Windows
Copy a .vst3 file to
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
Copy a .dll file to your VST2 location. Common locations are:
C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins
C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VSTPlugins
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST2
Or use a custom directories configured in your DAW’s preferences.
Restart your DAW and rescan plugins if needed.
macOS
Apple requires all software to be signed with a developer certificate. This certificate costs $99 per year.
I am, however, ineligible for this program. Apple categorically excludes individuals based solely on their citizenship, regardless of current country of residence, tax jurisdiction, or any individual assessment.
As a Russian passport holder legally residing and working in Europe, I am banned from this program based exclusively on my country of birth.
The irony of paying a corporation $99 annually for the privilege of giving away free creative tools is not lost on me. The irony of being excluded from that privilege on ethnic grounds requires no further comment.
MacOS 13.5 Ventura or later is required.
Copy the files to the correspondent locations:
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components
Open Terminal and run the commands (replace “Sand” with an actual name):
xattr -cr /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Sand.vst3
xattr -cr /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/Sand.component
Restart your DAW.
If the plugin still doesn’t load, check your DAW’s plugin blacklist and re-scan.
Note that some DAWs (like Logic Pro) may refuse to load unsigned plugins regardless of these steps. Others (like REAPER) are more permissive and will work fine.