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STELLARR

Introduction

What is Stellarr?

Stellarr is an open-source signal processing application for musicians. It lets you build custom audio chains using your existing VST3 and Audio Unit plugins, arranged on a visual grid with flexible routing, states, scenes, and MIDI control.

Think of it as a virtual pedalboard and amp rack that you design yourself, using any plugins you already own.

Philosophy

Stellarr was made by an AI and a human, together. It is free and open, forever. For the love of all human expression.

We believe:

  • Musicians should own their signal chain. Your plugins, your routing, your presets. No vendor lock-in.
  • Simplicity enables creativity. A clean, focused interface that gets out of your way so you can focus on your sound.
  • Live performance matters. Scenes, states, and MIDI control are first-class features, not afterthoughts.

Core Concepts

Blocks

Everything in Stellarr is a block. There are three types:

  • Input — receives audio from your audio interface
  • Output — sends audio to your speakers or headphones
  • Plugin — hosts a VST3 or Audio Unit plugin (amp sim, effect, etc.)

Blocks live on a grid and are connected by wires that carry audio and MIDI.

States

Each plugin block can save up to 16 states. A state is a snapshot of:

  • The plugin’s internal settings (knobs, switches, presets)
  • The block’s parameters (mix, balance, level, bypass, bypass mode)

Switch between states to instantly recall different configurations of the same plugin.

Scenes

A scene is a preset-level snapshot of which state is active on every block, plus each block’s bypass status. Use scenes to switch your entire rig between verse, chorus, solo, or any configuration — in one click.

Presets

A preset is a complete session file (.stellarr) containing:

  • All blocks and their positions on the grid
  • All connections between blocks
  • All states per plugin block
  • All scenes
  • MIDI CC mappings (preset-level)

MIDI Control

Map any MIDI CC to any parameter: block bypass, mix, balance, level, scene switching, and more. Use MIDI Learn to auto-detect your controller’s CCs, or assign them manually.