bidule

Bidule is a French colloquial noun used as a placeholder to refer to an object whose name is unknown or unimportant in the moment. It functions similarly to English thingamajig or widget. The masculine form is un bidule, with the plural des bidules. Bidule is common in informal speech across many francophone regions and can convey playfulness or casual familiarity. Examples include “Passe-moi ce bidule” or “Votre bidule, là, il ne marche pas.”

Origin and usage: Bidule originated as a generic filler word in everyday conversation. It does not denote a specific item, and its meaning is inferred from context. It is typically avoided in formal writing but remains widespread in spoken language.

Bidule (software) is a modular real-time audio processing environment designed for musicians, producers, and researchers. It allows building signal-processing graphs by connecting modular blocks that handle audio, MIDI, and control data. The software can host VST plugins and route data between modules, supporting live performance, sound design, and experimental DSP workflows. Bidule is cross-platform, running on Windows and macOS, and emphasizes flexibility through a patching interface rather than fixed presets.

Developed by Plogue Art et Technologie, Bidule is used both in studio production and live setups, often as a modular host or as a lab tool for DSP experiments.