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How to use VST2 plug-ins in Dorico

Updated

Dorico supports all VST3 instruments and effects plug-ins. However, some plug-in manufacturers have not yet updated their plug-ins to the VST3 format, and until they do, you might want to use some VST2 compatible plug-ins with Dorico. Read more on VST3 ...
 

Problem

My VST2 instruments and effects don't appear in the list of available plug-ins in the VST Instruments rack in Play mode, or in the menus that appear in the Inserts and Sends section of the Mixer.
 

Solution

First, please check with your plug-in's manufacturer to find out whether a VST3 compatible version of the plug-in is yet available. If such a version is available, we recommend that you use that version with Dorico.

By default, Dorico will only load VST2 plug-ins that are explicitly whitelisted. These are plug-ins that we have tested with Dorico and are satisfied that they will not cause any problems.

You can allow Dorico to load additional VST2 plug-ins by adding or modifying a whitelist as described below. Please note that the necessary steps differ depending on the Dorico version.
 

Dorico 3.5 / Dorico 4

  • Select "Preferences..." from the Dorico menu (Mac) resp. from the Edit menu (Windows).
  • The Preferences window opens.
  • Select the entry "VST Plug-ins" on the left to see allowed and blocked VST2 plug-ins listed in two separate columns.  
  • In the list of blocked plug-ins, select the plug-in you like to unblock or whitelist. 
  • Click on the left arrow (<) below the list to move it to the list of allowed plug-ins. 
  • Alternatively, click on "Allow all" to move all blocked plug-ins to the list of allowed plug-ins.
  • Click on "Apply" and close the window. 

Please note that VST2 plug-ins that are not included in the original whitelist are not officially supported.
 

Dorico 2 / Dorico 3

  • If you don't use Dorico 3, make sure you have installed the latest Dorico 2 update. This solution only works with Dorico 2.2.10 or later.
  • Select "Preferences..." from the Dorico menu (Mac) resp. from the Edit menu (Windows).
  • In the newly opened dialog window, select 'Play' in the list of options on the left side.
  • Scroll down to the "VST Plug-ins" section.
  • Click on "Edit VST2 Whitelist".
    (If you cannot find this button, you probably have installed an older Dorico version.)
  • The VST 2 Whitelist opens as a text document in your standard text editor.
  • Enter the file name of the desired VST plug-in without file name extension. Please strictly comply with the spelling and case of the original file name.
  • Start a new line for each VST2 plug-in you like to add to your whitelist.
  • Save the document. (Windows: Ctrl + S, Mac: cmd + S)

Next time you start Dorico 2, it will re-scan installed VST2 plug-ins considering the new entry in the whitelist. The added plug-in(s) should now be at your service in Dorico 2

Please note that VST2 plug-ins that are not included in the original whitelist are not officially supported.
 

Dorico 1

  • Close all programs including Dorico.
  • Make sure you have installed the latest Dorico 1 update. This solution only works with Dorico 1.1 or later.
  • Create a new text document in your favorite plain text editor (e.g. Notepad on Windows and TextEdit on macOS).
  • Enter the file name of the desired VST plug-in without file name extension. Please strictly comply with the spelling and case of the original file name.
  • Start a new line for each VST2 plug-in you like to add to your whitelist.
  • Examples:

    Name of plug-ins on hard disk

    macOS: VST2Plugin.vst, AnotherVST2Plugin.vst
    Windows: VST2Plugin.dll, AnotherVST2Plugin.vst

    Entries of plug-ins in your whitelist

    VST2Plugin
    AnotherVST2Plugin
     
  • Save the document as 'vst2whitelist.txt' to a folder of your choice or, for example, on the Desktop.
  • Copy the newly created file 'vst2whitelist.txt' to the following folder:

    macOS 

    /Users/username/Library/Preferences/VSTAudioEngine

    Windows

    C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Steinberg\VSTAudioEngine_64

    Here is how to access the folder:

    macOS
     
    • Copy (cmd + C) this path to the clipboard:
      ~/Library/Preferences/VSTAudioEngine
    • Select 'Go to Folder...' from the 'Go' menu of the macOS Finder or press cmd + Shift + G in the Finder.
    • Paste (cmd + V) the path in the newly opened dialog box and click on [Go].
    		 Windows
     
    • Open the 'Run' command prompt by pressing the Windows logo key and R on the keyboard simultaneously. The Windows key is located between the keys Ctrl and alt.
    • In the command line of the 'Run' window, enter this path:
      %appdata%/Steinberg/VSTAudioEngine_64
    • Click on [OK].
     
  • Finally, in the newly opened VSTAudioEngine folder, delete these three files:
    • Vst2xPlugin Blacklist VSTAudioEngine.xml
    • Vst2xPlugin Infos VSTAudioEngine.xml
    • Vst2xPlugin SearchPaths VSTAudioEngine.xml

Next time you start Dorico 1, it will re-scan installed VST2 plug-ins considering the new entry in the whitelist. The added plug-in(s) should now be at your service in Dorico 1. 

Please note that VST2 plug-ins that are not included in the original whitelist are not officially supported.

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