> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.acestudio.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.acestudio.ai/project/mixing/effects/third-party-effects.md).
# Third-Party Effects
ACE Studio now hosts third-party audio effect plug-ins right alongside its built-in effects. Once a plug-in is scanned, it shows up in the same **+ Insert** browser as the built-in effects and runs on the same FX chain — so you can mix built-in and third-party processors in any order on any track.
{% hint style="info" %}
ACE Studio currently supports third-party **effect** plug-ins only. Instrument plug-ins (virtual instruments / synths) are not supported yet — support for them is planned for a future update.
{% endhint %}
For how the FX chain itself works — adding, reordering, bypassing, and saving chains — see [Effects](/project/mixing/effects.md).
***
### Supported formats
| Format | Windows | macOS |
| -------------------- | ------- | ----- |
| **VST3** | ✓ | ✓ |
| **AU** (Audio Units) | — | ✓ |
* Only **64-bit** plug-ins are supported. 32-bit plug-ins cannot be loaded.
* On Apple Silicon Macs, plug-ins run **natively**.
***
### Where plug-ins are scanned
ACE Studio scans the standard system plug-in folders:
| Format | Location |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **VST3 (Windows)** | `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Common\VST3` and `%ProgramFiles%\Common Files\VST3` |
| **VST3 (macOS)** | `~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3` and `/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3` |
| **AU (macOS)** | `~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components` and `/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components` |
***
### Scanning and updating the plug-in list
The first time you use the plug-in feature, ACE Studio runs a one-time **full scan** of the folders.
If a plug-in hangs or crashes, you have two options:
* **Disable** — exclude that plug-in permanently. It won't be scanned again.
* **Skip** — skip this one and continue scanning the rest.
To pick up plug-ins you install or update later, re-scan from **Preferences**:
* **Rescan** — scans for newly installed or updated plug-ins.
* Hold Alt / Option while clicking **Rescan** to force a **full re-scan** of everything. This is slower, but rebuilds the list from scratch.
See [Preferences](/account-and-settings/preferences.md) for the plug-in settings.
***
### Adding a plug-in
Click **+ Insert** to open the effect browser. Third-party plug-ins and built-in effects share this one browser.
* **VST3 / AU** — switch between the two plug-in formats. The AU tab appears on macOS only.
* **Search** — filter the whole list by name.
* **Recent** — plug-ins you've used recently.
* **FX Chain** — your saved FX chains. See *Saving a chain* in [Effects](/project/mixing/effects.md).
* **Types** — browse by category: Analyzer, Distortion, Dynamics, EQ, Filter, Generator, Mastering, Modulation, Pitch Shift, Restoration, Reverb, Spatial, Tools, and so on. The categories shown depend on what your installed plug-ins report.
* **Brands** — browse by manufacturer.
ACE Studio's own built-in effects live under the **ACE Studio** brand, and also appear under their matching **Types** — Dynamics, EQ, and Reverb.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Can't find an AU plug-in under Types?** VST3 plug-ins report their own category, so they populate the **Types** list reliably. AU plug-ins don't always report a category, so an AU plug-in may not appear there — find it under **Brands** or with **Search** instead.
{% endhint %}
Pick a plug-in and it's added as a chip on the FX chain, exactly like a built-in effect. From there it behaves like any other insert — reorder it, bypass or deactivate it, copy and paste it, or save it as part of an FX chain.
***
### The plug-in window
Built-in effects expand inline inside their chip. A third-party plug-in instead opens in its **own separate window** — click the window icon on the right of the chip to open it.
At the top of the window, ACE Studio adds a consistent header so every plug-in works the same way, no matter who made it:
* **Power** and **Bypass** — turn the plug-in on or off, or bypass its processing, the same as on the chip.
* **Preset bar** — use < / > to step through presets, see the current preset name, such as *Default*, and open the preset menu.
#### Preset management
Presets that ACE Studio stores use its own `.acefxpreset` format.
Open the preset menu for:
* **Store Preset…** — save the current settings as a new `.acefxpreset` preset.
* **Update Preset** — overwrite the currently loaded preset. This is available once you're on a saved preset.
* **Store as Default Preset** — make the current settings the default for new instances of this plug-in.
* **Load Preset File… / Import Preset…** — bring in a preset from disk.
* **Export Preset…** — export the preset as an `.acefxpreset` file, for backup or for sharing within ACE Studio.
* **Export VST3 Preset… / Export AU Preset…** — export in the plug-in's **native** format, for use in other hosts. The option shown matches the plug-in type.
{% hint style="warning" %}
`.acefxpreset` presets are tied to the plug-in format: a preset stored from the **VST3** version of a plug-in cannot be loaded onto the **AU** version of the same plug-in, and vice versa. On macOS, where a plug-in may be available in both formats, keep to one format per plug-in for your presets to carry over.
{% endhint %}
The plug-in's own internal preset browser inside its interface still works as usual.
---
# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.
## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:
```
GET https://docs.acestudio.ai/project/mixing/effects/third-party-effects.md?ask=&goal=
```
`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.