Section 16 · Presets and synths
Plugin Host: open a synth inside Sonora
What it is for
Open your VST2 or VST3 synth inside Sonora, with its window and all its original controls, linked to your preset library. Sonora Manager itself is a VST3 plugin and accepts 64-bit VST2 and VST3 plugins.
Video
T16 · ≈ 4 min
Video coming soon
This video tutorial is still being recorded. Until then, the steps below cover everything.
Video script
- The Plugin Host opens your synth inside Sonora.
- The first time, Sonora scans your PC for synths.
- Choose the synth.
- It opens right here, with its original controls.
- Under Info, you see the format and the version.
- Sonora opens 64-bit VST2 and VST3 plugins; the tag shows the format.
- Cannot find your synth? Add its folder.
- Installed a new synth? Rescan.
- To close it, Unload plugin.
The screen (Plugin Host tab)
Left panel:
| Section | What is there |
|---|---|
| Plugin | Choose plugin…, Search plugins…, Rescan, Search folders…, Unload plugin; undo / redo buttons |
| Preset | Choose preset…, ◀ ▶ (previous/next), ⋯ (preset actions), Load preset |
| Info | Developer, Format (VST2 or VST3), Version, Type (Instrument/Effect), Output (Mono/Stereo) |
| Settings | Enable audio output, Pass MIDI through, Bypass |
Step by step
- Open the Plugin Host tab.
- Click Choose plugin…. The first time, Sonora scans for synths in your plugin folders (it can take a moment).
- Choose the synth from the list (use Search plugins…). Each item shows the format tag (VST2 or VST3). If the synth is installed in both formats, each format is its own item in the list.
- The synth opens inside Sonora, with its original window. Play it through the DAW’s MIDI.
- To switch synths: Choose plugin… again. To close it: Unload plugin.
Cannot find your synth?
- Click Rescan (after installing a new synth, scan again).
- Under Search folders…, click Add folder… and include the folder where your plugins are (in addition to the default folders).
- Under Settings › Plugins, check that the synth is not hidden. A hidden plugin still opens when a preset or project needs it.
Tips
- Under Settings › Plugins, keep visible only the synths you use (Select all / Select none), and the list stays short.
- The synth runs in the same process as the DAW, like any plugin.
- Only 64-bit plugins are loaded; 32-bit ones are ignored.
If something goes wrong
- “No plugins found. Try Rescan.”
- Run Rescan and check Search folders….
- “All plugins are hidden.”
- Under Settings › Plugins, tick the ones you want to see.
- A synth freezes the scan.
- Sonora flags the problem plugin and skips it next time so the scan does not always freeze on the same one.
Still stuck? See Section 23 or talk to Support.
Questions about this section
Do I need the synth installed?
Yes. Sonora does not include synths. You need your own license for each synth.