You can’t load the Serum VST into Pro Tools directly, and that surprises most producers the first time. Pro Tools only accepts AAX plugins, and Xfer Records doesn’t make an AAX version of Serum.
The workaround is a wrapper, and it works well once it’s set up. How to use Serum in Pro Tools with one, the setup steps, and the problems people hit along the way are all covered below.
Key Takeaways
- Pro Tools loads AAX plugins only. VST and AU formats aren’t supported.
- Serum has no AAX version, so a wrapper is required.
- Blue Cat PatchWork and DDMF Metaplugin are the two wrappers that work.
- Load Serum inside the wrapper on an instrument track, then route MIDI to it.
- Expect some extra CPU use. Wrapped plugins cost more than native AAX ones.
Serum and Pro Tools problems at a glance
| Problem | Most likely cause | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| Serum not in the plugin list | No AAX version exists | Use a wrapper like PatchWork |
| Wrapper not showing up | Installed while Pro Tools ran | Install AAX with Pro Tools closed |
| Serum loads but no sound | MIDI not routed to the wrapper | Route the track MIDI to PatchWork |
| High CPU and dropouts | Wrapper adds processing load | Raise the buffer, commit the track |
| Serum crashes Pro Tools | Old wrapper or plugin version | Update both, test in an empty session |
1. Why Serum doesn’t appear in Pro Tools
Pro Tools is the only major DAW that supports just one plugin format. AAX is Avid’s own format, and Pro Tools won’t load VST, VST3, or Audio Unit plugins under any circumstances.
Xfer Records ships Serum as VST, VST3, and AU. There’s no AAX installer on their site, and they have never announced one. Serum 2, released in 2025, is also VST3 and AU only.
That leaves one practical path: run Serum inside a wrapper that presents itself to Pro Tools as an AAX plugin.
2. The wrappers that let you use Serum in Pro Tools
Blue Cat Audio PatchWork is the most popular option. It’s a full plugin host that loads VST and AU plugins inside Pro Tools, and it supports MIDI routing and automation. It costs around $99 and has a fully functional demo.
DDMF Metaplugin is the budget choice at about $50. It does the same job with a simpler interface, and users report good stability with instrument plugins. Check the Metaplugin page for the current feature list.
Both run as 64-bit AAX plugins inside Pro Tools 11 and newer. Neither is free, and no free converter does this job reliably.
3. Set up PatchWork step by step
Install Serum first if you’ve not done it. Run the Serum installer from Xfer Records and pick the 64-bit VST option on Windows, or the VST and AU options on macOS. If you’re unsure where the files land, where VST plugins install on Windows explains the folders.
Step 1: Close Pro Tools. AAX plugins must be installed while Pro Tools isn’t running, or Pro Tools won’t see them. I learned that rule the hard way on my Dell G5.
Step 2: Install PatchWork. Download it from Blue Cat Audio and run the installer with the AAX option selected.
Step 3: Open Pro Tools. Create a new session or open an existing one, then add a new instrument track.
Step 4: Insert PatchWork. On the instrument track insert, choose Instrument, then Blue Cat, then PatchWork. The wrapper opens as a plugin window.
Step 5: Load Serum inside. Inside PatchWork, add a new plugin slot and pick Serum from the VST list. The Serum interface opens inside the wrapper.
4. Route MIDI and hear sound
Loading Serum inside PatchWork is only half the setup. The track must send MIDI notes into the wrapper, and the wrapper must send audio back out.
Check the track input. The instrument track input must be your MIDI keyboard. Click the input selector on the track and choose the controller.
Check the MIDI routing. In PatchWork, confirm the MIDI input goes to the Serum slot. PatchWork routes MIDI to the first instrument by default, but a wrong cable in the rack silences everything.
Check the output. The instrument track output must go to a working audio bus. If the track is muted or the master fader is down, you get silence.
When the keys play, open Serum and start with a default preset to confirm the routing before you touch the sound design.
Pro tip
Bounce the Serum track to audio once the part is written. A wrapped instrument eats CPU on every playback, and a committed audio file plays back at almost no cost. Keep the original track hidden, not deleted, in case you need to edit.
5. Serum still not showing up?
PatchWork is installed but Pro Tools doesn’t list it. Work through these checks in order.
Restart Pro Tools. AAX plugins installed while Pro Tools was open stay hidden until the next launch.
Check the bit depth. Pro Tools 11 and newer are 64-bit. Install the 64-bit AAX version of the wrapper, not the 32-bit one.
Rescan the plugin list. In Setup, Playback Engine, hold the Shift key and click OK to force a full rescan. Some installs need this to register.
Check the install location. On Windows, AAX plugins go to Program Files, Common Files, Avid, Audio, Plug-Ins. A custom folder outside this path is invisible to Pro Tools.
6. Crashes and CPU problems
A wrapped plugin always costs more than a native one. PatchWork runs a full plugin host, so Serum inside it uses extra memory and CPU.
Raise the hardware buffer. In Playback Engine, increase the buffer to 512 or 1024 samples. This gives the wrapper more time to process.
Update everything. Old wrapper versions crash with new macOS or Windows releases. Update PatchWork and Serum, then restart Pro Tools.
Freeze or commit. Use Pro Tools commit to render the wrapped track to audio. This removes the wrapper from real time processing entirely.
Test in an empty session. One instrument track with Serum and nothing else isolates the problem. If it crashes there, the wrapper or Serum needs an update.
7. Activation inside the wrapper
Serum opens inside PatchWork but shows the activation screen. The license works exactly as it does in any other DAW, and the sign in happens inside Serum itself.
Open the Serum window and choose Sign In. Enter your Xfer Records credentials. Splice rent to own licenses activate through the Splice app instead.
Offline activation is available from the Xfer site for studio computers without internet.
8. The alternative: bounce from another DAW
If the wrapper route feels heavy, use a DAW that loads Serum natively and bring the audio into Pro Tools. This is common in studios that mix in Pro Tools but design sounds elsewhere.
Write the Serum part in any DAW that reads VST or AU, then bounce it to a WAV file. Import that file into the Pro Tools session. You lose live tweaking but gain stability and near zero CPU cost.
Many producers keep both options. Sound design happens in the native DAW, and the final mix stays in Pro Tools.
How I verified these steps
These steps come from the Blue Cat Audio knowledge base, the DDMF product page, and the r/protools threads where wrappers get discussed daily. I confirmed the AAX install rule and the MIDI routing steps against Pro Tools 2025 before writing this.
The Xfer Records support pages confirm that Serum ships without AAX, which is why the wrapper route exists at all.
How to avoid Serum problems in Pro Tools
- Install AAX plugins with Pro Tools closed. This prevents most missing plugin reports.
- Keep PatchWork and Serum updated together. Mismatched versions cause crashes.
- Commit finished Serum tracks to audio to keep the session light.
- Test new wrapper versions in an empty session before a real project.
- Set the hardware buffer to 512 or higher when running wrapped instruments.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Serum in Pro Tools?
Yes, through a wrapper. Pro Tools only loads AAX plugins, and Serum has no AAX version. You run Serum inside Blue Cat PatchWork or DDMF Metaplugin on an instrument track.
Is there an AAX version of Serum?
No. Xfer Records ships Serum as VST, VST3, and AU, and Serum 2 from 2025 is also VST3 and AU only. A wrapper is the only way into Pro Tools.
Does Pro Tools support VST plugins?
No. Pro Tools uses AAX exclusively and won’t load VST, VST3, or Audio Unit plugins. Any plugin without an AAX version needs a wrapper.
Is there a free VST to AAX wrapper?
No reliable free option exists. Blue Cat PatchWork costs around $99, DDMF Metaplugin around $50, and both offer demos. Free converters are either abandoned or unstable.
Why is my wrapped Serum track silent?
MIDI isn’t reaching the wrapper in most cases. Check the track input, confirm the MIDI cable goes to the Serum slot inside PatchWork, and verify the track output routes to a working bus.
Does Serum work on Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes. Serum runs natively on Apple Silicon, and the wrapper adds no Rosetta requirement. Make sure both Serum and the wrapper are 64-bit and current.
The bottom line
To use Serum in Pro Tools, accept the wrapper and set it up once. PatchWork with Serum on an instrument track covers most workflows, and committing the track keeps the session stable. The setup takes one session to learn and then it just works.
Where to go next
Serum behaves differently in each DAW. See how to install Serum in Ableton Live, how to install Serum in Cubase, and how to install Serum in FL Studio. If Serum disappears, Serum not showing up in FL Studio covers the general causes, and where VST plugins install on Windows explains the folders.
Once you learn to use Serum in Pro Tools, the next step is a stable session. Pro Tools common problems covers the rest, and the best DAWs for home studios helps you compare options.
