Filter-Chain

The filter-chain allows you to create an arbitrary processing graph from LADSPA, LV2 and builtin filters. This filter can be made into a virtual sink/source or between any 2 nodes in the graph.

The filter chain is built with 2 streams, a capture stream providing the input to the filter chain and a playback stream sending out the filtered stream to the next nodes in the graph.

Because both ends of the filter-chain are built with streams, the session manager can manage the configuration and connection with the sinks and sources automatically.

Module Name

libpipewire-module-filter-chain

Module Options

• node.description: a human readable name for the filter chain
• filter.graph = []: a description of the filter graph to run, see below
• capture.props = {}: properties to be passed to the input stream
• playback.props = {}: properties to be passed to the output stream

Filter graph description

The general structure of the graph description is as follows:

 filter.graph = {
     nodes = [
         {
             type = <ladspa | lv2 | builtin | sofa>
             name = <name>
             plugin = <plugin>
             label = <label>
             config = {
                 <configkey> = <value> ...
             }
             control = {
                 <controlname|controlindex> = <value> ...
             }
         }
         ...
     ]
     links = [
         { output = <portname> input = <portname> }
         ...
     ]
     inputs = [ <portname> ... ]
     outputs = [ <portname> ... ]
     capture.volumes = [
         { control = <portname>  min = <value>  max = <value>  scale = <scale> } ...
     ]
     playback.volumes = [
         { control = <portname>  min = <value>  max = <value>  scale = <scale> } ...
     ]
}

Nodes

Nodes describe the processing filters in the graph. Use a tool like lv2ls or listplugins to get a list of available plugins, labels and the port names.

• type is one of ladspa, lv2, builtin, sofa or ebur128.
• name is the name for this node, you might need this later to refer to this node and its ports when setting controls or making links.
• plugin is the type specific plugin name.
  • For LADSPA plugins it will append .so to find the shared object with that name in the LADSPA plugin path.
  • For LV2, this is the plugin URI obtained with lv2ls.
  • For builtin, sofa and ebur128 this is ignored
• label is the type specific filter inside the plugin.
  • For LADSPA this is the label
  • For LV2 this is unused
  • For builtin, sofa and ebur128 this is the name of the filter to use
• config contains a filter specific configuration section. Some plugins need this. (convolver, sofa, delay, ...)
• control contains the initial values for the control ports of the filter. normally these are given with the port name but it is also possible to give the control index as the key.

Links

Links can be made between ports of nodes. The portname is given as <node_name>:<port_name>.

You can tee the output of filters to multiple other filters. You need to use a mixer if you want the output of multiple filters to go into one filter input port.

links can be omitted when the graph has just 1 filter.

Inputs and Outputs

These are the entry and exit ports into the graph definition. Their number defines the number of channels used by the filter-chain.

The <portname> can be null when a channel is to be ignored.

Each input/output in the graph can only be linked to one filter input/output. You need to use the copy builtin filter if the stream signal needs to be routed to multiple filters. You need to use the mixer builtin plugin if multiple graph outputs need to go to one output stream.

inputs and outputs can be omitted, in which case the filter-chain will use all inputs from the first filter and all outputs from the last filter node. The graph will then be duplicated as many times to match the number of input/output channels of the streams.

Volumes

Normally the volume of the sink/source is handled by the stream software volume. With the capture.volumes and playback.volumes properties this can be handled by a control port in the graph instead. Use capture.volumes for the volume of the input of the filter (when for example used as a sink). Use playback,volumes for the volume of the output of the filter (when for example used as a source).

The min and max values (defaults 0.0 and 1.0) respectively can be used to scale and translate the volume min and max values.

Normally the control values are linear and it is assumed that the plugin does not perform any scaling to the values. This can be changed with the scale property. By default this is linear but it can be set to cubic when the control applies a cubic transformation.

Builtin filters

There are some useful builtin filters available. You select them with the label of the filter node.

Mixer

Use the mixer plugin if you have multiple input signals that need to be mixed together.

The mixer plugin has up to 8 input ports labeled "In 1" to "In 8" and each with a gain control labeled "Gain 1" to "Gain 8". There is an output port labeled "Out". Unused input ports will be ignored and not cause overhead.

Copy

Use the copy plugin if you need to copy a stream input signal to multiple filters.

It has one input port "In" and one output port "Out".

Biquads

Biquads can be used to do all kinds of filtering. They are also used when creating equalizers.

All biquad filters have an input port "In" and an output port "Out". They have a "Freq", "Q" and "Gain" control. Their meaning depends on the particular biquad that is used. The biquads also have "b0", "b1", "b2", "a0", "a1" and "a2" ports that are read-only except for the bq_raw biquad, which can configure default values depending on the graph rate and change those at runtime.

We refer to https://arachnoid.com/BiQuadDesigner/index.html for an explanation of the controls.

The following labels can be used:

• bq_lowpass a lowpass filter.
• bq_highpass a highpass filter.
• bq_bandpass a bandpass filter.
• bq_lowshelf a low shelf filter.
• bq_highshelf a high shelf filter.
• bq_peaking a peaking filter.
• bq_notch a notch filter.
• bq_allpass an allpass filter.
• bq_raw a raw biquad filter. You need a config section to specify coefficients per sample rate. The coefficients of the sample rate closest to the graph rate are selected:

filter.graph = {
    nodes = [
        {
            type   = builtin
            name   = ...
            label  = bq_raw
            config = {
                coefficients = [
                    { rate =  44100, b0=.., b1=.., b2=.., a0=.., a1=.., a2=.. },
                    { rate =  48000, b0=.., b1=.., b2=.., a0=.., a1=.., a2=.. },
                    { rate = 192000, b0=.., b1=.., b2=.., a0=.., a1=.., a2=.. }
                ]
            }
            ...
        }
    }
    ...
}

Parametric EQ

The parametric EQ chains a number of biquads together. It is more efficient than specifying a number of chained biquads and it can also load configuration from a file.

The parametric EQ supports multichannel processing and has 8 input and 8 output ports that don't all need to be connected. The ports are named In 1 to In 8 and Out 1 to Out 8.

filter.graph = {
    nodes = [
        {
            type   = builtin
            name   = ...
            label  = param_eq
            config = {
                filename = "..."
                #filename1 = "...", filename2 = "...", ...
                filters = [
                    { type = ..., freq = ..., gain = ..., q = ... },
                    { type = ..., freq = ..., gain = ..., q = ... },
                    ....
                ]
                #filters1 = [ ... ], filters2 = [ ... ], ...
            }
            ...
        }
    }
    ...
}

Either a filename or a filters array can be specified. The configuration will be used for all channels. Alternatively filenameX or filtersX where X is the channel number (between 1 and 8) can be used to load a channel specific configuration.

The filename must point to a parametric equalizer configuration generated from the AutoEQ project or Squiglink. Both the projects allow equalizing headphones or an in-ear monitor to a target curve.

A popular example of the above being EQ'ing to the Harman target curve or EQ'ing one headphone/IEM to another.

For AutoEQ, see https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq. For SquigLink, see https://squig.link/.

Parametric equalizer configuration generated from AutoEQ or Squiglink looks like below.

Preamp: -6.8 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 21 Hz Gain 6.7 dB Q 1.100
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 85 Hz Gain 6.9 dB Q 3.000
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 110 Hz Gain -2.6 dB Q 2.700
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 210 Hz Gain 5.9 dB Q 2.100
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 710 Hz Gain -1.0 dB Q 0.600
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 1600 Hz Gain 2.3 dB Q 2.700

Fc, Gain and Q specify the frequency, gain and Q factor respectively. The fourth column can be one of PK, LSC or HSC specifying peaking, low shelf and high shelf filter respectively. More often than not only peaking filters are involved.

The filters (or channel specific filtersX where X is the channel between 1 and 8) can contain an array of filter specification object with the following keys:

type specifies the filter type, choose one from the available biquad labels. freq is the frequency passed to the biquad. gain is the gain passed to the biquad. q is the Q passed to the biquad.

This makes it possible to also use the param eq without a file and with all the available biquads.

Convolver

The convolver can be used to apply an impulse response to a signal. It is usually used for reverbs or virtual surround. The convolver is implemented with a fast FFT implementation.

The convolver has an input port "In" and an output port "Out". It requires a config section in the node declaration in this format:

filter.graph = {
    nodes = [
        {
            type   = builtin
            name   = ...
            label  = convolver
            config = {
                blocksize = ...
                tailsize = ...
                gain = ...
                delay = ...
                filename = ...
                offset = ...
                length = ...
                channel = ...
                resample_quality = ...
            }
            ...
        }
    }
    ...
}

• blocksize specifies the size of the blocks to use in the FFT. It is a value between 64 and 256. When not specified, this value is computed automatically from the number of samples in the file.
• tailsize specifies the size of the tail blocks to use in the FFT.
• gain the overall gain to apply to the IR file.
• delay The extra delay to add to the IR. A float number will be interpreted as seconds, and integer as samples. Using the delay in seconds is independent of the graph and IR rate and is recommended.
• filename The IR to load or create. Possible values are:
  • /hilbert creates a hilbert function that can be used to phase shift the signal by +/-90 degrees. The length will be used as the number of coefficients.
  • /dirac creates a Dirac function that can be used as gain.
  • A filename to load as the IR. This needs to be a file format supported by sndfile.
  • [ filename, ... ] an array of filenames. The file with the closest samplerate match with the graph samplerate will be used.
• offset The sample offset in the file as the start of the IR.
• length The number of samples to use as the IR.
• channel The channel to use from the file as the IR.
• resample_quality The resample quality in case the IR does not match the graph samplerate.

Delay

The delay can be used to delay a signal in time.

The delay has an input port "In" and an output port "Out". It also has a "Delay (s)" control port. It requires a config section in the node declaration in this format:

filter.graph = {
    nodes = [
        {
            type   = builtin
            name   = ...
            label  = delay
            config = {
                "max-delay" = ...
            }
            control = {
                "Delay (s)" = ...
            }
            ...
        }
    }
    ...
}

• max-delay the maximum delay in seconds. The "Delay (s)" parameter will be clamped to this value.

Invert

The invert plugin can be used to invert the phase of the signal.

It has an input port "In" and an output port "Out".

Clamp

The clamp plugin can be used to clamp samples between min and max values.

It has an input port "In" and an output port "Out". It also has a "Control" and "Notify" port for the control values.

The final result is clamped to the "Min" and "Max" control values.

Linear

The linear plugin can be used to apply a linear transformation on samples or control values.

It has an input port "In" and an output port "Out". It also has a "Control" and "Notify" port for the control values.

The control value "Mult" and "Add" are used to configure the linear transform. Each sample or control value will be calculated as: new = old * Mult + Add.

Reciprocal

The recip plugin can be used to calculate the reciprocal (1/x) of samples or control values.

It has an input port "In" and an output port "Out". It also has a "Control" and "Notify" port for the control values.

Abs

The abs plugin can be used to calculate the absolute value of samples.

It has an input port "In" and an output port "Out".

Sqrt

The sqrt plugin can be used to calculate the square root of samples.

It has an input port "In" and an output port "Out".

Exp

The exp plugin can be used to calculate the exponential (base^x) of samples or control values.

It has an input port "In" and an output port "Out". It also has a "Control" and "Notify" port for the control values.

The control value "Base" is used to calculate base ^ x for each sample.

Log

The log plugin can be used to calculate the logarithm of samples or control values.

It has an input port "In" and an output port "Out". It also has a "Control" and "Notify" port for the control values.

The control value "Base", "M1" and "M2" are used to calculate out = M2 * log2f(fabsf(in * M1)) / log2f(Base) for each sample.

Multiply

The mult plugin can be used to multiply samples together.

It has 8 input ports named "In 1" to "In 8" and an output port "Out".

All input ports samples are multiplied together into the output. Unused input ports will be ignored and not cause overhead.

Sine

The sine plugin generates a sine wave.

It has an output port "Out" and also a control output port "notify".

"Freq", "Ampl", "Offset" and "Phase" can be used to control the sine wave frequency, amplitude, offset and phase.

Max

Use the max plugin if you need to select the max value of two channels.

It has two input ports "In 1" and "In 2" and one output port "Out".

dcblock

Use the dcblock plugin implements a DC blocker.

It has 8 input ports "In 1" to "In 8" and corresponding output ports "Out 1" to "Out 8". Not all ports need to be connected.

It also has 1 control input port "R" that controls the DC block R factor.

Ramp

Use the ramp plugin creates a linear ramp from Start to Stop.

It has 3 input control ports "Start", "Stop" and "Duration (s)". It also has one output port "Out". A linear ramp will be created from "Start" to "Stop" for a duration given by the "Duration (s)" control in (fractional) seconds. The current value will be stored in the output notify port "Current".

The ramp output can, for example, be used as input for the mult plugin to create a volume ramp up or down. For more a more coarse volume ramp, the "Current" value can be used in the linear plugin.

SOFA filter

There is an optional builtin SOFA filter available.

Spatializer

The spatializer can be used to place the sound in a 3D space.

The spatializer has an input port "In" and a stereo pair of output ports called "Out L" and "Out R". It requires a config section in the node declaration in this format:

The control can be changed at runtime to move the sounds around in the 3D space.

filter.graph = {
    nodes = [
        {
            type   = sofa
            name   = ...
            label  = spatializer
            config = {
                blocksize = ...
                tailsize = ...
                filename = ...
            }
            control = {
                "Azimuth" = ...
                "Elevation" = ...
                "Radius" = ...
            }
            ...
        }
    }
    ...
}

• blocksize specifies the size of the blocks to use in the FFT. It is a value between 64 and 256. When not specified, this value is computed automatically from the number of samples in the file.
• tailsize specifies the size of the tail blocks to use in the FFT.
• filename The SOFA file to load. SOFA files usually end in the .sofa extension and contain the HRTF for the various spatial positions.
• Azimuth controls the azimuth, this is the direction the sound is coming from in degrees between 0 and 360. 0 is straight ahead. 90 is left, 180 behind, 270 right.
• Elevation controls the elevation, this is how high/low the signal is in degrees between -90 and 90. 0 is straight in front, 90 is directly above and -90 directly below.
• Radius controls how far away the signal is as a value between 0 and 100. default is 1.0.

EBUR128 filter

There is an optional EBU R128 filter available.

ebur128

The ebur128 plugin can be used to measure the loudness of a signal.

It has 7 input ports "In FL", "In FR", "In FC", "In UNUSED", "In SL", "In SR" and "In DUAL MONO", corresponding to the different input channels for EBUR128. Not all ports need to be connected for this filter.

The input signal is passed unmodified on the "Out FL", "Out FR", "Out FC", "Out UNUSED", "Out SL", "Out SR" and "Out DUAL MONO" output ports.

There are 7 output control ports that contain the measured loudness information and that can be used to control the processing of the audio. Some of these ports contain values in LUFS, or "Loudness Units relative to Full Scale". These are negative values, closer to 0 is louder. You can use the lufs2gain plugin to convert this value to again to adjust a volume (See below).

"Momentary LUFS" contains the momentary loudness measurement with a 400ms window and 75% overlap. It works mostly like an R.M.S. meter.

"Shortterm LUFS" contains the shortterm loudness in LUFS over a 3 second window.

"Global LUFS" contains the global integrated loudness in LUFS over the max-history window. "Window LUFS" contains the global integrated loudness in LUFS over the max-window window.

"Range LU" contains the loudness range (LRA) in LU units.

"Peak" contains the peak loudness.

"True Peak" contains the true peak loudness oversampling the signal. This can more accurately reflect the peak compared to "Peak".

The node also has an optional config section with extra configuration:

filter.graph = {
    nodes = [
        {
            type   = ebur128
            name   = ...
            label  = ebur128
            config = {
                max-history = ...
                max-window = ...
                use-histogram = ...
            }
            ...
        }
    }
    ...
}

• max-history the maximum history to keep in (float) seconds. Default to 10.0
• max-window the maximum window to keep in (float) seconds. Default to 0.0 You will need to set this to some value to get "Window LUFS" output control values.
• use-histogram uses the histogram algorithm to calculate loudness. Defaults to false.

lufs2gain

The lufs2gain plugin can be used to convert LUFS control values to gain. It needs a target LUFS control input to drive the conversion.

It has 2 input control ports "LUFS" and "Target LUFS" and will produce 1 output control value "Gain". This gain can be used as input for the builtin linear node, for example, to adust the gain.

General options

Options with well-known behavior. Most options can be added to the global configuration or the individual streams:

• PW_KEY_REMOTE_NAME
• PW_KEY_AUDIO_RATE
• PW_KEY_AUDIO_CHANNELS
• SPA_KEY_AUDIO_POSITION
• PW_KEY_MEDIA_NAME
• PW_KEY_NODE_LATENCY
• PW_KEY_NODE_DESCRIPTION
• PW_KEY_NODE_GROUP
• PW_KEY_NODE_LINK_GROUP
• PW_KEY_NODE_VIRTUAL
• PW_KEY_NODE_NAME : See notes below. If not specified, defaults to 'filter-chain-PID-MODULEID'.

Stream only properties:

• PW_KEY_MEDIA_CLASS
• PW_KEY_NODE_NAME : if not given per stream, the global node.name will be prefixed with 'input.' and 'output.' to generate a capture and playback stream node.name respectively.

Example configuration of a virtual source

This example uses the rnnoise LADSPA plugin to create a new virtual source.

Run with pipewire -c filter-chain.conf. The configuration can also be put under pipewire.conf.d/ to run it inside the PipeWire server.

# ~/.config/pipewire/filter-chain.conf.d/my-filter-chain-1.conf
 
context.modules = [
{   name = libpipewire-module-filter-chain
    args = {
        node.description =  "Noise Canceling source"
        media.name =  "Noise Canceling source"
        filter.graph = {
            nodes = [
                {
                    type = ladspa
                    name = rnnoise
                    plugin = ladspa/librnnoise_ladspa
                    label = noise_suppressor_stereo
                    control = {
                        "VAD Threshold (%)" 50.0
                    }
                }
            ]
        }
        capture.props = {
            node.name =  "capture.rnnoise_source"
            node.passive = true
        }
        playback.props = {
            node.name =  "rnnoise_source"
            media.class = Audio/Source
        }
    }
}
]

Example configuration of a Dolby Surround encoder virtual Sink

This example uses the ladpsa surround encoder to encode a 5.1 signal to a stereo Dolby Surround signal.

# ~/.config/pipewire/filter-chain.conf.d/my-filter-chain-2.conf
 
context.modules = [
{   name = libpipewire-module-filter-chain
    args = {
        node.description = "Dolby Surround Sink"
        media.name       = "Dolby Surround Sink"
        filter.graph = {
            nodes = [
                {
                    type  = builtin
                    name  = mixer
                    label = mixer
                    control = { "Gain 1" = 0.5 "Gain 2" = 0.5 }
                }
                {
                    type   = ladspa
                    name   = enc
                    plugin = surround_encoder_1401
                    label  = surroundEncoder
                }
            ]
            links = [
                { output = "mixer:Out" input = "enc:S" }
            ]
            inputs  = [ "enc:L" "enc:R" "enc:C" null "mixer:In 1" "mixer:In 2" ]
            outputs = [ "enc:Lt" "enc:Rt" ]
        }
        capture.props = {
            node.name      = "effect_input.dolby_surround"
            media.class    = Audio/Sink
            audio.channels = 6
            audio.position = [ FL FR FC LFE SL SR ]
        }
        playback.props = {
            node.name      = "effect_output.dolby_surround"
            node.passive   = true
            audio.channels = 2
            audio.position = [ FL FR ]
        }
    }
}
]