VST Folder Setup???

[pavvel]

Ok guys

I have a question. Just wondering how you manage your vst and vsti plug ins.

I am using cubase sx.

Cubase has a default folder programfiles>cubasesx>vstplugins the all it's plug delay synths etc...

What I have done is put all them in to one that says steinberg.

Then outside in my root drive made a vst plug ins folder and put everything else in there and done it like:

vstplugins>Native Instrument>then the plugs
>Linplug>Albino

etc...

So when im in cubase i get a list when I open the vst instruments window:-


Native Instuments
Linplug
Specstrasonics

Then inside those folder are the actual plug

Also As I put all the steinberg folder in one folder it now comes up like the above too.

Is this how everyone else does it? or not?

Is there an easier way? Better way?

Any advice on how you set your up would be great, pictures if needed

Thanks people

[hoffy]

c:\Program Files\Steinberg\Cubase SX\VST Plugins\

and in that directory;

..\Synths
..\Sample Libraries
..\Effects

\Effects is subdivided into Modulation, Reverb, Delay, Distortion etc. etc.

\Synths is subdivided by Developer

I also use a program called File-ex from Cottonwood Software which i highly recommend coz it helps navigation on Audio systems *HEAPS*.

And i have a shortcut to my VST directory on my root drive so i can get to it easily =).

Oh, and i'll occasionally store .dll's in a "Temp" Folder inside the vstplugins folder for demos and freeware stuff i'm trying out.

[pavvel]

Ok thanks for that, sound a little more practical than my method. What about presets & patches? one big folder for all of them? sub divided by developer then synth?

[Bas]

The orginal concept was that Cubase-only plugins went in the program files\Steinberg\Cubase Sx3\VSTPlugins folder, and the others were used as shared folders for other apps to use the plugins.

Working with the Steinberg\VSTPlugins as the main shared folder, it can help to put 3rd party plugs in there that can be used by all hosts, and other locations can be used for shared plugs which may not work with SX. Adding only the shared folders you require in SX can keep the menu's tidy.

One trick, having a dynamics folder (for example) in a shared folder, with the plugs below that, merges the Cubase SX3\VSTPlugins\Dynamics folder and the one in the the shared folder in the menu struture in SX. So you can have all dynamics plugs in the same menu.

I like all my patches (fxp/fxb) in a single folder, but some synths/fx have specific folders that they save into, so for those that do, I use their native structure, and for the rest I use my own.

[TheStorm]

Cubase is pretty good about searching the /vst-dx folder and subfolders and listing any vst's/vsti's that it finds there, but some hosts require that you run a recognition program (such as a VST/DX wrapper) prior to assimilation into your hosts' lists of FX/instruments. Oddly enough, some of the more high-end tools won't recongnize subfolders until you do (Samplitude and Nuendo, are two I believe), while more user-friendly programs like Cubase and CW do it automatically.

FWIW, I strongly recommend that everyone make subfolders and place your vsts in there (what are you gonna do if you have to vst's/vsti's with the same name, after all?), but you should be aware that you might have to perform additional steps in some hosts if you do. Maybe it's a stability thing?

[Bunnyboy]

For energyXT, i have synth and FX folders. Each of these is divided into more folders (e.g piano, compression, pad, reverb) so it easier to find stuff (except my FSU folder which has about 50 plugs in it!!)

[pHz]

similar to the bunny here too ...

... one big VST folder ...

... in that an FX and an INSTRUMENTS folder ...

... FX subdivided into folders for effect types (chorus / compression / delay / etc) ...

... INSTRUMENTS also subdivided into folders for types (drums / samplers / synths / MIDI / etc) ...

... once its all set up dead easy to maintain (heehee ... as long as you always remember to change the installation path for plugins with installers)

slainte rob

[hoffy]

right.. i lied. My folder isn't '..\VST Plugins' it is '..\VSTPlugins\3rd Party\' ... and then everything is subdivided as i mentioned. In FL Studio, i then point to the '3rd Party' folder.

Note to self- "Instruments" is a better name then "Synths" in my folder structure- but i'd guess its too late to change it now

As for my .fxp's, i just use a 'Patches' folder next to the .dll of the appropriate synth.

Navigating and maintaining this is easy, but again, i recommend File-ex. It incorporates itself into all Windows applications, so that when the standard Windows "Open" dialog box appears, there are additional options, including a list of favourite folders- where i place my VST directory, Projects Directory, Sample Directory etc. It's got heaps of other neat little things that makes using Windows a lot easier. Try it out. Please. I'm not paid to say this =). Its developed by a company called Cottonwood Software.

[deleted]

DELETED

[blaster78]

i have no organisation whasoever, everything goes into a vst folder with very little subdivision at all.



not good at that organisiation thing me....

cheers,

steve.

[Kalamata Kid]

Hello,

I put my fxp and fxb in my data Drive under
the respective programs. Is this OK?

I look at Steinberg/VSTplugins/… and then
open the “VST Instrument” list and the file
hierarchy looks differently.
The same discrepancy occurs in EnergyXT.

So any arrangement in Steinberg/VSTplugins/…
is done for the purpose of keeping tabs of
what is installed rather than for a file hierarchy one
may find inside Cubase “VST Instrument” list.
Correct?

So as blaster78 said
“i have no organisation whasoever, everything goes
into a vst folder with very little subdivision at all.”
Is this addiquuete? I suspect blaster78 is happy with
this setup?

[Kalamata Kid]

Hello,

It would be great to finalize what is he best way
to organize the VST and VSTi folders for Cubase and
EnergyXT users.

Are some VST’s required to be directly under
a VSTplugins folder?