How to route any (and all) audio through u-BACCH

The BACCH Labs u-BACCH Plug-in is not a standalone app; it’s a piece of software that can be dropped into any Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) for music production, some film softwares, or into music players and loopback tools that support VST and Audio Unit plug-ins.

Here’s a bit more on VSTs if you’re new. u-BACCH would be considered an Effect.

So, let’s start there.

Where can I use (host) the u-BACCH plug-in?

The u-BACCH plugin can be used in any DAWs that support VST3 or Audio Unit plugins, such as Ableton, Logic, Reaper, Cubase, Nuendo, Studio One, etc. You can even load them into DAWs such as Pro Tools that don’t support VST3 via software like Blue Cat Patchwork.

It can also be loaded into music players that support VST3 or AU plugins, such as JRiver Media Center (30 and above), Audirvana, and more.

There are simple plugin hosts without all the overwhelming features of DAWs that can load the plugin too. If you do not have a DAW or media player already, I’d recommend this route.

One such simple, free VST3 host for Windows and Mac is VPlayer 4 Lite from Digital Brain Instruments:

To setup VPlayer4 with u-BACCH:

1. Change / ensure the following setting are correct:

   1. Recording > Audio Recording

   2. Source > Audio

2. Ensure Audio Settings are setup as follows (see screenshot):

   Open

   

   1. Input should be your routing software (explained more below)

   2. Output should be your speakers

3. On the app, click “Load”, navigate to your plugins folder and select the u-BACCH plugin.

   1. Mac Global: [Macintosh HD]/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins

   2. Windows: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3

4. The gain on the right side should be up 3/4 of the way to be at normal volume.

Another example is this AU host on Mac, which is free and simple:

But if you’re on an M1/2/3 Mac, because this is an app that only uses Rosetta/Intel, you'd need to download the Intel version of the u-BACCH plugin. Here's a help article for that.

Finally, you can also use software specifically designed to run your system audio through plugins! One such software is Rogue Amoeba’s Audio Hijack. In this case, you can load the u-BACCH plugin and use it without a DAW, and without needing to route audio into any DAW or music player.

I have a plug-in host. How do I run my system audio or music library through this DAW?

So for any plugin Host, DAW, etc, besides Audio Hijack, you’d now need an audio device that can take your computer’s output and route it into your software. One such software is Blackhole ($10 Suggested Donation):

Once Blackhole (or VB Cable on Windows) is installed, set your computer output to that device. (If you’re using your computer speakers, you may want to turn up the volume on your speakers first).

Open

Blackhole is set as this Mac’s Audio Output

Then, within your DAW, you’d set Blackhole as your input.
Now, within your DAW, you’d set your regular output device as your output, be that an interface, DAC, built-in speakers, etc.

Within your DAW or host, create a new stereo audio track if there isn’t one, and add u-BACCH to the track. You’ll want to tune your angle by ear or set it if you already know it.

Finally, if you’re using a fully fledged DAW, you may need to turn on software monitoring. I’d recommend looking this up for the specific piece of software you’re using. This could be called Input Monitoring as well.

Here’s your checklist if in a DAW:

• Blackhole is System Output and DAW Input

• DAC/Interface/Speakers/Regular Output is DAW output

• Stereo track with Stereo input (1/2 or 1+2, not just 1 or 2)

• u-BACCH inserted with correct angle on that track

• Input/software monitoring enabled

• The track is Recording Enabled (Usually a red dot on the track is on)

• Play some music!

What’s the best solution?

We think the best solution is using something like Audio Hijack from Rogue Amoeba ($64):

This automatically grabs your system audio and routes everything through the effect chain you build (in this case, just u-BACCH). Then, you don’t have to worry what’s running through a DAW or not or how to even work a DAW and load a plug-in.

Unfortunately, this exact software only works on Mac, and windows alternatives such as EqualizerAPO do not support VST3 plugins.

What’s the cheapest solution?

The cheapest solution would be a free DAW or plug-in host, such as VPlayer4 mentioned above, and a free (ish) audio routing software, such as Blackhole.

Happy listening, folks!