How to Install VST Plugins in Pro Tools

1. Free Pro Tools Vst Plugins

Install VST Plugins in Pro Tools

The main downside though is the CPU and RAM usage is quite high compared to most other piano plugins and libraries I have used. How I use Keyscape as a Composer Keyscape is my go-to piano/keys software instrument for creative sound design keyboard sounds, smooth sub-bass like low-end pianos, hybrid piano sounds, and rare keyboards.

A commonly cited problem with Pro Tools, an audio creation and production software, is that it will not work with third-party developers. With thousands of Virtual Studio Technologies plug-ins (or VSTs) to choose from, many Pro Tools users want to expand their workstations by adding them. However, Pro Tools will not recognize VSTs as usable content. Thanks to FXpansion, there are ways to add VST plug-ins into Pro Tools (See limitations)

Free Pro Tools Vst Plugins

Computers with Apple Mac OS X v10.6 'Snow Leopard', Mac OS X v10.7 'Lion', Mac OS X v10.8 'Mountain Lion', OS X v10.9 'Mavericks', OS X v10.10 'Yosemite', OS X v10.11 'El Capitan', macOS v10.12 'Sierra', macOS v10.13 'High Sierra', macOS Mojave 10.14, macOS Catalina 10.15, macOS Big Sur 11.

• Step 1

  Download the VST to RTAS Adapter pack. Remember to match the adapter with your version of Pro Tools.

• Click on the VST to RTAS Adapter disk image located on your computer. Drag and drop the folder to your Applications folder. Run VST to RTAS Adapter Configuration.

• Step 3

  The VST to RTAS Adapter Configuration will automatically scan your computer in the following three areas for VST plug-ins:
  /Library/Audio/Plugins/VST
  /Users/<user>/Library/Audio/Plugins/VST
  /Applications/VST to RTAS Adapter /VST
  If you have VST plug-ins installed in a different folder, then press the + button on the top left side of the screen to add it to the location screen.

• Click the 'Detect and Wrap' button to convert the VST plug-ins into RTAS. Quit VST to RTAS Adapter Configuration and open Pro Tools. The newly converted RTAS will now appear under Inserts in the Pro Tools Mixer. Each converted plug-in will begin with a 'VST' prefix.

  Computers with Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10

  • Step 1

    Run the VST to RTAS Adapter Configuration.

  • The VST to RTAS Adapter Configuration will automatically scan your computer in the following two areas for VST plug-ins:
    C:Program FilesSteinbergVstPlugIns
    C:Program FilesFXpansionVST to RTAS AdapterVstPlugIns
    If you have VST plug-ins installed in a different folder, press the + button on the top left side of the screen to add it to the location screen.

  • Step 3

    Click the 'Detect and Wrap' button to convert the VST plug-ins into RTAS. Quit VST to RTAS Adapter Configuration and open Pro Tools. The newly converted RTAS will appear under Inserts in the Pro Tools Mixer. Each converted plug-in will begin with a 'VST' prefix.

    Plug-in Compatibility

    What plug-in formats are compatible with Pro Tools?

    
    Pro Tools plug-ins are available in three formats:
    

    • TDM — for Pro Tools|HD systems and VENUE
      

    • Real-Time AudioSuite™ (RTAS®) — for Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE™, and Pro Tools M-Powered™ systems
      

    • AudioSuite — for Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE™, and Pro Tools M-Powered™ systems
      

    Limitations

    • No. Mac VST Plugins with .vst extension work on a Mac. Windows VST Plugins with .dll extension (Dynamic Link Library) on a Windows PC.

    VSTis a trademark of Steinberg Soft- und Hardware GmbH

    Real-Time AudioSuite™ RTAS is a registered trademark of Avid Technologies Inc.

    TDM (Time Domain Multiplex) is a plug-in format created by Digidesign for Pro Tools systems

    Pro Tools® is a registered trademark of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries.