diff --git a/include/DummyEffect.h b/include/DummyEffect.h
index e2e649ab5..718cdc1a1 100644
--- a/include/DummyEffect.h
+++ b/include/DummyEffect.h
@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@ public:
 		m_originalPluginData( originalPluginData )
 	{
 		setName();
+		setDontRun(true);
 	}
 
 	~DummyEffect() override = default;
@@ -107,9 +108,9 @@ public:
 		return &m_controls;
 	}
 
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame*, const fpp_t ) override
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame*, const fpp_t) override
 	{
-		return false;
+		return -1.0;
 	}
 
 	const QDomElement& originalPluginData() const
diff --git a/include/Effect.h b/include/Effect.h
index 34f8be00a..322969047 100644
--- a/include/Effect.h
+++ b/include/Effect.h
@@ -63,9 +63,8 @@ public:
 		return "effect";
 	}
 
-	
-	virtual bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
-						const fpp_t _frames ) = 0;
+	//! Returns true if audio was processed and should continue being processed
+	bool processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames);
 
 	inline ch_cnt_t processorCount() const
 	{
@@ -175,13 +174,19 @@ public:
 
 protected:
 	/**
-		Effects should call this at the end of audio processing
+	 * The main audio processing method that runs when plugin is not asleep
+	 *
+	 * Returns the RMS output sum for use by `checkGate`,
+	 * or -1.0 if `checkGate` should not be called
+	 */
+	virtual double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) = 0;
+
+	/**
+	 * Optional method that runs when plugin is sleeping (not enabled,
+	 * not running, not in the Okay state, or in the Don't Run state)
+	 */
+	virtual void sleepImpl() {}
 
-		If the setting "Keep effects running even without input" is disabled,
-		after "decay" ms of a signal below "gate", the effect is turned off
-		and won't be processed again until it receives new audio input
-	*/
-	void checkGate( double _out_sum );
 
 	gui::PluginView* instantiateView( QWidget * ) override;
 
@@ -212,6 +217,16 @@ protected:
 
 
 private:
+	/**
+		Effects should call this at the end of audio processing
+
+		If the setting "Keep effects running even without input" is disabled,
+		after "decay" ms of a signal below "gate", the effect is turned off
+		and won't be processed again until it receives new audio input
+	*/
+	void checkGate( double _out_sum );
+
+
 	EffectChain * m_parent;
 	void resample( int _i, const SampleFrame* _src_buf,
 					sample_rate_t _src_sr,
diff --git a/plugins/Amplifier/Amplifier.cpp b/plugins/Amplifier/Amplifier.cpp
index 2f4e57f77..005b1e44f 100644
--- a/plugins/Amplifier/Amplifier.cpp
+++ b/plugins/Amplifier/Amplifier.cpp
@@ -57,10 +57,8 @@ AmplifierEffect::AmplifierEffect(Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatu
 }
 
 
-bool AmplifierEffect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
+double AmplifierEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if (!isEnabled() || !isRunning()) { return false ; }
-
 	double outSum = 0.0;
 	const float d = dryLevel();
 	const float w = wetLevel();
@@ -90,9 +88,7 @@ bool AmplifierEffect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 		outSum += currentFrame.sumOfSquaredAmplitudes();
 	}
 
-	checkGate(outSum / frames);
-
-	return isRunning();
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/Amplifier/Amplifier.h b/plugins/Amplifier/Amplifier.h
index 8be938001..6c8abac8d 100644
--- a/plugins/Amplifier/Amplifier.h
+++ b/plugins/Amplifier/Amplifier.h
@@ -37,7 +37,8 @@ class AmplifierEffect : public Effect
 public:
 	AmplifierEffect(Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key* key);
 	~AmplifierEffect() override = default;
-	bool processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls* controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/BassBooster/BassBooster.cpp b/plugins/BassBooster/BassBooster.cpp
index f12fd6ace..36684ac12 100644
--- a/plugins/BassBooster/BassBooster.cpp
+++ b/plugins/BassBooster/BassBooster.cpp
@@ -69,12 +69,8 @@ BassBoosterEffect::BassBoosterEffect( Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPlugin
 
 
 
-bool BassBoosterEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
+double BassBoosterEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning () )
-	{
-		return( false );
-	}
 	// check out changed controls
 	if( m_frequencyChangeNeeded || m_bbControls.m_freqModel.isValueChanged() )
 	{
@@ -106,9 +102,7 @@ bool BassBoosterEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames
 		outSum += currentFrame.sumOfSquaredAmplitudes();
 	}
 
-	checkGate( outSum / frames );
-
-	return isRunning();
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/BassBooster/BassBooster.h b/plugins/BassBooster/BassBooster.h
index 64c4e354d..73b8c9822 100644
--- a/plugins/BassBooster/BassBooster.h
+++ b/plugins/BassBooster/BassBooster.h
@@ -38,7 +38,8 @@ class BassBoosterEffect : public Effect
 public:
 	BassBoosterEffect( Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key* key );
 	~BassBoosterEffect() override = default;
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames ) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls* controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/Bitcrush/Bitcrush.cpp b/plugins/Bitcrush/Bitcrush.cpp
index ea1c43acb..2cac638a5 100644
--- a/plugins/Bitcrush/Bitcrush.cpp
+++ b/plugins/Bitcrush/Bitcrush.cpp
@@ -100,13 +100,8 @@ inline float BitcrushEffect::noise( float amt )
 	return fastRandf( amt * 2.0f ) - amt;
 }
 
-bool BitcrushEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
+double BitcrushEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning () )
-	{
-		return( false );
-	}
-
 	// update values
 	if( m_needsUpdate || m_controls.m_rateEnabled.isValueChanged() )
 	{
@@ -236,12 +231,10 @@ bool BitcrushEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
 		}
 		buf[f][0] = d * buf[f][0] + w * qBound( -m_outClip, lsum, m_outClip ) * m_outGain;
 		buf[f][1] = d * buf[f][1] + w * qBound( -m_outClip, rsum, m_outClip ) * m_outGain;
-		outSum += buf[f][0]*buf[f][0] + buf[f][1]*buf[f][1];
+		outSum += buf[f][0] * buf[f][0] + buf[f][1] * buf[f][1];
 	}
 
-	checkGate( outSum / frames );
-
-	return isRunning();
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/Bitcrush/Bitcrush.h b/plugins/Bitcrush/Bitcrush.h
index 009c7c02d..e1280a973 100644
--- a/plugins/Bitcrush/Bitcrush.h
+++ b/plugins/Bitcrush/Bitcrush.h
@@ -41,13 +41,14 @@ class BitcrushEffect : public Effect
 public:
 	BitcrushEffect( Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key* key );
 	~BitcrushEffect() override;
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames ) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls* controls() override
 	{
 		return &m_controls;
 	}
-	
+
 private:
 	void sampleRateChanged();
 	float depthCrush( float in );
diff --git a/plugins/Compressor/Compressor.cpp b/plugins/Compressor/Compressor.cpp
index c04893361..0d05ae538 100755
--- a/plugins/Compressor/Compressor.cpp
+++ b/plugins/Compressor/Compressor.cpp
@@ -233,31 +233,11 @@ void CompressorEffect::calcMix()
 
 
 
-bool CompressorEffect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
+double CompressorEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if (!isEnabled() || !isRunning())
-	{
-		// Clear lookahead buffers and other values when needed
-		if (!m_cleanedBuffers)
-		{
-			m_yL[0] = m_yL[1] = COMP_NOISE_FLOOR;
-			m_gainResult[0] = m_gainResult[1] = 1;
-			m_displayPeak[0] = m_displayPeak[1] = COMP_NOISE_FLOOR;
-			m_displayGain[0] = m_displayGain[1] = COMP_NOISE_FLOOR;
-			std::fill(std::begin(m_scLookBuf[0]), std::end(m_scLookBuf[0]), COMP_NOISE_FLOOR);
-			std::fill(std::begin(m_scLookBuf[1]), std::end(m_scLookBuf[1]), COMP_NOISE_FLOOR);
-			std::fill(std::begin(m_inLookBuf[0]), std::end(m_inLookBuf[0]), 0);
-			std::fill(std::begin(m_inLookBuf[1]), std::end(m_inLookBuf[1]), 0);
-			m_cleanedBuffers = true;
-		}
-		return false;
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		m_cleanedBuffers = false;
-	}
+	m_cleanedBuffers = false;
 
-	float outSum = 0.0;
+	double outSum = 0.0;
 	const float d = dryLevel();
 	const float w = wetLevel();
 
@@ -526,15 +506,30 @@ bool CompressorEffect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 		rOutPeak = s[1] > rOutPeak ? s[1] : rOutPeak;
 	}
 
-	checkGate(outSum / frames);
 	m_compressorControls.m_outPeakL = lOutPeak;
 	m_compressorControls.m_outPeakR = rOutPeak;
 	m_compressorControls.m_inPeakL = lInPeak;
 	m_compressorControls.m_inPeakR = rInPeak;
 
-	return isRunning();
+	return outSum;
 }
 
+void CompressorEffect::sleepImpl()
+{
+	// Clear lookahead buffers and other values when needed
+	if (!m_cleanedBuffers)
+	{
+		m_yL[0] = m_yL[1] = COMP_NOISE_FLOOR;
+		m_gainResult[0] = m_gainResult[1] = 1;
+		m_displayPeak[0] = m_displayPeak[1] = COMP_NOISE_FLOOR;
+		m_displayGain[0] = m_displayGain[1] = COMP_NOISE_FLOOR;
+		std::fill(std::begin(m_scLookBuf[0]), std::end(m_scLookBuf[0]), COMP_NOISE_FLOOR);
+		std::fill(std::begin(m_scLookBuf[1]), std::end(m_scLookBuf[1]), COMP_NOISE_FLOOR);
+		std::fill(std::begin(m_inLookBuf[0]), std::end(m_inLookBuf[0]), 0);
+		std::fill(std::begin(m_inLookBuf[1]), std::end(m_inLookBuf[1]), 0);
+		m_cleanedBuffers = true;
+	}
+}
 
 // Regular modulo doesn't handle negative numbers correctly.  This does.
 inline int CompressorEffect::realmod(int k, int n)
diff --git a/plugins/Compressor/Compressor.h b/plugins/Compressor/Compressor.h
index af322de97..89e1fc12b 100755
--- a/plugins/Compressor/Compressor.h
+++ b/plugins/Compressor/Compressor.h
@@ -43,7 +43,9 @@ class CompressorEffect : public Effect
 public:
 	CompressorEffect(Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key* key);
 	~CompressorEffect() override = default;
-	bool processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
+	void sleepImpl() override;
 
 	EffectControls* controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/CrossoverEQ/CrossoverEQ.cpp b/plugins/CrossoverEQ/CrossoverEQ.cpp
index 2142d040c..f7f83a1c9 100644
--- a/plugins/CrossoverEQ/CrossoverEQ.cpp
+++ b/plugins/CrossoverEQ/CrossoverEQ.cpp
@@ -89,13 +89,8 @@ void CrossoverEQEffect::sampleRateChanged()
 }
 
 
-bool CrossoverEQEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
+double CrossoverEQEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning () )
-	{
-		return( false );
-	}
-	
 	// filters update
 	if( m_needsUpdate || m_controls.m_xover12.isValueChanged() )
 	{
@@ -199,10 +194,8 @@ bool CrossoverEQEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames
 		buf[f][1] = d * buf[f][1] + w * m_work[f][1];
 		outSum += buf[f][0] * buf[f][0] + buf[f][1] * buf[f][1];
 	}
-	
-	checkGate( outSum / frames );
-	
-	return isRunning();
+
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 void CrossoverEQEffect::clearFilterHistories()
diff --git a/plugins/CrossoverEQ/CrossoverEQ.h b/plugins/CrossoverEQ/CrossoverEQ.h
index 078e51c21..c11e11dc4 100644
--- a/plugins/CrossoverEQ/CrossoverEQ.h
+++ b/plugins/CrossoverEQ/CrossoverEQ.h
@@ -40,7 +40,8 @@ class CrossoverEQEffect : public Effect
 public:
 	CrossoverEQEffect( Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key* key );
 	~CrossoverEQEffect() override;
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames ) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls* controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/Delay/DelayEffect.cpp b/plugins/Delay/DelayEffect.cpp
index 4e90c0fa8..06cc7aba8 100644
--- a/plugins/Delay/DelayEffect.cpp
+++ b/plugins/Delay/DelayEffect.cpp
@@ -81,12 +81,8 @@ DelayEffect::~DelayEffect()
 
 
 
-bool DelayEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
+double DelayEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning () )
-	{
-		return( false );
-	}
 	double outSum = 0.0;
 	const float sr = Engine::audioEngine()->outputSampleRate();
 	const float d = dryLevel();
@@ -143,11 +139,11 @@ bool DelayEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
 		lfoTimePtr += lfoTimeInc;
 		feedbackPtr += feedbackInc;
 	}
-	checkGate( outSum / frames );
+
 	m_delayControls.m_outPeakL = peak.left();
 	m_delayControls.m_outPeakR = peak.right();
 
-	return isRunning();
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 void DelayEffect::changeSampleRate()
diff --git a/plugins/Delay/DelayEffect.h b/plugins/Delay/DelayEffect.h
index b7e2cfef0..f62638872 100644
--- a/plugins/Delay/DelayEffect.h
+++ b/plugins/Delay/DelayEffect.h
@@ -39,7 +39,9 @@ class DelayEffect : public Effect
 public:
 	DelayEffect(Model* parent , const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key* key );
 	~DelayEffect() override;
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames ) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
+
 	EffectControls* controls() override
 	{
 		return &m_delayControls;
diff --git a/plugins/Dispersion/Dispersion.cpp b/plugins/Dispersion/Dispersion.cpp
index a2fada615..64cde0e22 100644
--- a/plugins/Dispersion/Dispersion.cpp
+++ b/plugins/Dispersion/Dispersion.cpp
@@ -58,13 +58,8 @@ DispersionEffect::DispersionEffect(Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFea
 }
 
 
-bool DispersionEffect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
+double DispersionEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if (!isEnabled() || !isRunning())
-	{
-		return false;
-	}
-
 	double outSum = 0.0;
 	const float d = dryLevel();
 	const float w = wetLevel();
@@ -125,8 +120,7 @@ bool DispersionEffect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 		outSum += buf[f][0] * buf[f][0] + buf[f][1] * buf[f][1];
 	}
 
-	checkGate(outSum / frames);
-	return isRunning();
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/Dispersion/Dispersion.h b/plugins/Dispersion/Dispersion.h
index e3d5d4b5c..cfac487d2 100644
--- a/plugins/Dispersion/Dispersion.h
+++ b/plugins/Dispersion/Dispersion.h
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ class DispersionEffect : public Effect
 public:
 	DispersionEffect(Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key* key);
 	~DispersionEffect() override = default;
-	bool processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls* controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/DualFilter/DualFilter.cpp b/plugins/DualFilter/DualFilter.cpp
index b337e1003..b396de1a2 100644
--- a/plugins/DualFilter/DualFilter.cpp
+++ b/plugins/DualFilter/DualFilter.cpp
@@ -77,23 +77,18 @@ DualFilterEffect::~DualFilterEffect()
 
 
 
-bool DualFilterEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
+double DualFilterEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning () )
-	{
-		return( false );
-	}
-
 	double outSum = 0.0;
 	const float d = dryLevel();
 	const float w = wetLevel();
 
-    if( m_dfControls.m_filter1Model.isValueChanged() || m_filter1changed )
+	if( m_dfControls.m_filter1Model.isValueChanged() || m_filter1changed )
 	{
 		m_filter1->setFilterType( static_cast<BasicFilters<2>::FilterType>(m_dfControls.m_filter1Model.value()) );
 		m_filter1changed = true;
 	}
-    if( m_dfControls.m_filter2Model.isValueChanged() || m_filter2changed )
+	if( m_dfControls.m_filter2Model.isValueChanged() || m_filter2changed )
 	{
 		m_filter2->setFilterType( static_cast<BasicFilters<2>::FilterType>(m_dfControls.m_filter2Model.value()) );
 		m_filter2changed = true;
@@ -213,9 +208,7 @@ bool DualFilterEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames
 		mixPtr += mixInc;
 	}
 
-	checkGate( outSum / frames );
-
-	return isRunning();
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 void DualFilterEffect::onEnabledChanged()
diff --git a/plugins/DualFilter/DualFilter.h b/plugins/DualFilter/DualFilter.h
index 6c53f61ef..ca46383ba 100644
--- a/plugins/DualFilter/DualFilter.h
+++ b/plugins/DualFilter/DualFilter.h
@@ -40,7 +40,8 @@ class DualFilterEffect : public Effect
 public:
 	DualFilterEffect( Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key* key );
 	~DualFilterEffect() override;
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames ) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls* controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/DynamicsProcessor/DynamicsProcessor.cpp b/plugins/DynamicsProcessor/DynamicsProcessor.cpp
index 5b251a6f0..2436bfd33 100644
--- a/plugins/DynamicsProcessor/DynamicsProcessor.cpp
+++ b/plugins/DynamicsProcessor/DynamicsProcessor.cpp
@@ -91,15 +91,8 @@ inline void DynProcEffect::calcRelease()
 }
 
 
-bool DynProcEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
-							const fpp_t _frames )
+double DynProcEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning () )
-	{
-//apparently we can't keep running after the decay value runs out so we'll just set the peaks to zero
-		m_currentPeak[0] = m_currentPeak[1] = DYN_NOISE_FLOOR;
-		return( false );
-	}
 	//qDebug( "%f %f", m_currentPeak[0], m_currentPeak[1] );
 
 // variables for effect
@@ -140,9 +133,9 @@ bool DynProcEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
 		}
 	}
 
-	for( fpp_t f = 0; f < _frames; ++f )
+	for (fpp_t f = 0; f < frames; ++f)
 	{
-		auto s = std::array{_buf[f][0], _buf[f][1]};
+		auto s = std::array{buf[f][0], buf[f][1]};
 
 // apply input gain
 		s[0] *= inputGain;
@@ -210,17 +203,19 @@ bool DynProcEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
 		s[1] *= outputGain;
 
 // mix wet/dry signals
-		_buf[f][0] = d * _buf[f][0] + w * s[0];
-		_buf[f][1] = d * _buf[f][1] + w * s[1];
-		out_sum += _buf[f][0] * _buf[f][0] + _buf[f][1] * _buf[f][1];
+		buf[f][0] = d * buf[f][0] + w * s[0];
+		buf[f][1] = d * buf[f][1] + w * s[1];
+		out_sum += buf[f][0] * buf[f][0] + buf[f][1] * buf[f][1];
 	}
 
-	checkGate( out_sum / _frames );
-
-	return( isRunning() );
+	return out_sum;
 }
 
-
+void DynProcEffect::sleepImpl()
+{
+	// Apparently we can't keep running after the decay value runs out so we'll just set the peaks to zero
+	m_currentPeak[0] = m_currentPeak[1] = DYN_NOISE_FLOOR;
+}
 
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/DynamicsProcessor/DynamicsProcessor.h b/plugins/DynamicsProcessor/DynamicsProcessor.h
index 970690d8d..f46489952 100644
--- a/plugins/DynamicsProcessor/DynamicsProcessor.h
+++ b/plugins/DynamicsProcessor/DynamicsProcessor.h
@@ -42,8 +42,9 @@ public:
 	DynProcEffect( Model * _parent,
 			const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key * _key );
 	~DynProcEffect() override;
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
-							const fpp_t _frames ) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
+	void sleepImpl() override;
 
 	EffectControls * controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/Eq/EqEffect.cpp b/plugins/Eq/EqEffect.cpp
index 662b85a8e..52dad6ee5 100644
--- a/plugins/Eq/EqEffect.cpp
+++ b/plugins/Eq/EqEffect.cpp
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ EqEffect::EqEffect( Model *parent, const Plugin::Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::
 
 
 
-bool EqEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
+double EqEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
 	const int sampleRate = Engine::audioEngine()->outputSampleRate();
 
@@ -131,13 +131,6 @@ bool EqEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
 	m_lp481.setParameters( sampleRate, lpFreq, lpRes, 1 );
 
 
-
-
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning () )
-	{
-		return( false );
-	}
-
 	if( m_eqControls.m_outGainModel.isValueChanged() )
 	{
 		m_outGain = dbfsToAmp(m_eqControls.m_outGainModel.value());
@@ -151,9 +144,9 @@ bool EqEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
 	m_eqControls.m_inProgress = true;
 	double outSum = 0.0;
 
-	for( fpp_t f = 0; f < frames; ++f )
+	for (fpp_t f = 0; f < frames; ++f)
 	{
-		outSum += buf[f][0]*buf[f][0] + buf[f][1]*buf[f][1];
+		outSum += buf[f][0] * buf[f][0] + buf[f][1] * buf[f][1];
 	}
 
 	const float outGain =  m_outGain;
@@ -268,8 +261,6 @@ bool EqEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
 	m_eqControls.m_outPeakL = m_eqControls.m_outPeakL < outPeak[0] ? outPeak[0] : m_eqControls.m_outPeakL;
 	m_eqControls.m_outPeakR = m_eqControls.m_outPeakR < outPeak[1] ? outPeak[1] : m_eqControls.m_outPeakR;
 
-	checkGate( outSum / frames );
-
 	if(m_eqControls.m_analyseOutModel.value( true ) && outSum > 0 && m_eqControls.isViewVisible() )
 	{
 		m_eqControls.m_outFftBands.analyze( buf, frames );
@@ -281,7 +272,8 @@ bool EqEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
 	}
 
 	m_eqControls.m_inProgress = false;
-	return isRunning();
+
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/Eq/EqEffect.h b/plugins/Eq/EqEffect.h
index ca0ebb1b9..a97d1ddea 100644
--- a/plugins/Eq/EqEffect.h
+++ b/plugins/Eq/EqEffect.h
@@ -40,7 +40,9 @@ class EqEffect : public Effect
 public:
 	EqEffect( Model * parent , const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key * key );
 	~EqEffect() override = default;
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames ) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
+
 	EffectControls * controls() override
 	{
 		return &m_eqControls;
diff --git a/plugins/Flanger/FlangerEffect.cpp b/plugins/Flanger/FlangerEffect.cpp
index 184df161e..7ffe26c70 100644
--- a/plugins/Flanger/FlangerEffect.cpp
+++ b/plugins/Flanger/FlangerEffect.cpp
@@ -85,12 +85,8 @@ FlangerEffect::~FlangerEffect()
 
 
 
-bool FlangerEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
+double FlangerEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning () )
-	{
-		return( false );
-	}
 	double outSum = 0.0;
 	const float d = dryLevel();
 	const float w = wetLevel();
@@ -127,10 +123,10 @@ bool FlangerEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
 
 		buf[f][0] = ( d * dryS[0] ) + ( w * buf[f][0] );
 		buf[f][1] = ( d * dryS[1] ) + ( w * buf[f][1] );
-		outSum += buf[f][0]*buf[f][0] + buf[f][1]*buf[f][1];
+		outSum += buf[f][0] * buf[f][0] + buf[f][1] * buf[f][1];
 	}
-	checkGate( outSum / frames );
-	return isRunning();
+
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/Flanger/FlangerEffect.h b/plugins/Flanger/FlangerEffect.h
index 4b0246e7e..387d62d00 100644
--- a/plugins/Flanger/FlangerEffect.h
+++ b/plugins/Flanger/FlangerEffect.h
@@ -41,7 +41,9 @@ class FlangerEffect : public Effect
 public:
 	FlangerEffect( Model* parent , const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key* key );
 	~FlangerEffect() override;
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames ) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
+
 	EffectControls* controls() override
 	{
 		return &m_flangerControls;
diff --git a/plugins/GranularPitchShifter/GranularPitchShifterEffect.cpp b/plugins/GranularPitchShifter/GranularPitchShifterEffect.cpp
index 2b182991f..bceecf9f5 100755
--- a/plugins/GranularPitchShifter/GranularPitchShifterEffect.cpp
+++ b/plugins/GranularPitchShifter/GranularPitchShifterEffect.cpp
@@ -60,10 +60,8 @@ GranularPitchShifterEffect::GranularPitchShifterEffect(Model* parent, const Desc
 }
 
 
-bool GranularPitchShifterEffect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
+double GranularPitchShifterEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if (!isEnabled() || !isRunning()) { return false; }
-
 	const float d = dryLevel();
 	const float w = wetLevel();
 	
@@ -93,6 +91,7 @@ bool GranularPitchShifterEffect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_
 	const float shapeK = cosWindowApproxK(shape);
 	const int sizeSamples = m_sampleRate / size;
 	const float waitMult = sizeSamples / (density * 2);
+	double outSum = 0.0;
 
 	for (fpp_t f = 0; f < frames; ++f)
 	{
@@ -237,6 +236,7 @@ bool GranularPitchShifterEffect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_
 			
 		buf[f][0] = d * buf[f][0] + w * s[0];
 		buf[f][1] = d * buf[f][1] + w * s[1];
+		outSum += buf[f].sumOfSquaredAmplitudes();
 	}
 	
 	if (m_sampleRateNeedsUpdate)
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ bool GranularPitchShifterEffect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_
 		changeSampleRate();
 	}
 
-	return isRunning();
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 void GranularPitchShifterEffect::changeSampleRate()
diff --git a/plugins/GranularPitchShifter/GranularPitchShifterEffect.h b/plugins/GranularPitchShifter/GranularPitchShifterEffect.h
index 0f94168b7..5700772ea 100755
--- a/plugins/GranularPitchShifter/GranularPitchShifterEffect.h
+++ b/plugins/GranularPitchShifter/GranularPitchShifterEffect.h
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ class GranularPitchShifterEffect : public Effect
 public:
 	GranularPitchShifterEffect(Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key* key);
 	~GranularPitchShifterEffect() override = default;
-	bool processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls* controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/LOMM/LOMM.cpp b/plugins/LOMM/LOMM.cpp
index 7c4574cd1..5d8fc7147 100644
--- a/plugins/LOMM/LOMM.cpp
+++ b/plugins/LOMM/LOMM.cpp
@@ -101,13 +101,8 @@ void LOMMEffect::changeSampleRate()
 }
 
 
-bool LOMMEffect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
+double LOMMEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if (!isEnabled() || !isRunning())
-	{
-		return false;
-	}
-	
 	if (m_needsUpdate || m_lommControls.m_split1Model.isValueChanged())
 	{
 		m_lp1.setLowpass(m_lommControls.m_split1Model.value());
@@ -121,7 +116,7 @@ bool LOMMEffect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 	}
 	m_needsUpdate = false;
 
-	float outSum = 0.f;
+	double outSum = 0.0;
 	const float d = dryLevel();
 	const float w = wetLevel();
 	
@@ -423,11 +418,10 @@ bool LOMMEffect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 
 		buf[f][0] = d * buf[f][0] + w * s[0];
 		buf[f][1] = d * buf[f][1] + w * s[1];
-		outSum += buf[f][0] + buf[f][1];
+		outSum += buf[f].sumOfSquaredAmplitudes();
 	}
 
-	checkGate(outSum / frames);
-	return isRunning();
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 extern "C"
diff --git a/plugins/LOMM/LOMM.h b/plugins/LOMM/LOMM.h
index 783233c5f..3dc5c77ce 100644
--- a/plugins/LOMM/LOMM.h
+++ b/plugins/LOMM/LOMM.h
@@ -45,7 +45,8 @@ class LOMMEffect : public Effect
 public:
 	LOMMEffect(Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key* key);
 	~LOMMEffect() override = default;
-	bool processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls* controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/LadspaEffect/LadspaEffect.cpp b/plugins/LadspaEffect/LadspaEffect.cpp
index 75c79ad21..6c3b8fbbd 100644
--- a/plugins/LadspaEffect/LadspaEffect.cpp
+++ b/plugins/LadspaEffect/LadspaEffect.cpp
@@ -129,26 +129,20 @@ void LadspaEffect::changeSampleRate()
 
 
 
-bool LadspaEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
-							const fpp_t _frames )
+double LadspaEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
 	m_pluginMutex.lock();
-	if( !isOkay() || dontRun() || !isRunning() || !isEnabled() )
-	{
-		m_pluginMutex.unlock();
-		return( false );
-	}
 
-	auto frames = _frames;
-	SampleFrame* o_buf = nullptr;
-	QVarLengthArray<SampleFrame> sBuf(_frames);
+	auto outFrames = frames;
+	SampleFrame* outBuf = nullptr;
+	QVarLengthArray<SampleFrame> sBuf(frames);
 
 	if( m_maxSampleRate < Engine::audioEngine()->outputSampleRate() )
 	{
-		o_buf = _buf;
-		_buf = sBuf.data();
-		sampleDown( o_buf, _buf, m_maxSampleRate );
-		frames = _frames * m_maxSampleRate /
+		outBuf = buf;
+		buf = sBuf.data();
+		sampleDown(outBuf, buf, m_maxSampleRate);
+		outFrames = frames * m_maxSampleRate /
 				Engine::audioEngine()->outputSampleRate();
 	}
 
@@ -163,11 +157,9 @@ bool LadspaEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
 			switch( pp->rate )
 			{
 				case BufferRate::ChannelIn:
-					for( fpp_t frame = 0;
-						frame < frames; ++frame )
+					for (fpp_t frame = 0; frame < outFrames; ++frame)
 					{
-						pp->buffer[frame] =
-							_buf[frame][channel];
+						pp->buffer[frame] = buf[frame][channel];
 					}
 					++channel;
 					break;
@@ -176,7 +168,7 @@ bool LadspaEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
 					ValueBuffer * vb = pp->control->valueBuffer();
 					if( vb )
 					{
-						memcpy( pp->buffer, vb->values(), frames * sizeof(float) );
+						memcpy(pp->buffer, vb->values(), outFrames * sizeof(float));
 					}
 					else
 					{
@@ -185,11 +177,9 @@ bool LadspaEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
 						// This only supports control rate ports, so the audio rates are
 						// treated as though they were control rate by setting the
 						// port buffer to all the same value.
-						for( fpp_t frame = 0;
-							frame < frames; ++frame )
+						for (fpp_t frame = 0; frame < outFrames; ++frame)
 						{
-							pp->buffer[frame] =
-								pp->value;
+							pp->buffer[frame] = pp->value;
 						}
 					}
 					break;
@@ -218,7 +208,7 @@ bool LadspaEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
 	// Process the buffers.
 	for( ch_cnt_t proc = 0; proc < processorCount(); ++proc )
 	{
-		(m_descriptor->run)( m_handles[proc], frames );
+		(m_descriptor->run)(m_handles[proc], outFrames);
 	}
 
 	// Copy the LADSPA output buffers to the LMMS buffer.
@@ -238,11 +228,9 @@ bool LadspaEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
 				case BufferRate::ControlRateInput:
 					break;
 				case BufferRate::ChannelOut:
-					for( fpp_t frame = 0;
-						frame < frames; ++frame )
+					for (fpp_t frame = 0; frame < outFrames; ++frame)
 					{
-						_buf[frame][channel] = d * _buf[frame][channel] + w * pp->buffer[frame];
-						out_sum += _buf[frame][channel] * _buf[frame][channel];
+						buf[frame][channel] = d * buf[frame][channel] + w * pp->buffer[frame];
 					}
 					++channel;
 					break;
@@ -255,17 +243,19 @@ bool LadspaEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
 		}
 	}
 
-	if( o_buf != nullptr )
+	if (outBuf != nullptr)
 	{
-		sampleBack( _buf, o_buf, m_maxSampleRate );
+		sampleBack(buf, outBuf, m_maxSampleRate);
 	}
 
-	checkGate( out_sum / frames );
+	for (fpp_t frame = 0; frame < frames; ++frame)
+	{
+		out_sum += buf[frame].sumOfSquaredAmplitudes();
+	}
 
-
-	bool is_running = isRunning();
 	m_pluginMutex.unlock();
-	return( is_running );
+
+	return out_sum;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/LadspaEffect/LadspaEffect.h b/plugins/LadspaEffect/LadspaEffect.h
index d5b93d4e2..8bd4195e7 100644
--- a/plugins/LadspaEffect/LadspaEffect.h
+++ b/plugins/LadspaEffect/LadspaEffect.h
@@ -47,9 +47,8 @@ public:
 			const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key * _key );
 	~LadspaEffect() override;
 
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
-							const fpp_t _frames ) override;
-	
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
+
 	void setControl( int _control, LADSPA_Data _data );
 
 	EffectControls * controls() override
diff --git a/plugins/Lv2Effect/Lv2Effect.cpp b/plugins/Lv2Effect/Lv2Effect.cpp
index d6b89a229..4df40b60f 100644
--- a/plugins/Lv2Effect/Lv2Effect.cpp
+++ b/plugins/Lv2Effect/Lv2Effect.cpp
@@ -68,9 +68,8 @@ Lv2Effect::Lv2Effect(Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key *ke
 
 
 
-bool Lv2Effect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
+double Lv2Effect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if (!isEnabled() || !isRunning()) { return false; }
 	Q_ASSERT(frames <= static_cast<fpp_t>(m_tmpOutputSmps.size()));
 
 	m_controls.copyBuffersFromLmms(buf, frames);
@@ -95,9 +94,8 @@ bool Lv2Effect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 		auto r = static_cast<double>(buf[f][1]);
 		outSum += l*l + r*r;
 	}
-	checkGate(outSum / frames);
 
-	return isRunning();
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/Lv2Effect/Lv2Effect.h b/plugins/Lv2Effect/Lv2Effect.h
index bc81eb590..882a57fa8 100644
--- a/plugins/Lv2Effect/Lv2Effect.h
+++ b/plugins/Lv2Effect/Lv2Effect.h
@@ -42,7 +42,8 @@ public:
 	*/
 	Lv2Effect(Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key* _key);
 
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames ) override;
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
+
 	EffectControls* controls() override { return &m_controls; }
 
 	Lv2FxControls* lv2Controls() { return &m_controls; }
diff --git a/plugins/MultitapEcho/MultitapEcho.cpp b/plugins/MultitapEcho/MultitapEcho.cpp
index ecc1d8f30..14795601f 100644
--- a/plugins/MultitapEcho/MultitapEcho.cpp
+++ b/plugins/MultitapEcho/MultitapEcho.cpp
@@ -94,13 +94,8 @@ void MultitapEchoEffect::runFilter( SampleFrame* dst, SampleFrame* src, StereoOn
 }
 
 
-bool MultitapEchoEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
+double MultitapEchoEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning () )
-	{
-		return( false );
-	}
-	
 	double outSum = 0.0;
 	const float d = dryLevel();
 	const float w = wetLevel();
@@ -158,10 +153,8 @@ bool MultitapEchoEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frame
 		buf[f][1] = d * buf[f][1] + w * m_work[f][1];
 		outSum += buf[f][0]*buf[f][0] + buf[f][1]*buf[f][1];
 	}
-	
-	checkGate( outSum / frames );
 
-	return isRunning();	
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/MultitapEcho/MultitapEcho.h b/plugins/MultitapEcho/MultitapEcho.h
index d6e981fbd..a0e00ad73 100644
--- a/plugins/MultitapEcho/MultitapEcho.h
+++ b/plugins/MultitapEcho/MultitapEcho.h
@@ -40,7 +40,8 @@ class MultitapEchoEffect : public Effect
 public:
 	MultitapEchoEffect( Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key* key );
 	~MultitapEchoEffect() override;
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames ) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls* controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/PeakControllerEffect/PeakControllerEffect.cpp b/plugins/PeakControllerEffect/PeakControllerEffect.cpp
index 886036095..f58972bea 100644
--- a/plugins/PeakControllerEffect/PeakControllerEffect.cpp
+++ b/plugins/PeakControllerEffect/PeakControllerEffect.cpp
@@ -93,37 +93,29 @@ PeakControllerEffect::~PeakControllerEffect()
 }
 
 
-bool PeakControllerEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
-							const fpp_t _frames )
+double PeakControllerEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
 	PeakControllerEffectControls & c = m_peakControls;
 
-	// This appears to be used for determining whether or not to continue processing
-	// audio with this effect	
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning() )
-	{
-		return false;
-	}
-
 	// RMS:
 	double sum = 0;
 
 	if( c.m_absModel.value() )
 	{
-		for (auto i = std::size_t{0}; i < _frames; ++i)
+		for (auto i = std::size_t{0}; i < frames; ++i)
 		{
 			// absolute value is achieved because the squares are > 0
-			sum += _buf[i][0]*_buf[i][0] + _buf[i][1]*_buf[i][1];
+			sum += buf[i][0] * buf[i][0] + buf[i][1] * buf[i][1];
 		}
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		for (auto i = std::size_t{0}; i < _frames; ++i)
+		for (auto i = std::size_t{0}; i < frames; ++i)
 		{
 			// the value is absolute because of squaring,
 			// so we need to correct it
-			sum += _buf[i][0] * _buf[i][0] * sign( _buf[i][0] )
-				+ _buf[i][1] * _buf[i][1] * sign( _buf[i][1] );
+			sum += buf[i][0] * buf[i][0] * sign(buf[i][0])
+				+ buf[i][1] * buf[i][1] * sign(buf[i][1]);
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -131,19 +123,19 @@ bool PeakControllerEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
 	// this will mute the output after the values were measured
 	if( c.m_muteModel.value() )
 	{
-		for (auto i = std::size_t{0}; i < _frames; ++i)
+		for (auto i = std::size_t{0}; i < frames; ++i)
 		{
-			_buf[i][0] = _buf[i][1] = 0.0f;
+			buf[i][0] = buf[i][1] = 0.0f;
 		}
 	}
 
-	float curRMS = sqrt_neg( sum / _frames );
+	float curRMS = sqrt_neg( sum / frames );
 	const float tres = c.m_tresholdModel.value();
 	const float amount = c.m_amountModel.value() * c.m_amountMultModel.value();
 	curRMS = qAbs( curRMS ) < tres ? 0.0f : curRMS;
 	m_lastSample = qBound( 0.0f, c.m_baseModel.value() + amount * curRMS, 1.0f );
 
-	return isRunning();
+	return -1.0;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/PeakControllerEffect/PeakControllerEffect.h b/plugins/PeakControllerEffect/PeakControllerEffect.h
index dc6e507f3..47122d25f 100644
--- a/plugins/PeakControllerEffect/PeakControllerEffect.h
+++ b/plugins/PeakControllerEffect/PeakControllerEffect.h
@@ -41,8 +41,8 @@ public:
 	PeakControllerEffect( Model * parent, 
 						const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key * _key );
 	~PeakControllerEffect() override;
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
-									const fpp_t _frames ) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls * controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/ReverbSC/ReverbSC.cpp b/plugins/ReverbSC/ReverbSC.cpp
index 2def88d1d..9ca93f927 100644
--- a/plugins/ReverbSC/ReverbSC.cpp
+++ b/plugins/ReverbSC/ReverbSC.cpp
@@ -75,13 +75,8 @@ ReverbSCEffect::~ReverbSCEffect()
 	sp_destroy(&sp);
 }
 
-bool ReverbSCEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
+double ReverbSCEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning () )
-	{
-		return( false );
-	}
-
 	double outSum = 0.0;
 	const float d = dryLevel();
 	const float w = wetLevel();
@@ -120,13 +115,10 @@ bool ReverbSCEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames )
 		buf[f][0] = d * buf[f][0] + w * dcblkL * outGain;
 		buf[f][1] = d * buf[f][1] + w * dcblkR * outGain;
 
-		outSum += buf[f][0]*buf[f][0] + buf[f][1]*buf[f][1];
+		outSum += buf[f][0] * buf[f][0] + buf[f][1] * buf[f][1];
 	}
 
-
-	checkGate( outSum / frames );
-
-	return isRunning();
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 void ReverbSCEffect::changeSampleRate()
diff --git a/plugins/ReverbSC/ReverbSC.h b/plugins/ReverbSC/ReverbSC.h
index f3c196f5b..a5c47ac8e 100644
--- a/plugins/ReverbSC/ReverbSC.h
+++ b/plugins/ReverbSC/ReverbSC.h
@@ -45,7 +45,8 @@ class ReverbSCEffect : public Effect
 public:
 	ReverbSCEffect( Model* parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key* key );
 	~ReverbSCEffect() override;
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames ) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls* controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/SpectrumAnalyzer/Analyzer.cpp b/plugins/SpectrumAnalyzer/Analyzer.cpp
index dc2108eb9..2298f6722 100644
--- a/plugins/SpectrumAnalyzer/Analyzer.cpp
+++ b/plugins/SpectrumAnalyzer/Analyzer.cpp
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ Analyzer::~Analyzer()
 }
 
 // Take audio data and pass them to the spectrum processor.
-bool Analyzer::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buffer, const fpp_t frame_count)
+double Analyzer::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
 	// Measure time spent in audio thread; both average and peak should be well under 1 ms.
 	#ifdef SA_DEBUG
@@ -91,14 +91,12 @@ bool Analyzer::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buffer, const fpp_t frame_count)
 		}
 	#endif
 
-	if (!isEnabled() || !isRunning ()) {return false;}
-
 	// Skip processing if the controls dialog isn't visible, it would only waste CPU cycles.
 	if (m_controls.isViewVisible())
 	{
 		// To avoid processing spikes on audio thread, data are stored in
 		// a lockless ringbuffer and processed in a separate thread.
-		m_inputBuffer.write(buffer, frame_count, true);
+		m_inputBuffer.write(buf, frames, true);
 	}
 	#ifdef SA_DEBUG
 		audio_time = std::chrono::high_resolution_clock::now().time_since_epoch().count() - audio_time;
@@ -107,7 +105,7 @@ bool Analyzer::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buffer, const fpp_t frame_count)
 		if (audio_time / 1000000.0 > m_max_execution) {m_max_execution = audio_time / 1000000.0;}
 	#endif
 
-	return isRunning();
+	return -1.0;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/SpectrumAnalyzer/Analyzer.h b/plugins/SpectrumAnalyzer/Analyzer.h
index da87ffd35..a47621bc6 100644
--- a/plugins/SpectrumAnalyzer/Analyzer.h
+++ b/plugins/SpectrumAnalyzer/Analyzer.h
@@ -45,7 +45,8 @@ public:
 	Analyzer(Model *parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key *key);
 	~Analyzer() override;
 
-	bool processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buffer, const fpp_t frame_count) override;
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
+
 	EffectControls *controls() override {return &m_controls;}
 
 	SaProcessor *getProcessor() {return &m_processor;}
diff --git a/plugins/StereoEnhancer/StereoEnhancer.cpp b/plugins/StereoEnhancer/StereoEnhancer.cpp
index 261c897df..a96d86376 100644
--- a/plugins/StereoEnhancer/StereoEnhancer.cpp
+++ b/plugins/StereoEnhancer/StereoEnhancer.cpp
@@ -82,28 +82,21 @@ StereoEnhancerEffect::~StereoEnhancerEffect()
 
 
 
-bool StereoEnhancerEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
-							const fpp_t _frames )
+double StereoEnhancerEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-
 	// This appears to be used for determining whether or not to continue processing
 	// audio with this effect
 	double out_sum = 0.0;
 
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning() )
-	{
-		return( false );
-	}
-
 	const float d = dryLevel();
 	const float w = wetLevel();
 
-	for( fpp_t f = 0; f < _frames; ++f )
+	for( fpp_t f = 0; f < frames; ++f )
 	{
 
 		// copy samples into the delay buffer
-		m_delayBuffer[m_currFrame][0] = _buf[f][0];
-		m_delayBuffer[m_currFrame][1] = _buf[f][1];
+		m_delayBuffer[m_currFrame][0] = buf[f][0];
+		m_delayBuffer[m_currFrame][1] = buf[f][1];
 
 		// Get the width knob value from the Stereo Enhancer effect
 		float width = m_seFX.wideCoeff();
@@ -118,26 +111,25 @@ bool StereoEnhancerEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
 		}
 
 		//sample_t s[2] = { _buf[f][0], _buf[f][1] };	//Vanilla
-		auto s = std::array{_buf[f][0], m_delayBuffer[frameIndex][1]};	//Chocolate
+		auto s = std::array{buf[f][0], m_delayBuffer[frameIndex][1]};	//Chocolate
 
 		m_seFX.nextSample( s[0], s[1] );
 
-		_buf[f][0] = d * _buf[f][0] + w * s[0];
-		_buf[f][1] = d * _buf[f][1] + w * s[1];
-		out_sum += _buf[f][0]*_buf[f][0] + _buf[f][1]*_buf[f][1];
+		buf[f][0] = d * buf[f][0] + w * s[0];
+		buf[f][1] = d * buf[f][1] + w * s[1];
+		out_sum += buf[f][0] * buf[f][0] + buf[f][1] * buf[f][1];
 
 		// Update currFrame
 		m_currFrame += 1;
 		m_currFrame %= DEFAULT_BUFFER_SIZE;
 	}
 
-	checkGate( out_sum / _frames );
 	if( !isRunning() )
 	{
 		clearMyBuffer();
 	}
 
-	return( isRunning() );
+	return out_sum;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/StereoEnhancer/StereoEnhancer.h b/plugins/StereoEnhancer/StereoEnhancer.h
index 861187f8f..3f59aa784 100644
--- a/plugins/StereoEnhancer/StereoEnhancer.h
+++ b/plugins/StereoEnhancer/StereoEnhancer.h
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ public:
 	StereoEnhancerEffect( Model * parent,
 	                      const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key * _key );
 	~StereoEnhancerEffect() override;
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
-		                                          const fpp_t _frames ) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls * controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/StereoMatrix/StereoMatrix.cpp b/plugins/StereoMatrix/StereoMatrix.cpp
index c4384fddd..c56e740ad 100644
--- a/plugins/StereoMatrix/StereoMatrix.cpp
+++ b/plugins/StereoMatrix/StereoMatrix.cpp
@@ -64,44 +64,33 @@ StereoMatrixEffect::StereoMatrixEffect(
 
 
 
-bool StereoMatrixEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
-							const fpp_t _frames )
+double StereoMatrixEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	
-	// This appears to be used for determining whether or not to continue processing
-	// audio with this effect	
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning() )
-	{
-		return( false );
-	}
-
 	double out_sum = 0.0;
 
-	for( fpp_t f = 0; f < _frames; ++f )
+	for( fpp_t f = 0; f < frames; ++f )
 	{	
 		const float d = dryLevel();
 		const float w = wetLevel();
 		
-		sample_t l = _buf[f][0];
-		sample_t r = _buf[f][1];
+		sample_t l = buf[f][0];
+		sample_t r = buf[f][1];
 
 		// Init with dry-mix
-		_buf[f][0] = l * d;
-		_buf[f][1] = r * d;
+		buf[f][0] = l * d;
+		buf[f][1] = r * d;
 
 		// Add it wet
-		_buf[f][0] += ( m_smControls.m_llModel.value( f ) * l  +
+		buf[f][0] += ( m_smControls.m_llModel.value( f ) * l  +
 					m_smControls.m_rlModel.value( f ) * r ) * w;
 
-		_buf[f][1] += ( m_smControls.m_lrModel.value( f ) * l  +
+		buf[f][1] += ( m_smControls.m_lrModel.value( f ) * l  +
 					m_smControls.m_rrModel.value( f ) * r ) * w;
-		out_sum += _buf[f][0]*_buf[f][0] + _buf[f][1]*_buf[f][1];
+		out_sum += buf[f][0] * buf[f][0] + buf[f][1] * buf[f][1];
 
 	}
 
-	checkGate( out_sum / _frames );
-
-	return( isRunning() );
+	return out_sum;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/StereoMatrix/StereoMatrix.h b/plugins/StereoMatrix/StereoMatrix.h
index a254264f8..5e3d8190c 100644
--- a/plugins/StereoMatrix/StereoMatrix.h
+++ b/plugins/StereoMatrix/StereoMatrix.h
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ public:
 	StereoMatrixEffect( Model * parent, 
 	                      const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key * _key );
 	~StereoMatrixEffect() override = default;
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
-		                                          const fpp_t _frames ) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls* controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/Vectorscope/Vectorscope.cpp b/plugins/Vectorscope/Vectorscope.cpp
index c94eb5d28..63e2b7f6d 100644
--- a/plugins/Vectorscope/Vectorscope.cpp
+++ b/plugins/Vectorscope/Vectorscope.cpp
@@ -58,18 +58,17 @@ Vectorscope::Vectorscope(Model *parent, const Plugin::Descriptor::SubPluginFeatu
 
 
 // Take audio data and store them for processing and display in the GUI thread.
-bool Vectorscope::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buffer, const fpp_t frame_count)
+double Vectorscope::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if (!isEnabled() || !isRunning ()) {return false;}
-
 	// Skip processing if the controls dialog isn't visible, it would only waste CPU cycles.
 	if (m_controls.isViewVisible())
 	{
 		// To avoid processing spikes on audio thread, data are stored in
 		// a lockless ringbuffer and processed in a separate thread.
-		m_inputBuffer.write(buffer, frame_count);
+		m_inputBuffer.write(buf, frames);
 	}
-	return isRunning();
+
+	return -1.0;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/Vectorscope/Vectorscope.h b/plugins/Vectorscope/Vectorscope.h
index 66d20e639..9d8cb70ff 100644
--- a/plugins/Vectorscope/Vectorscope.h
+++ b/plugins/Vectorscope/Vectorscope.h
@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ public:
 	Vectorscope(Model *parent, const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key *key);
 	~Vectorscope() override = default;
 
-	bool processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buffer, const fpp_t frame_count) override;
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
+
 	EffectControls *controls() override {return &m_controls;}
 	LocklessRingBuffer<SampleFrame> *getBuffer() {return &m_inputBuffer;}
 
diff --git a/plugins/VstEffect/VstEffect.cpp b/plugins/VstEffect/VstEffect.cpp
index ecb8240c8..a06f2188d 100644
--- a/plugins/VstEffect/VstEffect.cpp
+++ b/plugins/VstEffect/VstEffect.cpp
@@ -71,51 +71,37 @@ VstEffect::VstEffect( Model * _parent,
 	}
 	setDisplayName( m_key.attributes["file"].section( ".dll", 0, 0 ).isEmpty()
 		? m_key.name : m_key.attributes["file"].section( ".dll", 0, 0 ) );
+
+	setDontRun(true);
 }
 
 
 
 
-bool VstEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf, const fpp_t _frames )
+double VstEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning () )
+	assert(m_plugin != nullptr);
+	assert(frames <= DEFAULT_BUFFER_SIZE);
+	static thread_local auto tempBuf = std::array<SampleFrame, DEFAULT_BUFFER_SIZE>();
+
+	std::memcpy(tempBuf.data(), buf, sizeof(SampleFrame) * frames);
+	if (m_pluginMutex.tryLock(Engine::getSong()->isExporting() ? -1 : 0))
 	{
-		return false;
+		m_plugin->process(tempBuf.data(), tempBuf.data());
+		m_pluginMutex.unlock();
 	}
 
-	if( m_plugin )
+	double outSum = 0.0;
+	const float w = wetLevel();
+	const float d = dryLevel();
+	for (fpp_t f = 0; f < frames; ++f)
 	{
-		const float d = dryLevel();
-#ifdef __GNUC__
-		SampleFrame buf[_frames];
-#else
-		SampleFrame* buf = new SampleFrame[_frames];
-#endif
-		memcpy( buf, _buf, sizeof( SampleFrame ) * _frames );
-		if (m_pluginMutex.tryLock(Engine::getSong()->isExporting() ? -1 : 0))
-		{
-			m_plugin->process( buf, buf );
-			m_pluginMutex.unlock();
-		}
-
-		double out_sum = 0.0;
-		const float w = wetLevel();
-		for( fpp_t f = 0; f < _frames; ++f )
-		{
-			_buf[f][0] = w*buf[f][0] + d*_buf[f][0];
-			_buf[f][1] = w*buf[f][1] + d*_buf[f][1];
-		}
-		for( fpp_t f = 0; f < _frames; ++f )
-		{
-			out_sum += _buf[f][0]*_buf[f][0] + _buf[f][1]*_buf[f][1];
-		}
-#ifndef __GNUC__
-		delete[] buf;
-#endif
-
-		checkGate( out_sum / _frames );
+		buf[f][0] = w * tempBuf[f][0] + d * buf[f][0];
+		buf[f][1] = w * tempBuf[f][1] + d * buf[f][1];
+		outSum += buf[f][0] * buf[f][0] + buf[f][1] * buf[f][1];
 	}
-	return isRunning();
+
+	return outSum;
 }
 
 
@@ -137,11 +123,13 @@ void VstEffect::openPlugin( const QString & _plugin )
 	if( m_plugin->failed() )
 	{
 		m_plugin.clear();
+		setDontRun(true);
 		delete tf;
 		collectErrorForUI( VstPlugin::tr( "The VST plugin %1 could not be loaded." ).arg( _plugin ) );
 		return;
 	}
 
+	setDontRun(false);
 	delete tf;
 
 	m_key.attributes["file"] = _plugin;
diff --git a/plugins/VstEffect/VstEffect.h b/plugins/VstEffect/VstEffect.h
index c3f6e8091..121891760 100644
--- a/plugins/VstEffect/VstEffect.h
+++ b/plugins/VstEffect/VstEffect.h
@@ -45,8 +45,7 @@ public:
 			const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key * _key );
 	~VstEffect() override = default;
 
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
-							const fpp_t _frames ) override;
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls * controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/plugins/WaveShaper/WaveShaper.cpp b/plugins/WaveShaper/WaveShaper.cpp
index 373785408..1be6aa9ee 100644
--- a/plugins/WaveShaper/WaveShaper.cpp
+++ b/plugins/WaveShaper/WaveShaper.cpp
@@ -66,14 +66,8 @@ WaveShaperEffect::WaveShaperEffect( Model * _parent,
 
 
 
-bool WaveShaperEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
-							const fpp_t _frames )
+double WaveShaperEffect::processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
 {
-	if( !isEnabled() || !isRunning () )
-	{
-		return( false );
-	}
-
 // variables for effect
 	int i = 0;
 
@@ -94,9 +88,9 @@ bool WaveShaperEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
 	const float *inputPtr = inputBuffer ? &( inputBuffer->values()[ 0 ] ) : &input;
 	const float *outputPtr = outputBufer ? &( outputBufer->values()[ 0 ] ) : &output;
 
-	for( fpp_t f = 0; f < _frames; ++f )
+	for (fpp_t f = 0; f < frames; ++f)
 	{
-		auto s = std::array{_buf[f][0], _buf[f][1]};
+		auto s = std::array{buf[f][0], buf[f][1]};
 
 // apply input gain
 		s[0] *= *inputPtr;
@@ -138,17 +132,15 @@ bool WaveShaperEffect::processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
 		s[1] *= *outputPtr;
 
 // mix wet/dry signals
-		_buf[f][0] = d * _buf[f][0] + w * s[0];
-		_buf[f][1] = d * _buf[f][1] + w * s[1];
-		out_sum += _buf[f][0] * _buf[f][0] + _buf[f][1] * _buf[f][1];
+		buf[f][0] = d * buf[f][0] + w * s[0];
+		buf[f][1] = d * buf[f][1] + w * s[1];
+		out_sum += buf[f][0] * buf[f][0] + buf[f][1] * buf[f][1];
 
 		outputPtr += outputInc;
 		inputPtr += inputInc;
 	}
 
-	checkGate( out_sum / _frames );
-
-	return( isRunning() );
+	return out_sum;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/plugins/WaveShaper/WaveShaper.h b/plugins/WaveShaper/WaveShaper.h
index 4c9d6e962..e300a0ba2 100644
--- a/plugins/WaveShaper/WaveShaper.h
+++ b/plugins/WaveShaper/WaveShaper.h
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ public:
 	WaveShaperEffect( Model * _parent,
 			const Descriptor::SubPluginFeatures::Key * _key );
 	~WaveShaperEffect() override = default;
-	bool processAudioBuffer( SampleFrame* _buf,
-							const fpp_t _frames ) override;
+
+	double processImpl(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames) override;
 
 	EffectControls * controls() override
 	{
diff --git a/src/core/Effect.cpp b/src/core/Effect.cpp
index b6b284051..e321d917d 100644
--- a/src/core/Effect.cpp
+++ b/src/core/Effect.cpp
@@ -122,6 +122,25 @@ void Effect::loadSettings( const QDomElement & _this )
 
 
 
+bool Effect::processAudioBuffer(SampleFrame* buf, const fpp_t frames)
+{
+	if (!isOkay() || dontRun() || !isEnabled() || !isRunning())
+	{
+		sleepImpl();
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	const auto outSum = processImpl(buf, frames);
+	if (outSum >= 0)
+	{
+		checkGate(outSum / frames);
+	}
+
+	return isRunning();
+}
+
+
+
 
 Effect * Effect::instantiate( const QString& pluginName,
 				Model * _parent,