The Axion plugin (VST3 / CLAP)
Install the Axion plugin in your DAW, activate it with your Pro account, and run the full rig on any track.
The Axion plugin puts the whole rig — amps, pedals, cabs, NAM — on a track in your DAW, as a VST3 and a CLAP plugin. Same engine as the app, hosted by your DAW so it renders with your project, automates with your session, and bounces with your mix.
It's a Pro feature. For 1.0.2 the plugin is Windows-only; macOS (VST3 + CLAP) builds are a fast-follow.
Getting it
Like Axion Desktop, the plugin download is gated to Pro accounts. Open the download page, verify your Pro email, and the VST3 and CLAP downloads unlock. Each is a small .zip.
Installing
Unzip and drop the plugin bundle into the standard folder your DAW scans:
VST3 C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\
CLAP C:\Program Files\Common Files\CLAP\Then rescan plugins in your DAW (most do it automatically on restart). You only need one format — pick CLAP if your DAW supports it (Bitwig, Reaper, and a growing list), otherwise VST3 works everywhere.
NOTE Use one format per DAW, not both — loading the same plugin as VST3 *and* CLAP in the same host just clutters your plugin list. CLAP and VST3 are functionally identical here; the choice is about what your DAW prefers.
Activating Pro
Open the plugin on a track and use its account panel to sign in with your email (one-time code) or paste your license key.
If you've already activated Axion on that machine — in Axion Desktop or the web app — the plugin picks up your Pro automatically through the shared on-device entitlement. Activate once per machine; the plugin, the desktop app, and the web app all unlock together.
Sharing presets from the plugin
The plugin includes the same community preset sharing as the rest of Axion — browse and load shared tones, and publish your own axion.cab/preset/<slug> links, without leaving your DAW. See Sharing a preset for how the links work.
Current limitations
- MIDI mapping isn't in the plugin yet. The plugin focuses on running the rig in your DAW; if you want MIDI-learn and CC control, use the web app or Axion Desktop (see Setting up MIDI bindings). Your DAW's own parameter automation still works on the plugin.
- Windows only for 1.0.2 — macOS VST3/CLAP builds follow shortly.
When something's wrong
- Plugin doesn't appear in the DAW — confirm the bundle is in the exact folder above (not a sub-folder), then trigger a manual rescan. Some DAWs cache a blocklist; clear it if a previous scan failed.
- Loads but says it's not activated — sign in from the plugin's account panel, or activate Axion Desktop on the same machine and reopen the plugin. If it still won't unlock, email hi@axion.cab.
- No sound — check the track's input and that the plugin isn't bypassed; like any amp sim it needs a dry DI signal coming in.