Understanding the meaning of VST plugin
Find yourself bored with the stock plugins on FLStudio? Or maybe you need a specific instrument or effect and are not sure where to start. This tutorial will go deeper than the rest by providing honest step by step instructions and resources.
First let us educate ourselves, what exactly is a VST plugin? VST stands for Virtual Studio Technology. VST instruments are used to generate a sound. VST effects work similar to effects modules that can be applied to polish the sound. Things to consider when choosing a VST, be sure to check system requirements, some VST’s can eat up your CPU making it difficult to use. Know the source, keep in mind these are 3rd party, while there are a lot of reputable makers, there are some that may harm your system. VST’s are offered for Windows, MAC, and Linux. Windows being the most readily available. Some are free and some can range in price from $10-$500 and up.
How to Install VST Plugins in FL Studio
For those not familiar with VST’s and how to install them I will now walk you through the process. From downloading to moving it to the proper directory, installation and set up. The DAW, digital audio workstation, I am using is FLStudio12. Let’s start with one of my “go to’s” when it comes to VST instruments. MT Drumkit. This is a VST that models a real standard acoustic drum kit. By clicking here the link will take you directly to the download page for MT Drum Kit.
As you can see this VST is available for Windows and Mac O/S. Go ahead and select your version. You will then be able to select your version based on the bits of your system.
*For Windows Users – (To check what bit system you have, right click the start button, and click on system. a page will open and if you scroll down to device specifications and next to System Type you should see 32 or 64bit)
*For Mac Users – Go to the Apple Menu and select “About this Mac”. If you have a Core Duo processor, you have a 32-bit CPU. Otherwise (Core 2 Duo, Xeon, i3, i5, i7, anything else), you have a 64-bit CPU
Locate your download.
It is a .zip file and you will need an extractor open it. If you do not have one do not fear, there are free extractors available.
On the zip file itself, right click and extract it.
You want to locate and open your VST folder within FLStudio or whichever DAW you are using. If you have not modified the folder you can locate it by selecting (windows users)
C:/Program Files/Image-Line/FLStudio/Plugins/VST (if you are using an alternate DAW just replace Image-Line with the name of DAW. Inside its contents will be a VST folder.
You will need to copy the unzipped folder and paste it into the DAW VST folder.
Once you are done, go ahead and close out both folders and open FLStudio. In FLStudio, from the top menu, select ADD.
A window will open, select MANAGE PLUGINS
Make sure Verify Plugins is selected.
Go ahead and select Start Scan.Now is a good time to go grab a drink or a snack this will take a moment or 2.
Once the scan is complete you can close the window.
Next, we are going to open up our Plug-In picker menu, if it isn’t already open on the left. From the menu select Plug-In Database.
Right-click on it. When the menu opens select refresh plugin list(fast scan).
Once that is complete you should see MT Power Drum Kit on your list.
Your list can be accessed by selecting Plugin database, Generators, or selecting Plugins, VST from the same menu.
In the event you do not see it, simply exit FL Studio and reopen it.
Troubleshooting if for any reason you have trouble loading, this can be solved by locating MT Drum Kit from the list, right-click, and select, Add to plugin database.
