Ecasound Preset and Effect Algorithm Locations

Ecasound manages its default preset configurations and effect algorithms through a combination of global system files and user-specific override directories. This guide details the exact file system paths where Ecasound looks for its built-in effect presets, global configuration settings, user customizations, and external audio processing algorithms like LADSPA plugins.

System-Wide Default Presets

When installed across the operating system, Ecasound stores its master preset configuration definitions in the shared data directory. The standard location is:

  • /usr/share/ecasound/effect_presets (for package manager installations)
  • /usr/local/share/ecasound/effect_presets (for source-compiled installations)

This file defines the default preset algorithms, combining native operators, filters, and envelope controls into reusable audio processing templates. Global application defaults and resource parameters are stored in the system configuration file, typically located at /etc/ecasound/ecasoundrc or /usr/local/etc/ecasoundrc.

User-Specific Presets and Overrides

Users can override system defaults or define custom effect algorithms without root privileges. Ecasound checks the user's home directory upon execution:

  • Configuration directory: ~/.ecasound/
  • User presets file: ~/.ecasound/effect_presets
  • User runtime configuration: ~/.ecasound/ecasoundrc

If present, Ecasound reads ~/.ecasound/effect_presets after loading the system presets. Any custom presets defined here are appended to the active preset bank, and identical names override the system-wide counterparts.

Native and External Effect Algorithms

Ecasound categorizes its algorithms into internal routines and external plugin architectures:

  • Internal Algorithms: Core filters, delays, reverbs, and gain controllers are compiled directly into the libecasound binary libraries (typically situated in /usr/lib/ or /usr/lib64/). These serve as the underlying primitives referenced inside effect_presets.
  • LADSPA Algorithms: Complex external effect algorithms rely on the Linux Audio Developer's Simple Plugin API (LADSPA). Ecasound locates these dynamic libraries through the system's LADSPA_PATH environment variable. Common default directories include /usr/lib/ladspa/, /usr/local/lib/ladspa/, and /usr/lib64/ladspa/.