Shared Memory Audio Bridge VST/AU
Aether is a plugin (VST3 on Windows, AudioUnit on macOS) that streams real-time audio from your DAW to TouchDesigner via shared memory. No network configuration, no routing headaches — just drop it on a track and your audio is instantly available.
How it works
Aether sits on any track as an audio effect. It passes your signal through untouched while writing it into TouchDesigner's native shared memory format. In TouchDesigner, a Shared Mem In CHOP picks it up by name — sub-millisecond, no configuration.
- Load Aether as an audio effect on any track
- Name your stream (or keep the default)
- In TouchDesigner, add a Shared Mem In CHOP with the same name
- Done. Your audio is streaming.
Aether passes your signal through untouched — your DAW mix is completely unaffected.
Important
Please note: Aether isn't designed for audio playback in TD (you are not meant to listen to the signal). It's designed to get enough audio data into TD for visualization, analysis, etc. You get a fresh window of audio every frame, which is not suitable for listening.
Key features
- Zero-latency passthrough — Your DAW signal chain is completely unaffected. Aether copies audio to shared memory without altering playback.
- Named streams — Run multiple instances with different stream names. Route your kick to one consumer, your master bus to another.
- TouchDesigner native — Works directly with the built-in Shared Mem In CHOP. Just enter the stream name and you're connected — no custom plugins or middleware.
- Configurable buffer — Choose between 512, 1024, or 2048 frames to balance latency against stability.
- Channel modes — Stream in stereo, mono left, mono right, or mono mix.
- At-a-glance monitoring — Stereo level meters with peak hold and a live streaming status indicator.
Built for
- Audiovisual artists sending live audio from Ableton to TouchDesigner for reactive visuals
- Live performers bridging their DAW to TouchDesigner without ASIO routing or virtual cables
System requirements
- Windows 10/11 (64-bit) — VST3
- macOS 10.15+ (Intel & Apple Silicon) — AudioUnit
- Any compatible DAW (Ableton Live, Bitwig, Reaper, Logic Pro, etc.)
Pricing
€15 Available on Gumroad and Patreon.
