Support & Documentation

Installation guides, FAQs, and everything you need to get up and running.

User Manuals

Vellum Manual

Complete guide to all 18 spectral effects, the modulation system, preset browser, and step sequencer.

Penumbra Manual

Everything about grain capture, the XY pad, motion recorder, pitch quantizer, and the built-in delay.

Installation Guide

  1. 1

    Download after purchase

    After completing your purchase, you'll receive an email from Apophenia with your license key - usually within a few minutes (your Paddle payment receipt arrives separately). The download itself is available any time from the plugin's page: it's the full plugin, and your key unlocks it.

  2. 2

    Run the installer

    Double-click the downloaded Vellum-Setup.exe (or Penumbra-Setup.exe) and follow the steps. If Windows shows a SmartScreen notice, that's expected for new independent software - see the FAQ below.

  3. 3

    The installer does the rest

    The plugin is placed automatically in the standard VST3 location recognized by all major DAWs on Windows:

    C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\

    No manual copying needed. Uninstall any time from Windows Settings → Apps.

  4. 4

    Rescan plugins in your DAW

    Open your DAW and trigger a plugin rescan. In most DAWs this is under Preferences → Plugins → Scan / Rescan. After scanning, search for "Vellum" or "Penumbra" in your plugin browser.

System Requirements

Minimum

OSWindows 10 x64
CPUIntel/AMD SSE4.2+
RAM4 GB
FormatVST3 host

Recommended

OSWindows 11 x64
CPUIntel Core i5/i7 (10th gen+)
RAM16 GB
Buffer256–512 samples
Tested DAWs: Reaper 7+, Ableton Live 11/12, FL Studio 21, Cubase 12/13, Studio One 6. Other VST3-capable hosts should work but are not officially tested.

DAW-Specific Notes

Reaper+

Go to Options → Preferences → Plug-ins → VST and add C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 to the scan paths if it's not already there. Click "Re-scan". PDC is on by default in Reaper - Vellum latency is compensated automatically.

Ableton Live+

Go to Preferences → Plug-Ins. Make sure "Use VST3 Plug-In Custom Folder" is enabled. Rescan. Live has PDC and will handle Vellum latency automatically.

FL Studio+

Go to Options → Manage plugins → Find more plugins. FL Studio scans C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 by default. PDC must be enabled in project settings.

General FAQ

Windows warns me about the installer. Is it safe?+

Yes. Windows SmartScreen shows a "not commonly downloaded" warning for new independent software that hasn't built download reputation yet - this is normal for small plugin makers. As long as you downloaded the installer from apophenia.studio, click Keep in the browser, then More info → Run anyway when Windows asks. The warning fades away on its own as more people download the plugins.

I didn't receive my license email.+

Check your spam folder first - the email comes from apophenia.studio and usually arrives within a few minutes of purchase. Note that your Paddle payment receipt is a separate email. Still nothing? Email us at support@apophenia.studio and we'll resend your key.

The plugin isn't showing up in my DAW.+

Check that C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\ contains the plugin (the installer places it there), then trigger a full rescan in your DAW - in most DAWs under Preferences → Plug-ins. Some DAWs require restarting after scanning. Still missing? Re-run the installer and rescan.

I want a refund.+

We offer a 14-day refund window for technical problems we can't fix, products not as described, or accidental duplicate purchases - and we encourage trying the free demo before buying. Email support@apophenia.studio with your order number. See the full Refund Policy.

Can I use the plugin on multiple computers?+

Yes. Your license covers personal use on up to 5 machines you own (e.g. studio desktop + laptop). Activation is one-time per machine - after that the plugin works fully offline. For more machines, please purchase an additional license.

Will there be macOS support?+

macOS builds are planned for the future. There is no confirmed release date yet. If you purchase a Windows license today, you'll receive the macOS version at no extra charge when it releases.

Contact

For support, licensing questions, or feedback:

Email Support

Response time: typically within 24–48 hours (weekdays).