose the ARA plugin and select Create Region FX
cakewalk

Cakewalk integrates ARA plugins into the same panel used to display it's own editors.