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Using VST plugins in Reason 12.5

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Fredrik
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About using VST plugins in Reason

Here are some general notes regarding VST compatibility in Reason: 

  • Reason 12.5 and later supports 64-bit VST3 and 64-bit VST2 (2.4) plugins
  • Both Windows and Mac VSTs are supported
  • Multitimbrality in VSTs is currently not supported - only one MIDI channel per VST can be played back at a time. If you are using a multitimbral VST it will only receive on MIDI Channel 1
  • Reason does not support VSTs that output MIDI, e.g. pattern generators etc.
  • Reason does not support MPE, so any VSTs supporting MPE won't be able to this functionality
  • VSTs are not supported in Reason Rack Plugin - only in Reason standalone

About installing and enabling VST plugins

VST plugins are downloaded and installed individually, as designed/determined by the VST plugin manufacturers. No special Reason Studios app or functions are required for installing VSTs.

About VST licenses

VST licenses and authorizations are handled by the individual VST manufacturers. VSTs cannot be authorized using the Reason Studios authorization system used for Reason and Rack Extensions.

Installing VST plugins under Windows

At launch, Reason scans for installed VST plugins in the following folders:

C:\Program Files\VSTplugins\ (VST2 plugins)
C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VSTplugins\ (VST2 plugins)
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Steinberg\VST2\ (VST2 plugins)
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\ (VST3 plugins)

Installing VST plugins under Mac

On a macOS computer Reason scans for installed VST plugins in the following folders at launch:

Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST (VST2 plugins)
~/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST (VST2 plugins)
Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3 (VST3 plugins)

Common stuff for Windows and Mac

  • If you don’t have any previously installed VST plugins on your computer you might have to manually create a folder according to one of the paths listed above.
    When you then install VST plugins later on, instruct the VST Installation program to install the dll files in the appropriate folder. If there is no installation program for the VST, manually place the VST dll files in any of the folders listed above
  • It’s also possible to define your own custom VST folders on the Folders tab in Preferences
  • Don't use cracked VSTs, as this could cause all sorts of problems

About VSTs and increased DSP (CPU) Load

Some VSTs might be rather CPU demanding, which could affect the overall DSP Load in your Reason songs, resulting in crackling/stuttering audio. If you should experience these types of performance problems, please have a look at this article, regarding performance optimization in Reason.

Further info

For more details about using VSTs in Reason, please refer to the "Working with VST Plugins" chapter in the Reason 12 Help/Operation Manual, available on the Reason/Help menu in Reason.