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How to Install VST Plugins on Your Computer!

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to install VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugins on your computer. In this article, we will be providing step-by-step instructions for both Mac and Windows users, making it easy for beginners to follow along regardless of their operating system. VSTs are a popular type of software that allows you to expand the capabilities of your digital audio workstation (DAW) by adding new sounds, effects, and instruments.

Installing VSTs can seem daunting for beginners, but with the right guidance and a bit of practice, it can be a simple process. This guide is designed for level 1 beginners who are new to music production, but even if you are a seasoned professional, it will be helpful as a reference guide. We will walk you through the process of installing VSTs and provide tips and best practices to help you get the most out of your VSTs. So, let’s get started!

How to Install Vst plugins

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How to Install VST Plugins on a Macbook?

To install a VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugin on a Macbook, you will need to first locate the VST file. Once you have the file, you can follow these steps:

  1. Open your DAW (digital audio workstation) software. This could be a program such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, or Pro Tools. Make sure your DAW is open and running before continuing.
  2. Go to the preferences or settings menu of your DAW. The location and name of this menu may vary depending on the DAW you are using, but it is typically found under the “File” or “Edit” menu.
  3. Locate the “Plug-ins” or “VST” option in the preferences or settings menu. This is where you will tell the DAW where to find the VST files you want to use.
  4. Click on the “VST” or “Plug-ins” folder and select “Add Folder.” This will open a file browser window, allowing you to navigate to the location where you have saved the VST file.
  5. Navigate to the location where you saved the VST file and select it. The location of the file could be on your computer’s hard drive or an external drive. Once you have selected the file, click “Open” or “Choose” to close the file browser window.
  6. Close the preferences or settings menu. The VST should now be available for use in your DAW.
  7. Some DAWs require you to scan your VSTs folders in order to detect new VSTs. you might need to run a scan for new VSTs in your DAW. This will typically be found in the same menu where you added the VST folder.
  8. Once the scan is completed, the new VST should now be available in your DAW. You should be able to find it in the list of available plugins, and use it on your tracks.

 

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How to Install VST Plugins on a Windows?

Installing VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugins on a Windows computer is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the general steps you will need to follow:

  1. Locate the VST file you wish to install. This file will typically be in the form of a .dll file.
  2. Open your digital audio workstation (DAW) software. Make sure it is running before continuing.
  3. Go to the preferences or settings menu of your DAW. This menu can typically be found under the “File” or “Edit” menu.
  4. Locate the “Plug-ins” or “VST” option in the preferences or settings menu. This is where you will tell the DAW where to find the VST files you want to use.
  5. Click on the “VST” or “Plug-ins” folder and select “Add Folder.” This will open a file browser window, allowing you to navigate to the location where you have saved the VST file.
  6. Navigate to the location where you saved the VST file and select it. The location of the file could be on your computer’s hard drive or an external drive. Once you have selected the file, click “Open” or “Choose” to close the file browser window.
  7. Close the preferences or settings menu. The VST should now be available for use in your DAW. Some DAWs require you to scan your VSTs folders in order to detect new VSTs. You might need to run a scan for new VSTs in your DAW. This will typically be found in the same menu where you added the VST folder.
  8. Once the scan is completed, the new VST should now be available in your DAW. You should be able to find it in the list of available plugins, and use it on your tracks.

 

*Note that the above steps may vary slightly depending on the DAW you are using. If you have any trouble following the steps, refer to the documentation or support resources for your specific DAW for further assistance.

 

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How to Install VST Plugins on Ableton Live?

Installing VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugins on Ableton Live is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the general steps you will need to follow:

  1. Locate the VST file you wish to install. This file will typically be in the form of a .dll file (Windows) or .vst (Mac)
  2. Open Ableton Live.
  3. Go to the preferences menu, you can find it by clicking on the “Options” menu on the top bar or by pressing “Ctrl +,” (Windows) or “Cmd +,” (Mac)
  4. Click on the “File Folder” Tab
  5. Select “Plug-In Sources” on the left sidebar.
  6. Click on “VST Plug-Ins” Folder.
  7. Click on the “Add” button, then navigate to the location where you saved the VST file and select it.
  8. Once the VST is added to the list, click “Rescan” button to refresh the list of available plugins.
  9. The VST should now be available for use in Ableton Live. You should be able to find it in the list of available plugins, and use it on your tracks.

 

*Note that some VSTs may require an additional setup, such as authorization or registration.

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How to Install VST Plugins on FL Studio?

Installing VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugins on FL Studio is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the general steps you will need to follow:

  1. Locate the VST file you wish to install. This file will typically be in the form of a .dll file (Windows) or .vst (Mac)
  2. Open FL Studio.
  3. Go to the options menu, you can find it by clicking on the “Options” menu on the top bar or by pressing “Alt + F” (Windows) or “Cmd +,” (Mac)
  4. Click on “File Settings”
  5. Select “VST plugins” on the left sidebar.
  6. Click on the “Add Path” button, then navigate to the location where you saved the VST file and select it.
  7. Click “OK” and the path should be added to the list of VST plugin folders in FL Studio.
  8. Close the options menu. The VST should now be available for use in FL Studio. You should be able to find it in the list of available plugins, and use it on your tracks.

 

*Note that some VSTs may require an additional setup, such as authorization or registration. Also, if you are using Mac, you might need to use a bridge software to use Windows VSTs on FL Studio.

 

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How to Install VST Plugins on Logic Pro?

Installing VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugins on Logic Pro is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the general steps you will need to follow:

  1. Locate the VST file you wish to install. This file will typically be in the form of a .vst (Mac)
  2. Open Logic Pro.
  3. Go to the preferences menu, you can find it by clicking on the “Logic Pro” menu on the top bar or by pressing “Cmd +,” (Mac)
  4. Click on “Plug-Ins”
  5. Select “VST and AU Plug-ins” on the left sidebar.
  6. Click on the “+” button to add a new folder path where you have your VSTs
  7. Navigate to the location where you saved the VST file and select the folder that contains it.
  8. Close the preferences menu. Logic Pro will automatically scan the new folder and the VST should now be available for use. You should be able to find it in the list of available plugins, and use it on your tracks.

 

*Note that some VSTs may require an additional setup, such as authorization or registration. Some VSTs may require you to run the installer before being able to use them on Logic Pro.

 

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Conclusion on How to Install VST Plugins

In conclusion, installing VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugins on your digital audio workstation (DAW) software is a relatively simple process. The steps may vary slightly depending on the specific DAW you are using, but the general process is similar across most DAWs. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to easily add new VSTs to your DAW and expand your creative capabilities.

We hope this guide was helpful in getting you started with installing VSTs on your DAW. If you have any further questions or need additional guidance, please feel free to reach out to us on our Facebook, Soundcloud, and Instagram, or via email at info@undergroundtalent.co.uk. We would be happy to help.

We also recommend subscribing to our YouTube channel for techno music and much more. Thank you for reading!

 

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And Always Remember…

Have Fun & Be Creative!



Lex Bunker

Lex Bunker has used his creative mind and knowledge of the underground electronic music scene to build from scratch Underground Talent. A place where musical creatives and artists can learn and share their experiences of the craft. As a part of our team, he is currently working on creating helpful and exciting content using his experience. He is also a regular within London's underground electronic music scene.