GitHub hosts a lot of free audio plugins created by enthusiasts with open-source code. Even if you don’t have any programming knowledge, you’re able to still make use of this amazing resource by learning a few key things.
Once you know what file to download and how to install it on your computer, you won’t hesitate to download third-party plugins in the future.
How to Install Audio Plugins From GitHub
GitHub might not be one of your usual go-towebsites for free VST plugins, but it is an incredibly useful resource that is well worth checking out.
If you’re new to GitHub, it’s a popular platform for hosting and sharing open-source code, which is why you will find plenty of innovative, unique, and creative audio plugins flying under the radar here.
While a little daunting at first, you’re able to easily download plugins from GitHub once you know which file to download and where to look. If you need a plugin to use for this tutorial, feel free to pick one from the collection at theOpenAudio webpageor one of the plugins listed underGitHub’s audio-plugin topic.
1. Navigate to the Plugin’s GitHub Page
Once you’ve found a plugin that sounds interesting, and you’d like to try it out, the first step is to head to its GitHub page. This is where the code for the project is kept. You’ll notice other components of the project on this page, such as the license, the ReadMe file, and information about who contributed to it, etc.
2. Check the Plugin’s Compatibility
One of the key things you need to look for is if the plugin is compatible with your operating system. You are likely to find this information in the README.md section on the main page. You can navigate to it by clickingReadMefrom the right-hand side panel, under theAboutheading. Alternatively, scroll down on the main page until you see it.
In this section, look to see if the plugin works on macOS, Windows, or Linux. In some cases, it might list the plugin type instead, either as VST or AU plugin.
Here’s what these terms mean.
You may need to refer to your DAWs manual to see what plugins are compatible. Once you’ve checked that the plugin works on your system and DAW, you’re able to move on to downloading the file.
Next, look for the section namedReleaseson the right-hand side panel. A project doesn’t always have an official release, but if it does, click on the release labeledLatest. It will take you to a new page containing a section calledAssets.
From the list of files, you want to find the one that corresponds to your operating system. For example, you might see files that include the name “macos-x64”, “macos-arm64”, “windows-x64” and “linux-arm64”. Click on the file that has the name of your operating system.
The numbers are also important to take note of. For example, 64 refers to a 64-bit operating system. Meanwhile, terms like “arm64” refer to Mac computers powered by Silicon chips—as opposed to older computers that have an Intel chip.
See the troubleshooting section at the end of this article for more information on the differences between operating systems.
Not all plugin pages will have a Release section. In instances where they don’t, you need to look for a download link. Try looking in theAboutsection on the right-hand panel, directly beneath the description. It will have the link symbol (chain), and the color of the text will be blue.
You can also look for a download link in theREADME.mdsection on the main page. Once you find it, click on the link and follow the instructions for downloading the plugin. It doesn’t matter where you download it to your computer, as we will move the file later.
Once you have downloaded the right plugin for your operating systems, open the folder on your computer.
In the example below, the plugin called Regrader came with three folders: one for macOS and two for Windows. Inside the macOS folder were three more folders labeled AU, VST, and VST3.
Each plugin will have a different file structure, so the main point is to select the file that works on your computer. Usually, it will be the name of the plugin followed by the file extension .vst, .vst3 or .component. You only need to copy one of these files.
6. Copy the Plugin File to Your Computers Plugin Directory
Once you’ve located the correct file, right-click on it and select copy. Next, you need to find the plugin directory folder on your computer. In most cases, you’re able to find it in the following location:
To demonstrate on a macOS computer, open the Finder app, selectGofrom the navigation bar, then clickGo to Folder. In the search bar, type “/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins”, then press return on the keyboard.
Here, you will notice a separate folder for each plugin type, including Components, VST, and VST3. Make sure to paste the file into the folder that matches the file extension. In other words, a .vst3 file must go into the VST3 folder.
7. Open the Plugin in a DAW
All that’s left is to test that your plugin works. Some DAWs have less trouble recognizing third-party plugins, while others may require troubleshooting.
In most cases, your DAW should automatically scan for new plugins when you open the application. The plugin can then be located in the usual plugins folder or accessed via the effects slot on a track.
If your plugin doesn’t appear in the usual place, we’ll explain a few things you can do to troubleshoot.
Troubleshooting Plugin Installation
A plugin failing to show up in your DAW can be extremely annoying. There can be a number of reasons why this happens, so the best plan is to troubleshoot the problem one thing at a time.
Here’s a list of things you can try to fix the problem of a VST or AU plugin not appearing in your DAW.
Getting Comfortable Downloading Audio Plugins From GitHub
There are so many fantastic audio plugins posted to GitHub that are free, innovative, and easy to check out. Once you get familiar with how to download plugins from this code-sharing site, you will feel confident installing third-party plugins in the future. If you run into problems like the plugin not working on your DAW, working through a few troubleshooting tips can resolve it in no time.
