← All Q-SYS plugins
in partnership with 
Q-SYS Priority Ducker
The Priority Ducker monitors up to 16 priority audio inputs and a logic pin trigger, applying configurable gain attenuation across up to 48 target audio channels. It features a five-state state machine (Idle → Attacking → Ducked → Holding → Releasing) with smooth gain ramping, per-input priority levels, per-target duck amounts, and runtime-adjustable parameters.
AudioUtility
Choose license type
$179.99
Fully functional — purchase a license to activate.
Q-Sys Driver Licensein partnership with Screenshots
Overview
The Priority Ducker Q-SYS Plugin is a multi-input priority audio ducking engine with
embedded DSP. It monitors multiple priority audio inputs via RMS threshold detection
and/or a logic pin trigger, then attenuates one or more target channels based on
configurable per-input duck amounts and priority levels.
The plugin processes audio directly through embedded DSP components — priority
audio enters through dedicated input pins, passes through gain stages and RMS level
detection, and exits through priority output pins. Target audio passes through a statemachine-
driven ducking gain on the program path and into a per-target summing
mixer; the priority that is currently the active driver of that target's duck is also
routed into the mixer so it rides on top of the ducked program.
embedded DSP. It monitors multiple priority audio inputs via RMS threshold detection
and/or a logic pin trigger, then attenuates one or more target channels based on
configurable per-input duck amounts and priority levels.
The plugin processes audio directly through embedded DSP components — priority
audio enters through dedicated input pins, passes through gain stages and RMS level
detection, and exits through priority output pins. Target audio passes through a statemachine-
driven ducking gain on the program path and into a per-target summing
mixer; the priority that is currently the active driver of that target's duck is also
routed into the mixer so it rides on top of the ducked program.
Features
The Priority Ducker plugin provides smooth, predictable audio ducking triggered by priority audio inputs and/or a logic pin, designed for paging, announcements, and priority audio workflows.
Priority Input System
- Up to 16 Priority Audio Inputs: Each with independent threshold, gain, and priority level.
- Per-Input Threshold Detection: Automatic ducking when input audio exceeds a configurable threshold (−60 to 20 dB).
- Priority Levels: Lower-numbered priority levels take precedence when multiple inputs are active simultaneously (Priority 1 = highest). Higher-priority inputs duck lower-priority inputs using the same attack/hold/release envelope as target ducking.
- Embedded DSP Processing: Input gain (InGain), RMS level metering (Signal Detector), and output gain (PriorityGain) via embedded Q-SYS DSP components.
- Priority Audio Pass-Through: Priority audio inputs are passed through to dedicated output pins with gain control.
Logic Pin Trigger
- Logic Pin Input: Activate ducking from any Q-SYS logic source (GPIO, script, UCI button). Always highest priority.
- Maintained Mode: Duck stays active as long as the trigger is held.
- Pulse Mode: A momentary trigger initiates ducking for the configured hold duration.
- Polarity Selection: Active High or Active Low to match your trigger source.
- Visual Status: Active/Idle indicator with legend on the trigger button.
Ducking Control
- Per-Target Duck Amounts: Independent duck amount per target for each priority input and the logic pin.
- Configurable Duck Range: −60 to 0 dB relative attenuation per duck knob.
- Per-Cell Engage Matrix: Engage or disengage any priority→target route live without losing its pre-set duck level. Replaces multi-instance + external matrix-router workarounds. Disengaging cleanly stops both the duck action AND the priority audio at that target.
- Lock Duck: Link all duck amount knobs for uniform attenuation across all target/input combinations.
- Mute Lower Priority: Automatically mute lower-priority audio inputs when a higher-priority input is active.
- Up to 48 Targets: Control multiple gain blocks from a single plugin instance.
- Normal Gain Setting: Set the baseline gain (−20 to 20 dB).
Labels & Identification
- Friendly Input Names: Editable per-priority text label ("Page Mic", "Wireless Mic 1", "Background Music") shown in an "Input Names" strip on the Control page and exposed as the
InputLabelcontrol pin. - Friendly Output Names: Editable per-target text label ("Lobby", "Sports Bar", "Patio") shown next to each target card title and exposed as the
OutputLabelcontrol pin. - Defaults seeded to "Priority N" / "Target N" on first instantiation; persisted with the design after that.
Timing Envelope
- Attack Time: 0–5000 ms — how quickly the gain drops after trigger activates.
- Hold Time: 0–30000 ms — how long the duck remains after trigger deactivates (Pulse mode).
- Release Time: 0–10000 ms — how smoothly the gain returns to normal.
- 50 Hz Ramp Rate: Smooth gain transitions at 20 ms tick intervals.
State Machine
- 5 States: Idle → Attacking → Ducked → Holding → Releasing → Idle.
- Retrigger Support: Re-triggering during Hold restarts the hold timer; during Release interrupts and re-attacks.
- Clean Transitions: No abrupt clicks or discontinuities.
Signal Detection (Parameters Page)
- Real-Time Signal Detector: RMS level meter per input via embedded Level Meter (meter2) DSP component.
- Threshold Marker Overlay: Draggable threshold indicator overlaid on the signal detector meter, synced bidirectionally with the threshold knob.
- InGain Adjustment: Pre-detector gain trim per input, affects both signal detection sensitivity and audio output level.
Integration
- Enable/Bypass: Disable ducking without removing the plugin.
- Runtime Adjustable: All timing and gain parameters can be changed on the fly.
- Pin-Friendly: All controls, triggers, and gain outputs exposed as Q-SYS control pins.
- Status Display: Current state, attenuation level, trigger detection indicators per input.
- 4-Page UI: Control, Parameters, Device Setup, and About/Licensing pages.
Use Cases
- Paging microphone priority over background music
- Multi-source announcement priority routing
- Emergency alert priority override
- Conference room presenter priority
- Any audio-threshold or logic-triggered audio level management
Version history
v1.0.0Latest
Initial Release