Can anyone please give me quick guide on how to prepare a VST for distribution?

[Rikahana]

I just need a rundown because I want to share my plugin as a download on my site but I'm a bit hesitant to just put it out there without double-checking. Do I need to include the Source folder from my Binaries folder because it has the images directory in it or are the images simply "baked" into the dll (if you know what I mean). If I need to make an installer, how do I do it and what files should I include in it?

EDIT: a typo

[yall]

@Rikahana you only need the .dll (windows) .vst.componant (mac) files and your hr1 compressed sampler. create a .pkg for mac using whitebox. created. .exe for windows with inno setup just distribute your pkg or .exe + votte .hr1 file. host the source code somewhere and link to anyone who purchases your product.

[Rikahana]

Where do I get the .vst.component?

EDIT: also is there a way to make a .pkg for mac on a windows 10? I want it to be for both platforms

[arminh]

@Rikahana no there's no option

[yall]

@Rikahana no, you must compile your plugin on both systems (mac & Windows). The same goes for installers. if vius don't have a mac i would advise you to get a cheap mac mini 2014 which will do the job.

[Rikahana]

@yall oooooh ok (:

[Rikahana]

@yall How does using an emulator sound?

[orange]

Before distribution of commercial plugins, be aware that you need below licenses and paperwork.

• HISE License – You need to contact to Christoph.

• JUCE License – Paid, you can get subscription or perpetual license.

• VST3 License - You can get from Steinberg for free. (If you didn't get the VST2 license for your brand before November 2018, you can't sell / distribute VST2 (.dll) plugins. Steinberg dropped VST2 Licenses since that date. But you can get VST3 License now)

• Apple Developer Program – For plugin signing and notarization that has been a must since macOS Catalina - (Costs annually $90)

• Avid Developer License – if you think AAX plugins, you can get the license from Avid Developer program for free.

[d.healey]

@orange said in Can anyone please give me quick guide on how to prepare a VST for distribution?:

Before distribution of commercial plugins

Before distribution of proprietary plugins... they don't have to be commercial.

[orange]

@d-healey said in Can anyone please give me quick guide on how to prepare a VST for distribution?:

@orange said in Can anyone please give me quick guide on how to prepare a VST for distribution?:

Before distribution of commercial plugins

Before distribution of proprietary plugins... they don't have to be commercial.

Yeah the term of proprietary would sit better for that ;)

[Rikahana]

@orange Oh no, it's just for free! (:

[d.healey]

@Rikahana

Oh no, it's just for free!

Price doesn't matter, is it closed or open source?

[Rikahana]

@d-healey

I'm a stupid beginner in any form of software development and all I know is that it just runs on samples from a hr1 file and I don't know about the images used for it's GUI (Whether I have to take them with me or not)