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Stuck with installation? Need DAW setup help? Have a technical question? I'm here to help you get the most out of your Day One Monakai Audio plugins.

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For fastest response, email our dedicated support team directly. We typically reply within a few hours during business days.

support@monakaiaudio.com

Setup Guides

Every plugin download includes a complete setup guide with step-by-step DAW-specific instructions and troubleshooting.

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Community Board

Ask questions, share tips, and connect with other Monakai Audio users on our community board.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are Monakai Audio plugins really free?

Yes. LOUD By Monakai is free for Day Ones with a lifetime license — no trial, no watermark, no feature limitations. Far From Erf is also free: just create a Monakai Audio account and share the provided link and Day One offer on 3 social media platforms.

Which DAWs are supported?

All Monakai Audio VST3 plugins work in any VST3-compatible DAW including Ableton Live, FL Studio, Reaper, Cubase, Studio One, Bitwig, Cakewalk, and more.

Why does Windows show a security warning?

This is normal for independent software that isn't signed with an expensive commercial code-signing certificate. Our plugins are completely safe — see the full Windows Security Guide below for step-by-step instructions.

Do you offer macOS or Linux versions?

Our plugins are available for Windows 10/11. macOS versions are currently in beta and require accepting the macOS beta terms before download. We will work diligently with our users to ensure a satisfactory product is delivered on macOS. Join our newsletter for updates.

Can I use these plugins commercially?

Absolutely. Your Day One lifetime license covers both personal and commercial use in music production, sound design, and audio engineering.

How do I install VST3 plugins?

Copy the .vst3 bundle to your system's VST3 folder (%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Common\VST3\), restart your DAW, and scan for new plugins. Each download includes a complete setup guide.

Windows Security Guide

Independent audio plugins often trigger Windows security warnings because we don't pay thousands of dollars annually for a commercial code-signing certificate. Our software is safe. Here's how to get around every Windows security block quickly and safely.

1

Run UNBLOCK-ALL.bat First (Recommended)

Every Monakai Audio download includes UNBLOCK-ALL.bat. Double-click it before running anything. This removes Windows' "downloaded from the internet" flags from all files — no admin required.

Pro tip: Do this before extracting the ZIP. Right-click the ZIP → Properties → check "Unblock" → Extract. Then run UNBLOCK-ALL.bat inside the folder.

2

Bypass SmartScreen: "Windows protected your PC"

This is the most common warning. Windows shows it for all independent software without a paid certificate. It does not mean the file is infected.

  1. Click More info on the blue warning screen.
  2. Click Run anyway at the bottom.
  3. The installer or app will launch normally.

Note: If you don't see "Run anyway," you have Smart App Control enabled (Windows 11). See Step 4 below.

3

Windows Defender False Positive

Sometimes Windows Defender flags new independent software as "Unknown publisher" or throws a false positive. If the app won't run even after SmartScreen:

  1. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Protection history.
  2. Look for any action taken on Monakai files. If blocked, click Actions → Restore.
  3. Add an exclusion: Virus & threat protection → Manage settings → Exclusions → Add folder → select your VST3 folder.
4

Smart App Control (Windows 11 Only)

Windows 11's Smart App Control is aggressive and blocks independent software completely — sometimes with no "Run anyway" button.

  1. Open Settings → Privacy & security → Windows Security → App & browser control.
  2. Click Smart App Control settings.
  3. Select Off.
  4. Run the Monakai installer, then turn SAC back On if you want.

Warning: Turning off Smart App Control reduces system protection. Only disable it temporarily to install trusted software, then re-enable.

5

Trust the Certificate (Far From Erf Only)

Far From Erf includes a self-signed certificate (monakai.cer) and TRUST-CERT.bat. Running this as Administrator adds the Monakai certificate to your local trust store, which can reduce warnings on some systems.

  1. Right-click TRUST-CERT.bat → Run as administrator.
  2. Click Yes when Windows asks for permission.
  3. The certificate is now trusted locally.

Optional: This step is not required — UNBLOCK-ALL.bat + SmartScreen bypass is enough for most users.

6

Still Blocked? Nuclear Option

If nothing else works, boot Windows into Safe Mode with Networking, install the plugin there, then reboot normally. In Safe Mode, most security overlays are disabled.

  1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, press Enter.
  2. Go to the Boot tab → check Safe boot → Minimal.
  3. Click OK and restart.
  4. Install the plugin in Safe Mode.
  5. Run msconfig again and uncheck Safe boot to return to normal.

Is this software safe? Yes. Monakai Audio plugins are built by a single artist-developer with 25+ years of studio experience. The code is clean, the builds are done locally, and the only reason Windows complains is the lack of a $200+/year commercial code-signing certificate — something many independent developers can't justify. If you're ever unsure, scan the files with VirusTotal or reach out to us directly.