Getting Started

VST Install Guide

Step-by-step instructions for installing Audubon Audio plugins on Windows and macOS.

Read First Important — Please read before installing

Our macOS builds are fully signed and notarized by Apple — install them like any other app. Our Windows builds are not yet Microsoft code-signed, which we are working toward.

What that means for you:

  • macOS: no warnings and no workarounds. Download the .pkg, double-click, and follow the installer. Gatekeeper recognises the signature, so there is nothing to unblock.
  • Windows: Windows Defender or SmartScreen may flag the plugin file when it is moved into the VST3 folder. This is expected for unsigned software and does not mean anything is wrong with the plugin.
On Windows, you are never required to proceed. If you are not comfortable clicking past those SmartScreen or Defender warnings, that is completely understandable and we respect that decision. Wait for our code-signed release, or reach out if you have any questions before continuing.
By installing and using any Audubon Audio plugin, you agree to our End User License Agreement, Terms of Service, and Refund Policy.
Back to Members Area
Before you begin: Close your DAW completely before installing. Download your plugin from the Members Area under Purchases & Downloads.
1
Download & Extract the .zip
In your Members Area, find the plugin under Purchases & Downloads and click Windows DL. Once downloaded, right-click the .zip file and select Extract All. Inside you will find a .vst3 folder.
Members Area purchase card with the Windows DL, Mac DL and Show Serial buttons
The zip opened, containing a single .vst3 folder
2
Open the VST3 Folder in Windows Explorer
Open a new Windows Explorer window and paste the following path into the address bar, then press Enter:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\

This is the standard VST3 location that all major DAWs (Ableton, FL Studio, Reaper, etc.) scan by default. If the folder doesn't exist, create it.
Windows Explorer address bar at C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
3
Drag & Drop the .vst3 File
Drag the .vst3 folder from your extracted zip directly into C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\. Windows may ask for administrator permission — click Continue to confirm.
Windows Defender / SmartScreen notice: Because our plugins are not yet Microsoft code-signed, Windows may show a warning when you move the file. If SmartScreen blocks the action, click More info → Run anyway. If Windows Defender flags the file, select Allow on device. These prompts appear for all unsigned software — they are expected until our Windows code-signing is in place.
The VST3 folder with the plugin's .vst3 folder copied in (highlighted)
4
Open Your DAW & Scan for Plugins
Launch your DAW and run a plugin rescan. In most DAWs this is under Preferences → Plugins → Scan or similar. The Audubon Audio plugin will appear in your instrument/effect browser once detected.
Ableton Live Settings > Plug-Ins with the Rescan button highlighted
5
Activate With Your Serial
The first time you open the plugin it asks for your serial number. It is in your Members Area under Purchases & Downloads — click Show Serial, copy it, paste it into the plugin and activate. Activation is fully offline and only happens once per machine. Without a serial the plugin runs in demo mode — full features, with the audio dipping to silence periodically.
Back to Members Area
Before you begin: Quit your DAW completely before installing. Download your plugin from the Members Area under Purchases & Downloads. macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or later required. Our Mac builds are Universal — one download runs natively on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
1
Download the .pkg Installer
In your Members Area, find the plugin under Purchases & Downloads and click Mac DL. You will get a single .pkg installer file — there is nothing to unzip and nothing to drag anywhere.
Members Area purchase card - click Mac DL to download the .pkg
The downloaded .pkg installer in Finder
2
Double-Click to Install
Double-click the .pkg and follow the installer. macOS will ask for your login password to authorize the install — that is the standard prompt for any installer that writes to a system folder. The plugin is placed in /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/ for you.
No Gatekeeper workaround needed. Our macOS builds are signed with an Apple Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so the installer opens normally — no quarantine, no Terminal commands, no "Allow Anyway" in System Settings. If macOS does block it, you likely have a partial download; delete the file and download it again.
The macOS installer wizard - follow the steps to install
3
Open Your DAW & Scan for Plugins
Launch your DAW and run a plugin rescan. In Ableton go to Settings → Plug-ins and rescan; in Reaper it is Preferences → Plug-ins → VST → Re-scan; Bitwig, Studio One and Cubase rescan on launch or from their plugin manager. The Audubon Audio plugin will appear in your browser once detected.

Logic Pro and GarageBand are not supported. They only load Audio Unit (AU) plugins, and our plugins are VST3. Use any VST3 host on macOS — Ableton Live, Reaper, Bitwig, Studio One or Cubase.
Ableton Live Settings > Plug-Ins with the Rescan button highlighted
4
Activate With Your Serial
The first time you open the plugin it asks for your serial number. It is in your Members Area under Purchases & Downloads — click Show Serial, copy it, paste it into the plugin and activate. Activation is fully offline and only happens once per machine. Without a serial the plugin runs in demo mode — full features, with the audio dipping to silence periodically.