Add Vst Plugins To Reason

Published: 2017-01-17

If you’ve been producing for more than a week, I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of Serum. Download Free Reason AU VST Plugins & VSTi Instruments Here is our colection of FREE software, VST plugins, VSTi instruments, audio utilities and DAWs. Should you know of anything that we have not listed here let us know. The Props have integrated plug-ins into the familiar Reason environment as much as possible. VST Instruments appear in the Instruments Browser below all the Propellerhead devices, along with your Rack Extensions. Likewise, VST effects appear, sorted by developer, in the Effects tab. Unless you have installed your VST plug-ins to a custom folder, the standard installation path can be in one of many locations on Windows. If you can’t seem to find a plug-in or virtual instrument VST within your DAW, the first thing to do is check the folder locations below and see if the. Vst3 file is there. By default, Reason 9.5/10 and Reason Essentials 9.5/10 look for installed VST (2.4, 64-bit) plugins in the following locations: Under Windows: C:Program FilesVSTplugins C:Program FilesSteinbergVSTplugins C:Program FilesCommon FilesSteinbergVST2 Under Mac OS: Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST /Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST It's also possible to add your own custom.

VST in Reason is something people have been requested a lot of times. It has been stated back in the days that Propellerhead will not integrate the VST format. Nor are there any plans regarding integrating VSTs in the Digital Audio Workstation called Reason (yes, we can call it a DAW). At some point in time when Reason 6.5 got released the program got its own unique platform for external plugins. Which is a great step forward. Most of the external plugins as Rack Extensions work seamless in the workflow of the program itself. While this has been there for quite some time there is still an outcry for VST support in Reason. For those who really want to use VST support in Reason, this topic might be for you. Since we'll be diving right in to it. We'll also discuss the different downsides with this setups and different 'work flow issues' you may need to be aware of.

Click the 'Browse' button next to 'VST Plug-In Custom Folder'. Select the folder you would like Ableton to use for VST Plug-Ins. Confirm that the 'Use VST Plug-In Custom Folder' option is turned on, and the file path listed under 'VST Plug-In Custom Folder' leads to the folder you just selected. That's because the stand-alone version of Reason 11 only supports VST2 plugins and the Reason Rack Plugin is in VST3 format. To be able to use the Reason Rack Plugin you must use a DAW that supports the VST3 format.

VST since Reason 9.5

While this is quite fresh, vst will be supported since Propellerhead Reason 9.5. The whole rack interface contains a VST Host, and you can seamless drag and drop VST intstruments and plugins in to the reason rack as of the latest version.

VST the old Method

Before diving in to it, there is always the option of 'Rewire'. Rewire is a protocol which allows other DAWs (that do support VST) to run reason in the background. In this case the other DAW is the host and Reason just hangs in there in the back ground. For a complete list of daws that support the Rewire protocol you can check the wikipedia list.

There is a lot to say about this type of set up. Since in theory you will need 2 different programs to make use of it. Where Reason is used as a Synth (since in rewire mode you connect directly to the Rack while sending midi data to different devices). At the same time you using the other DAW to make music with. This may sound fine as it is. But there are some major drawbacks to this workflow.
- the user needs to have full understanding working with 2 DAWs
- the reason file needs to be saved as well as the song file. If you want to reload the session you need 2 files. One for the DAW, the other for Reason. I am not 100% sure if this is still the case, but it used to work that way.
- memory load (since your running 2 programs next to each other)
- cpu load might become an issue
- latency might become an issue

At some extend, if there is no real other alternative to get VST working with Reason. Then this might eventually be the only real solid solution there is. Sure, there are issues. But I never said this would be easy.

VST with Midi Out

Since Reason 7 there is a new way to control a VST (where VST stands for Virtual Studio Technology). In this version you have a Midi Out in Reason to control an external VST program. While original Midi Out was implemented to control external hardware, yet it works perfect to control VST instruments that allow it. And this the catch: Not every VST allows this. And not every 'setup' (eg: hardware) allows this to happen. There are a few requirements for this to work. And I know there is Mac OS. I don't own a Mac, there for I cannot make any conclusion on how this works on a Mac.

Minimum requirements for this VST method:
- A Program to Loop the Midi (in this case I am using loopMidi)
- A VST that runs as stand alone
- Minimum Reason version: Reason 7
- multiple Audio Cards that support VST (not required, I will get back to this)

LoopMidi

The idea behind loop midi is to use this as a 'midi bridge' between Reason and the VST. In this case it allows you to control multiple VST instruments at the same time (while using multiple midi loop interfaces). After installing to program loop midi, you will need to set up a Midi interface. Just to keep things simple, give it a solid name that would define what you are using it for.

Midi Out in Reason 7

For the next step, you will need an instrument called Midi Out. This can be added inside the Rack. The only important thing is to select the proper Midi Out channel. In my case it is a setting called 'Reason Midi Out'. Because this is the midi port I created inside loopMidi.

Midi Input VST

Here is the 'tricky' part. Since not every VST instrument will work the same. The most important parts are:
- The VST instrument needs a stand alone version of the plugin (not every VST has this, but most instruments from Native Instruments work as a stand alone version. #1)
- The VST needs to accept a Custom Midi Port.
- Per VST the workflow may be different

As an example, I will show a screenshot from Native Instruments Massive on how the Midi Port configuration may look like:

As far as most native instrument I have tested, these will have a similar set up. Under the menu 'file' there is a setting called 'Audio and Midi' settings. This will display the above picture after selecting the Midi Tab. When done so, make sure the Midi Port you are using in loopMidi is turned 'on' (by default, it is turned off!). When done so, you can go back to reason. Select the Midi Out, and play notes. This even works with the on screen piano.

Multiple Audio Cards

In case you want to play the VST as is, you can stop here. Since it should already be working as it is. However, sometimes you may need to 'sample' the input from the VST to another track. Jasper from therSitez has presented an awesome video which displays this method. It comes down to have the Audio Output from the VST going through a specific audio port. Next you create an audio track. There you will select the same audio channel as input. Hit record... and you are all set to go. At this point in time I can't display any images regarding this technique because the laptop I am writing on does not have multiple audio card, my desktop does. Since I have already tested this workflow, I therefor can confirm that it works. Only disadvantage with the audio cards: they need to work with Asio4All. Other wise... it is going to be a no-go.

VST Samples in Reason

Some VST instrument have data libraries where the sound sources are RAW wave files. I know that for instance Battery has this, same goes for AbSynth 4. At some point you are able to use the sound source from different VST and load these up directly inside an NN-XT. Or Kong. I depends if they sound proper enough, and if the VST instrument is using raw sample data by default. In most cases, this is not the case. But I thought I would just add this option to the list of ways to get VST sounds inside the Reason Rack.

There is also the method to record every single note from a VST inside a DAW that supports it, export the sound as a Wav File and import those back inside the NN-XT. While this workflow is really time consuming, I can say I have done this method once using Legacy Cell in the past. There for I know... it is a real time consuming job to export it, load it up, layer it and so. This method also has some limitations to it (since your only using raw souns). But I am just saying, it can be done.

For now, this kind of sums up my chain of thoughts when it comes to using VST instruments in Reason. Have a good evening!

1. This is based on experimenting with VSTs from Native Instruments like Monark, Reaktor 6, AbSynth 4 and Massive

VST and using Reason Rewire

Reason Rewire is a protocol which allows other DAWs (that do support VST) to run reason in the background. In this case the other DAW is the host and Reason just hangs in there in the back ground. For a complete list of daws that support the Rewire protocol you can check the wikipedia list.

At some extend, if there is no real other alternative to get VST instruments working with Reason. Then this might eventually be the only real solid solution there is. Sure, there are issues. But I never said this would be easy.

VST instruments and Midi Out in Reason

VST (Virtual Studio Technology) instruments can be controlled since Reason 7. Since this version you have a Midi Out in Reason to control an external VST program. While original Midi Out was implemented to control external hardware, yet it works perfect to control VST instruments that allow it. And this the catch: Not every instrument allows this. And not every 'setup' (eg: hardware) allows this to happen. There are a few requirements for this to work. And I know there is Mac OS. I don't own a Mac, there for I cannot make any conclusion on how this works on a Mac.

LoopMidi

Best Vst Plugins For Reason

Midi Out in Reason 7

Midi Input VST

Here is the 'tricky' part. Not every VST instrument will work the same. The most important parts are:
- The VST instrument needs a stand alone version of the plugin (not every VST has this, but most instruments from Native Instruments work as a stand alone version. #1)
- The VST needs to accept a Custom Midi Port.
- Per VST the workflow may be different

As an example, I will show a screenshot from Native Instruments Massive on how the Midi Port configuration may look like:

Multiple Audio Cards

VST Samples in Reason

Reason 10 Vst

For now, this kind of sums up my chain of thoughts when it comes to using VST instruments in Reason. Have a good evening!

1. This is based on experimenting with VSTs from Native Instruments like Monark, Reaktor 6, AbSynth 4 and Massive

Written by hydlide
Published: 2017-01-17

There are a few different way to use VST and AU plugins in Pro Tools 12. It’s even possible to use VST/AU plugins in Pro Tools First, the free version of Pro Tools 12.

One of the things that separates Pro Tools from other DAWs is the proprietary AAX format that it uses for plugins.

Not all plugins are available in AAX, especially some really good free ones, so Pro Tools users have to find workarounds to get their favorite VST and AU plugins to work.

Luckily there are a few methods that can get the job done.

Free Reason Plugins

Unfortunately none are free, but they all have demos to try for free, and each offers a number of other features as well.

Not all of these options will work with Pro Tools First since one of the main limitations with the free version is you have to get all the plugins through Avid’s marketplace.

Pro Tools First does supports ReWire, though, and that’s a big plus because that means it can run other DAWs that support ReWire. It can use Ableton Live’s built-in instruments, for example, and if you ReWire with Reaper it can run VST plugins within Pro Tools. Bidule is another option that works with Pro Tools First.

Using Reaper in Pro Tools to Host VST Instruments and Plugins

Reason 10 Vst Plugins Folder

Reaper is a good option to use VST plugins in Pro Tools because it has a 60-day free fully-functioning demo and it only costs $60 to purchase. Plus it’s a full DAW and not just a plugin like the other options.

How To Use Any Virtual Instrument Plugin in Pro Tools First

Reason 11 Plugin

The folks at Pro Tools Expert uploaded the helpful video above showing how to use Bidule with ReWire to load VST instruments into Pro Tools First. Bidule sells for $95 and can be used for a number of other things as well.

Free Reason Vst Plugins

How To Use VST/AU in Pro Tools 12 with Blue Cat Audio Patchwork

Can I Add Vst Plug-ins To Reason 10

Another option to run VST and AU plugins in the full version of Pro Tools 12 is with the Blue Cat Audio Patchwork plugin. It’s capable of hosting up to 64 VST, VST3 or Audio Unit plugins in one instance. It sells for $99 (79 euros).

Pro Tools 12 and Metaplugin – Wes Renaud

The Metaplugin is an AAX plugin that can host VST and AU plugins in the full version of Pro Tools. It supports up to eight individual channels and sells for $49.

Mastering Compressors Vst Free

Massive Synth Vst Free