Plug-in Administration in Cubase 9 (and higher)

In Cubase, the Native Instruments software is used via the VST plug-in interface. In order to use your NI plug-ins in Cubase, you must ensure that Cubase scans the folders where your NI VST plug-ins are located. This article describes this procedure for both Mac and Window systems.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• macOS
• Windows
  • Installing the NI VST Plug-ins
• Adding the NI VST Plug-in Folder in Cubase 9 (and higher)
• Plug-in Information

Note: Cubase 9 is not compatible with 32-bit plug-ins anymore. This article is only referring to the 64-bit VST plug-in versions.

macOS

On a Mac computer all VST files are automatically installed to the same folder so you do not need to define a VST folder during the installation of your NI product. The VST plug-in folder is located here:

• Macintosh HD > Library > Audio > Plug-Ins > VST

Cubase automatically scans this folder at each startup and recognizes any new plug-in that has been installed.

Windows

Installing the NI VST Plug-ins

On a Windows computer, the VST3 files are automatically installed to a default location. Cubase automatically scans this folder at each startup and recognizes any new plug-in that has been installed. Don't move the VST3 files from this folder:

• C: > Program Files > Common Files > VST3

Some products still come with VST2 versions. If available, these will be installed in the default path:

• C: > Program Files > Native Instruments > VSTPlugins 64 bit

Please note that VST2 plug-ins are deactivated by default in Cubase 14 / Nuendo 14. If you want to activate VST2 plug-ins, please follow the instructions in this Steinberg article.

Adding the NI VST Plug-in Folder in Cubase 9 (and higher)

Follow the steps below to add your NI VST folder to Cubase 9 (and higher):

1. Start Cubase, open the Studio menu and select the entry VSTPlug-in Manager.
2. In the lower left corner of the VSTPlug-in Manager window, open the Plug-in Manager Settings by clicking the cogwheel icon.
3. In the Plug-in Manager Settings window, click on the + button.
4. Select the folder where your plug-ins are located on your hard drive and press the OK button to proceed. In our example, we select the default Native Instruments 64-bit plug-ins folder VSTPlugins 64 bit.
5. The new path is now listed in Cubase's plug-in paths. Press the Rescan button to rescan the folders listed in the Plug-in Manager Settings.
6. Cubase notifies that new plug-ins have been recognized. Press OK to proceed.
7. Your NI Plug-ins are now listed in the Plug-in Manager window. Instruments like Reaktor, Kontakt, or Maschine will be listed in the VST Instruments tab, and effects like Guitar Rig, Driver, etc. in the VST Effects tab.

Plug-in Information

Additionally, the Plug-in Manager window provides information on the installed plug-ins which can be useful for troubleshooting technical issues. Follow the steps below to obtain information on your NI plug-in.

1. Select the plug-in you want to obtain information on by clicking its name on the list. Once selected, press the Show Plug-in Information ('info') button on the lower left part of the Plug-in Manager window. In our example, we want to obtain information on the Kontakt 5 plug-in.
2. In the Plug-in Information field, you will find useful information such as the exact version number of the plug-in and the path Cubase uses to load the plug-in. This field is useful for example to verify if the plug-in version matches the currently installed standalone version. You can also find the version numbers of all currently installed products in Native Access.