Pro Tools is loved by musicians, producers, podcasters, and a whole slew of other artists because of its vast array of features and tools that make it possible to create nearly anything you can imagine into a polished final project. 

However, another great feature of Pro Tools is its ability to expand its features and toolsets via plugins. Whether you’re installing a new MIDI instrument or adding new tools and effects, plugins make it possible to do more with Pro Tools. 

In this guide, we’ll show you how to add new plugins into Pro Tools and where to find some of the best ones to add to your arsenal.  

What is a Plugin in Pro Tools?

A plugin (also written plug-in) is simply a piece of software that “plugs into” a larger software platform to expand its features or functions. In Pro Tools, these can be anything from specialized delays or audio warps to MIDI instruments. You can use plugins whether 

Each program uses a different plugin format. For Pro Tools, it’s AAX plug-ins. 

How to Add a Plugin to Pro Tools

Step 1: Download your new plugin 

Step 2: Locate the download file and open the .zip or .pkg file that was downloaded. This will open the installer. 

Step 3: Follow the instructions on the installer. If/when you get to the installation preferences window, you’ll only need the AAX version of the plugin to run it in Pro Tools. 

Many plugins include support for Audition and other DAWs, but if you’re just installing the program to Pro Tools, you’ll want to make sure you install the AAX version as this is the native format for Pro Tools plugins.  

Step 4: Once you’ve selected your installation preferences, hit “Install” on the installer and wait for the plugin to install to your device.  

For Mac users, you’ll have the option to download it to your Macintosh HD, desktop, or another folder of your choosing. 

For Windows, you’ll have a default download to your downloads folder, which you can change to a folder of your choosing.