Settings
The Settings window can be accessed from the Main Menu Bar by clicking "Edit" and then "Settings".
General Settings
Buffer Size
Buffer size determines the latency of the audio coming out of LMMS, but values too low for your computer may cause unwanted audio artifacts that render the program unusable (Faster computers will be able to handle smaller buffer sizes). If you experience pops, crackles, or stuttering audio, an insufficient buffer size is likely the culprit (see 2.3.1.1).
As of 1.3, Buffer size settings are listed under Audio Settings.
Misc
Enable tooltips: This option enables informational tooltips to appear when hovering over controls.
Show restart warning after changing settings: This option enables or disables the warning pop-up window that appears after changing settings.
Display volume as dBFS: This option changes volume displays to use dBFS, a standard unit across many digital audio workstations, instead of the default 0-100.
Compress project files per default: This option saves storage space by using the compressed
.mmpzsave file format rather than the larger.mmpformat.One instrument track window mode: This option allows only one open instrument window at a time, meaning LMMS will close the previous instrument window when you open another one.
HQ-mode for output audio-device: This option improves the quality of playback sound for some output devices.
Compact track buttons: This option visually compacts tracks in the Song Editor by hiding track names and rearranging the solo & mute controls for each track.
Sync VST plugins to host playback: This option allows VST plugins to utilize the project tempo, effectively allowing them to synchronize with LMMS.
Enable note labels in piano roll: This option labels notes with their note name in the piano roll when enabled.
Enable waveform display by default: This option allows the master output oscilloscope to be enabled by default.
Keep effects running even without input: This option prevents effects from sleeping when they don't have input.
Create backup file when saving a project: This option creates a backup save file whenever you save a project, when enabled.
Reopen last project file on start: This option opens the last project you worked on when opening LMMS, rather than a blank project, when enabled.
As of 1.3, "Sync VST Plugins to host playback" and "Keep effects running even without input" have been moved to Performance settings, and "HQ-mode for output audio-device" has been moved to Audio settings.
Plugin Embedding
No embedding: display plugins outside of LMMS, as seperate windows.
Embed using Qt API: display plugins within LMMS using Qt API.
Embed using Win32 API: display plugins within LMMS using Win32 API.
As of 1.3, Plugin embedding is listed under Performance Settings.
Language
This selects the language in which text is displayed.
If your language is not included in the available options, learn how you can contribute to localization efforts here.
Directories
Working Directory
This is where the user's own samples, projects, presets, etc. are stored.
GIG Directory
This is where the user's own .gig files are stored. This is typically somewhere in the working directory.
SF2 Directory
This is where the user's own .sf2 files are stored. This is typically somewhere in the working directory.
VST Plugin Directory
This is where the user's VST plugins are stored. These can be either 32 or 64 bit plugins.
LMMS does not yet support VST3 plugins.
LADSPA Plugin Directories
This is where the user's LADSPA plugins are stored.
STK RawWave Directory
This is where the user's STK RawWave files are stored.
Default Soundfont File
This is the location of .sf2 files. If one is specified, the SF2 Player (see 5.13) will automatically load a default SoundFont when an instance is created.
Themes Directory
Despite the name, this is actually points to where the current theme is stored. To change themes, set this path to the location of the desired theme.
Background Artwork
This points to an image used for the background of the main LMMS window. Leave it blank to use the image provided by the current theme.
Performance Settings
Autosave
AUTO SAVE: This slider determines the time between auto-saves.
Enable auto-save: This setting allows LMMS to periodically save a backup of your project.
Allow auto-save while playing: This setting allows auto-saving during playback.
UI Effects vs. Performance
Smooth scroll in Song Editor: This setting enables smooth scrolling in song editor.
Show playback cursor in AudioFileProcessor: This setting enables the display of the playback cursor in AudioFileProcessor.
Audio Settings
Audio Interface
This option selects how LMMS outputs sound.
On macOS and Windows, SDL is the recommended interface.
Dummy (no sound output): This option disables audio output.
ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture)*:
With this interface, you can choose Devices and Channels.
JACK (JACK Audio Connection Kit)†:
With this interface, you can choose Clients and Channels.
OSS (the Open Sound System)*:
With this interface, you can choose Devices and Channels.
PortAudio:
With this interface, you can choose Backends and Devices.
SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer):
SDL only has one option, a text box where you can specify the device. If you leave this blank, a device will be selected automatically.
* This setting is only available on Linux operating systems.
† This setting is only available on Linux and macOS operating systems.
MIDI Settings
MIDI Interface
This option selects how LMMS receives MIDI input.
Dummy (no MIDI support):
This option disables MIDI support.
WinMM MIDI*
Apple MIDI†
Jack-MIDI‡:
Jack-MIDI only has one option, a text box where you can specify the device. This is
lmmsby default.
* This setting is only available on Windows operating systems.
† This setting is only available on macOS operating systems.
‡ This setting is only available on Linux and macOS operating systems.
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