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VST3 and AU Effect Plugins

Using VST Plugins in DJ.Studio

Noah Feasey-Kemp avatar
Written by Noah Feasey-Kemp
Updated over 3 weeks ago

DJ.Studio now features VST and AU Effect Plugin integration, learn how to use it in this guide.

You can unlock the VST extension in the ultimate bundle.

Disclaimers:

  1. DJ.Studio is not a DAW for producing music. We try to keep things simple, and that's why we only support Audio effect plugins, no instruments in any way.
    So if you see any plugins marked in red, it's probably because these are instrument plugins.

  2. We have implemented support for VST3 and AU.

  3. A maximum amount of 4 VST effects can be added.

  4. Plugins are independently running applications, which can cause a lot of issues. Just like in other DAWs you will see in DJ.Studio that some plugins won't work. We can't give support in getting all of your plugins to work because we don't control these other applications.

  5. After activating a plugin, the keyboard focus are connected to the plugin and you need to click in DJ.Studio itself to get the focus back. So activating a plugin, the Space bar button won't work to play the music in DJ.Studio. You need to click first in DJ.Studio.


In the guide below we will use the word VST to refer to both VST and AU plugins because it all works the same.


Using VSTs in DJ.Studio

VSTs can only be used in Local File projects, due to the way projects work. They cannot be used in YouTube projects.

  1. Open a Local File project.

  2. Go to the Studio view.

  3. Open the Effects Tab from the bottom of the screen.

  4. At the right edge of the effects rack, you will see a + Add VST button. Click this.

  5. A popup will appear giving you an overview of how to use VSTs

  6. DJ.Studio will start scanning your VST library, wait for it to complete.

  7. You will now see a list of available Effect plugins

  8. Click the plugin you want to add to your project and wait for it to load.

  9. Your plugin should now be displayed in a floating window.

  10. Handling your VST:
    1. you can enable/disable the plugin with the yellow on/off button in the top right corner.
    2. You can show and hide the separate VST window by clicking on the title.
    3. You can remove the VST from DJ.Studio with the X.

    VSTs are globally added to all of your projects.

  11. You can change the settings using controls in the plugin's interface, or assign two parameters to use in the X/Y pad.

  12. You can also use the automation lanes to adjust parameters over time. Simply adjust a parameter in the plugin, and the parameter will appear as an automatable line.

  13. The master bus can have separate VSTs that are applied to all audio tracks. This works in the same way as the Effects VST system.

When you have finished your mix, Export your mix as usual, and it will include all the VST processing in the final audio file.

Setting Custom VST Folders

DJ.Studio scans the standard VST folder, although many people use a custom folder.

The standard VST folder on

  • Windows is C:\program files\Common files\VST3

  • and on Mac /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3

You can specify an additional folder for DJ.Studio to scan in Settings > Folders > Custom VST Folder Location.

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