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

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

This page provides step by step instruction on installing VST or DX instruments and effects. The 'i' following DX and VST denotes the plugin is an instrument as opposed to an effect.

VST Plugins

VST Plugins usually come in the form of a ‘dynamic link library’ (.DLL) file, containing a program that can be invoked by FL Studio to perform the desired function. Installing plugins, instruments and FX, is usually a very simple process including -

• Copying a few .DLL files to a directory (or pointing an installation package to install to that directory)
• Refreshing the plugin list in FL Studio so that they are available for use.

You will probably collect quite a few 3rd party plugins so we advise keeping them outside the FL Studio installation directory so that you can back-up and manage your plugins independent of the FL Studio installation -

1. Create a plugin directory where you will save ALL your 3rd party plugins, somewhere outside the FL Studio install structure, e.g. C:\MyFLStudio\Plugins.
2. Set C:\MyFLStudio\Plugins as the VST search directory. Press F10, select File Settings - Then select the File tab at the bottom of the file window you will see ‘VST plugins extra search directory’. Click on the folder icon and browse to C:\MyFLStudio\Plugins directory and click OK). FL studio will now look in this directory for plugins to use.
3. Create sub-directories for FX and Instruments (be organized, as later you will have no idea what is an instrument or FX plugin among your .DLLs).

Install VST Instruments/Synths/Generators (VSTi)

1. Install the Instrument plugins (.DLLs etc) to the appropriate directory created in the previous section (above). This will usually be a copy procedure. If installation uses an installer, override the default install directory and point it to your VST directory.
2. Refresh the plugin list. Click: Channels > Add one > More > Refresh (button at the bottom of the list) > Fast scan. The plugin you have installed should appear in the plugin list in red. If this does not happen, please make sure you have followed the previous steps properly.
3. Optional - Place a checkmark before the plugin name if you want it listed in your favorites and close the window.
4. Now the plugin is installed and can be used as a standard FL Studio instrument. 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 will appear 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 patterns in a full song.
• Generator Plugins - Learn more about the plugin standards supported by FL Studio

Install VST Effects

1. Install the Effects plugins (.DLLs etc) to the appropriate directory created in the section (at the top of this page). This will usually be a copy procedure. If installation uses an installer, override the default install directory and point it to your VST directory.
2. Refresh the FX plugin list - In the Mixer window, click down arrow for any of the plugin slots (external effects banks), click the Select item. In the submenu that appears, select More.... 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. 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.
3. Optional - Place a checkmark before the plugin name if you want it listed in your favorites and close the window.
4. 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 Mixer FX slot, select Add One and in the submenu that appears select the name of the plugin. An instance of the plugin appears in the Mixer window.

Related Links:

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

DirectX Plugins

Install DXi 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 they are 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 instrument/generator. 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 patterns in a full song.
• Generator Plugins - Learn more about the plugin standards supported by FL Studio.

Install DX 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 they are 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 effect. 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