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Plugins Work But I Can't Find Them On Mac

Posted: Tue May 05, 2020 2:47 pm
by erichzann
After spending nearly an hour trying to install a plugin I've realized I have absolutely NO idea where most of my plugins are. Everything I've looked up says that they should be in Library/Audio/Plugins/

I do see a VST folder there but there are only a few plugins there. There is no VST3 folder. The thing is I have a ton of plugins and they WORK. They are available. In preferences I have:

Use VST2 Plug-In System Folders: On
Use VST2 Plug-In Custom Folder: On
VST2 Plug-In Custom Folder: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST
Use VST3 Plug-In System Folders: On
Use VST3 Plug-In Custom Folders: Off
VST3 Plug-In Custom Folder: Not Set

I haven't found anything helpful about this. I would really appreciate guidance if anyone would be kind enough to offer any.
Thanks in advance

Re: Plugins Work But I Can't Find Them On Mac

Posted: Tue May 05, 2020 3:11 pm
by Tarekith
You have two (or more) libraries on a Mac, one for each user account and one that's system wide for all users. Usually plug ins install to the system folder library.

Open Finder, right click on your user name on the left and choose "show in enclosing folder". That will reveal the other library folder.

Re: Plugins Work But I Can't Find Them On Mac

Posted: Tue May 05, 2020 3:41 pm
by erichzann
Thank you for your help!

I'm sorry but I forgot to mention that Username/Library/Audio has the exact same problem as mentioned about the system-wide folder. There's a VST folder with a few plugins in it but there is no VST3 folder. There are still a ton of plugins that work fine in Ableton that are not in these library folders.

There's also a folder called Shared under users but that doesn't have a Library folder as far as I can see.

Any other advice is greatly appreciated!

Re: Plugins Work But I Can't Find Them On Mac

Posted: Tue May 09, 2023 12:35 pm
by callgino
Same problem here.
I have literally been searching for hours.
Although most plugins do work, I just cannot locate any VST or VST3 folder either in /Library/Audio/Plug-ins/ or in ~/Library/Audio/Plug-ins/.
There does exist a completely empty /Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST folder.

Anyone?

Re: Plugins Work But I Can't Find Them On Mac

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 6:14 pm
by Synthbuilder
EDIT: Never mind I'm being stupid. As the Tarekith says there are two library locations and the MacintoshHD/Library/Audio/Plugins/ is where I needed to look and not User/Library/Audio/Plugins/