Don't loose your ideas

The idea!

• You place SoundCollector on your bus or master out
• Set the default save location and buffer time (this can be set as default each time you add the plugin).
• Set the name of your session and the plugin records and saves automatically the audio it hears.

Once the threshold is exceeded the plugin starts recording, it then fills up the buffer and once it reaches the buffer limit, it saves the audio. After that SoundCollector is constantly recording the signal being passed to it so it becomes a circular recording - filling the buffer over and over.

File management and settings

• At the top of the plugin we can set a Custom save location. This can be set as default in the settings menu.
• Next is the session name.
  • If you do not set a custom session name then a session name will be created for you by SoundCollector, followed by a date and random id (i.e. SoundCollector_2026-07-08_634b09_sc).
• Next to that it we have the folder location which you can click to open the respectivefolder.
• Settings can be accessed via the cog wheel.
  • In there you can set the Default Buffer Length for recording (how long the plugin records before saving). You can set it to, 10s, 20s, 30s, 1 minute or Auto. The auto buffer length starts recording when the threshold is exceeded and stops when the signal drops below the threshold.
  • You can choose to save the recorded audio as wav or mp3. If you set the mp3 option then the plugin converts the audio to mp3 format when the system is idle or when no audio is passed through the plugin (this is to optimize CPU resources).
  • Recording threshold allow you to configure when SoundCollector should start and stop recording, the default is -60db. If you have a noisey signal then you can set it to -50db or -40db. If you have a very quiet signal then you can set it to -70db or -80db.
  • Default Save Location lets you choose where files are saved by default. Once set, the plugin will remember this location each time you use it.

File management and settings

Recording and monitoring

• In the center is the status area, indicating if the plugin is recording and when last save was made.
• The mute toggle disables audio recording - nothing is recorded to the buffer if this is on.
• Input level indicates the audio passing through the plugin.
• Below that is the buffer status bar, this fills up when the buffer length is reached.
• And below that is the auto save timer which follows the buffer recording length.
  • The plugin auto saves when the buffer is filled. After the buffer is filled, the plugin will auto save every given time.

Monitoring, status and buffer

Buttons to press

• There is the option to quick save the audio if you want to save the before the buffer is filled or before the auto-save timer is reached.
• Next we have the clear buffer, if you want to control more when the plugin starts recording.
• And as a bonus there is the option to drag the auto-saved audio to a track. This can be useful if you want to resample from a bus, plugin or mains.
• Last we have the buffer drop down selector. There you can set a preferred recording time to the buffer (10s, 20s, 30s, 1m or Auto). This overrides the default buffer recording time in the settings menu.

Auto save, clear buffer, drag to track and buffer length

Usage

• Set it set as the last plugin on your Main output, saved that in your template so that each time you start a session,just add a session name, set a save location and don't think about it. SoundCollector records your ideas behind the scenes and saves to your given folder.
• Include it when you are mixing or mastering because you don't have to bounce out your mixes - it's being done in realtime. You can then check your mixes in your Airpods as SoundCollector is constantly recording.
• Drag to audio can be used to re-sample audio from mains (or busses). Click the Clear buffer, start from bar 1 and SoundCollector records - then drag the recorded audio to a track. Useful setting for this is to set the buffer to Auto. Then you can control when the plugin starts and stops recording.
• Use it to record audio directly to disk when working with outboard gear. SoundCollector can capture the return from your hardware in realtime and save it to your chosen folder.

All this glory is available to you for an introductory price of $3.99 (introductory price, subject to change), which is less than the cost of a cup of coffee, which is the price of a set of AA batteries, a greeting card or a lottery ticket.

Try SoundCollector