How To Install Vst Plugins Pro Tools 12

How to Install VST Plugins in Pro Tools

Install VST Plugins in Pro Tools

A commonly cited problem with Pro Tools, an audio creation and production software, is that it will not work with third-party developers. With thousands of Virtual Studio Technologies plug-ins (or VSTs) to choose from, many Pro Tools users want to expand their workstations by adding them. However, Pro Tools will not recognize VSTs as usable content. Thanks to FXpansion, there are ways to add VST plug-ins into Pro Tools (See limitations)

Computers with Apple Mac OS X v10.6 'Snow Leopard', Mac OS X v10.7 'Lion', Mac OS X v10.8 'Mountain Lion', OS X v10.9 'Mavericks', OS X v10.10 'Yosemite', OS X v10.11 'El Capitan', macOS v10.12 'Sierra', macOS v10.13 'High Sierra', macOS Mojave 10.14, macOS Catalina 10.15, macOS Big Sur 11.

Step 1

Download the VST to RTAS Adapter pack. Remember to match the adapter with your version of Pro Tools.

Click on the VST to RTAS Adapter disk image located on your computer. Drag and drop the folder to your Applications folder. Run VST to RTAS Adapter Configuration.

Step 3

The VST to RTAS Adapter Configuration will automatically scan your computer in the following three areas for VST plug-ins:
/Library/Audio/Plugins/VST
/Users/<user>/Library/Audio/Plugins/VST
/Applications/VST to RTAS Adapter /VST
If you have VST plug-ins installed in a different folder, then press the + button on the top left side of the screen to add it to the location screen.

Click the 'Detect and Wrap' button to convert the VST plug-ins into RTAS. Quit VST to RTAS Adapter Configuration and open Pro Tools. The newly converted RTAS will now appear under Inserts in the Pro Tools Mixer. Each converted plug-in will begin with a 'VST' prefix.

Computers with Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10

Step 1
Run the VST to RTAS Adapter Configuration.
The VST to RTAS Adapter Configuration will automatically scan your computer in the following two areas for VST plug-ins:
C:Program FilesSteinbergVstPlugIns
C:Program FilesFXpansionVST to RTAS AdapterVstPlugIns
If you have VST plug-ins installed in a different folder, press the + button on the top left side of the screen to add it to the location screen.
Step 3
Click the 'Detect and Wrap' button to convert the VST plug-ins into RTAS. Quit VST to RTAS Adapter Configuration and open Pro Tools. The newly converted RTAS will appear under Inserts in the Pro Tools Mixer. Each converted plug-in will begin with a 'VST' prefix.
Plug-in Compatibility
What plug-in formats are compatible with Pro Tools?

Pro Tools plug-ins are available in three formats:
- TDM — for Pro Tools|HD systems and VENUE
- Real-Time AudioSuite™ (RTAS®) — for Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE™, and Pro Tools M-Powered™ systems
- AudioSuite — for Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE™, and Pro Tools M-Powered™ systems
Limitations
- No. Mac VST Plugins with .vst extension work on a Mac. Windows VST Plugins with .dll extension (Dynamic Link Library) on a Windows PC.
VSTis a trademark of Steinberg Soft- und Hardware GmbH
Real-Time AudioSuite™ RTAS is a registered trademark of Avid Technologies Inc.
TDM (Time Domain Multiplex) is a plug-in format created by Digidesign for Pro Tools systems
Pro Tools® is a registered trademark of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries.

Article Content

What makes Pro Tools unique in terms of plugin management is that plugins are scanned upon every DAW launch. Due to this, we recommend that Pro Tools is closed when installing new plugins or plugin updates. The following bullet points will address most customer reports in regards to 'missing plugins' in Pro Tools. Plugin Installations. In the Avid Pro Tools First FAQs it says 'Only plug-ins purchased through the Avid Marketplace with your Avid Master Account will work with Pro Tools First' Not so - this workaround is a real help to those who don't want to have to repurchase all their VST and AU plug-ins or who have free plug-ins they want to use in Pro Tools First.

It’s the end of the month, and your bank account is empty…

…again.

Oops.

And as much as you might feel like buying that new Waves plugin…

(You’ve had your eye on it for months, right?)

It’s probably not a good idea.

But if you’re still looking to expand your plugin library, don’t worry.

Sometimes, the best things in life are free…

Here are 7 of my favorite free plugins. Each of them offers something new and unique (no boring EQs or compressors). Download them all to extend your sonic palette and ultimately, craft better-sounding tracks.

And if you’re looking to dive deeper, I also put together a list of five plugins I use on every mix. If you’re wondering which plugins I recommend, download the list below to make sure you’ve got my top tools for the job.

1. iZotope Neutrino

Neutrino is the baby brother of Neutron—iZotope’s newest channel-strip plugin. While Neutron has a number of innovative features, Neutrino spins off the best of them.

Neutrino tames undesirable resonances caused by poor room acoustics, cheap gear, and heavy-handed processing. iZotope calls the effect “spectral shaping,” and it can sound similar to gentle, low-ratio multiband compression. This can make tracks sound smoother and more polished—like sanding the rough edges off a freshly cut piece of wood. I find Neutrino particularly useful on electric guitar tracks, which often have lots of harsh resonances.

2. Voxengo SPAN

People say “don’t mix with your eyes.”

Meh.

The truth?

Vst Plug-ins Demos

Tools that provide visual feedback, when used properly, can help you make better mixing decisions.

A spectrum analyzer is one of these tools. It plots the frequencies of sounds out on a graph, which allows you to “see” what tracks are comprised of.

SPAN is my favorite spectrum analyzer. You can control the ballistics and response of its graph, which makes it flexible enough for a wide variety of tasks. You can even route multiple tracks into SPAN and compare their frequency content.

Vst In Pro Tools 12

(P.S. Voxengo has a few other free VST plugins. They’re worth checking out too, but SPAN is my favorite.)

3. Brainworx bx_solo

Bx_solo is a no-frills, stereo-imaging plugin. While it’s the least sexy of this bunch, it can still be pretty useful.

I like to add bx_solo to my mix bus. While I rarely push the stereo width past 100%, collapsing it to zero is an easy way to check for mono compatibility. The mid and side solo buttons are also useful. It’s great to have this one around—you never know when you might need it!

4. HOFA 4U Project Time

Mixing is a race against time.

The more time you spend on a mix, the more attached you become to what it sounds like. This makes it progressively harder to make good mixing decisions. Given enough time, even the worst mix will start to sound decent.

This is one reason I recommend mixing quickly and impulsively. You’ll get to the finish line faster, retain more objectivity, and ultimately, craft better mixes.

The first step towards more efficient mixing is to track how much time you spend doing it. Without this information, it’s easy to get lost in a black hole of endless tweaking.

Project Time makes this easy. Add it to a track, and it will start counting. The timer automatically stops when you close the session, and starts when you open it up again.

Keep an eye on Project Time, and you’ll train yourself to mix faster and more efficiently. It’s also an invaluable tool if you bill by the hour!

5. MeldaProduction MFreeFXBundle

MeldaProduction makes some great plugins. They’ve earned the praise of many notable engineers, including mastering guru Ian Shepard.

The MFreeFXBundle contains 30 free VST plugins. They range from workhorse tools like a compressor and EQ, to less common effects like a ring modulator, flanger, and oscilloscope.

If you’re looking to fill some holes in your plugin library, this is a great place to start.

6. Flux BitterSweet

BitterSweet is among the best transient shapers out there. It can produce results on par with studio mainstays like SPL’s Transient Designer and Waves’ Trans-X.

This simple plugin can achieve a wide variety of effects. Turn the knob to the right to add punch to drums, enhance the pluck of an acoustic guitar, or boost the consonants in a vocal performance. Turn the knob to the left to soften tracks and push them back in the soundstage.

7. iZotope Vinyl

Sometimes a little crackle is a good thing.

Vinyl will make tracks sound like they’re being played on a turntable. You can vary the intensity of the effect by controlling the volume of different types of noise, the degree of wear and tear, and the decade your sound is from. The results range from subtle filtering to Edison phonograph.

This plugin is great for special effects, like filtering down a vocal or making an intro sound tiny.

Moving Beyond Free Plugins: My Favorite Plugins

I hope these 7 free plugins help you craft tracks that sound fresh and unique.

If you’re looking to dive deeper, I also put together a list of 5 plugins I use on every mix. If you’re wondering which plugins I recommend, download the list below to make sure you’ve got my top tools for the job.

Before you go—what’s your favorite free VST plugin? Share your pick in the comment section below.

Bonus: 3 More Free Plugins for Mixing

3 Free Plugins I Use in Every Mix

It’s the end of the month, and your bank account is empty… …again. Oops. And as much as you might feel like buying that new Waves plugin… (You’ve had your eye on it for months, right?) It’s probably not a good idea. But if you're still looking to expand your plugin library, don't worry. Sometimes,