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Adding a new VST synth or plugin to Reaper can be a daunting task for the novice user. With the right steps and knowledge, however, it can be simple.
This article will provide step-by-step instructions on how to add a new VST synth or plugin to Reaper in five easy steps, as well as additional information and tips.
By the end of this article, you will be able to confidently add any new VST synth or plugin to Reaper.
Key Takeaways
- Open Reaper and go to Options > Preferences, or use the shortcut Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + (,) (macOS) to open Preferences.
- In the Preferences panel, click on the Add button and navigate to the folder containing the VST plugin.
- Click Open to select the folder, and Reaper will scan for any new VST plugins in that directory.
- To add a newly installed synth or instrument, click on Insert > Insert Virtual Instrument on New Track and choose the desired plugin from the list. Alternatively, click the FX button on an existing track and choose VST from the pop-up menu.
Accessing Preferences
Accessing Preferences in Reaper is easily done by opening the Options menu and selecting Preferences, or using the shortcut Ctrl + P (Windows) or Cmd + (,) (macOS).
From here, users can customize settings and manage track effects. Scroll down the Preferences list to locate the Plug-ins section, then click the VST option.
To add a new plugin, click the Add button, navigate to the folder containing the VST plugin, and click Open. Reaper will then scan the directory for any new plugins and add them to the available choices.
This scanning process is automatic every time Reaper is launched.
Directing Reaper
After selecting the VST plugin folder, click the Re-Scan button to direct Reaper to the directory. This re-scan feature allows Reaper to search for any new plugins that may have been installed.
It is also possible to add multiple directories for Reaper to search for plugins. The scanning process is done automatically every time Reaper launches, and any plugins found in the added directories will be included in the list of available choices. This makes it easy to keep Reaper up-to-date with new plugins and synths.
Furthermore, all the supported plugin formats are scanned, including VST, VST2, VST3, AU, AAX, and RTAS.
Scanning for Plugins
Once the VST plugin folder has been selected, Reaper can be directed to re-scan the directory for any new plugins. To do this, simply click the Re-Scan button in the Preferences panel.
All plugins in the added directories will be scanned, and the newly found plugins will be added to the available choices.
Note that different plugin formats are supported by various DAWs, and Reaper supports VST, VST2, VST3, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats.
When troubleshooting plugin installation, make sure the plugin is compatible with Reaper and the VST format is correct.
This process is automated every time Reaper launches, making it easy to add new plugins.
Adding Plugins to Tracks
Following the re-scanning process, users can add the newly installed VST plugins to their tracks in Reaper.
To do this, click on Insert in the menu bar and select Insert Virtual Instrument on New Track.
From the pop-up menu, choose either VST or Instrument and select the desired plugin from the list.
For existing tracks, click the FX button on the desired track and choose VST from the pop-up menu.
If users encounter any issues during the installation process, they can refer to the Troubleshooting section in the Reaper documentation for guidance.
Additional Information
Other important information to consider when adding VST synths/plugins to Reaper includes DAW compatibility, plugin formats, multiple directories for scanning, and the automatic scanning process.
Reaper supports VST, VST2, VST3, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats.
The scanning process occurs automatically upon Reaper’s launch, and all plugins in the added directories will be scanned.
Additionally, users can add multiple directories for Reaper to search for plugins.
To ensure the desired plugin is compatible with the DAW, it is important to check the plugin format before adding it to Reaper.
Conclusion
By following these five simple steps, users of Reaper can easily add a new VST synth or plugin to their projects.
- Access the Preferences and Plug-ins menu.
- Direct Reaper to the VST Plugin folder.
- Scan for plugins.
- Add the desired plugins to the tracks.
- With this information, users can confidently add any new VST synth or plugin to Reaper.
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