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.
How to use and load the installed VST plugin?
Ready to try out the drum kit?
On the channel rack(some of you may have the factory preset there that loads up a kick, hat, snare, etc. On any of those options right click on one.Select Insert.
A large list will open to the right, locate MT Power Drum Kit and select it.
Give it a moment to load.
You are able to hit the drum and hear the sound. In order to apply the sound, right click on the channel and select send to piano roll.
Now you are able to utilize and create your own beat with MT Power Drum Kit.
That wasn’t too bad, right? Now that you are proficient in an installation, are you ready to explore the vast world of VST plugins? Good, next up I have created a list, yeah I know everyone has a list, this one is a little different.
List of VST Plugins for FL Studio
Rather than just paste some links, this is a personal list of compiled VST’s and is organized and explained. All of the plugins on this list are FREE to download. FREE VST’s allow you to get acquainted and get some experience with them. Some of these links will prompt an automatic download, however, do not fear you will get notified before you click it should you wish to download. Let’s get started.
Free Drums VST Plugin
This VST will allow you to customize your own kick drum sound. This website does require that you sign up in order to download the software. I know its a pain in the …. but believe me, it’s worth it.
Packed with 20 different drum kits and easy to customize each sound. Available for both Windows and Mac.
Similar to the kick generator, SDX is a snare synth with a very sleek and easy to use interface. Create and customize your own snare sounds. This VST is only available for Windows.
Cymbalistic is a cymbal generator. Available for both Mac and Windows. Has all of the cymbals of an actual drum kit and again, easy to use interface.
Free Piano VST Plugin
My personal favorite. Sounds true to life. It’s very user-friendly. Available for Windows only. Automatic Download.
This is a Stereo Piano with the Samples of a Steinway. The Samples are 96Khz 24Bit. The VSTi Size is about 8.5 Mb. Automatic Download.
Electric Piano available in VST 2.4 format for Windows 32-bit and 64-bit hosts. Automatic Download.
Free Cello/Strings VST Plugin
Straightforward, easy to use, cello emulator. Windows only. Automatic Download.
Comes with 173 presets and features an amplitude envelope with tremolo, two filter envelopes with LFO’s, a pitch LFO, and a metalize fx section. The String Theory VST plugin also offers two arpeggiators. Each with its own speed, gate, and octave controls.
StringZ is a physically modeled String ensemble and Solo String Synthesizer. Join Krakli’s Facebook group for access to plugins.
Free Acoustic and Electric Guitar VST Plugin
Ample Guitar M Lite II
Martin D-41 Acoustic Guitar sound.
Sustain, Hammer On & Pull Off, Palm Mute, Popping 5 articulations.
DVS Guitar
This is based on a sampled guitar and includes Overdrive, Reverb, and Flanging. It’s good for leads and heavy sounds, and very realistic if your good with a pitch bend controller.Automatic Download.
Super Riff Guitar
Palm-muted single notes.Open string single notes.Automatic Download.
Free Bass Guitar VST Plugin
Ample Bass Guitar
Ample Bass P Lite II (ABPL) is a free lite version of ABP, recorded on a Fender Precision Bass.
Super Riff Bass
Features: Volume, Pan, ADSR envelope controls and a subtle flanger unit. 37 open string and 37 palm-muted strings. Automatic Download.
Raspier
Filter – Apart from master SV filter, there are optional Distortion, Smooth and Comparator filters.Over 40 presets.Automatic Download.
Free Synth VST Plugin
There are so many different types of synthesizers out there. It can get confusing especially when you want something specific but are unsure as to which one would fit your application. Before we get into the list of VST Synths we should read up on them to ensure proper usage.
1.EMULATION
Software that replicates hardware. If you are a fan of a Korg MicroKorg or a Roland Juno you can find something that will come close to if not be exact in software to match the hardware version. This gets a little more tricky to find for free. If you are into the sound of a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier you can find a paid software version.
2.ANALOG
An analog synthesizer uses analog circuits and signals to generate sound electronically. Mostly these synths were monophonic, meaning only generating one sound at a time. Most analog synth software will be an emulation of old classic hardware. And yes, because it is electronic software, it is replicating an analog sound and is still considered a digital VST.
3. POLYPHONIC
These types of synth use octave divider technology to generate polyphony. They have 12 oscillators, one for each note on a scale. Polyphony is two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody.
4. SUBTRACTIVE
Harmonics of a waveform are modified with a voltage controlled resonant low pass filter. Example: sawtooth, pulse or square.
5. ADDITIVE
Taking multiple sine waves and manipulating them to create one overall sound. These waves will have a swelling effect and the time in which it completes the swell during that sound can be manipulated through modulation. This is where ASDR is helpful.
A- Attack
D- Decay
S- Sustain
R- Release
These are just a few and a full explanation could take forever.It is a vast world, the more you know about it, the more you can get what you want out of it. Educational moment over. Let’s download some synths.
Dexed
Modeled on the: Yamaha DX7.
O/S: Mac and Windows
TAL NO 62
Modeled on the: Roland Juno 60
O/S: Mac and Windows
Mikrosynth
Modeled on the: MicroKorg
O/S: Windows
Automatic Download.
Nebula
Modeled on the: Alesis SuperNova
O/S: Windows
Automatic Download.
Quilcom
Quilcom ASS is an Analogue Sounding Synthesizer and it comes with user manual.Automatic Download.
Athmonova
Athmonova2 is a 2 oscillator synthesizer.
1 OSC with saw/tri/pwm + 1 Subosc in different Modes and 1 Noise OSC.Automatic Download.
Nero
Nero is a mono synthesizer for bass, lead, and sequenced sounds.Zero Delay feedback filter.128 inspiring preset sounds.Automatic Download.
In closing, here is hoping that you can now download, extract, install, and run some good VST plugins. To aid you in your search here are some links to great websites that offer free VST instruments and effects.