AAX

AAX plugins for Pro Tools

Pro Tools only loads AAX plugins, so a VST3 download won't help you there. Every plugin here ships as a native AAX build for Pro Tools on macOS and Windows, and you don't need an iLok to run it.

VelvetVocal chain

VocalLevelCompIdle

Low cut110Hz
De-ess45%
Comp70%
Presence+5.0dB
Air+7.0dB
Warmth35%
PolishOff
Space12%

Listen

Auto set-up

Sing 4 s, get a starting point

Low cut: 110Hz
De-ess: 45%
Comp: 70%

Clean-up

Listen sets these

Low Cut

De-ess

Compress

Color & space

Warmth

Double

Space

Tone

Presence

Air

Curve

Output

Mix

Out

Polish

The finish

Off0%

Live sheen0.0dB

Turn up for the finished sheen

The real plugin engine, running in your browser: same DSP code and presets as the VST3/AU/AAX.

Best picks for Pro Tools

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Velvet

€49

Vocal chain

Fast vocal mixing on tracking and mix sessions, with presets for rap, pop, R&B and podcasts.

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Lumen

€29

Reverb

Plates and halls for vocal sends, plus shimmer for pads and guitars.

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Dust

€29

Lo-fi & tape

Tape character for drum buses and samples.

How to install plugins in Pro Tools

1Quit Pro Tools.
2Run the installer and keep the AAX option ticked.
3Open Pro Tools. New plugins are scanned on launch.
4On a track insert, choose plug-in → Dynamics, Reverb or EQ (depending on the plugin) and pick it from the list.

Full guide: how to install plugins in Pro Tools

Where AAX plugins are installed

macOS/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins
WindowsC:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins

Questions

Installing and using plugins in Pro Tools.

What is an AAX plugin?

AAX (Avid Audio eXtension) is the plugin format Avid made for Pro Tools. Pro Tools does not load VST or AU, so a plugin needs an AAX build to work there.

Do I need an iLok to use these plugins?

No. You activate with a license key from your receipt email. The AAX builds are signed for Pro Tools, but you don't need an iLok account or dongle.

Are there free plug ins for Pro Tools?

Yes. Pump, Spread and the Keys electric piano are free and ship as AAX, so they load in Pro Tools on Mac and Windows. Pro Tools also includes stock plugins such as EQ3 7-Band, Dyn3 Compressor/Limiter and D-Verb. Any free plugin you add from another developer must have an AAX version.

What auto tune software works in Pro Tools?

Any pitch correction plugin with an AAX version. Tune ships as AAX for Pro Tools on Mac and Windows and runs in real time, so you can track through it. Antares Auto-Tune and Melodyne also have AAX versions. Insert the tuner in the first slot on the vocal track, before EQ and compression.