NEO MOON PRESENTS
Adding VST3 Plugins in LMMS: The Solution (2024)
In this tutorial we’ll learn how to add VST3 plugins into LMMS using another free plugin called “Element”.
Neo Moon Studios is a VST development agency that helps audio companies build software. We also run a no-code VST development course.
Yes You Can Use VST3 Plugins in LMMS – Step By Step Tutorial
In this tutorial we’re going to look at how you can use a free plugin within LMMS to “wrap” your VST3 plugins, which will in turn make it possible to load and play VST plugins within LMMS.
So let’s jump in.
Adding VST3 plugins to the free and open source DAW, LMMS is entirely possible to do and this tutorial I’m going to show you how it’s done.
Now in case you don’t have a VST3 instrument or plugin to test out, I’ll provide a link to a free testing VST3 plugin below. This plugin was designed just for testing, but it can help you troubleshoot and get other VSTs working within YOUR DAW. So in order to download this plugin just look in the description for the link and you can download it directly off NEO Moon’s website.
VST folder location
So the very first thing we’ll do once we have LMMS opened, is we’ll go to “edit” and then “settings”. Here, we’ll click on this folder icon to bring up the directories or (paths) page.
Here, you need to take note of where your plugin directly is. In my case, I’m storing my VST files in a folder called “VST plugins” in my “program files” folder. For a future step you’ll need to remember this folder’s location.
At this point I also suggest you create a new folder here for your VST3 plugins to keep them separate from your vST2 plugins. In my case, I’ve added a folder called “VST3 plugins” in my program files folder. LMMS doesn’t need to know about this new folder, but we’re going to use it in a moment, so just ensure you create it now.
Install Element
Next, you need to install a free plugin for LMMS called Element. This is because LMMS can’t play VST3 files on its own. So what element essentially does is it “wrapes” the VST3 plugin within itself, in order to make the VST3 file playable in a VST2 only environment.
After downloading Element, you can run the install file. The default destination folder can be kept the same. However, next, you’ll be asked where you want to install VST2 plugins. This is where you need to select the same folder from our LMMS VST folder settings page. So select the same folder now. Then click next . NOw you’ll be asked where your VST3 plugin folder is. Because you should have already created that folder in the last step you can simply select that newly added folder for this step now.
Here, everything can be kept the same and you can click on “install”.
Refreshing
Next, you need to run Element on your computer. And you’re going to need to repeat this step each time you add a new vST3 to your VST3 directory. Once Element is opened, click on
“View” and then “plugin manager”. Then click on “options” and then “search paths” and then “VST3”. Here, just make sure the VST3 search path is correct. If it’s not, you can click this “plus” button to add a new search path. Essentially, the folder where you store your VST3 plugins. But if it is correct, you can close this out and instead click on this scan option. Element will now scan your VST3 folder for any new virtual instruments or plugins. Once the scan is complete you can close this out.
BAck in LMMS
Now, back in LMMS, we need to click on this “instrument plugins” icon here. In order to add VSTs, we need to use this Vestige plugin here. So let’s add that by dragging and dropping it here. Then, with Vestige selected you’ll see this popup here. Click this folder here, to look through your VST 2 plugin folder. And here you’ll see “KV_Eemenet.dll”. Select that File.
Now Element will be opened within LMMS.
Now, all we need to do is search under plugins for our “neo Moon” testing plugin, or you can just look through the files you see under the plugins tab until you find the VST3 files you want.
However, in order to create sound you’ll need to link up the Element VST2 to your VST3 file. Doing so is ealy.
Essentially, you have a “midi in” and an “audio output”. Between these two nodes, you have your own VST.
To make everything work, simply connect your Midi in output into your VST3 input. Then your VST will have two outputs. Simply connect each one to the two inputs down in your “audio output node”.
Now you’ll be able to play your VST3 file within LMMS.
If you have any troubles with this simply add your questions in the comments section below and we’ll do our best to help you troubleshoot the issue.
Again, just before signing off, I want to remind you that if you have a VST idea that you’re trying to bring to life and you’d like to outsource the design or development of your VST Idea, head over to NEO Moon today to see how we might be able to help with your build. You can read more about our VST development agency here.
Or, if you want to learn how to create VSTs yourself, we offer comprehensive courses on both no-code VST development as well as VST design. LInks to everything can be found in the description below.
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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.