1 Does MARS support real-time VST/AU plugins during recording or playback?
No. MARS does not support real-time VST, AU, or any other plugin formats. MARS is not a DAW and is not intended as a DAW replacement. MARS is a dedicated recorder focused on high-quality, multi-track audio recording playback and archiving. For plugin processing, you can export your tracks to your preferred DAW.
2 How does MARS ensure low-latency performance during recording sessions?
MARS delivers zero-latency monitoring during tracking - assuming you use a professional audio interface with direct (hardware) monitoring. In direct monitoring mode, MARS does not route live audio through the browser, so performers hear themselves without delay.
3 What measures are in place to prevent audio dropouts or glitches during long recording sessions?
During playback, recorded tracks are loaded into memory for smooth performance. While recording, audio streams from your sound card are buffered and saved incrementally to disk. This process protects your data integrity even under extreme conditions like sudden power loss, minimizing the risk of losing audio.
4 What sound card drivers are supported by MARS?
MARS supports audio interfaces using standard OS drivers: WASAPI or WDM on Windows, Core Audio on macOS, and ALSA or PipeWire-compatible drivers on Linux. This ensures broad compatibility across most devices.
5 Does MARS support ASIO drivers or ASIO-based sound cards?
Currently MARS does not support ASIO directly. However, most ASIO-compatible sound cards provide standard drivers that work with MARS for recording, playback, and zero-latency monitoring.
6 Are there any limitations when using MARS on low-powered devices or mobile browsers?
MARS imposes no built-in limitations, but performance depends on your device. Large projects will require more RAM and CPU. For smooth recording and playback, a capable desktop or laptop is recommended. Smaller projects can run well even on smartphones or tablets.
7 Why was MARS built using Web technologies?
Web technologies make MARS cross-platform, flexible to install on local or remote servers, and future-proof by relying on long-term backward-compatible standards. This maximizes accessibility and ensures your projects and audio remain intact for decades.
8 How can MARS guarantee that a project will still play in the distant future?
MARS uses open standards and backward-compatible technologies to store all data and audio files. There are no proprietary formats, special encodings or any other lock-ins involved. With a modern browser, you will be able to access, play and export your sessions and files exactly the same way - even decades from now.
9 Can I edit audio in MARS?
Yes. MARS offers advanced non-destructive editing features with unlimited history, while keeping your original files untouched. Edits are saved as instructions in the project file, and you can bounce edited clips to new audio files for simplified playback or export.
10 Is MARS open source?
Yes. MARS is fully open source and self-hostable. You can run it locally, modify the code, or host it on a private server and access it over the internet.