Four quick steps.

1

Unzip the download

Double-click the .zip you downloaded. Inside you'll find the plugin in two formats: a .component (Audio Unit, for Logic & GarageBand) and a .vst3 (for Ableton, FL Studio and most others).

2

Move each plugin to its folder

In Finder, press ⌘⇧G (or Go ▸ Go to Folder), paste the path below and drop the file in. Put the .component in the Components folder and the .vst3 in the VST3 folder:

/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components: for the .component (AU)
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3: for the .vst3

Prefer to install for just your user (no password needed)? Use ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/… instead. Same two folder names, under your home folder.

3

Allow it on first launch

The first time you load it, macOS may say the plugin is from an unidentified developer. That's just macOS being cautious with a new install. Open System Settings ▸ Privacy & Security, scroll down and click Open Anyway next to the plugin's name. Then reload it in your DAW.

This message disappears entirely once the plugins are notarized by Apple. Most installs won't see it at all.

4

Rescan in your DAW

Your DAW scans for new plugins on launch. If it was already open, quit and reopen it, or trigger a rescan (see the quick notes below). Your new plugin shows up under DANNNY MCCCARTHY SOUNDS, or just search its name.

By DAW.

Where new plugins land and how to force a rescan in the big four.

Logic Pro & GarageBand

Uses the Audio Unit (.component). Logic validates new AUs on launch. If one doesn't appear, quit Logic, reopen and find it under the plugin menu ▸ Audio Units ▸ DANNNY MCCCARTHY SOUNDS.

Ableton Live

Uses VST3. Go to Settings ▸ Plug-Ins, make sure "Use VST3 Plug-In System Folders" is on, and hit Rescan. It'll appear in the Plug-Ins browser.

FL Studio

Uses VST3. Options ▸ Manage Plugins ▸ Find more plugins. Then find it in the plugin database under the DMC name.

Studio One / Reaper / others

Any AU or VST3 host works. Point it at the folders in Step 2 if needed, then rescan in its plugin preferences.

Troubleshooting.

It's not showing up

Double-check the file is in the exact folder from Step 2 (Components for AU, VST3 for VST3), then fully quit and reopen your DAW so it rescans.

"Can't be opened"

That's Gatekeeper on a fresh install. System Settings ▸ Privacy & Security ▸ Open Anyway, then reload (Step 3).

Logic says validation failed

Rare. Restart your Mac and reopen Logic to force a clean AU re-scan. Still stuck? Email us and we'll sort it fast.

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Installing your plugins.