How the mixer works

The idea

DARA adds virtual playback and recording devices to Windows. Route an app to a channel, process it, and send it to one or more mixes at independent levels.

Channels

A channel is a strip: a colored bar at the top, a name, the apps routed into it, its plugin rack, and its sends at the bottom.

• Application channels carry one or more programs.
• Hardware input channels carry a physical input, a microphone or an interface.
• MIDI channels carry an instrument you play.

Double-click a channel name to rename it. Use the chevron to collapse it, and assign a color to make it easy to find.

Routing apps

Under App routing, the + tile lists what is currently playing. Pick a program to add it to the channel. Drag its tile to another strip to move it. Apps you do not route remain on the system channel.

Some apps manage their own audio output and may ignore Windows routing changes. If an app does not move, select the DARA device in that app or restart it.

The plugin rack

Each channel has its own processing chain. Select Add plugin, choose a built-in processor or compatible VST3 or CLAP plugin, and drag cards to reorder the chain. Select a card to open its controls.

Built-in processors offer simple and advanced controls. Plugin compatibility can vary.

Mix sends

A send controls how much of a channel reaches one bus. Give headphones, a stream, a recording, or a call its own level without changing the other mixes.

Setting a level

• Drag the fader to set the level.
• Double-click the track for unity, 0.0 dB.
• Click the number to type an exact value; -inf is accepted.
• The speaker icon mutes that one send, not the channel.

Master section

The right-hand column controls each bus. Use Faders for levels, Loudness for measurements, and Output to choose the physical device you hear.

Scenes

A scene saves your channels, routing, plugin chains, sends, master levels, and monitor state under one name. Switch scenes when your setup changes instead of rebuilding it.

MIDI & Stream Deck

To map a MIDI control, right-click a fader, choose Learn, and move the hardware control. The included Stream Deck plugin controls scenes, mutes, and send levels.

OBS, Discord and calls

Select a DARA recording device as the input in OBS, Discord, or a meeting app. Choose the bus made for that audience.

Settings

• Appearance. Choose a theme, typeface, and language.
• Keybinds. Reassign global shortcuts and open the shortcut reference.

Keyboard

Core mixer controls support keyboard input. With a fader focused:

The in-app shortcut sheet lists the rest, including scene switching and mutes.

Your license

One license works on two devices at a time. Activate DARA, view active devices, or release a device in Settings → License.

For activation and transfer limits, see the License Agreement.

The purchase confirmation page shows the key for 24 hours. The same key is sent to the email address used at checkout.

If you lose your key, contact support@daraaudio.com from the email address used at checkout and include the order number, or use self-service key recovery. Keep your license key private. If support asks for confirmation, send only the final four characters.

For anything else, the support page lists the details that help us diagnose a problem quickly.