The plugin can be downloaded together with Source-Connect Standard via the user dashboard Downloads page. It is not a separate download, it is included with the Source-Connect application.

A quick-start guide to start using Source-Connect Link follows: 

1. Insert “Source-Connect Link” into your DAW on an Aux track.

In Pro Tools, for example, this plugin is under the ‘Other’ menu, or ‘Source Elements’ for HD. 

2. Note the plugin ID that shows up in the plugin window.

3. Select this ID in your Audio Options -> Link menu.

To determine where in your Audio I/O you choose to use the Link plug-in, see “Example use cases” below.

There are four common use cases for using the Link plugin: 

1. Record 

You want to record your connection partner from Source-Connect into your DAW: Place the link plug-in in your DAW so it is the last item in the path prior to your record track. Then select Link as your output in the Audio I/O Settings in Source-Connect. For talk back use any direct audio input of your choice for the into Source-Connect 

2. Send a mix 

You want to send a live audio mix from your DAW to your Source-Connect partner: In your DAW create a duplicate channel that has your main mix for as its input, Route your talk back through your DAW and into this channel. Then place the link plug-in on this channel. Select Link as your input in the Audio I/O Settings in Source-Connect. Select a direct audio output of your choice so you can hear your connection partner. 

3. Send a processed microphone signal 

You want to use plugins or processing built-in to your DAW before sending your microphone signal to Source-Connect: Place the link plug-in in your DAW so it is the last item in the path, after any plugins or processing you need to do. Then select Link as your input in the Audio I/O Settings in Source-Connect. To hear your connection partner, in Source-Connect use any direct audio output of your choice in Source-Connect 

4. Send and receive through your DAW 

In certain cases you may wish to use Link for both sending and receiving to your DAW. This may be the case where record and monitoring is being switched several times during the session, or in a large session where the engineer may want all their I/O integrated in one mixer. To set up link in this way there are two basic options. 

• One link plugin for Input and Output. In this mode Select the same link ID in Source-Connect for input and output. In your DAW place Source-Connect in the same routing configuration as you would have with Source-Connect 3.9 AAX/VST/AU. 
• One link plugin for Input and one link for Output. Some DAWS do not allow the routing flexibility for the convenience of an integrated send/receive plug-in. In the case where separate link plug-ins are required, you should combine the routing for methods 1 and 2. 

Please note: when using Link for both send and receive additional latency can cause an extra delay of up to 150ms depending on your DAW settings. Use digital audio I/O where possible.

Older Pro Tools HD with simple RTAS and no AAX support do not support the use of the Source-Connect Link plug-in for reliable performance. Pro Tools HD users should use the proper external digital I/O setup with Source-Connect. While the Source-Connect Link plug-in will work in Pro Tools HD, because of various issues with the RTAS engine in Pro Tools HD, certain intermittent performance situations can arise. You can find more information on this article.

Sync to Picture, ADR and for overdubbing 

You can use Source-Connect Link in any of the Example scenarios listed above. Then initiate the SeRewire device in your DAW’s rewire feature set. Please refer to your DAWs Rewire instructions as well as the specific RTS article for further information. 

Contact us if you would like to check out other supported platforms while we are working on these for you.

• Adobe Audition v2022
• Ableton v11
• Cubase v11
• Digital Performer v10
• Garageband v10
• Logic Pro v10
• Nuendo v10
• ProTools v2020
• Reaper v6
• Studio One v5
• Supported VST Hosts Tutorials
• Supported Audio Units Hosts Tutorials

The main issue with Source-Connect Link may be additional latency. To mitigate latency between Source-Connect and your DAW try setting your plugin buffers and DAW host processing buffers to the lowest possible setting.  

For example in Pro Tools open Playback Engine settings and lower the Host Processing buffer to 256 or lower. Source-Connect Link is a slim-line plugin and should not incur much additional CPU usage.

Another issue may be that you are not receiving audio from Source-Connect to Link on macOS. To resolve this make sure that Source-Connect and your DAW launch with the same sample-rate; you may also delete the Audio Midi preferences and restart your computer.

Inserting Source-Connect AAX Link on a Pro Tools track crashes Pro Tools

If Pro Tools is crashing when inserting the Source-Connect AAX Link plugin into an aux channel, and you have followed the steps above to no avail, make sure there are no Mac security or OS updates pending. If there, please install the updates and try again.

Feedback on Pro Tools with Apogee + Maestro and Source-Connect Link in macOS Mojave

When using an Apogee interface (such as the Apogee Duet and the Apogee Quartet USB) together Maestro, with Source-Connect Link and Pro Tools, there might be feedback when turning the volume knob on while recording. This is a known issue on Mojave acknowledged by the Apogee support team.To resolve it, try to uninstall the Maestro and install the Apogee Control software.