Airwindows Plugin Versions: GUI, No-GUI, and Audio Unit Explained

Updated

Airwindows ships the same plugin in several builds, and which one you need depends on your host and platform. The GUI version comes from GitHub and gives you a graphical interface; the no-GUI standalone build is aimed at lightweight setups such as Raspberry Pi; and if you want surround, you must use the Audio Unit plugin named ConsoleX3Mono, because that is the one that runs any number of channels. All of it is free and open source under the MIT license.

The three builds and who each one is for

Build Where it comes from Best for Key limitation
GUI version GitHub releases (e.g. the ConsoleX3 repo) Users who want a visual interface Installer conflicts if a plugin of the same name is already present
No-GUI standalone Standalone zip (e.g. ConsoleX3NoGUI.zip) Raspberry Pi and other minimal or headless setups No graphical interface
Audio Unit (ConsoleX3Mono) Audio Unit build Surround / multichannel work Does not do surround panning — pan separately

GUI version: what to know before installing

The GUI build lives on GitHub rather than in the main plugin collections. For ConsoleX3, the releases page is https://github.com/airwindows/ConsoleX3/releases, and you click the version number at the top of the list. As of the source post that version is 0.0.7. Note that GitHub may not flag this repository's build as a "latest release," so don't rely on that label — pick the top version number.

One install gotcha worth planning around: do not install the Audio Unit from the GUI package if you already have a plugin of that name. The GUI installer refuses to proceed when a plugin with the same name is already present. If you intend to use the GUI version, skip the AU in that package.

No-GUI standalone: for Raspberry Pi and minimal rigs

If you want the standalone, no-GUI build — the kind used on a Raspberry Pi — Airwindows provides it as a separate download (ConsoleX3NoGUI.zip, listed at 882k). These standalone plugins also appear in the existing standalone plugin collections.

Surround: you have to use the Audio Unit

For a surround-capable ConsoleX3, the requirement is specific: use the Audio Unit plugin called ConsoleX3Mono. It is the build that will run any number of channels. The trade-off is that it does not perform surround panning, so you handle panning with a separate tool.

Why ConsoleX3 isn't in Consolidated

ConsoleX3 has too many controls to fit into the Consolidated collection, so it is not included there. If you want it, get it from GitHub (GUI) or from the standalone collection (no-GUI). Other new plugins such as Rockstar2, BezEQ4, and Weave are either in the demo or built into ConsoleX3 but do not yet exist as standalone releases.

Customizing the GUI look

Airwindows encourages users to restyle the GUI plugins. The AirwindowsGlobals.zip (158k) contains a text file, folder structure, and a JPEG. It includes an extra folder instructing you to place the Airwindows folder into your Documents folder. On a Mac, JUCE looks in Documents, so the paths resolve to Documents/Airwindows/AirwindowsGlobals.txt with GreyWatercolor.jpg beside it. If JUCE looks for documents files elsewhere on your system, put the folder there instead. AirwindowsGlobals now includes comments explaining how to use it.

Quick decision guide

  • Want a visual interface? Get the GUI version from GitHub releases and skip the AU in that package.
  • Running a Raspberry Pi or a minimal/headless setup? Use the no-GUI standalone build.
  • Need surround / any channel count? Use the Audio Unit ConsoleX3Mono, and pan separately.
  • Want to restyle the GUI? Use AirwindowsGlobals.zip and place the Airwindows folder in Documents (or wherever JUCE looks on your system).