diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/lv2_external_ui.h b/gtk2_ardour/lv2_external_ui.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..242271e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/lv2_external_ui.h
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+/* -*- Mode: C ; c-basic-offset: 2 -*- */
+/*****************************************************************************
+ *
+ *  This work is in public domain.
+ *
+ *  This file is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *  but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *  MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
+ *
+ *  If you have questions, contact Nedko Arnaudov <nedko@arnaudov.name> or
+ *  ask in #lad channel, FreeNode IRC network.
+ *
+ *****************************************************************************/
+
+#ifndef LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_H__5AFE09A5_0FB7_47AF_924E_2AF0F8DE8873__INCLUDED
+#define LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_H__5AFE09A5_0FB7_47AF_924E_2AF0F8DE8873__INCLUDED
+
+/** UI extension suitable for out-of-process UIs */
+#define LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_URI "http://lv2plug.in/ns/extensions/ui#external"
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+#if 0
+} /* Adjust editor indent */
+#endif
+
+/**
+ * When LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_URI UI is instantiated, the returned
+ * LV2UI_Widget handle must be cast to pointer to struct lv2_external_ui.
+ * UI is created in invisible state.
+ */
+struct lv2_external_ui
+{
+  /**
+   * Host calls this function regulary. UI library implementing the
+   * callback may do IPC or redraw the UI.
+   *
+   * @param _this_ the UI context
+   */
+  void (* run)(struct lv2_external_ui * _this_);
+
+  /**
+   * Host calls this function to make the plugin UI visible.
+   *
+   * @param _this_ the UI context
+   */
+  void (* show)(struct lv2_external_ui * _this_);
+
+  /**
+   * Host calls this function to make the plugin UI invisible again.
+   *
+   * @param _this_ the UI context
+   */
+  void (* hide)(struct lv2_external_ui * _this_);
+};
+
+#define LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_RUN(ptr) (ptr)->run(ptr)
+#define LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_SHOW(ptr) (ptr)->show(ptr)
+#define LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_HIDE(ptr) (ptr)->hide(ptr)
+
+/**
+ * On UI instantiation, host must supply LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_URI
+ * feature. LV2_Feature::data must be pointer to struct lv2_external_ui_host. */
+struct lv2_external_ui_host
+{
+  /**
+   * Callback that plugin UI will call
+   * when UI (GUI window) is closed by user.
+   * This callback wil; be called during execution of lv2_external_ui::run()
+   * (i.e. not from background thread).
+   *
+   * After this callback is called, UI is defunct. Host must call
+   * LV2UI_Descriptor::cleanup(). If host wants to make the UI visible
+   * again UI must be reinstantiated.
+   *
+   * @param controller Host context associated with plugin UI, as
+   * supplied to LV2UI_Descriptor::instantiate()
+   */
+  void (* ui_closed)(LV2UI_Controller controller);
+
+  /**
+   * Optional (may be NULL) "user friendly" identifier which the UI
+   * may display to allow a user to easily associate this particular
+   * UI instance with the correct plugin instance as it is represented
+   * by the host (e.g. "track 1" or "channel 4").
+   *
+   * If supplied by host, the string will be referenced only during
+   * LV2UI_Descriptor::instantiate()
+   */
+  const char * plugin_human_id;
+};
+
+#if 0
+{ /* Adjust editor indent */
+#endif
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+} /* extern "C" */
+#endif
+
+#endif /* #ifndef LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_H__5AFE09A5_0FB7_47AF_924E_2AF0F8DE8873__INCLUDED */
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/lv2_plugin_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/lv2_plugin_ui.cc
index 26a7074..7fb2c87 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/lv2_plugin_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/lv2_plugin_ui.cc
@@ -28,6 +28,22 @@ using namespace Gtk;
 using namespace ARDOUR;
 using namespace PBD;
 
+std::vector<struct lv2_external_ui*> g_external_uis;
+
+void close_external_ui_windows()
+{
+	struct lv2_external_ui* external_ui_ptr;
+
+	//cout << "close_external_ui_windows" << endl;
+
+	while (!g_external_uis.empty()) {
+		//cout << "pop" << endl;
+		external_ui_ptr = g_external_uis.back();
+		LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_HIDE(external_ui_ptr);
+		g_external_uis.pop_back();
+	}
+}
+
 void
 LV2PluginUI::lv2_ui_write(LV2UI_Controller controller,
              uint32_t         port_index,
@@ -35,14 +51,36 @@ LV2PluginUI::lv2_ui_write(LV2UI_Controller controller,
              uint32_t         format,
              const void*      buffer)
 {
+	//cout << "lv2_ui_write" << endl;
 	LV2PluginUI* me = (LV2PluginUI*)controller;
-	if (*(float*)buffer != me->_values[port_index])
+	if (*(float*)buffer != me->_values[port_index]) {
+		//cout << "set_parameter " << port_index << ":"  << *(float*)buffer << endl;
 		me->_lv2->set_parameter(port_index, *(float*)buffer);
+  }
+}
+
+void LV2PluginUI::on_external_ui_closed(LV2UI_Controller controller)
+{
+	//cout << "on_external_ui_closed" << endl;
+
+	LV2PluginUI* me = (LV2PluginUI*)controller;
+	me->_screen_update_connection.disconnect();
+	//me->insert->set_gui(0);
+
+	for (vector<struct lv2_external_ui*>::iterator it = g_external_uis.begin() ; it < g_external_uis.end(); it++) {
+		if (*it == me->_external_ui_ptr) {
+			g_external_uis.erase(it);
+		}
+	}
+
+	//slv2_ui_instance_get_descriptor(me->_inst)->cleanup(me->_inst);
+	me->_external_ui_ptr = NULL;
 }
 
 void
 LV2PluginUI::parameter_changed (uint32_t port_index, float val)
 {
+	//cout << "parameter_changed" << endl;
 	if (val != _values[port_index]) {
 		parameter_update(port_index, val);
 	}
@@ -51,16 +89,24 @@ LV2PluginUI::parameter_changed (uint32_t port_index, float val)
 void
 LV2PluginUI::parameter_update (uint32_t port_index, float val)
 {
+	if (!_inst) {
+		return;
+	}
+
 	const LV2UI_Descriptor* ui_desc = slv2_ui_instance_get_descriptor(_inst);
 	LV2UI_Handle ui_handle = slv2_ui_instance_get_handle(_inst);
-	if (ui_desc->port_event)
+	if (ui_desc->port_event) {
+		//cout << "port_event " << port_index << ":" << val << endl;
 		ui_desc->port_event(ui_handle, port_index, 4, 0, &val);
+  }
 	_values[port_index] = val;
 }
 
 bool
 LV2PluginUI::start_updating(GdkEventAny* event)
 {
+	//cout << "start_updating" << endl;
+
 	if (!_output_ports.empty()) {
 		_screen_update_connection.disconnect();
 		_screen_update_connection = ARDOUR_UI::instance()->RapidScreenUpdate.connect 
@@ -72,7 +118,10 @@ LV2PluginUI::start_updating(GdkEventAny* event)
 bool
 LV2PluginUI::stop_updating(GdkEventAny* event)
 {
-	if (!_output_ports.empty()) {
+	//cout << "stop_updating" << endl;
+
+	if (//!_external_ui_ptr &&
+			!_output_ports.empty()) {
 		_screen_update_connection.disconnect();
 	}
 	return false;
@@ -81,6 +130,11 @@ LV2PluginUI::stop_updating(GdkEventAny* event)
 void
 LV2PluginUI::output_update()
 {
+	//cout << "output_update" << endl;
+	if (_external_ui_ptr) {
+		LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_RUN(_external_ui_ptr);
+	}
+
 	/* FIXME only works with control output ports (which is all we support now anyway) */
 	uint32_t nports = _output_ports.size();
 	for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nports; ++i) {
@@ -93,30 +147,84 @@ LV2PluginUI::output_update()
 LV2PluginUI::LV2PluginUI (boost::shared_ptr<PluginInsert> pi, boost::shared_ptr<LV2Plugin> lv2p)
 	: PlugUIBase (pi)
 	, _lv2(lv2p)
+	, _inst(NULL)
+	, _values(NULL)
+	, _external_ui_ptr(NULL)
+{
+	if (!_lv2->is_external_ui()) {
+		lv2ui_instantiate("gtk2gui");
+	}
+}
+
+void
+LV2PluginUI::lv2ui_instantiate(const Glib::ustring& title)
 {
+	LV2_Feature** features;
+	LV2_Feature** features_src;
+	LV2_Feature** features_dst;
+	size_t features_count;
+	bool is_external_ui;
+
+	is_external_ui = _lv2->is_external_ui();
+
+	if (is_external_ui) {
+		_external_ui_host.ui_closed = LV2PluginUI::on_external_ui_closed;
+		_external_ui_host.plugin_human_id = strdup(title.c_str());
+
+		_external_ui_feature.URI = LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_URI;
+		_external_ui_feature.data = &_external_ui_host;
+
+		features_src = features = (LV2_Feature**)_lv2->features();
+		features_count = 2;
+		while (*features++) {
+			features_count++;
+		}
+
+		features_dst = features = (LV2_Feature**)malloc(sizeof(LV2_Feature*) * features_count);
+		features_dst[--features_count] = NULL;
+		features_dst[--features_count] = &_external_ui_feature;
+		while (features_count--) {
+			*features++ = *features_src++;
+		}
+	} else {
+		features_dst = (LV2_Feature**)_lv2->features();
+	}
+
 	_inst = slv2_ui_instantiate(
 			_lv2->slv2_plugin(), _lv2->slv2_ui(), LV2PluginUI::lv2_ui_write, this,
-			_lv2->features());
+			features_dst);
+
+	if (is_external_ui) {
+		free(features_dst);
+	}
 			
-	uint32_t num_ports = slv2_plugin_get_num_ports(lv2p->slv2_plugin());
+	uint32_t num_ports = slv2_plugin_get_num_ports(_lv2->slv2_plugin());
 	for (uint32_t i = 0; i < num_ports; ++i) {
-		if (lv2p->parameter_is_output(i) && lv2p->parameter_is_control(i) && is_update_wanted(i)) {
+		if (_lv2->parameter_is_output(i) && _lv2->parameter_is_control(i) && is_update_wanted(i)) {
 			_output_ports.push_back(i);
 		}
 	}
-	
-	GtkWidget* c_widget = (GtkWidget*)slv2_ui_instance_get_widget(_inst);
-	_gui_widget = Glib::wrap(c_widget);
-	_gui_widget->show_all();
-	pack_start(*_gui_widget, true, true);
+
+	_external_ui_ptr = NULL;
+	if (_inst) {
+		if (!is_external_ui) {
+			GtkWidget* c_widget = (GtkWidget*)slv2_ui_instance_get_widget(_inst);
+			_gui_widget = Glib::wrap(c_widget);
+			_gui_widget->show_all();
+			pack_start(*_gui_widget, true, true);
+		} else {
+			_external_ui_ptr = (struct lv2_external_ui *)slv2_ui_instance_get_widget(_inst);
+			g_external_uis.push_back(_external_ui_ptr);
+		}
+	}
 	
 	_values = new float[num_ports];
 	for (uint32_t i = 0; i < num_ports; ++i) {
 		bool ok;
-		uint32_t port = lv2p->nth_parameter(i, ok);
+		uint32_t port = _lv2->nth_parameter(i, ok);
 		if (ok) {
-			_values[port] = lv2p->get_parameter(port);
-			if (lv2p->parameter_is_control(port) && lv2p->parameter_is_input(port)) {
+			_values[port] = _lv2->get_parameter(port);
+			if (_lv2->parameter_is_control(port) && _lv2->parameter_is_input(port)) {
 				parameter_update(port, _values[port]);
 			}
 		}
@@ -127,8 +235,12 @@ LV2PluginUI::LV2PluginUI (boost::shared_ptr<PluginInsert> pi, boost::shared_ptr<
 
 LV2PluginUI::~LV2PluginUI ()
 {
-	delete[] _values;
-	// plugin destructor destroys the GUI
+	//cout << "LV2PluginUI destructor called" << endl;
+
+	if (_values) {
+		delete[] _values;
+	}
+	// plugin destructor destroys the GTK GUI
 }
 
 int
@@ -148,10 +260,15 @@ LV2PluginUI::get_preferred_width ()
 int
 LV2PluginUI::package (Gtk::Window& win)
 {
-	/* forward configure events to plugin window */
-	win.signal_configure_event().connect (mem_fun (*this, &LV2PluginUI::configure_handler));
-	win.signal_map_event().connect (mem_fun (*this, &LV2PluginUI::start_updating));
-	win.signal_unmap_event().connect (mem_fun (*this, &LV2PluginUI::stop_updating));
+	//cout << "package" << endl;
+	if (_external_ui_ptr) {
+		_win_ptr = &win;
+	} else {
+		/* forward configure events to plugin window */
+		win.signal_configure_event().connect (mem_fun (*this, &LV2PluginUI::configure_handler));
+		win.signal_map_event().connect (mem_fun (*this, &LV2PluginUI::start_updating));
+		win.signal_unmap_event().connect (mem_fun (*this, &LV2PluginUI::stop_updating));
+	}
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -168,3 +285,41 @@ LV2PluginUI::is_update_wanted(uint32_t index)
 	/* FIXME this should check the port notification properties, which nobody sets now anyway :) */
 	return true;
 }
+
+bool
+LV2PluginUI::on_window_show(const Glib::ustring& title)
+{
+	//cout << "on_window_show - " << title << endl; flush(cout);
+
+	if (_lv2->is_external_ui()) {
+		if (_external_ui_ptr) {
+			LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_SHOW(_external_ui_ptr);
+			return false;
+		}
+		lv2ui_instantiate(title);
+		if (!_external_ui_ptr) {
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_SHOW(_external_ui_ptr);
+		_screen_update_connection.disconnect();
+		_screen_update_connection = ARDOUR_UI::instance()->RapidScreenUpdate.connect 
+			(mem_fun(*this, &LV2PluginUI::output_update));
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	return true;
+}
+
+void
+LV2PluginUI::on_window_hide()
+{
+	//cout << "on_window_hide" << endl; flush(cout);
+
+	if (_external_ui_ptr) {
+		LV2_EXTERNAL_UI_HIDE(_external_ui_ptr);
+		//slv2_ui_instance_get_descriptor(_inst)->cleanup(_inst);
+		//_external_ui_ptr = NULL;
+		//_screen_update_connection.disconnect();
+	}
+}
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/lv2_plugin_ui.h b/gtk2_ardour/lv2_plugin_ui.h
index fe8dd85..9bb1fe6 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/lv2_plugin_ui.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/lv2_plugin_ui.h
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@
 
 #ifdef HAVE_LV2
 
+#include "lv2_external_ui.h"
+
 namespace ARDOUR {
 	class PluginInsert;
 	class LV2Plugin;
@@ -60,6 +62,13 @@ class LV2PluginUI : public PlugUIBase, public Gtk::VBox
 	Gtk::Widget*   _gui_widget;
 	SLV2UIInstance _inst;
 	float*         _values;
+
+	struct lv2_external_ui_host _external_ui_host;
+	LV2_Feature _external_ui_feature;
+	struct lv2_external_ui* _external_ui_ptr;
+	Gtk::Window* _win_ptr;
+
+	static void on_external_ui_closed(LV2UI_Controller controller);
 	
 	static void lv2_ui_write(
 			LV2UI_Controller controller,
@@ -68,12 +77,17 @@ class LV2PluginUI : public PlugUIBase, public Gtk::VBox
 			uint32_t         format,
 			const void*      buffer);
 	
+	void lv2ui_instantiate(const Glib::ustring& title);
+
 	void parameter_changed(uint32_t, float);
 	void parameter_update(uint32_t, float);
 	bool configure_handler (GdkEventConfigure*);
 	void save_plugin_setting ();
 	void output_update();
 	bool is_update_wanted(uint32_t index);
+
+	virtual bool on_window_show(const Glib::ustring& title);
+	virtual void on_window_hide();
 };
 #endif // HAVE_LV2
 
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/main.cc b/gtk2_ardour/main.cc
index 5d79cf0..04ebaeb 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/main.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/main.cc
@@ -247,6 +247,10 @@ sigpipe_handler (int sig)
 	cerr << _("SIGPIPE received - JACK has probably died") << endl;
 }
 
+#ifdef HAVE_LV2
+void close_external_ui_windows();
+#endif
+
 #ifdef VST_SUPPORT
 
 extern int gui_init (int* argc, char** argv[]);
@@ -348,6 +352,9 @@ int main (int argc, char* argv[])
 
 	ARDOUR::cleanup ();
 	pthread_cancel_all ();
+#ifdef HAVE_LV2
+	close_external_ui_windows();
+#endif
 	return 0;
 }
 #ifdef VST_SUPPORT
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/plugin_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/plugin_ui.cc
index 0705d22..f9bd9f4 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/plugin_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/plugin_ui.cc
@@ -190,11 +190,17 @@ PluginUIWindow::on_focus_out_event (GdkEventFocus *ev)
 void
 PluginUIWindow::on_show ()
 {
+	set_role("plugin_ui");
+
 	if (_pluginui) {
 		_pluginui->update_presets ();
 	}
 
-	Window::on_show ();
+	if (_pluginui) {
+		if (_pluginui->on_window_show (_title)) {
+			Window::on_show ();
+		}
+	}
 
 	if (parent) {
 		// set_transient_for (*parent);
@@ -205,6 +211,18 @@ void
 PluginUIWindow::on_hide ()
 {
 	Window::on_hide ();
+
+	if (_pluginui) {
+		_pluginui->on_window_hide ();
+	}
+}
+
+void
+PluginUIWindow::set_title(const Glib::ustring& title)
+{
+	//cout << "PluginUIWindow::set_title(\"" << title << "\"" << endl;
+	Gtk::Window::set_title(title);
+	_title = title;
 }
 
 bool
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/plugin_ui.h b/gtk2_ardour/plugin_ui.h
index 3e027b6..887bd6c 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/plugin_ui.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/plugin_ui.h
@@ -82,6 +82,9 @@ class PlugUIBase : public virtual sigc::trackable
 
 	virtual void update_presets ();
 
+	virtual bool on_window_show(const Glib::ustring& title) { return true; }
+	virtual void on_window_hide() {}
+
   protected:
 	boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::PluginInsert> insert;
 	boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Plugin> plugin;
@@ -230,8 +233,10 @@ class PluginUIWindow : public Gtk::Window
 	void on_hide ();
 	void on_map ();
 
+	void set_title(const Glib::ustring& title);
 
   private:
+	Glib::ustring _title;
 	PlugUIBase* _pluginui;
 	sigc::connection death_connection;
 	Gtk::Window* parent;
diff --git a/libs/ardour/ardour/lv2_plugin.h b/libs/ardour/ardour/lv2_plugin.h
index de8eb61..29f3465 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/ardour/lv2_plugin.h
+++ b/libs/ardour/ardour/lv2_plugin.h
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ class LV2Plugin : public ARDOUR::Plugin
 
 	SLV2Plugin slv2_plugin()         { return _plugin; }
 	SLV2UI     slv2_ui()             { return _ui; }
+	bool       is_external_ui() const;
 	SLV2Port   slv2_port(uint32_t i) { return slv2_plugin_get_port_by_index(_plugin, i); }
 
 	const char* port_symbol(uint32_t port);
@@ -159,6 +160,7 @@ struct LV2World {
 	SLV2Value toggled;
 	SLV2Value srate;
 	SLV2Value gtk_gui;
+	SLV2Value external_gui;
 };
 
 
diff --git a/libs/ardour/lv2_plugin.cc b/libs/ardour/lv2_plugin.cc
index 10648c3..62d899b 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/lv2_plugin.cc
+++ b/libs/ardour/lv2_plugin.cc
@@ -149,6 +149,17 @@ LV2Plugin::init (LV2World& world, SLV2Plugin plugin, nframes_t rate)
 				break;
 			}
 		}
+
+		// if gtk gui is not available, try to find external gui
+		if (!_ui) {
+			for (unsigned i=0; i < slv2_uis_size(uis); ++i) {
+				SLV2UI ui = slv2_uis_get_at(uis, i);
+				if (slv2_ui_is_a(ui, _world.external_gui)) {
+					_ui = ui;
+					break;
+				}
+			}
+		}
 	}
 
 	Plugin::setup_controls ();
@@ -176,6 +187,12 @@ LV2Plugin::~LV2Plugin ()
 	}
 }
 
+bool
+LV2Plugin::is_external_ui() const
+{
+	return slv2_ui_is_a(_ui, _world.external_gui);
+}
+
 string
 LV2Plugin::unique_id() const
 {
@@ -552,6 +569,7 @@ LV2World::LV2World()
 	toggled = slv2_value_new_uri(world, SLV2_NAMESPACE_LV2 "toggled");
 	srate = slv2_value_new_uri(world, SLV2_NAMESPACE_LV2 "sampleRate");
 	gtk_gui = slv2_value_new_uri(world, "http://lv2plug.in/ns/extensions/ui#GtkUI");
+	external_gui = slv2_value_new_uri(world, "http://lv2plug.in/ns/extensions/ui#external");
 }
 
 LV2World::~LV2World()