are there people who can explain to me something about plugins software loading renoise. I really don’t know how to set it up, I have commom files on the internet with, avid, microsoft shared, Modartt, Native instrument, propellerhead software, service, system, Vst2 and Vst3 folders, I am not familiar with it at all but I really want to Please help me, if anyone can help me I would appreciate some advice
I asked chatgpt, dunno if it is 100% correct, but seems about right;
Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Plugins in Renoise
Understand Plugin Types
Renoise supports two types of plugins:
VST2/VST3 Plugins: Found in Vst2 and Vst3 folders.
Audio Unit (AU): Available only on macOS.
Plugins are like virtual instruments or effects that you can use inside Renoise to enhance your music.
Locate Your Plugin Folders
Check where your plugins are installed. Common locations include:
Windows:
C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST2
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
macOS:
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components (for AU plugins)
Linux:
/usr/lib/vst
/usr/lib/vst3
If you installed plugins yourself, you might have chosen custom locations.
Tell Renoise Where to Look
a. Open Renoise and go to Preferences:
Windows: Edit > Preferences
macOS/Linux: Renoise > Preferences
b. Navigate to the Plugins tab.
c. Add your plugin folders:
Click Browse next to "VST Plugin Paths" or "AU Plugin Paths".
Locate and select the folders where your plugins are installed.
d. Click Rescan to let Renoise find your plugins.
Check if Plugins are Enabled
Make sure the checkboxes for Enable VST2 Plugins, Enable VST3 Plugins, or Enable AU Plugins (on macOS) are ticked.
Test Your Plugins
a. Open a new project in Renoise.
b. Go to the Plugin tab in the Instrument Selector (top-right of Renoise).
c. Look for your installed plugins in the list.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you don’t see your plugins, double-check the folder paths in Preferences > Plugins.
Make sure you installed the correct plugin version for your system (32-bit vs. 64-bit). Renoise is 64-bit, so ensure your plugins match.
Restart Renoise after adding new plugins.
Some plugins may require licensing or activation—check the plugin’s documentation.
Free Plugins to Get Started
If you're new to plugins, here are some free ones you can try:
Vital (Synth)
TAL-NoiseMaker (Synth)
Valhalla Supermassive (Reverb)
I’d advice you to have discipline when using custom folders where you install your plugins, not use a different folders every time you install new plugins, vst3 are advised to be installed inside the common folders (like; C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 ; this is where Renoise will look for vst3 anyway) and whatever you use for 32/64 bit vst(i)'s, imo you should create folders that you can remember (fit in your system management style; do you want to make a distinction for freeware, paid, warez, 32 bit and or 64 bit in your folder names?) and consequently use these whenever you install new plugins. VST folder management has been kinda like the wild west since inception, bit of a mess, that’s why Steinberg opted for a fixed VST3 location in the common files, but some DAWs allow you to even customize the vst3 location.