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, available for Windows and macOS. The macOS builds are universal, so they run on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
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:
On Windows:
VST3 C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\
CLAP C:\Program Files\Common Files\CLAP\On macOS:
VST3 /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/
CLAP /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/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.
- No Linux build, and no AU. The plugin ships as VST3 and CLAP for Windows and macOS. Logic Pro hosts neither format, so on a Mac you need a DAW that loads VST3 or CLAP (Reaper, Bitwig, Ableton Live, Cubase, Studio One).
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.