Yes you can.
I keep VST3 and VST2 together just to have all the plugins on a separate partition.
Still, it's advisable to keep plugins in separate folders so that utility files (skins, presets, extra libraries) don't get messed up.
Very beginner question: I can just dump all my vsts in the same folder right?
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- KVRAF
- 4589 posts since 7 Jun, 2012 from Warsaw
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Tricky-Loops wrote: (...)someone like Armin van Buuren who claims to make a track in half an hour and all his songs sound somewhat boring(...)
Tricky-Loops wrote: (...)someone like Armin van Buuren who claims to make a track in half an hour and all his songs sound somewhat boring(...)
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- KVRian
- 1075 posts since 26 Nov, 2007
rarely does a VST effect have anything needed other than the .dll file itself but that is not the case with VST instruments. probably 90% or more of them have samples or wave files they need to play the sounds and most times than not you can put them (samples) where you like but you have to direct the instrument itself as to where the samples are located. the location of the sample files are usually directed in the 'settings' of said instruments.
as for VST3 plugins... over the years i have found it is best just to let them install into the installer's default location but you have to watch out some developer's default location for VST3s is a "Steinberg" folder and not the standard "VST3" folder so if you install VST3s note the location it is installing to or go and grab those in the "Steinberg" folder and move them to the standard "VST3" location (note all this is for Windows systems) basically if you overlooked the install location and your plugs aren't showing then go look for the "Steinberg" folder under "Common Files".
over time you will learn all the quirks so don't fret
cheers
as for VST3 plugins... over the years i have found it is best just to let them install into the installer's default location but you have to watch out some developer's default location for VST3s is a "Steinberg" folder and not the standard "VST3" folder so if you install VST3s note the location it is installing to or go and grab those in the "Steinberg" folder and move them to the standard "VST3" location (note all this is for Windows systems) basically if you overlooked the install location and your plugs aren't showing then go look for the "Steinberg" folder under "Common Files".
over time you will learn all the quirks so don't fret
cheers
"two fools dancing on the hands of time... yeah the fool and me"
Knot Hardly Productions
Knot Hardly Productions
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- KVRAF
- 8103 posts since 13 Jan, 2003 from Darkest Kent, UK
As time's goes on I'm seeing less and less plugs create sub-folders in the actual VST folder, mainly due to the write permissions issue others have mentioned.
Generally this is fine, what I object to is where and supplemental files end up. Program Data seems the logical place (and correct as per MS spec), AppData in your users folder is fine too but so many installers today create a folder in your Documents folder. For me, this has rendered the Documents folder pretty much pointless. Maybe I'm still thinking in old school win95 'My Documents' terms, you put your personal letters etc there, not expect a bunch of app files in there too muddying the waters.
Generally this is fine, what I object to is where and supplemental files end up. Program Data seems the logical place (and correct as per MS spec), AppData in your users folder is fine too but so many installers today create a folder in your Documents folder. For me, this has rendered the Documents folder pretty much pointless. Maybe I'm still thinking in old school win95 'My Documents' terms, you put your personal letters etc there, not expect a bunch of app files in there too muddying the waters.
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- KVRAF
- 3817 posts since 20 Apr, 2005
My last couple of music pcs I have up trying to organise where things get installed. *Except large libraries that go on a different drive.
I just go with the default location from the developer and install vst2 and vst3. I instead try to organise them inside my DAW.
I find using the default location saves lots of issues. Installation and updating are a bit quicker and the biggest issue is needing to find and are a new folder to vst locations/paths in the DAW.
Keeps it all pretty simple.
Tbh had installed au but didn't need them I would just leave them where they were. If short of space I'm sure there are larger things that are easier to delete.
I just go with the default location from the developer and install vst2 and vst3. I instead try to organise them inside my DAW.
I find using the default location saves lots of issues. Installation and updating are a bit quicker and the biggest issue is needing to find and are a new folder to vst locations/paths in the DAW.
Keeps it all pretty simple.
Tbh had installed au but didn't need them I would just leave them where they were. If short of space I'm sure there are larger things that are easier to delete.