If you’re an audio editor, you know how important plug-ins are in your work. Plug-ins help you enhance your audio editing capabilities and produce high-quality sound output. However, installing these plug-ins on your Mac can be a bit of a challenge, particularly if you’re working with free plug-ins.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to install Audio Unit (AU), VST, and Double Ax plug-ins on your Mac. Please note that we’re using OS 10.12 Sierra, but the instructions should work similarly for most newer Mac operating systems.
First, it’s important to note that some plug-ins have their own installers that will automatically put the plug-in files where they need to go. However, if you’re downloading free plug-ins, they often come in a folder with the plug-in files, and you’ll need to move them to the correct folder on your Mac.
To get started, click on “Go” on your desktop, then click on “Computer.” Next, go to “Macintosh HD” or whatever you’ve named your main system drive for your Mac. Then click on “Library,” followed by “Audio,” “Plugins,” and then “Components.” This should give you a list of all your AU component plug-ins.
To install the AU component plug-in, drag and drop the component file into this folder. Next, go back and go to the VST folder. If you’re using VST 3 plug-ins, you can add them to the VST 3 folder. To install the VST format plug-in, drag and drop it into the VST folder.
Now let’s move on to the Double Ax plug-ins, which are for Pro Tools 10 and later. To find this folder, go back to the beginning by clicking on the Macintosh HD icon again. Click on “Library” again, then go to “Application Support,” “Avid,” “Audio,” and then finally the “Plugins” folder. Here, you’ll see a list of all your third-party Double Ax plug-ins. Drag and drop the plug-in file into this folder.
Now that you’ve installed all three types of plug-ins, it’s time to test them out. In Logic, add an audio effect on an insert on a track and go down to Audio Units. In this case, you’ll find the musical entropy folder, and then the spaceship delay plug-in. If the AU plug-in loads up just fine, you’re good to go.
For VST plug-ins, check to see if it works within the DAW you’re using. If you’re using Premiere Pro for video editing, for example, you can use VSTs for audio clips, so check if the plug-in is loading up just fine there.
Lastly, if you’re using Pro Tools, load up an insert on a track, go down to musical entropy, and select the plug-in. If you don’t have your plug-ins listed by manufacturer, they’ll also show up under the type of plug-in.
And that’s how you install AU, VST, and Double Ax plug-ins on a Mac. With these plug-ins, you can enhance your audio editing capabilities and produce high-quality sound output.