Inactive and Reactive plugin

2020-12-28 21:11:06.971Z

How would one go about Inactivating plugin on insert 1, wait for it to inactivate, and then re-activate it again?

Why i need this:
I use EQ3 in preview mode whilst listening sweeping the EQ bands, and this often promps a bug in pro tools, which inables one to move several bands, and so you have to inactivate the plugin, and then reactivate it in order to make it function again / for some reason Avid have choosen not fix the bug, ever..

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Deactivate multiple plugins on a single PT track...

15 replies

There are 15 replies. Estimated reading time: 17 minutes

samuel henriques @samuel_henriques

2020-12-29 10:23:12.720Z

Hello @Emil_Woxen,

try this,

sf.ui.proTools.appActivateMainWindow();

const insertA = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.groups.whoseTitle.is('Inserts A-E').first.buttons.whoseTitle.is('Insert Assignment A').first

insertA.popupMenuSelect({
    isRightClick: true,
    menuPath: ["Make Inactive"],
    targetValue: "Enable",
});

insertA.popupMenuSelect({
    isRightClick: true,
    menuPath: ["Make Active"],
    targetValue: "Enable",
});

Reply 1 Like

samuel henriques @samuel_henriques

2020-12-29 10:27:29.167Z

this one is faster, but could be less stable

const insertA = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.groups.whoseTitle.is('Inserts A-E').first.buttons.whoseTitle.is('Insert Assignment A').first.mouseClickElement({
    isCommand:true,
    isControl:true,
    clickCount:2
})

In reply tosamuel_henriques⬆:
EEmil Woxen @Emil_Woxen
2020-12-29 11:11:21.309Z
It's perfect! Thank you so much!

Stupid bug has been hunting me for years, and it seems like they're never gonna fix it..
Reply 1 Like

In reply toEmil_Woxen⬆:

Dean Landon @Dean

2025-05-19 07:17:38.354Z

Hi Samuel,

I tested your first script and it successfully deactivated and activated all 10 plugins on my inserts. I copied lines 3 to 9 ten times, updating each to target the appropriate inserts from A through J.

The issue I'm running into is that not all of my Pro Tools sessions have exactly 10 plugins on the inserts—each session varies. When that happens, SoundFlow throws an error.

Is there a way to modify the script so it dynamically adjusts based on how many plugins are present, and only tries to activate or deactivate the ones that exist?

Thanks so much!

Chad Wahlbrink @Chad

SoundFlow

2025-05-19 16:46:04.714Z

Hi, @Dean,

This should do the trick for you:


if (!sf.ui.proTools.isRunning) throw `Pro Tools is not running`;

sf.ui.proTools.appActivateMainWindow();
sf.ui.proTools.mainWindow.invalidate();

/**
 * Activate or Deactivate Inserts
 * @param {'Activate'|'Deactivate'} activateOrDeactivate
 */
function activateOrdeactivateActiveInserts(activateOrDeactivate) {
    let inserts;

    if (activateOrDeactivate == 'Deactivate') {
        // Array of Active Inserts - Inserts are active when value is "" or "open", otherwise "inactive",  "inactive and open", "unassigned"
        inserts = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.invalidate().insertSelectorButtons.filter(x => x.value.value == "" || x.value.value == "open").map(x => x.title.value).map(x => x.slice(-1));
    } else if (activateOrDeactivate == 'Activate') {
        // Array of Active Inserts - Inserts are active when value is "" or "open", otherwise "inactive",  "inactive and open", "unassigned"
        inserts = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.invalidate().insertSelectorButtons.filter(x => x.value.value == "inactive" || x.value.value == "inactive and open" ).map(x => x.title.value).map(x => x.slice(-1));
    }

    // Filter Insert Buttons by Active Inserts
    let insertButtons = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.invalidate().insertButtons.filter(insert => inserts.includes(insert.title.value.slice(-1)));

    // Deactivate each Active Insert 
    insertButtons.forEach(i => i.mouseClickElement({ isControl: true, isCommand: true }))
}

activateOrdeactivateActiveInserts('Deactivate');
activateOrdeactivateActiveInserts('Activate');

D
In reply toEmil_Woxen⬆:
Dean Landon @Dean
2025-05-19 17:21:24.644Z
Hi Chad,

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.

Last night, my brother and I experimented with this command, and it worked. This is the activate command, and I have a similar deactivate command.

Should I include your command above or below mine, or is your command sufficient?

Thanks again!

sf.ui.proTools.appActivateMainWindow();

const insertA = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.groups.whoseTitle.is('Inserts A-E').first.buttons.whoseTitle.is('Insert Assignment A').first

insertA.popupMenuSelect({
isRightClick: true,
menuPath: ["Make Active"],
targetValue: "Enable",
});
const insertB = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.groups.whoseTitle.is('Inserts A-E').first.buttons.whoseTitle.is('Insert Assignment B').first

insertB.popupMenuSelect({
isRightClick: true,
menuPath: ["Make Active"],
targetValue: "Enable",
});
const insertC = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.groups.whoseTitle.is('Inserts A-E').first.buttons.whoseTitle.is('Insert Assignment C').first

insertC.popupMenuSelect({
isRightClick: true,
menuPath: ["Make Active"],
targetValue: "Enable",
});
const insertD = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.groups.whoseTitle.is('Inserts A-E').first.buttons.whoseTitle.is('Insert Assignment D').first

insertD.popupMenuSelect({
isRightClick: true,
menuPath: ["Make Active"],
targetValue: "Enable",
});
const insertE = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.groups.whoseTitle.is('Inserts A-E').first.buttons.whoseTitle.is('Insert Assignment E').first

insertE.popupMenuSelect({
isRightClick: true,
menuPath: ["Make Active"],
targetValue: "Enable",
});
const insertF = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.groups.whoseTitle.is('Inserts F-J').first.buttons.whoseTitle.is('Insert Assignment F').first

insertF.popupMenuSelect({
isRightClick: true,
menuPath: ["Make Active"],
targetValue: "Enable",
});
const insertG = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.groups.whoseTitle.is('Inserts F-J').first.buttons.whoseTitle.is('Insert Assignment G').first

insertG.popupMenuSelect({
isRightClick: true,
menuPath: ["Make Active"],
targetValue: "Enable",
});
const insertH = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.groups.whoseTitle.is('Inserts F-J').first.buttons.whoseTitle.is('Insert Assignment H').first

insertH.popupMenuSelect({
isRightClick: true,
menuPath: ["Make Active"],
targetValue: "Enable",
});
const insertI = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.groups.whoseTitle.is('Inserts F-J').first.buttons.whoseTitle.is('Insert Assignment I').first

insertI.popupMenuSelect({
isRightClick: true,
menuPath: ["Make Active"],
targetValue: "Enable",
});
const insertJ = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.groups.whoseTitle.is('Inserts F-J').first.buttons.whoseTitle.is('Insert Assignment J').first

insertJ.popupMenuSelect({
isRightClick: true,
menuPath: ["Make Active"],
targetValue: "Enable",
});
Reply
1. Chad Wahlbrink @Chad
  SoundFlow
  2025-05-19 18:18:24.572Z
  Your script would work if the inserts were in all 10 slots. However, it would fail if any of those slots were missing inserts.
  
  For sharing code in the forum, view this tutorial:
  How to quote code in the SoundFlow forum.
  Reply

In reply toEmil_Woxen⬆:

Dean Landon @Dean

2025-05-19 17:28:46.017Z

Hey Chad,

I tried your command, and it activates immediately after it deactivates.

Could you please guide me on how to create one or the other? I’m quite new to this. :)

Thanks a lot!

Chad Wahlbrink @Chad

SoundFlow

2025-05-19 18:14:48.432Z

Hi, @Dean,

You can control this via the line with:

activateOrdeactivateActiveInserts('Activate');

Line 28 in this script:

if (!sf.ui.proTools.isRunning) throw `Pro Tools is not running`;

sf.ui.proTools.appActivateMainWindow();
sf.ui.proTools.mainWindow.invalidate();

/**
 * Activate or Deactivate Inserts
 * @param {'Activate'|'Deactivate'} activateOrDeactivate
 */
function activateOrdeactivateActiveInserts(activateOrDeactivate) {
    let inserts;

    if (activateOrDeactivate == 'Deactivate') {
        // Array of Active Inserts - Inserts are active when value is "" or "open", otherwise "inactive",  "inactive and open", "unassigned"
        inserts = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.invalidate().insertSelectorButtons.filter(x => x.value.value == "" || x.value.value == "open").map(x => x.title.value).map(x => x.slice(-1));
    } else if (activateOrDeactivate == 'Activate') {
        // Array of Active Inserts - Inserts are active when value is "" or "open", otherwise "inactive",  "inactive and open", "unassigned"
        inserts = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.invalidate().insertSelectorButtons.filter(x => x.value.value == "inactive" || x.value.value == "inactive and open" ).map(x => x.title.value).map(x => x.slice(-1));
    }

    // Filter Insert Buttons by Active Inserts
    let insertButtons = sf.ui.proTools.selectedTrack.invalidate().insertButtons.filter(insert => inserts.includes(insert.title.value.slice(-1)));

    // Deactivate each Active Insert 
    insertButtons.forEach(i => i.mouseClickElement({ isControl: true, isCommand: true }))
}

activateOrdeactivateActiveInserts('Activate');

Chad Wahlbrink @Chad
- SoundFlow
2025-05-19 18:15:19.687Z
@Dean, for deactivate, you would just change line 28 to:
```
activateOrdeactivateActiveInserts('Deactivate');
```
Reply

D
In reply toEmil_Woxen⬆:
Dean Landon @Dean
2025-05-19 21:22:49.247Z
Hi Chad, thanks again for the help.

When I "Activate" the 5 plugins on the inserts, I get this failed message. Am I missing something?

Thanks again!
Reply
1. Chad Wahlbrink @Chad
  SoundFlow
  2025-05-19 21:49:45.526Z
  Hi, @Dean,
  
  Are you saying it fails when you use the script to activate five inserts?
  
  The only thing I will note is that this specific script does not play well if the tracks are set to "mini" or "micro." Otherwise, this script seems to work as expected for me.
  
  It might be best to ask this question using the "Script or Macro Help Workflow":
  https://soundflow.org/docs/help#script-help
  
  This would allow me to make sure we are using the same code and there isn't a system-specific error happening. This short video explains how to ask for help and upload information in this way:
  https://youtu.be/H3eeKvUIx7g
  
  Thanks, Dean.
  Reply
D
In reply toEmil_Woxen⬆:
Dean Landon @Dean
2025-05-19 21:54:54.270Z
Hi Chad,

I never use Mini or Micro. Most of my Instr tracks are Small, but this particular track is always Medium.

I'll post my question where you suggested.

Thanks again!
Reply 1 Like
D
In reply toEmil_Woxen⬆:
Dean Landon @Dean
2025-05-19 22:39:34.920Z
All done Chad. Thanks

Activating or Deactivating all plugins on a single track.
Title Activating or Deactivating all plugins on a single track. What do you expect to happen when you run the script/macro? Hi, I route my Pro Tools tracks through an AUX track that contains my mastering plugins. Depending on the session, this AUX tr...
Reply
1. Chad Wahlbrink @Chad
  SoundFlow
  2025-05-20 14:43:32.267Z
  Posting here for anyone who is curious, more stable code for this is here:
  
  Activating or Deactivating all plugins on a single track. #post-2
  Hi, @Dean, Thanks for this! Okay, let's try a similar method to the one I shared before, but let's try using the right-click menu, like you are in your version, instead of the mouse-click action I was using previously. Let me know if this helps. if ...
  Reply

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