INSTALLING & USING VST(i)/DX(i) PLUGINS

Installing & Using VST(i)/DX(i) Plugins

This page gives a step by step instruction about installing VST or DX instruments and effects.

DirectX Plugins

Install DX or DX2 Instruments/Synths/Generators

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 are they 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 checkmark 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 effect. 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:

• Generators - Learn more about generators (instruments, synths) in FL Studio.
• Step Sequencer - All instruments in the current project are listed in the Step Sequencer. It also allows pattern sequencing for basslines, drums and other simple melodic parts.
• Piano Roll - The Piano Roll is used to create complex melodic parts for the generators.
• Playlist - The Playlist arranges all pattern in a full song.
• Generator Plugins - Learn more about the plugin standards supported by FL Studio.

Install DX or DX2 Effects/Filters

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 are they 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 checkmark 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 generator. 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:

• Mixing & Effects - Learn everything about mixing and effects in FL Studio.
• Mixer Plugin Slots - the plugin slots host all effect plugins in FL Studio.
• Effect Plugins - Learn more about the plugin standards supported by FL Studio

VST Plugins

Install VST2 Instruments/Synths/Generators (VSTi)

VST plugins are DLL files that should be installed in the VST folder of FL Studio in order to use them (<FL Studio Folder>\Plugins\VST). You can also set up an additional VST folder from the Directories settings.

1. Run the setup file and when prompted, point the installation folder for the VST plugin to: <FL Studio Folder>\Plugins\VST (use the actual folder where FL Studio is installed). If the plugin has no setup file, simply copy the DLL file and its accompanying files to the folder. Note that some plugins have a standalone part and VST connection part. In this case, be careful not to install the standalone version in the VST folder, but the VST plugin itself.
2. Start FL Studio (if it is not already running).
3. In the Channels menu, select Add One. In the submenu that opens, select More...
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Place a checkmark before the plugin name if you want it listed in your favorites and close the window.
7. 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, 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:

• Generators - Learn more about generators (instruments, synths) in FL Studio.
• Step Sequencer - All instruments in the current project are listed in the Step Sequencer. It also allows pattern sequencing for basslines, drums and other simple melodic parts.
• Piano Roll - The Piano Roll is used to create complex melodic parts for the generators.
• Playlist - The Playlist arranges all pattern in a full song.
• Generator Plugins - Learn more about the plugin standards supported by FL Studio

Install VST or VST2 Effects/Filters

VST plugins are DLL files that should be installed in the VST folder of FL Studio in order to use them (<FL Studio Folder>\Plugins\VST). You can also set up an additional VST folder from the Directories settings.

1. Run the setup file and when prompted, point the installation folder for the VST plugin to: <FL Studio Folder>\Plugins\VST (use the actual folder where FL Studio is installed). If the plugin has no setup file, simply copy the DLL file and its accompanying files to the folder. Note that some plugins have a standalone part and VST connection part. In this case, be careful not to install the standalone version in the VST folder, but the VST plugin itself.
2. Start FL Studio (if it is not already running).
3. If the Mixer window is not visible, open the View menu and select the Mixer item.
4. 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...
5. 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.
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 checkmark 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 generator. 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:

• Mixing & Effects - Learn everything about mixing and effects in FL Studio.
• Mixer Plugin Slots - the plugin slots host all effect plugins in FL Studio.
• Effect Plugins - Learn more about the plugin standards supported by FL Studio.