Overview
The six included 80s effects are individual processors extracted from the 80s Rack signal chain. Each one opens as its own DAW plug-in, with its own bypass, preset strip, licensing panel, and streamlined control surface.
The included effect manuals in this folder cover:
| Product | Manual | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 80s Chorus | 80s Chorus | Tri-Chorus and DIM-style stereo chorus stages. |
| 80s Color Delay | 80s Color Delay | Circular and pan-style colored delay repeats. |
| 80s Sync Delay | 80s Sync Delay | Tempo-capable stereo delay with 42 12-BIT, 22 DUCKED, and Pan Delay modes. |
| 80s Reverb | 80s Reverb | Algorithm-only hall, chamber, plate, ambient, and room programs. |
| 80s Compressor | 80s Compressor | VCA compressor with metering, parallel mix, and optional character drive. |
| 80s Detune | 80s Detune | Classic and Micro pitch-spread detune. |
On macOS 14 or later, the 80s Suite installer includes every effect as Universal 2 VST3, AU, and AAX. The Windows 1.0.2 installer includes every effect as native x64 VST3 and AAX. 80s Rack is also included as a standalone application on both platforms.
Windows AAX bundles install to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins\. If an effect is missing in Pro Tools, check the active folder and the adjacent Plug-Ins (Unused) folder, then follow the AAX cache steps in the shared troubleshooting guide.
Every effect can be resized proportionally from 75% to 125% by dragging a window corner.
Quick Start
- Quit your DAW before installing or updating.
- Run the Signalworks suite installer.
- Reopen your DAW and let it rescan plugins if prompted.
- Insert the effect on an audio track, guitar track, aux, or effects return.
- Start with the account-free 20-minute demo, or open Settings > Licensing and import the signed 80s Suite
.licfile from your license email. - Start from Factory Default, then adjust Mix or Wet/Dry first.
Common Controls
| Control | Where | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| BYPASS | Header | Bypasses the selected effect without changing other plug-ins in the session. |
| Preset selector | Header | Loads factory and user presets. A trailing * marks a modified preset. |
| NEW | Preset strip | Loads Factory Default as a starting point, then creates a new unsaved preset. |
| SAVE | Preset strip | Updates the selected user preset. Factory and unsaved states open Save As. |
| SAVE AS... | Preset menu | Creates a separately named user preset. Duplicate names are made unique. |
| RENAME... | Preset menu | Renames the selected user preset. |
| COMPARE | Preset strip | Compares the current edits against the stored reference state. |
| DELETE | Preset strip | Deletes user presets. Factory presets are protected. |
| Settings / Licensing | Preset strip menu | Opens preset options plus demo and 80s Suite license status. |
When a named preset is changed, the selector adds a trailing *. Returning every changed control to the stored value clears the marker. Selecting the current preset again reloads its stored state and discards temporary edits. CURRENT means the restored host or session state is not currently associated with a named preset.
Factory and user presets are stored in product-specific Factory and User folders under /Users/Shared/SignalworksDSP/Presets/ on macOS or C:\ProgramData\SignalworksDSP\Presets\ on Windows. The current preset file extension is .sdsppreset.
Tips
- Use mono-to-stereo tracks or stereo tracks when you want width from Chorus, Color Delay, Sync Delay, Reverb, or Detune.
- Keep Mix or Wet/Dry lower when using the effect as an insert on the main guitar track.
- Use higher Mix values when the plugin is on an aux or effects return.
- Save a user preset once you have level, Mix, and timing balanced for a song.
- If a preset fails to load, the shared preset system is designed to fall back to Factory Default when it can.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| The plug-in does not appear in the DAW | Confirm the installer placed the selected format in its standard macOS or Windows folder, then rescan the DAW. Windows AAX belongs in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins\. |
| The plug-in stops processing | The account-free demo lasts 20 minutes per host session. Restart the host or import the 80s Suite license. |
| The licensing panel appears | It shows remaining demo time or lets you import the signed 80s Suite .lic file delivered after checkout. |
| Presets are missing | Re-run the installer and confirm the product preset folder exists under the platform preset root listed above. |
| A saved preset name changes | Saving with an existing name can create a unique numbered name instead of overwriting a protected or unselected preset. |