Use a VST plugin that's a .dll on Mac

Question

I have downloaded what I think is supposed to be a VST plugin, so that I may use it to analyse sounds in the creation of music. (A VST, or Virtual Studio Technology, is an effect [or VSTi for instrument], that alters sound. VST files for Windows are .dll, for Mac they're .vst.)

However, when I download said file I get a zipped file which contains only a manual, and a dll file. Usually I get the files with the extension .VST, which I then add to my VST files, and the actual plugin with extension .conpoment, which I add to it's respective file. However, I just got that dll file.

I know that this particular program works on mac, as I stumbled upon it via an online tutorial in which a guy was using that same program, but I can't seem take the necessary steps to the point where I can actually install/use the file.

Furthermore, I've tried downloading it from other sites other than the official website, but I always get the same contents.

Solution

In FL Studio on Windows, you can put the .dll in the Plugins directory under Program Files, and it will appear in the list of plugins when the program is started again. I think you can also put it in C:\Program Files (x86)\VST, there is a setting and it checks there by default.

So you'd have to dig into your sound program's settings and see where it is looking for plugins. Mac does not use DLL's, though. So it sounds like the plugin you've downloaded might be for Windows only.

Comments

[Russell Uhl]

you can post images to imgur or something and link them here.

[Ramhound]

Provide the tutorial that you followed. Give us something so we can help you. You upload the image, you are given a link, you remove the inline code and jsut provide the url itself. You can do this at any reputation.

[ThunderToes]

You don't use it yourself directly as the user, your application uses it for patches and the like, I'm guessing the file you downloaded is a patch to the said application you will need to copy it into the applications program directory but without proper guides as to what you have done, I wouldn't be able to advise you further. And the reputation system is supposed to encourage users to learn to DESCRIBE their issues with words first before just uploading a picture. it also deters spam posts as Ramhound has said. if you don't like the system don't use it...

[Ramhound]

We are willing to help. But honestly I have no idea what your problem is, which is the reason a screenshot would help, and the reason I asked for the tutorial you read. Your title gives us no insight and I personally have no idea what "VST" is and its not exactly something I can do a google search for without getting literally a trillion results. Just because I don't know does not mean I cannot help you with a little research on my part. I shouldn't have said it was to much hassel, it was a knee jerk reaction, to your comment about how its to much hassel to provide us a screenshot.

[ThunderToes]

Also it isn't too much hassle to link to the picture that you've uploaded it is only marginally more time consuming than uploading a picture straight to SO

[Tetsujin]

As @ultrasawblade says, Macs don't use .dll files, so it looks like you got the Windows version. Knowing what the plugin is would help; as at least we could confirm it exists for Mac. [BTW, your premise that the .vst is some kind of link to the 'real' component is incorrect. .vst & .component are 2 different plugin types. .component is an AU plugin, for the likes of Logic etc]

[slhck]

What's the name of the plugin?

[agapitocandemor]

I think the problem here is quite clear, is there a way to use a .dll file from windows on OSX? Where do you see the unclear question?