If you're trying to use Kontakt Player as a VST or AU plugin within the Finale or Sibelius notation programs, but you're not seeing Kontakt as an available option, it probably means the plugin wasn't properly placed into the exact location Finale or Sibelius looks for it. Fortunately, there is a remedy for this.
WINDOWS USERS:
Solution: Copy and Paste the Kontakt.dll file into the location where your host program wants to find it.
- Locate the Kontakt.dll file (this is the VST file).
- Assuming you've already installed Kontakt, this file should be located at:
C>Program Files>Native Instruments>VSTPlugins 64 bit. - Right-click the Kontakt.dll file and select Copy.
- Navigate to your host program's desired folder location (see below), right-click the folder, and select Paste to place a copy of Kontakt.dll in that location.
Next time you launch your host program (Finale, Sibelius, etc. it should now recognize Kontakt as a VST plugin!
Note about 32-bit or 64-bit versions:
Unless you're using an older Windows machine or an older host program, you should choose the 64-bit version. It's what most modern systems and programs are defaulting to. In short, 32-bit systems will not be supported much longer.
If you're experiencing problems with a version of Finale prior to v25, and are using Kontakt 5.6.8 (or greater) after Spring 2017, read the note below about 32-bit/64-bit support.
DESIRED FOLDER LOCATIONS FOR HOST PROGRAMS
Finale 2011+:
- Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7:
C:\Users\[your username]\AppData\Roaming\MakeMusic\Finale [version]\VST Support - Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data*\MakeMusic\ Finale [version]\VST Support
Finale 2010 or earlier:
- Windows 10/8/Vista:
C:\Programs\Finale 20xx\FinaleVST - Windows XP:
C:\Program Files\Finale 20xx\FinaleVST
More information on using 3rd Party VST/Audio Unit Plugins with Finale (via MakeMusic)
Sibelius 7, 8, and higher:
- Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista:
C:\Programs\Avid\VSTPlugins * - Windows XP:
C:\Program Files\Avid\VSTPlugins *
*If you don't see the VSTPlugins folder, go ahead and manually create a folder named "VSTPlugins" in that location.
Sibelius 6 and earlier:
- Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista:
C:\Program Files\Sibelius Software\VSTPlugins - Windows XP:
C:\Program Files\Sibelius Software\VSTPlugins
Dorico:
- There is no need to move any files for Dorico. Within Dorico, simply navigate to Edit>Preferences, chose the Play tab, and scroll down to the heading VST Plug-ins and click the button: VST2 Plug-in Paths.
- Navigate to the default location of your Kontakt.dll file at:
C>Program Files>Native Instruments>VSTPlugins 64 bit - Restart Dorico and it should henceforth recognize Kontakt as a VST plug-in.
Note: older versions of Kontakt, prior to Kontakt 6, will have the version number as a part of the file name. For example, Kontakt 5.dll rather than the more current Kontakt.dll. We recommend Kontakt 6 if it's compatible with your host program.
MAC USERS:
If you aren't seeing Kontakt as an available AU (Audio Unit) or VST plugin, simply reinstall Kontakt Player from Native Access. On Mac systems the AU and VST plugin versions of Kontakt will be automatically installed to the correct locations and it will show up in all your audio/midi programs that support Audio Units or VSTs.
SPECIAL NOTE TO FINALE USERS REGARDING 32-bit AND 64-bit SUPPORT:
If you're using Kontakt 5.6.8 or later with a version of Finale prior to Finale v25, you may be experiencing an incompatibility with 32-bit or 64-bit compatibility. Finale has not supported 64-bit functionality until v25. Kontakt 5.6.8+ only comes in a 64-bit format. So if you're trying to access Kontakt 5.6.8+ within a version of Finale prior to v25, the plugin will not show up. Your solution would be to either A) upgrade to the latest version of Finale or B), downgrade your Kontakt Player to an earlier version that supports the older 32-bit format.