NEO MOON PRESENTS

How to Install VST Plugins in Ableton (2024)

In this tutorial I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of adding VST2 as well as VST3 audio plugins into Ableton Live.

Neo Moon Studios is a VST development agency that helps audio companies build software. We also run a no-code VST development course.

Learn How to Install VST Plugins in Ableton in About 5 Minutes

In this tutorial we’re going to look at how to add VSTs, which normally come in the form of instruments or audio plugins into your installation of Ableton Live.

In this tutorial, we’re going to look at how to add both VST2s as well as VST3s. I’m also going to show you how to update your VST list so that if you’re adding VSTS while you have Abelton open, you’ll be able to see your recently added VSTS in real time. And I’m also going to show you how to organize your VSTs into a manageable folder structure.

So let’s jump in.

Step 1: Adding VST Folders

Once you have Ableton live open on your computer you’ll see this “category” for plugins over in the left sidebar. If you select that you’ll see a new panel where your VSTs will show up. I have my VSTs organized into two folders. A folder for my VST2s and a folder for my VST3s.

So let’s begin by talking about folder structure and where to put your VSTs once you’ve downloaded them. I’m using Windows so I’ll click on “options” and then “preferences”. However, if you’re on a mac, you’ll need to click on “live”, or the “live icon you see in the top bar” and then “preferences”

From this popup, we’ll click on the “plugins tab”. Now, ensure that you have “Use VST2 plugin custom folder” as well as “use VST3 plugin custom folder” selected. Now, on your harddrive you have to have these folders created, so begin by creating these folders in the location you want to store your VSTS. And ensure the folder for your VST2s is different from your folder for your VST3s.

For example, here is the folder containing my VST2s. Notice that the VST file format ends in .dll For example, I have this NEOMoon plugin and it ends in .dll. Your VST3 plugin folder will be similar, the main difference is that the file extension for VST3s is .VST3. Here for example, you’ll see that I have another NeoMoon plugin and you can see that it’s a VST3 plugin by its file extension.

As a bit of a side note here, besides running a VST development agency, NeoMoon offers 2 courses for creatives who want to learn how to develop and design their own VSTs without having to code. You’ll learn how to create your own instruments and audio plugins which you can then use within Ableton as a stand-alone plugin or sell to your audience. I’ll link to NeoMoon’s VST no-code development course as well as the VST design course below. Okay, let’s jump back in.

So now that we know where to store our files, we now need to tell Ableton where those folders are. So back in our preferences window, you’ll notice that you have these buttons for “browse”. This allows you to tell Ableton the location of the VST2 and VST3 folders you just created. So if if the location that you see here, does not match the folder location you just created, be sure to click this button and re-map the folder location here.

Step 2: Re-Scan Your VSTs

Now, once you have that done, you can click on this “re-scan” button here. Depending on the size of your VST library, this could take a few minutes, but once that is done you’ll be able to re-click on “plugins” over in the left sidebar here, and your newly added VST plugins will now show up in this panel here.

If you need VST2 and VST3 plugins to use as testing plugins, we have two such VSTS available for free over on NeoMoon. I’ll provide a link to them below, but what they will allow you to do is to download the plugins and then add them to your folders for testing purposes. This will allow you to test if both your VST2s as well as VST3s are working properly.

Step 3: VST Organization

Again, back in Ableton you’ll now be able to see your VSTS here. If I expand my VST2 plugin folder, I’ll be able to see the individual .dll files here, or if I’ve added sub-folders to this folder, I’ll be able to see my subfolders as well, and this folder structure will be mirrored over in ableton. So creating sub-folders allows you to stay organized.

You can also take this organization a step further by color coding your VSTs. For example, if I was to right click on this audio plugin here, you’ll see that I can color code it. I personally use this to color code VSTs to categorize them based on what they do. For example, orange could be used to represent mixing plugins, yellow could be used to represent pads, and green could be used to represent your drums.

Step 4: Adding VSTs on Your Workspace

Now, to add A VST into Ableton so it’s usable, all you need to do is drag and drop it onto your canvas here. So I’ll go to my VST plugin folder, and I’ll add this NeoMoon testing plugin here. Again, a link to this free testing plugin can be found below. Now, once it’s added, I’ll be able to control this VST using my midi controller, or in this case, if you don’t have a midi controller you can just use this digital keyboard down here.

So that’s how you add VST plugins to Ableton Live. If you’ve found value in this tutorial, please like and subscribe, it really helps the channel

Conclusion

And remember, if you want to learn how to create your own VST plugins head over to NeoMoon and check out the courses we have available. One course will walk you through the entire process of developing a VST from start to finish without having to code. This would allow you to create virtual instruments, audio plugins or sample libraries. The other course we have available will teach you how to design VSTs plugins. YOu’ll learn how to create the control components such as the knobs, the sliders, the buttons and the textured surfaces. So if you’d like to learn how to develop your own vSTs without code, head over to NeoMoon today.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Neo Moon Studios is a VST development agency that helps audio companies build software. We also run a no-code VST development course.

Want to Make Your Onw VSTs?

Do you love sound design? So do we! For this reason, we created a no-code VST development course that walks you through the process of bringing your virtual instrument visions to life without needing to know how to program and without having to be an artist. We will teach you how to bring your VST to life in our 8 hour 50 + module no-code VST development course.