DAW Integration

How to Install BIAS X in Your DAW

If you're planning to record or use BIAS X in your music production projects, you'll need to install it into your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). This guide explains supported plugin formats, DAW compatibility, and step-by-step instructions for installing and loading BIAS X in each supported DAW.

Plugin Formats

Selecting Complete installation during setup will install all available plugin formats for BIAS X:

• AU – macOS only. Works in GarageBand, Logic Pro, and other AU-compatible DAWs.

• VST3 – A newer, more efficient plugin format. Cross-platform (macOS & Windows) and supported by most major DAWs.

• AAX – Used exclusively with Pro Tools, on both macOS and Windows.

Note: BIAS X does not support the legacy VST2 format. To reinstall or modify plugin formats, rerun the installer and choose the formats needed for your DAW.

For more information, please check Download & Installation.

Supported DAWs for BIAS X

Please refer to the System Requirements & Compatibility - Compatible DAWs for a complete list of supported DAWs.

Check your DAW’s documentation to ensure support for AU, VST3, or AAX plugin formats.

If your DAW is not listed in the compatibility chart, BIAS X may still work. However, compatibility is not guaranteed.

General Plugin Installation in Your DAW

Most DAWs automatically scan for newly installed plugins on launch. If BIAS X does not appear, you may need to manually rescan your plugin directories. Steps vary by DAW—see below for detailed instructions per supported platform.

Loading BIAS X in Your DAW

Ableton Live

Plugin formats: VST3, AU (macOS)

Loading BIAS X:

1. Create a new audio track.

2. Assign proper input/output.

3. Drag BIAS X from the Plug-Ins browser into the audio track.

4. Enable input monitoring and arm the track.

If BIAS X does not appear:

1. Ensure Ableton Live is scanning the correct VST3 or AU folder:

   • macOS:
     VST3 /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3
     AU /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components

   • Windows: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3

2. Go to LIVE -> Settings → Plug-Ins.

3. Enable Use VST3 Plug-in System Folders and/or Use Audio Units (macOS).
   Ensure Ableton Live is scanning the correct VST3 or AU folder above.

4. Click Rescan (hold Option/Alt key for full rescan).

Cubase

Plugin format: VST3

Loading BIAS X:

1. Create a new audio track and assign proper I/O.

2. Go to the Insert section → search for BIAS X → double-click to load.

3. Enable input monitoring and arm the track.

If BIAS X does not appear:

1. Ensure the VST3 file is in:

   • macOS: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3

   • Windows: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3

2. Open Plugin Manager → click the gear icon.

3. Click Rescan All.

4. If still missing, delete the plugin file manually and reinstall.

GarageBand (macOS only)

Plugin format: AU

Loading BIAS X:

1. Create a new audio track.

2. In the Plug-ins section, select Audio Units -> PositiveGrid -> BIAS X from the plugin list.

3. Enable input monitoring and arm for recording.

If BIAS X does not appear:

1. Ensure the AU file is in:
   /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components

2. Open GarageBand → Settings → Audio/MIDI. Ensure the “Enable Audio Units” is checked.
3. If still missing, delete the plugin file manually and reinstall.

Logic Pro X (macOS only)

Plugin format: AU

Loading BIAS X:

1. Create a new audio track and configure input/output settings.

2. In the Audio FX section, select Audio Units -> PositiveGrid -> BIAS X from the plugin list.

3. Enable input monitoring and arm for recording.

If BIAS X does not appear:

1. Ensure the AU file is in:
   /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components

2. Open Logic Pro→ Settings → Plug-In Manager

3. Click Full Audio Unit Reset

4. If still missing, delete the plugin file manually and reinstall.

Pro Tools

Plugin format: AAX

Loading BIAS X:

1. Create a new audio track (mono or stereo) in Pro Tools.

2. Assign the correct input (your instrument) and output (your monitoring device).

3. Click the first Insert slot → search for BIAS X → click to load.

4. Enable input monitoring and arm the track for recording.

If BIAS X does not appear:

• macOS: Confirm the AAX file is in:
  /Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins

• Windows: Confirm it’s in:
  C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins

To force a rescan:

• Delete plugin prefs:

  • macOS: ~/Library/Preferences/Avid/Pro Tools

  • Windows: C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\Avid\Pro Tools\InstalledAAXPlugins

• Relaunch Pro Tools

REAPER

Plugin format: VST3, AU (macOS)

Loading BIAS X:

1. Create a new track and configure I/O settings.

2. Click the FX button → search for BIAS X → select and add to the track.

3. Enable input monitoring and arm the track.

If BIAS X does not appear:

1. Ensure the VST3 file is in:

   • macOS: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3

   • Windows: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3

2. Go to Options → Settings → VST

3. Ensure the VST3 folder is listed:

   • macOS: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3

   • Windows: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3

4. Click Re-scan

Studio One

Plugin formats: VST3, AU (macOS)

Loading BIAS X:

1. Create a new audio track and assign I/O.

2. On the right panel, open Browse → find BIAS X → drag it onto the track.
3. Enable input monitoring and arm for recording.

If BIAS X does not appear:

1. Ensure the VST3 file is in:

   • macOS: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3

   • Windows: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3

2. Go to Settings → Locations → VST Plug-Ins
   Ensure Studio One is scanning the correct VST3 folder above.

3. Click Reset Blacklist and enable Scan at Startup

4. Restart Studio One

Next Steps

With BIAS X successfully installed and loaded, you can start exploring its intelligent tone shaping, intuitive UI, and studio-grade processing. Check out the Editing Presets & Signal Chain (Amp, Pedal, CAB & IR Loader) & Presets Menu, I/O & Utility Features & AI Features (Text-to-Tone & Music-to-Tone) to unlock powerful signal control and advanced tone customization.