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How to install plugins to your DAW

If you’re planning on recording your playing or using our plugins in your music production projects, you’ll need to install them to your DAW.

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Overview

All Neural DSP plugins come with a standalone version, meaning that you don’t need a DAW to run them. However, if you’re planning on recording your playing or using our plugins in your music production projects, you’ll need to install them to your DAW.

If you’re new to the world of DAWs and want to learn more about what they are and what you can do with them, be sure to check out our guides on the fundamentals of DAWs and choosing the best DAW for your needs.

    Plugin formats

    During the plugin installation process, a Complete installation will automatically install all the different plugin formats Neural DSP plugins come in (AU, VST, VST3, and AAX).

    • AU - a plugin format developed by Apple for use with macOS. This format is only included with the MacOS installers.

    • VST - a multi-platform format, compatible across multiple DAWs on both MacOS and Windows.

    • VST3 - an improved version of the VST format, also multi-platform and compatible across multiple DAWs on both MacOS and Windows.

    • AAX - a Pro Tools native format. This format can only be used within the Avid Pro Tools environment.

    You can also perform a ‘Custom install’, where you can install only the format(s) you need.

    Note: if you didn’t install the required plugin format for your DAW during the initial installation, run the plugin installer again and reinstall it with the plugin format(s) you need.

    DAW compatibility with Neural DSP plugins

    Our plugins are designed to be compatible with a wide range of DAWs. Below is a list of the DAWs we have tested.

    macOS supported DAWs

    • Pro Tools 2018 and newer versions including 2023 (AAX)

    • Ableton Live 10 / 11 (VST & AU)

    • Logic Pro X (AU)

    • Cubase 8 and newer versions (VST)

    • FL Studio 20 / 21 (VST)

    • Reaper 6 (VST & AU)

    • PreSonus Studio One 4 / 5 (VST & AU)

    • Reason 11 / 12 (VST)

    Windows supported DAWs

    • Pro Tools 2018 and newer versions including 2023 (AAX)

    • Ableton Live 10 / 11 (VST)

    • Cubase 8 and newer versions (VST)

    • FL Studio 20 / 21 (VST)

    • Reaper 6 (VST)

    • PreSonus Studio One 4 / 5 (VST)

    • Cakewalk by BandLab 2022 (VST)

    • Reason 11 / 12 (VST)

    Please note that even if your DAW is not on this list, it might still work. If you encounter any compatibility issues, please don't hesitate to contact support@neuraldsp.com for assistance.

    How are plugins installed to DAWs?

    Most DAWs automatically scan for new plugins when you launch them. This means that after installing your plugin, it may be available within your DAW without any additional steps.

    However, if you can't find the plugin in your DAW’s plugin list, you can manually rescan your plugin folder to locate it and make it available for use.

    Once your plugin is available in your DAW, create a new project, insert a new audio track, arm it for recording, and load the plugin onto the track. After that you’re ready to start using your plugin within your DAW.

    Loading plugins in your DAW

    Pro Tools

    Loading a plugin on a track

    Step 1 - In a Pro Tools session, create a new audio track. Make sure to select “Mono”, and “Audio Track”. Make sure that the correct input and outputs are selected. Select the input your instrument is plugged into. Select the output channels that your monitoring device(s) are connected to.

    Step 2 - Make sure the track is armed for recording and input monitoring is enabled.

    Step 3 - Click on the first “Insert” slot, click “Search” and enter the name of the plugin you wish to use. Click it to load it to your track.

    Rescanning plugins in Pro Tools

    If you are unable to find your plugin in Pro Tools, follow these steps to rescan your plugin folder:

    macOS

    Make sure the AAX plugin file is located in the following folder: “Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-ins”.

    To rescan your plugins, delete the preferences for all your installed plugins (make sure to back up anything you need before proceeding):

    Step 1 - Close Pro Tools and go to the “<USER folder>/Library/Preferences/Avid” folder.

    Step 2 - Delete the Pro Tools folder.

    Step 3 - Empty your trash bin and launch Pro Tools.

    Windows

    Make sure the AAX plugin file is located in the following folder: “C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins”.

    To rescan your plugins, delete the preferences for all your installed plugins (make sure to back up anything you need before proceeding):

    Step 1 - Close Pro Tools and go to the “\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Avid\Pro Tools” folder

    Step 2 - Delete the file “InstalledAAXPlugins”

    Step 3 - Launch Pro Tools

    Logic Pro

    Loading a plugin on a track

    Step 1 - In a Logic Pro session, create a new track. Make sure that the correct input and outputs are selected. Select the input your instrument is plugged into. Select the output channels that your monitoring device(s) are connected to.

    Step 2 - Make sure you have enabled input monitoring on your track and in Logic itself. Arm the track for recording.

    Step 4 - Click the "Audio FX" button in your track, search for the plugin you want to load and click on it.

    Rescanning plugins in Logic Pro

    If you are unable to find your plugin in Logic, follow these steps to rescan your plugin folder:

    Step 1 - Go to the Logic Pro menu and select "Preferences" > "Plug-In Manager". Click “Full Audio Unit Reset”.

    Step 2 - Close Logic Pro, relaunch it, and check if your plugin is available.

    If the plugin still doesn't show up, make sure that the AU plugin file is located in the following folder: “Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plugins/Components”.

    If the file isn't there, reinstall the plugin and ensure that the file path for the AU plugin format is set to “Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plugins/Components”.

    Once you've done this, repeat the previous step to reset and rescan the plugin in the Plug-In Manager.

    If this doesn't solve the problem, try a clean install of the Plugin following these steps:

    Step 1 - Go to "Preferences" > “Plug-In Manager” > “Manufacturer” > “Neural DSP”, and uncheck the box "use”.

    Step 2 - Open the folder “HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components”, and delete the component file.

    Step 3 - Reinstall the plugin using the installer file you previously downloaded.

    Step 4 - Restart Logic Pro.

    Cubase

    Loading a plugin on a track

    Step 1 - In a Cubase session, create a new audio track. Make sure that the correct input and outputs are selected. Select the input your instrument is plugged into. Select the output channels that your monitoring device(s) are connected to.

    Step 2 - Make sure that the track is armed for recording and that input monitoring is enabled.

    Step 3 - Insert the plugin from the ‘Insert’ menu. Upon clicking a slot, enter the name of the plugin in the search, and then double-click it.

    Rescanning plugins in Cubase

    If you are unable to find your plugin in Cubase, follow these steps to rescan your plugin folder.

    Step 1 - Open the “Plug-in Manager” found under the "Devices" tab.

    Step 2 - Click the cogwheel icon to open the "Plug-in Manager Settings". Next, click the "Rescan All" button.

    Please make sure that the plugin is installed in the same folder that Cubase is configured to scan.

    Ableton Live

    Loading a plugin on a track

    Step 1 - In an Ableton session, create a new audio track. Make sure that the correct input and outputs are selected. Select the input your instrument is plugged into. Select the output channels that your monitoring device(s) are connected to.

    Step 2 - Make sure that the track is armed for recording and that input monitoring is enabled.

    Step 3 - In the Browser on the left-hand side of the screen, open the “Plug-Ins” folder, search for the plugin you want to load and drag it into the track's "Drop Audio Effects Here" section.

    Rescanning plugins in Ableton Live

    If you are unable to find your plugin in Ableton Live, follow these steps to rescan your plugin folder:

    Step 1 - Go to “Preferences” > “Plug-Ins” > “Plug-In Sources” and make sure the option "Use VST2 Plug-in Custom Folder" is enabled. If you are using VST3 or Audio Units (AU) plugin formats, make sure the options “Use VST3 Plug-In Custom Folder” and “Use Audio Units” settings are turned on.

    Step 2 - Make sure that your plugin file is located in the folder that Ableton Live is configured to scan.

    Step 3 - Then, hold down the Alt / Option key and press “Rescan”.

    REAPER

    Loading a plugin on a track

    Step 1 - In a REAPER session, create a new track. Make sure that the correct input and output are selected. Select the input your instrument is plugged into. Select the output channels that your monitoring device(s) are connected to.

    Step 2 - Make sure that the track is armed for recording and that input monitoring is enabled.

    Step 3 - Click on the "FX" button on the track you just created, search for the plugin you want to use, and select it.

    Rescanning plugins in REAPER

    If you are unable to find your plugin in REAPER, follow these steps to rescan your plugin folder:

    Step 1 - Go to “Options” > “Preferences” > “VST”. Make sure that REAPER is scanning the VST folder your plugin is installed in.

    Step 2 - Click “Clear cache/re-scan”.

    Step 3 - You may need to close and reopen REAPER for your plugin to appear.

    Studio One

    Loading a plugin on a track

    Step 1 - In a Studio One session, create a new track. Make sure that the correct input and outputs are selected. Select the input your instrument is plugged into. Select the output channels that your monitoring device(s) are connected to.

    Step 2 - Make sure that the track is armed for recording and that input monitoring is enabled.

    Step 3 - On the right-hand side of the screen, click on "Browse" to search for the plugin you want to use. Once you find it, drag and drop it onto the track you created earlier.

    Rescanning plugins in Studio One

    If you are unable to find your plugin in Studio One, follow these steps to rescan your plugin folder:

    Step 1 - Go to “Options (Windows)” or “Preferences (macOS)” > “Locations” > “VST Plug-Ins”. Make sure the path your plugin is installed in is listed.

    Step 2 - Enable the “Scan at startup” option and press “Reset Blacklist”.

    Step 3 - Restart Studio One.

    FL Studio

    Loading a plugin on a track

    Step 1 - Click the insert mixer track you want to load your plugin to.

    Step 2 - In the FL Studio Browser on the right-hand side of the screen, go to “Plugin database” > “Installed” > “Effects” > “VST” and search for the plugin you want to use.

    Step 3 - Drag and drop the plugin to a free insert slot on the right-hand side of the mixer

    Rescanning plugins in FL Studio

    If you are unable to find your plugin in FL Studio, follow these steps to rescan your plugin folder:

    Step 1 - Click "Add" and select "Manage Plugins"

    Step 2 - Click “Start Scan”. Make sure the path your plugin is installed in is listed.

    Reason

    Loading a plugin on a track

    Step 1 - In a Reason session, create a new track. Make sure that the correct input and outputs are selected. Select the input your instrument is plugged into. Select the output channels that your monitoring device(s) are connected to.

    Step 2 - Make sure that the track is armed for recording and that input monitoring is enabled.

    Step 3 - In the “Browse” window on the right-hand side of the screen, search for the plugin you want to use, and then drag and drop it into the Rack window.

    Rescanning plugins in Reason

    If you are unable to find your plugin in Reason, follow these steps:

    Step 1 - Go to Window > Manage Plugins.

    Step 2 - Check if your plugin appears on the list, and whether it is disabled. If it is disabled, select it and press “Enable”.

    If your plugin is not in the list, make sure that Reason is scanning the VST folder your plugin is installed in. You can check by going to “Preferences” > “Advanced” and making sure the folder your plugin is installed in is listed in the “VST Plugin Folders” list.

    If you still can’t find your plugin, follow these steps to rescan your plugin folder:

    macOS

    Step 1 - Close Reason, open the folder “/Users/<Your_Name>/Library/Application Support/Reason/Caches” and delete the “__PluginDatabase.dat” file.

    Step 2 - Launch Reason

    Windows

    Step 1 - Close Reason, open the folder “C:/Users/<Your_Name>/AppData/Local/Propellerhead Software/Reason” and delete the “__PluginDatabase.dat” file.

    Step 2 - Launch Reason

    Cakewalk

    Loading a plugin on a track

    Step 1 - In a Cakewalk session, create a new audio track. Make sure that the correct input and outputs are selected. Select the input your instrument is plugged into. Select the output channels that your monitoring device(s) are connected to.

    Step 2 - Make sure that the track is armed for recording and that input monitoring is enabled.

    Step 3 - In the FX rack, click the “+” button. Navigate to “Insert Audio FX”, find the plugin you want to use, and click it.

    Rescanning plugins in Cakewalk

    If you are unable to find your plugin in Studio One, follow these steps to rescan your plugin folder:

    Step 1 - Go to “Edit” > “Preferences” > “File” > “VST Settings”.

    Step 2 - Make sure the folder your plugin is installed in is listed under “VST Scan Paths”.

    Step 3 - Enable the options “Rescan Failed Plug-ins” and “Rescan Existing Plug-ins”.

    Step 4 - Click “Reset”

    Next steps

    Now that you have installed your plugins to your DAW, it’s time to start creating music and explore the limitless tonal possibilities that Neural DSP plugins have to offer. All of our guitar and bass plugins have a 14-day free trial so you can test them all out without any commitment. Our wide range of plugins are suitable for every genre and playing style, so you’re sure to find one no matter what kind of music you are creating.

    If you are new to the world of DAWs, make sure you read our guide on the fundamentals of DAWs. Additionally, explore our guides on getting started with plugins to ensure you're making the most of your new tools.

    If you have any questions or need assistance, our support team is always here to help. You can contact us by emailing support@neuraldsp.com.

    Guides for getting started with plugins

    All our plugins have a 14-day free trial

    Download a free trial of any of our guitar or bass plugins and take your tone to the next level.

    Guitar plugins
    Bass plugins