Using VST plug-ins on Windows
You can use VST instrument and audio effect plug-ins to expand creative possibilities in Ableton Live. 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 is 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 from the developer's website
- 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 select an installation path
Follow the steps provided by the device installer. For VST2, when prompted, choose one of the installation paths listed in the table below, on your system (C:) drive. Use the recommended locations to avoid permissions issues when Live accesses your plug-ins.
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VST2 |
VST3 |
|
Installation |
VST2 devices allow a path to be selected during installation. Select one of the paths listed below. 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.
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|
Path selection |
Custom (select manually) |
System (automatically selected) |
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Recommended path on C: |
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST2 |
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 |
|
File type |
.dll |
.vst3 |
|
Notes |
Use the same dedicated folder for all VST2 plug-ins. |
Do not install VST3 devices (.vst3 files) inside a folder used for VST2 plug-ins (.dll files), or vice versa. |
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.
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 |
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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.