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Getting Started

This guide walks you through installing Soundshed Guitar, setting up your audio device, and loading your first preset so you can play in a few minutes.

System requirements​

  • Windows 10/11 (64-bit with AVX2) — standalone app or VST3 plugin
  • macOS 11+ — standalone app, VST3, or AU plugin
  • Linux (64-bit with AVX2) — standalone app, VST3, or LV2 plugin. Requires glibc 2.39 and libwebkit2gtk-4.1-dev
  • An audio interface with a guitar input (recommended) or a USB guitar cable
  • Headphones or monitors

Installation​

  1. Download the latest installer from the Soundshed website.
  2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen steps.
  3. Launch Soundshed Guitar from your applications folder or Start Menu.

If you are using the VST3 plugin, open your DAW, rescan plugins, and add Soundshed Guitar to a new instrument or audio effect track.

Setting up your audio device​

When you launch the app for the first time, open Settings (gear icon, top right):

  1. Under Open Audio Preferences, choose your audio audio device type and interface from the dropdown.
    • On Windows, use ASIO and your devices recommended ASIO driver. Do not use Window Audio etc as the latency will be much too high to be playable. Devices with no dedicated ASIO driver can use ASIO4ALL or similar apps.
  2. Set the input channel to the socket your guitar is plugged into.
  3. Set the output channels to your monitors or headphones.
  4. Choose a sample rate. 48Khz is usually a good choice. Higher values require more CPU.
  5. Choose a buffer size — lower values (64–128 samples) give less delay but use more CPU. Start at 128 and lower it if your system can handle it.
  6. You should see the input level meter react when you play. If the meter stays silent, check your interface gain knob and cable.

On the top left of the main app UI there is an input mode selection (Mono/Stereo). Most guitar inputs are mono and if your audio device has more than one input select the correct input channel your guitar is plugged into. You should hear sound when you strum if everything is connected ok.

Loading your first preset​

  1. Make sure you are on the PLAY tab.
  2. Click on the active preset name in the top-center bar to open the Preset Browser.
  3. Browse your folders (such as Factory Packs, Recents, or Favourites).
  4. Click the preset name to load it. The signal chain updates immediately.

Adjusting the input level​

If the tone sounds too compressed or harsh, your input signal may be too hot:

  • Use the User Input Calibration flow (click the input meter area) to train a profile that brings your loudest playing to a sensible peak (around −12 dBFS).
  • Back off your audio interface's input gain knob slightly if the raw meter is clipping.
  • As a rough guide, your input level meter should peak in the green/amber zone while playing hard — not constantly red.

You can also use a Gain stage early in the chain or the global input gain for additional trimming.

Adjusting output volume​

The app outputs at a default volume level, if it's too loud first consider turning down you main system output volume or hardware audio volume. You can optionally turn down the global output for the app but if only some presets are too loud consider updating those (on their output node in the signal chain) to your preference.

You can also instantly mute the entire app by clicking the speaker icon on the right.​

Next steps​