VST AU Little Phatty Editor: How to Control Your Moog Synth from Your Computer
How to Use VST or AU Plugins in Music Production with Pro Tools
VST and AU are two of the most common plugin formats that can extend the functionality of your digital audio workstation (DAW) by adding new instruments, effects, and other features. Plugins are software modules that can be loaded inside your DAW and interact with your audio and MIDI tracks. They can help you create, shape, process, and enhance your sounds in various ways.
vst au little phatty editor download free
Pro Tools is one of the most popular DAWs for professional music production, used by many artists, producers, engineers, and studios around the world. Pro Tools has its own proprietary plugin format called AAX, which stands for Avid Audio eXtension. However, not every plugin is available in AAX, especially some really great ones that are available for free or at a low cost. Therefore, Pro Tools users need to find workarounds to get their favorite VST or AU plugins to work.
In this article, I will show you how to install and use VST or AU plugins in Pro Tools with different methods and tools. I will also provide you with some examples of VST or AU plugins that you can use for sound design and creative purposes.
How to install VST or AU plugins on your computer and scan them with Pro Tools
The first step to use VST or AU plugins in Pro Tools is to install them on your computer. You can download them from the plugin developer's website or from other online sources. Make sure you download the correct version for your operating system (Windows or Mac) and your plugin format (VST2, VST3, or AU). Some plugins may come as executable files (.exe or .dmg) that will guide you through the installation process. Others may come as compressed files (.zip or .rar) that you need to extract first.
Once you have installed or extracted your plugins, you need to locate them on your computer. The default folders for VST and AU plugins are usually:
For Windows: C:\Program Files\VstPlugins (for 64-bit) or C:\Program Files (x86)\VstPlugins (for 32-bit)
For Mac: Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST (for VST) or Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components (for AU)
You can also create custom folders for your plugins if you prefer. However, you need to make sure that Pro Tools knows where to find them. To do that, you need to use a tool that can host VST or AU plugins inside Pro Tools. There are several options available, but I will focus on three of them: Blue Cat Audio Patchwork, Plogue Bidule, and DDMF Metaplugin.
Blue Cat Audio Patchwork is a versatile plugin that can host up to 64 VST or AU plugins in a single instance. It also allows you to create complex signal chains and routings with a flexible matrix. You can download it from here.
Plogue Bidule is a modular audio environment that can host any number of VST or AU plugins as well as its own built-in modules. It also enables you to create custom user interfaces and MIDI mappings. You can download it from here.
DDMF Metaplugin is a simple but powerful plugin that can host up to four VST or AU plugins per chain. It also offers basic routing options and parameter automation. You can download it from ^)^.
How to use VST or AU plugins in Pro Tools with different methods and tools
Once you have installed your plugins and one of the tools mentioned above, you can start using them in Pro Tools. Here are the steps to follow:
Launch Pro Tools and create a new session or open an existing one.
Create a new stereo instrument track or audio track, depending on the type of plugin you want to use.
Insert one of the tools (Patchwork, Bidule, or Metaplugin) as an AAX plugin on the track. You can find them under the category "Other" in the plugin list.
Open the tool's user interface by clicking on its name in the insert slot.
Load your desired VST or AU plugin(s) inside the tool's user interface. You can do this by clicking on the "+" button or by dragging and dropping them from your computer's file explorer.
Adjust the settings and parameters of your plugin(s) as you wish. You can also create complex signal chains and routings with the tool's matrix or patchbay.
Close the tool's user interface and play back your track. You should hear the sound of your plugin(s) processed by Pro Tools.
You can repeat these steps for any number of tracks and plugins you want to use. You can also save and recall your plugin configurations with the tool's preset manager.
Some examples of VST or AU plugins for sound design and creative purposes
There are thousands of VST and AU plugins available for free or at a low cost online. You can find them on websites like KVR Audio, Plugin Boutique, or Splice. Here are some examples of plugins that you can use for sound design and creative purposes:
NameTypeDescription
VST AU Little Phatty EditorSynthesizerThis plugin is an editor and controller for the Moog Little Phatty hardware synthesizer. It allows you to access and tweak all the parameters of the synth from your computer. You can also use it as a standalone instrument without the hardware connected.
Valhalla SupermassiveReverb/DelayThis plugin is a versatile reverb and delay effect that can create huge spaces and modulated echoes. It has several modes and parameters that let you create amazing soundscapes and atmospheres.
Glitchmachines Fracture XTGlitch/GranularThis plugin is a granular glitch processor that can chop, twist, and manipulate your audio in creative ways. It has a buffer engine, a multimode filter, three LFOs, and a delay module that can create complex rhythmic patterns and textures.
Output PortalGranular/FXThis plugin is a granular synthesis effect that can transform any sound source into a new sonic dimension. It has a simple and intuitive interface that lets you control the grain size, density, pitch, modulation, and effects of your audio. You can also use the advanced mode to access more parameters and presets.
Xfer Records SerumWavetable SynthesizerThis plugin is a powerful wavetable synthesizer that can create rich and dynamic sounds. It has two wavetable oscillators, a sub oscillator, a noise generator, four envelopes, four LFOs, and a modulation matrix that can modulate almost any parameter. You can also import your own wavetables or use the built-in editor to create custom ones.
Conclusion: Summary of the main points and tips for using VST or AU plugins in Pro Tools
In this article, I have shown you how to install and use VST or AU plugins in Pro Tools with different methods and tools. I have also provided you with some examples of VST or AU plugins that you can use for sound design and creative purposes. Here are some key points to remember:
VST and AU are two of the most common plugin formats that can extend the functionality of your DAW by adding new instruments, effects, and other features.
Pro Tools has its own proprietary plugin format called AAX, which stands for Avid Audio eXtension. However, not every plugin is available in AAX, especially some really great ones that are available for free or at a low cost.
To use VST or AU plugins in Pro Tools, you need to install them on your computer and use a tool that can host them inside Pro Tools. Some of the tools you can use are Blue Cat Audio Patchwork, Plogue Bidule, and DDMF Metaplugin.
To use these tools, you need to insert them as an AAX plugin on your track, open their user interface, load your desired VST or AU plugin(s) inside them, adjust the settings and parameters of your plugin(s), and close their user interface.
You can repeat these steps for any number of tracks and plugins you want to use. You can also save and recall your plugin configurations with the tool's preset manager.
You can find thousands of VST and AU plugins online for free or at a low cost. Some of the websites where you can find them are KVR Audio, Plugin Boutique, or Splice. Some of the plugins that you can use for sound design and creative purposes are VST AU Little Phatty Editor, Valhalla Supermassive, Glitchmachines Fracture XT, Output Portal, and Xfer Records Serum.
I hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy music making!
FAQs: Answers to some common questions about VST or AU plugins and Pro Tools
Q: Can I use VST or AU plugins without any tools in Pro Tools?
A: No, you cannot use VST or AU plugins directly in Pro Tools without any tools. Pro Tools only supports AAX plugins natively. You need to use a tool that can host VST or AU plugins inside Pro Tools.
Q: Which tool is the best for using VST or AU plugins in Pro Tools?
A: There is no definitive answer to this question. It depends on your personal preference, budget, workflow, and needs. Each tool has its own advantages and disadvantages. You can try them out for yourself and see which one suits you best.
Q: How many VST or AU plugins can I use in Pro Tools?
A: There is no fixed limit to how many VST or AU plugins you can use in Pro Tools. However, you need to consider the CPU usage and memory consumption of your plugins and tools. If you use too many plugins or tools at once, you may experience performance issues such as lagging, stuttering, crashing, or freezing. To avoid this, you can try to optimize your system by closing unnecessary programs, freezing some tracks, bouncing some tracks, or using lower quality settings for your plugins or tools.
Q: How can I update or uninstall my VST or AU plugins?
A: To update your VST or AU plugins, you need to download the latest version from the plugin developer's website or from other online sources. Then, you need to replace the old plugin files with the new ones in your plugin folder. You may also need to rescan your plugins with your tool or Pro Tools. To uninstall your VST or AU plugins, you need to delete the plugin files from your plugin folder. You may also need to remove them from your tool or Pro Tools.
Q: How can I find more VST or AU plugins for music production?
A: There are many websites, blogs, forums, videos, podcasts, and magazines that can help you discover new VST or AU plugins for music production. Some of the popular ones are KVR Audio, Plugin Boutique, Splice, Bedroom Producers Blog, Music Radar, Sound on Sound, and Computer Music. You can also ask other music producers for recommendations or join online communities such as Reddit, Facebook, Discord, or Twitter.
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