INSTALLING VST(i)/DX(i) PLUGINS

Installing VST and DX Plugins

This page provides step by step instruction on installing VST or DX instruments and effects. The following topics are covered:

VST Plugins

VST Plugins usually come in the form of a 'dynamic link library' (.dll) file, containing a program that can be run inside FL Studio to perform the desired function. Installing plugins, instruments and FX, is usually a very simple process including -

Your collection of 3rd party plugins will grow large, so we advise keeping them in the 'Shared VST plugin' directory: ..\Program Files\Vstplugins, feel free to create a sub-directory ('My VSTs' or similar) so you can back-up and manage your 3rd party plugins. Suggested steps:

The Shared VST Plugin Directory

During the installation of FL Studio the option is given to set the 'Shared' VST folder. That is a location on your hard-drive where FL Studio and other VST compliant programs can search and find VST plugins. The default location set by FL Studio during installation (assuming one has not already been set) is '..\Program Files\Vstplugins'. If you can't find this directory, another commonly set 'Shared VST' folder is '..\Program Files\Steinberg\Vstplugins'. The shared VST directory is set in the registry by the first program that needed to create one. The following installation procedure assumes that ..\Program Files\Vstplugins has been set.

  1. Browse to your Windows installation drive: ..\Program Files\Vstplugins.
  2. Create a 'My VSTs' plugin Sub-directory where you will save ALL your 3rd party plugins. Optionally create sub-directories for Effects and Instruments (be organized, as later it can be hard to remember what is an effect or plugin just looking at a list of *.dll files).
  3. Alternatively If you already have a location where you have been saving VSTs or would like to create one elsewhere add it as the VST search directory. Press F10, then select the File tab. At the bottom of the File window you will see the 'VST plugins extra search directory, click on the folder icon and browse to your external VST directory and click OK. FL studio will now look in this directory for VST plugins (in addition to the shared ..\Program Files\Vstplugins directory).

  4. Installation See the next section:

Installing VST Instruments & Effects

  1. Install the Instrument plugins (.dlls, etc) to the appropriate directory created in the previous section (above). This will usually be a copy procedure. If installation uses an installer, override the default install directory and point it to your VST directory.

  2. Scan for the new VST plugin:
  3. Optional - Place a check mark before the plugin name if you want it listed in your favorites and close the window.
  4. Now the plugin is installed and can be used as a standard FL Studio instrument or effect.

Related Instrument Links:

Related Effects Links:


DirectX Plugins

Installing DXi Instruments & Effects

  1. To be able to use DirectX plugins you should have the latest Microsoft DirectX installed.
  2. Install the DirectX plugin by running its setup file. DirectX plugins can be installed in any folder of your preference (for ex. "C:\Program Files\MyPlugin\"). Since those plugins are registered directly in Windows as a part of the DirectX system, FL Studio will detect them and use them no matter where they are installed.
  3. Start FL Studio (if it is not already running).
  4. In the Channels menu, select Add One. In the submenu that opens, select More...
  5. You will see a window listing all instrument plugins available in FL Studio. At the bottom of the window, click the Refresh button and select Fast Scan.
  6. The plugin you have installed should appear in the plugin list in red color. If this does not happen, please make sure you have followed the previous steps properly.
  7. Place a check mark before the plugin name if you want it listed in your favorites and close the window.
  8. Now the plugin is installed and can be used as a standard FL Studio instrument/generator. To add an instance of the plugin to the current project, open the Channels menu, select Add One and in the submenu that appears select the name of the plugin. An instance of the plugin appears in the Step Sequencer window.

Related Links:

Installing DX Effects

  1. To be able to use DirectX plugins, make sure you have installed the latest DirectXMedia (now part of DirectX) on your machine. The latest DirectX setup can be downloaded for free at www.microsoft.com.
  2. Install the DirectX plugin by running its setup file. DirectX plugins can be installed in any folder of your preference (for ex. "C:\Program Files\MyPlugin\"). Since those plugins are registered directly in Windows as a part of the DirectX system, FL Studio will detect them and use them no matter where they are installed.
  3. Start FL Studio (if it is not already running).
  4. If the Mixer window is not visible, open the View menu and select the Mixer item.
  5. In the Mixer window, click the menu button for any of the plugin slots and click the Select item. In the submenu that appears, select More...
  6. You will see a window listing all effect plugins available in FL Studio. At the bottom of the window, click the Refresh button and select Fast Scan.
  7. The plugin you have installed should appear in the plugin list in red color. If this does not happen, please make sure you have followed the previous steps properly.
  8. Place a check mark before the plugin name if you want it listed in your favorites and close the window.
  9. Now the plugin is installed and can be used as a standard FL Studio effect. To add an instance of the plugin to the current project, select a slot in the Mixer window, open its menu and pick the plugin from the Select submenu. An instance of the plugin appears in the selected mixer slot.

Related Links: