Block Options
Select any block on the grid to open the Options panel — a floating panel you can drag by its header to position anywhere on screen. Close it with the × in its top-right, or simply click an empty area of the grid. There’s a 16 px gutter around the parent edge that the panel can’t be dragged across; if the window is resized smaller while the panel is open, it snaps back inside the visible area so you never have to chase a titlebar offscreen.
The panel position resets to the default top-right corner whenever you deselect a block or relaunch Stellarr.
Block Header
The top of the options panel shows:
- Colour picker – Click the coloured square to choose from 16 theme swatches (8 hues, each with a regular and light shade).
- Block name – Shows the 3-character abbreviation (INP, OUT, PLG) or your custom name. Click the pencil icon to rename (max 3 characters).
- Active toggle – (Plugin blocks only) An on/off switch to bypass the block. When bypassed, the block’s border becomes dashed and audio passes through unprocessed.
- MIDI button – (Next to the bypass toggle) Assign a MIDI CC to control bypass remotely.
Input Block Options
- Test Tone – (Visible only when developer mode is on.) Toggle on to play a built-in pentatonic melody. Useful for testing your chain without plugging in a guitar.
- Level – Output level from -60 dB to +12 dB. Double-click the slider to reset to 0 dB.
Output Block Options
- Level – Output level from -60 dB to +12 dB.
Plugin Block Options
Plugin Selection
- Plugin dropdown – Searchable list of all discovered VST3 and AU plugins. Search by name or manufacturer. Each plugin shows a coloured format badge (VST3, AU).
- Plugin editor – Click the gear icon to open the plugin’s native GUI in a separate window.
Parameters
These parameters control how the block’s audio is processed:
| Parameter | Range | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mix | 0–100% | 100% | Wet/dry blend. 0% = fully dry (unprocessed), 100% = fully wet. |
| Balance | L100–R100 | C (centre) | Stereo balance. Attenuates the opposite channel as you move from centre. |
| Level | -60 to +12 dB | 0 dB | Output gain applied after mix and balance. |
| Bypass Mode | (see below) | Thru | Controls what happens to audio when the block is bypassed. |
Bypass modes
| Mode | Dry signal | Effect | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thru | Passes through | Skipped | Default. No CPU used by the plugin. |
| Mute | Silenced | Skipped | Total silence when bypassed. |
| Mute In | Silenced | Runs on silence | Effect tails (reverb, delay) ring out naturally. |
| Mute Out | Silenced | Runs normally | Pre-loads signal into the effect before you engage it. |
| Mute FX In | Passes through | Runs on silence | Tails ring out while dry signal continues uninterrupted. Level and Balance still apply. |
| Mute FX Out | Passes through | Runs normally, output muted | Pre-loads the effect while dry signal continues. Level and Balance still apply. |
Tip: Use Mute FX In on reverb and delay blocks for spillover – when you bypass the block (manually, via MIDI, or via a scene recall), existing tails fade naturally while your dry guitar signal keeps flowing.
Each parameter has a MIDI button for assigning a CC controller. Shows the assigned CC number when mapped.
Tip: Double-click any slider to reset it to its default value.
States
Plugin blocks can save up to 16 states. Each state captures:
- All of the plugin’s internal settings
- Mix, Balance, Level, Bypass, and Bypass Mode
Numbered squares represent each state:
- Click a square to recall that state.
- The active state has a white border.
- A state with unsaved changes shows a yellow background.
- Click the X on a state to delete it (must keep at least one).
- Click the + button to add a new state.
States are saved when you save the preset. See Presets, Scenes & States for the full picture.
Target Loudness (LUFS)
Plugin blocks can have a target loudness set in LUFS. Stellarr measures the block’s post-processing loudness live and displays it in the footer for the currently selected block.
- Open the Loudness control in the Options panel to set a target value in LUFS (e.g. −18 LUFS for broadcast-style headroom).
- The footer’s loudness meter fills green below the target, shifts amber near it, and goes red when clipping is imminent.
- A small history graph is available from the Loudness popup, giving you a running window of recent measurements while you dial a plugin in.
Setting a target is optional — the meter still shows your current LUFS without one, it just loses the “matched” colour feedback.