How to Shrink a VST Folder
Many software music producers prefer to shrink the size of their VST folders in order to reduce the amount of space it takes up on their Windows partition. VST, or Virtual Studios Technology, includes software instruments and effects that are used in digital audio workstation programs. Many VST's now come with gigabytes worth of samples included, which can add up when multiple sampling instruments are installed. Shrink the size of your VST folder for better performance purposes in less than 30 minutes.
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Instructions
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Sample Library Shortcut Method
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Install the VST application, along with the sample library (if applicable), into your VST directory. By default, this folder is located at "C:/Programs/Steinberg/VST Folder."
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Create a new folder on a separate drive partition than the one Windows is installed. Go to "Start," "My Computer," then double-click on the drive you wish to install the sample files onto. Right-click and select "New," "New Folder," then rename the folder "VST Sample Folder."
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Highlight all of the VST sample library files with your mouse, then click-and-drag them into the new folder. Wait for all of the sample files to be copied.
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Highlight the sample library files in the new folder with your mouse, then right-click and select "Create Shortcut." A small batch of shortcut files will be created.
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Drag the shortcut files with your mouse into the original VST folder. This tells the VST's to look for the sample library files from the new location, freeing up the space on your Windows partition.
Separate VST Folder Method
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Create a new folder on a separate drive partition than the one Windows is installed. Go to "Start," "My Computer," then double-click on the drive you wish to install the sample files onto. Right-click and select "New," "New Folder," then rename the folder "_vstplugins."
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Install the VST application and designate the new "_vstplugins" folder as the destination for the sample library. Double-click the installation .exe file, then follow the on-screen instructions. Browse for the "_vstplugins" folder when prompted for setting the location of the library.
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Open your digital audio workstation software, such as Cakewalk Sonar, Cuckos reaper, or Steinberg Cubase SX and Nuendo. Double-click on the desktop icon for the application to load the user interface.
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Access your digital audio workstation's VST folder section. Steinberg Cubase SX and Nuendo users, click "Devices," "Plugin Information, then "Add." Cakewalk Sonar users, click "Tools," "VST Configuration," then "Add." Cockos Reaper users, click "Options," "Preferences," go to "Plugins," then click "Add." Steinberg Cubase 4 users, go to the "Plugin Information" window, "VST 2.x Plug-in Paths," then click "Add." Sony Acid Pro users, click "Preferences," then select the "VST Instruments" tab.
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Select the new VST folder as your sequencer program's second VST source folder. Navigate to the "_vstplugins" folder and click "OK." This tells your digital audio workstation program to look for sample libraries from this folder, and the VST's DLL default folder at the same time.
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Tips & Warnings
Ableton Live and Cubase LE do not offer multiple VST folder paths.
SynthEdit-based VST programs require sample libraries to be installed in the same location as the VST's DLL file.
