How to Find Your Plugins in DaVinci Resolve

Jun 24, 2024

If you are trying to load your Waves plugins in DaVinci Resolve but you cannot find them, follow these instructions to make the plugins available.

Step #1 – Verify plugin software is installed

Check whether the relevant plugin file/s are correctly installed on your computer.

Go to:

Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Waves\Plug-Ins V15, (or whichever version is installed on your device, V14-V9)
Mac: Macintosh HD > Applications > Waves > Plug-Ins V15, (or whichever version is installed on your device, V14-V9)

The relevant plugin file will be named after the plugin, in this format: [PluginName].bundle. For example, the plugin file for Reel ADT will be named Reel ADT.bundle.

If the plugins you are looking for are not there, install the plugins by following the instructions in this link.

Please note that Waves plugins are supported in DaVinci Resolve from V14 and higher. If you are using an older version of Waves plugins, we recommend updating them to the latest version.

Step #2 – Rescan for Plugins

First, make sure that DaVinci Resolve scans for VST plugins in the correct location:

Launch DaVinci Resolve and open a Project.
Go to DaVinci Resolve > Preferences > Audio Plugins.
Under VST Effects, make sure the following path is listed – if it isn’t, add it:
- Windows: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3.
- Mac: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3
Click Save and restart DaVinci Resolve.

If the issue persists, follow these steps to refresh DaVinci Resolve’s effect configuration files:

Windows

Quit DaVinci Resolve.
Press [Win key] + R, type %appdata% and hit Enter.
IIn the Roaming folder that shows, go to Blackmagic Design > DaVinci Resolve > Preferences > Fairlight > Effects.
Locate the VST3Configuration.xml file and drag it to your desktop.
Launch DaVinci Resolve and create a fresh session with a supported sample rate, add a track and insert your Waves plugin/s.
If everything works properly, you can delete VST3Configuration.xml from your desktop.

Mac

Quit DaVinci Resolve.
In Finder, click on the Go menu, hold down the [Alt/Option] key and click on Library.
Go to Preferences > Blackmagic Design > DaVinci Resolve > Fairlight > Effects.
Locate the VST3Configuration.xml file and drag it to your desktop.
Launch DaVinci Resolve and create a fresh session with a supported sample rate, add a track and insert your Waves plugin/s.
If everything works properly, you can delete VST3Configuration.xml from your desktop.

None of the above worked? Contact Technical Support.