Using VST plug-ins on Windows
Live supports VST3 and VST2 format plug-ins on Windows. As of Live 10, only 64-bit plug-ins are supported. When using plug-ins with Live, it's important to install and configure them as recommended in this guide. To set up your plug-ins for Live on Windows, carefully follow the steps below, covering:
Installing VST plug-ins on Windows
Activating plug-ins
Using plug-ins
How to avoid common plug-in issues
Installing VST plug-ins on Windows
1. Download the latest installer
- Check system requirements and supported hosts to make sure all devices are compatible with your Live version and operating system.
- If available, use the developer's Plug-ins Manager or Product Portal app.
- To avoid issues accessing your plug-ins in Live, install VST2 and VST3 devices to the system (C:) drive.
- Do not transfer or migrate plug-in files from a previous computer or backup drive. Always freshly re-install plug-in files and check for compatibility updates.
2. Run the installer and choose a recommended path
After downloading, run the device installer and follow the steps provided.
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VST3 devices are installed by default to the dedicated VST3 Plug-In System Folder. All your VST3 plug-ins should be installed here:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 - For VST2, when prompted, choose one of the installation paths on your system (C:) drive listed in the table below. To avoid missing plug-ins and performance issues, use one of the recommended paths.
For more information about plug-ins standards and installation, visit Steinberg's guide to VST plug-in locations on Windows.
| VST2 | VST3 | |
| File type | .dll | .vst3 |
| Installation |
VST2 installers usually let the user select an installation path. (Some VST2 plug-ins use a fixed installation path predefined by the manufacturer. In this case, consult the device's documentation for where to find the plug-in after installation.) Make note of the location you select, as you'll need to specify this when activating plug-ins in Live. |
VST3 devices are installed by default to the dedicated VST3 Plug-In System Folder. |
| Path |
To keep VST2 plug-ins organized, choose a single installation folder for all VST2 plug-ins and stick with this to the extent possible. The following path is a safe choice for all VST2 plug-ins:
Other common VST2 paths:
|
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 |
| Notes |
|
|
Installing standalone devices
Some plug-ins may also be installed on your PC as standalone devices.
- Do not install standalone versions inside the VST2 or VST3 folders listed above.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for where to install the standalone version.
Installing presets and libraries
Use the plug-in's installation application to install presets and sample libraries to the location specified by the manufacturer.
- Do not install these inside your VST2 or VST3 plug-ins folders.
- These folders must not contain any other files besides valid, authorized audio plug-ins (.dll or .vst3).
Activating plug-ins
1. Open plug-in settings
Open Live's Preferences → Plug-Ins → Plug-In Sources. In Live 10.1 or earlier, open Preferences → File/Folder → Plug-In Sources.
2. Configure VST2 plug-ins
To use VST2 plug-ins, press Browse to select the path where you installed the plug-in files. Set Use VST Plug-in Custom Folder to On.
3. Configure VST3 plug-ins
To use VST3 plug-ins, set Use VST3 Plug-in System Folder to On. In most cases, you can leave Use VST3 Plug-In Custom Folder turned off.
In rare cases, the installer may define a path other than the default VST3 System Folder. If needed, you can then select and enable a VST3 Plug-In Custom Folder. In this case, choose a dedicated folder. Do not select the same location as either the VST3 System folder (C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3), or your VST2 Plug-In Custom Folder.
Important tips for plug-ins settings
- In the Plug-In Sources tab, do not set multiple folders to the same path.
- VST2 files (.dll) and VST3 files (.vst3) must be installed in separate folders.
Using plug-ins
Once Live has completed scanning plug-ins, they will appear in Live's Browser as pictured below. You can then drag and drop devices into your Live Set.
Live 12 |
Live 11 |
Learn more about how to search and filter devices in the Live 12 Browser.
If you've installed a plug-in as directed above, but it's still not appearing in Live, follow the troubleshooting steps listed below.
Note: For each device, use the same format throughout your Set. Do not insert the same device as both VST2 and VST3 within the same Set.
How to avoid common plug-in issues
Installing plug-ins:
- VST2 and VST3 devices must be installed to separate, dedicated folders. To differentiate these files, you can check the file extension. VST2 plug-ins (also called simply VST, or VST2.4) use the extension .dll, while VST3 plug-in files use the extension .vst3.
- Keep all third-party software up to date and authorized. Outdated and unauthorized plug-ins are often the cause of crashes and performance issues. Regularly check the developer's website and install updates whenever available. Remove outdated plug-in files from your computer.
- It's possible to use sub-folders within the plug-in installation folders described above to keep plug-ins organized, for example by manufacturer. However, plug-in installation folders must not contain any other files besides valid, authorized audio plug-ins (.dll or .vst3).
- Do not install device preset files or audio sample libraries inside the plug-in folders. Use the plug-in's installation application to install presets and sample libraries to the location specified by the manufacturer.
- Keep e-licensing software used for authorizing plug-ins, such as iLok, updated and authorized.
Using plug-ins in Live:
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Avoid mixing plug-in formats (VST2, VST3) for the same plug-in in the same Live set. You can identify the format based on the categorized plug-ins folders in Live's Browser, or by the appearance of the device: only VST (short for VST2) includes a preset browser. As of Live 12, these formats are shown in the device's icon:
VST2 VST3 - Use the same version of each device throughout the same Set; e.g. choose either the mono or stereo version of a plug-in, but not both.
- After launching updates of Live for the first time, allow Live to index plug-ins for several minutes. If a device still doesn't show up, make sure you have installed and configured the device as described above. You can find more troubleshooting steps in this guide: VST/AU plug-in doesn't appear in Live's Browser.