What is a Custom Vital VST Skin?
A custom Vital skin is a user-generated visual overlay that changes the plugin interface.Â
The Vital Skin Designer was introduced in version 1.07, sparking a wave of creativity within the community. Allowing audio engineers to make and install custom Vital Skins.
Then, when Vital version 1.5.1 released, we got an updated UI and gained access to an all new Skin Designer layout. Now, Vital Skins are called Vital Themes, and users have access to a lot more customization. From glowing LFOs to gradients, producers can tailor Vital's UI to match their brand, vibe, or preferences.
How to Install a Custom Vital VST Skin
Open Vital within your DAW of choice, Alt+Click the hamburger icon in the top right, and click the Load Theme option. Then, find and select your custom Vital Skin! Feel free to follow the visual guide below.
Step 1: Alt+Click the Hamburger Icon
Step 2: Click the Load Theme Option
Once uploaded, Vital's entire UI transforms instantly.
No worries if you change your mind. Simply choose "Default" from the same menu to revert Vital back to its original look.
How to Create a Custom Vital Skin in 4 Steps
Access the Vital Skin Designer
Test Out the Skin Designer Menu
Create a Color Palette
Design Your Custom Vital Skin!
Step 1: Access the Vital Skin Designer
Alt+Click the hamburger icon in the top right, and select Edit Theme Colors. This interesting interface shown below will pop up to the right of the plugin.
On the right you'll notice the global section labels, click one to open it and see which elements it holds. This breaks the design process down into categories like Oscillators, LFOs, and Filters. Clicking parts of the Vital VST will also bring you to different sections of the Skin Editor. (try clicking the preset menu)
On the left side you can see the list of available colors. To add a custom color to Vital, scroll to the bottom of the list and click the Plus (+) icon. Drag any color from this list over an element to change its color.
If these screenshots don't look familiar, you may need to update Vital. We explain how to update to the latest version at the end of this article.
Step 2: Test Out the Vital Skin Designer Menu
While it may seem advanced, you don't need to be a production wizard to create a custom vital skin. Familiarize yourself with each element by clicking through each element. When selected, Vital will highlight the element you are adjusting.
Tweak different parameters to understand how each feature appears on screen.
Step 3: Create a Color Palette
For each of our designs, we start by choosing a color palette for our Vital theme. This is an important step as it helps lay the foundation of Vital skin design.
You can either find a color palette online, make one from an image, or use a free color palette generator like coolers.io.
Step 4: Design Your Custom Vital VST Skin
Now for the fun part! Start with the background to set the tone for your design. Then work through each feature, applying your chosen colors. Remember, clarity is key so make sure to keep it user-friendly.
Skip the hassle of learning each element by using our custom Vital Skins as a template! (or as a reference)
When you finish creating your new Vital Skin, make sure to click Save through the same hamburger menu within Vital.
Our Top 3 Free Vital Skins
Elevate your music production process with our custom Vital VST Skins. Hand-edited by Terran, each design uses dynamic glow effects and a high-contrast color palette. Our goal is to create an interface that's not only intuitive but entertaining for extended studio sessions.
Keep in mind that these are Vital Themes designed for Vital version 1.5.1 and beyond.
Terrvform Vital Skin
Rust Vital Skin
[REDACTED] Vital Skin
Vital Skin Editor Summary
If you are a music producer tired of starting at the same old greys and blues, creating your own Vital skin is a great move.
We designed our free vital skins with care for anyone interested, but they also make great templates! All you need to do is change our colors in the skin editor to your custom palette.
We will continue to update this list with every custom vital skin we create, so make sure to check back here soon or save the page.
Vital VST Subscription and Pricing Options
While the Vital VST plug-in is free, purchasing a package will earn you additional presets, sample packs, and wavetables on top of all the base features! Here’s a quick look at their pricing options:
Vital Basic (Free): Includes Vital, 75 presets, and 25 wavetables
Vital Subscription ($5 per Month): Includes Vital, $5 of monthly credit in the Vital store, unlimited text-to-wavetable, additional skins, exclusive Discord perk, prioritized support, and first access to new features
Vital Plus ($25 one-time payment): Includes everything in the regular subscription, plus 250 presets and 70 wavetables
Vital Pro ($80 one-time payment): Includes everything in regular subscription, plus 400+ presets and 150 wavetables
You can download the free Vital VST by visiting Vital.audio (not sponsored)
Full Vital VST Features List
Drag-and-Drop Modulation Workflow
Intuitive and quick modulation assignment with a visual preview for streamlined sound design
Spectral Warping Wavetable Synthesis
Explore new soundscapes by warping the harmonic structure of wavetables, enabling the creation of unique timbres
Three Wavetable Oscillators
Includes frequency and wave warping capabilities for refined sound design
Efficient Unison Mode
Enables thick, lush sounds by layering multiple voices
Versatile Voice Filters
Two routable filters featuring several models, both analog and digital, with continuous blending modes for diverse sound shaping
Audio-Rate Modulation
Craft precise drum transients and modulate filter cutoffs with high resolution
Stereo-Split LFOs
Customize LFO shapes and split them stereo-wise for intricate modulation patterns
Modulatable Envelopes
Draw in dynamic sound movements with customizable envelope curves
Modulation Remapping
Tailor the response of each modulation source for unique modulation shapes
Custom Sample Source Integration
Upload a custom sample for personalized sound design
Random Modulation Options
Includes Perlin noise, Lorenz Attractor, Sample & Hold, and Sine Interpolation with stereo options for unpredictable modulations
Robust Effects Section
Eight routable effects including a multiband compressor, a versatile phaser, and a lush 16-voice chorus
MPE Support
Full compatibility with MPE controllers for expressive performances
Microtonal File Support
Play and experiment with non-standard tunings for unique scales and modes
Advanced Preset Browser
Easily organize, search, and tag presets with a user-friendly browser
How to Update the Vital VST
In order to update your Vital VST, you'll need to visit account.vital.audio and sign into your Vital account. Then head to the downloads section and download the latest version. Make sure to install the software into the same folder that the previous version is in.
Once the installation is complete, open your DAW and verify that the updated version of Vital is available and functioning. You may need to rescan your VST plugins folder within your DAW if the update isn't recognized.
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