User Guide

15.2. USING PLUG-INS 202
Working with VST and Audio Units Plug-ins is very much like working with Live devices. VST
and Audio Units instruments can only be placed in Live MIDI tracks and, like Live instruments,
they will receive MIDI and output audio signals. Plug-in audio effects can only be placed in
audio tracks or following instruments. Please see the section on working with Live devices
for general information about working with devices in Live.
The Plug-In Device
Browser and Selector.
Audio Units and VST Plug-ins are browsed and imported using the Plug-In Device Browser,
which is accessed via its selector. Plug-in instruments can be differentiated from plug-in
effects in the Browser, as they appear with a keyboard icon.
The Browser's search functionality is only available for Audio Units Plug-ins, as is loading
presets directly from Track View devices via the Browse button. In some instances, factory
presets for Audio Units will only appear in the Browser once the device has been placed in
a track and its Browse button activated.
Note: The rst time you start Live, no plug-ins will appear in the Plug-In Device Browser,
as you must rst activate your plug-in sources. Activating your plug-in sources tells Live
which plug-ins you want to use and where they are located on your computer. Information
on activating (and deactivating) plug-in sources can be found later in this chapter, by plug-in
type, in the sections on the VST Plug-in folder and Audio Units Plug-ins.