How do I install Audio Units in GarageBand?

Answered by Stephen Mosley

To install Audio Units in GarageBand, follow these steps:

1. Download the AU plugin: Start by finding and downloading the Audio Unit plugin you want to install. There are many websites that offer free and paid plugins, so you can choose one that suits your needs.

2. Locate the Components folder: Open Finder on your Mac and navigate to the Macintosh HD. From there, go to the Library folder, then Audio, and finally Plugins. Inside the Plugins folder, you will find a folder named Components. This is where you need to place the AU plugin file.

3. Drag the AU plugin to the Components folder: Once you have located the Components folder, simply drag and drop the downloaded AU plugin file into this folder. Make sure to place it directly into the Components folder and not any subfolders within it.

4. Enable Audio Units in GarageBand: Launch GarageBand and go to the Preferences menu. You can access this by clicking on GarageBand in the menu bar and selecting Preferences. In the Preferences window, click on the Audio/MIDI tab. Look for the “Audio Units” section and make sure the checkbox next to “Audio Units” is checked. This enables GarageBand to recognize and use AU plugins.

5. Close and reopen GarageBand: After enabling Audio Units, close the Preferences window and exit GarageBand completely. Then, reopen GarageBand to ensure the changes take effect. Once GarageBand restarts, it should recognize the newly installed AU plugin.

That’s it! You have successfully installed an Audio Unit plugin in GarageBand. You can now use the plugin in your projects to enhance your audio production.

I hope this step-by-step guide helps you with installing AU plugins in GarageBand. If you encounter any issues, make sure to double-check that you followed each step correctly.