Support

This has been fixed in the latest release, make sure you have updated PlugSearch to version 3.2.

If you keep getting the "PlugSearch couldn't open the Plug-In menu..." warning while the insert slot is not obscured, follow these steps:

• Quit PlugSearch
• Open System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> Privacy, and remove PlugSearch from the Accessibility list
• Restart your system
• Open PlugSearch, and add it to the Accessibility list

Also, make sure that Logic Pro is located in the Applications folder and not in any sub-folder, and you are running a legal version.

If you still get the warning, please contact support.

If PlugSearch can't find a Plug-In in Logic Pro's Plug-In menu, check that:

• The Plug-In is available in the channel mode of the insert slot.
• The Plug-In is not deactivated in Logic's Plug-In Manager. If it is, you can open PlugSearch's Plug-Ins window and hide the Plug-In from the results
• The Plug-In is unavailable in Logic because it didn't pass Audio Unit validation. You can check this in Logic's Plug-In Manager
• If the Plug-In has a custom name with a colon character (:), Logic Pro will create an extra folder in the Plug-In menu. Please remove the colon character.

First, do not Control-click or Command-click, just press Control or Command or use the custom key command (Command-P by default).

If PlugSearch still does not appear when you press control or option on an empty insert slot, please follow these steps:

• Check if you have the latest version of PlugSearch installed. Update notifications are automatically sent.
• Make sure your are running Logic Pro X 10.5 or up and it is installed in the Applications folder (not in any sub folder)
• Make sure PlugSearch is running. It's icon should be visible in the top right of the system menu-bar. PlugSearch is a standalone application, not a Plug-in.
• Check that PlugSearch is not Paused
• Remove PlugSearch from the Accessibility list in the System Preferences, restart your computer, and open PlugSearch again.
• Control and Command don't work when you are working with Remote Desktop. You can use a custom key-command instead.
• If you updated from a previous version of PlugSearch, try deleting the preferences: Quit PlugSearch, open Terminal and type: defaults delete com.speakerfood.PlugSearch

Please update to version 3.2 to fix this issue. Version 3.2 no longer sends keystrokes to Logic Pro, which might trigger Logic Pro key commands.

PlugSearch scans available Plug-ins on your system when it opens. 

If you installed or removed Plug-ins, you can force a rescan in the Preferences of PlugSearch, or from the rescan button in the PlugSearch popover window.

Note that some Plug-Ins are only registered by MacOS after a restart, even if they are recognised by Logic Pro. So if you see the Plug-In in Logic Pro, but not in PlugSearch, please perform a restart.

Note: if you moved or renamed the following folder: 

/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components,

your system will not have a correct registry of your installed components. A restart will fix this.

Just press control or command, don't control-click or command-click. This was a feature in an earlier version of PlugSearch.

• Quit PlugSearch
• Remove the folder ~/Library/Application Support/PlugSearch
• Open a terminal and type: defaults delete com.speakerfood.PlugSearch
• Open PlugSearch
• Enter your license key again

If PlugSearch 3 can't find your Plug-Ins in its online database, it will label them as Uncategorised. The database is continuously updated, and PlugSearch will automatically update the categorisation daily.

If you wish to use your own categories, you can define them in Logic's Plug-In Manager. They will show up in PlugSearch with a 'User' icon in the list of categories.

In principle you can, but PlugSearch's automatic categorisation will not work for Plug-ins you categorised with Auganiser, as Auganiser changes the manufacturer name in the Plug-In component file on your system.

To force a rescan of custom Plug-In names, you can use the Rescan button in the popover window (the spiralling arrow) or in the Preferences of PlugSearch.

PlugSearch 3.2 is compatible with: 

• macOS High Sierra (10.13) or higher
• Logic Pro version 10.4.8 or higher

PlugSearch 3 is not compatible with Sierra (10.12). If you have a valid license, you can still use PlugSearch 2. You can download version 2 here:

Download PlugSearch 2

To install PlugSearch:

• Open the .pkg file
• If you get a warning, open System Preferences -> Security and allow the installer to open
• After installation, open PlugSearch from the Applications folder
• Follow the setup procedure

PlugSearch 3 is installed in your applications folder as a standalone application. When you open it, it will run as a background process in the Finder's task bar. You can see its icon (diamond shaped wave) there.

The Plug-in library is stored at ~/Application Support/PlugSearch

A preference file is also created at ~/Library/Preferences/com.speakerfood.PlugSearch

To uninstall PlugSearch, remove the following files and folders:

• /Applications/PlugSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/PlugSearch

And, if present:

• ~/Preferences/com.speakerfood.PlugSearch.plist
  

In Logic Pro, you can safely remove the custom category 'PlugSearch'. It won't affect the installation of your Plug-ins, or other categories you may have defined.

Yes you can, you can install PlugSearch on any system you personally own. There's no online hardware ID check, just me trusting you to handle this license with care.

PlugSearch 3 runs as a background application in the Finder's task bar. You can find its icon in the top right (a magnifying glass). Click the icon and select 'Quit' from the drop-down menu.

If you own PlugSearch 2, you can use the following discount code at checkout to get PlugSearch 3 for $10:

PLUGSEARCHUPGRADE

Make sure you use the same mail address you ordered PlugSearch 2 with, or you log in with your user account on www.speakerfood.com

Yes, you can. Version 3.2 will work with different language settings for MacOS / Logic Pro

PlugSearch 3 is a paid upgrade, so you need a new license. You only pay the difference between version 2 and 3 if you log in to your account or use the same mail address as your first order, and use the discount code: PLUGSEARCHUPGRADE.

If your network settings are OK, sometimes PlugSearch will give a message that the license server is offline. Most of the time this is just a temporary issue, if you try again later it should work. If you still can't activate PlugSearch, contact me.

Note: for Chinese residents, please contact support to activate PlugSearch or GainControl. Currently, the license server is blocked by the Chinese firewall. I'm working on a workaround for this.

PlugSearch 3.1:

https://storage.googleapis.com/plugsearch/PlugSearch-V3.zip

PlugSearch 2:

https://storage.googleapis.com/plugsearch/PlugSearch_2.12.2.zip

Using PlugSearch is very simple.

To insert a Plug-in or Articulation Set:

• Open Logic Pro

To insert a Plug-In at an empty insert slot in the Inspector

• Open PlugSearch with the custom key command (Command-P by default)

To insert a Plug-In at a specific insert slot:

• Hoover above an Audio FX, Instrument, MIDI FX, or Articulation Set insert slot

• Hit Control (Ctrl) or the custom key command (Command-P by default)

When PlugSearch is active:

• Type to start searching
• Select a Plug-in or Articulation set with the cursor or arrow keys
• Double-click or hit return

To remove a Plug-in:

• Hoover above an occupied Audio FX, Instrument or MIDI FX insert slot
• Hit Command (cmd)

First, open the Plug-ins window from the PlugSearch drop down menu in the Finder task bar. Then you can drag-and-drop Plug-ins from the list to each corresponding Favourites box. Here you can also reorder the favourites.

You can also mark Plug-Ins as favourite by clicking the yellow star button left of each Plug-In in the search results.

You can use any device that sends CC (Control Change) MIDI messages to insert a favourite Plug-In on the first available insert slot.

First, define favourites in the PlugSearch Plug-In window by dragging them from the Plug-In table to the Favourites boxes.

Second, in PlugSearch Preferences, set the CC number that you would like to use. Default is 110, as this is reserved as unused in the standard MIDI specification.

The MIDI channel you use determines the Plug-In type:

- Channel 1 : Audio FX

- Channel 2 : Instruments

- Channel 3 : MIDI-FX

The value of the CC corresponds to the favourite number. So for example:

CC110, value 1, channel 1 : insert Audio-FX favourite 1

CC110, value 2, channel 1: insert Audio-FX favourite 2

CC110, value 1, channel 2: insert Instrument favourite 1

Do not Control-click or Command-click, just press Control or Command.

If PlugSearch still does not appear when you press control or option on an empty insert slot, please follow these steps:

• Check if you have the latest version of PlugSearch installed. Update notifications are automatically sent.
• Make sure your are running Logic Pro X 10.4.5 or up
• Make sure PlugSearch is running. It's icon should be visible in the top right of the system menu-bar. PlugSearch is a standalone application, not a Plug-in.
• If you run Logic in German, Spanish or French, make sure that in the System Preferences this language is the first language. Quit and restart PlugSearch and Logic Pro X.
• If your system language is not English, German, Spanish or French, make sure the second language is set to English so Logic runs in English. Quit and restart PlugSearch and Logic Pro to detect the correct language.
• Remove PlugSearch from the Accessibility list in the System Preferences, restart your computer, and open PlugSearch again.

Please note: Chinese and Japanese is not yet supported.

If PlugSearch does not insert the correct Plug-in, please check the following:

• WAVES PLUGINS
  If you are using Waves Plug-ins, you'll find a mono (m) and stereo (s) version for every Plug-in. Make sure to select a (m) Plug-in for mono insert slots and a (s) Plug-in for stereo insert slots, otherwise PlugSearch won't find the correct Plug-in.

• OTHER MACRO APPLICATIONS
  If other macro applications are running that respond to 'single key' key commands, for instance GainControl, Keyboard Maestro, BetterTouchTool, replace these with key commands that contain key modifiers. So don't use single keys like 'a', 'p', etc. anywhere.

• CUSTOM KEY COMMAND
  Only use key combinations as custom key command, not single keys.

• PLUGSEARCH CATEGORY
  Make sure you set up the PlugSearch category as described below in Logic's Plug-in Manager. It must be named "PlugSearch" (no spaces). Put all Logic's native Plug-ins in this category, not 3rd-party ones.

• BETTERTOUCHTOOL
  BetterTouchTool is a macro application that can interfere with PlugSearch. If you are running BetterTouchTool, follow the instructions below. If you are not running BetterTouchTool, make sure you uncheck the option 'Automatically Disable/Enable BetterTouchTool' in PlugSearch's Preferences window.
  
  
• LANGUAGE
  Make sure Logic's language is detected correctly, by setting English, German, Spanish or French as your first system language, or otherwise English as the second system language. Quit and restart PlugSearch to detect the system language.
  
  
• DISABLED PLUGINS
  If you try to insert a Plug-in that you have disabled in Logic's Plug-in Manager or which couldn't be validated by Logic, PlugSearch will not find the Plug-in and inserts the closest match.
  
  
• CUSTOM COLOURS / IMAGES
  If Logic Pro was modified to have custom colours and images for the user interface, PlugSearch might not work properly.

Make sure you only press control or command, and don't control-click or command-click. The mouse click was needed in earlier versions of PlugSearch, and you will see it in YouTube tutorials. Since version 2, you only have to press control or command.

When you have different versions of PlugSearch on your system, check if only one instance of PlugSearch is running in the Finder's task bar. If two instances are running, check if PlugSearch was added to the start-up items in the System Preferences and remove it.

If PlugSearch triggers random actions instead of inserting a Plug-in, you probably have the option 'Automatically Disable/Enable BetterTouchTool' enabled in the PlugSearch preferences. If you are not using BetterTouchTool, uncheck this option.

If the problem persists, reset the PlugSearch preferences:

• Quit PlugSearch
• Open a terminal and execute: defaults delete com.speakerfood.PlugSearch
• Start PlugSearch
• Enter your license key to activate PlugSearch

• Quit PlugSearch
• Remove the folder ~/Library/Application Support/PlugSearch
• Open a terminal and type: defaults delete com.speakerfood.PlugSearch
• Open PlugSearch
• Enter your license key

If you have trouble activating PlugSearch, you can reset the preferences:

• Quit PlugSearch

• Open a terminal and type: defaults delete com.speakerfood.PlugSearch

• Delete the directory ~/Library/Application Support/PlugSearch

• Open PlugSearch

The latest version of PlugSearch 2 can be downloaded here:

Download PlugSearch 2.12

Owners of PlugSearch 2 are advised to upgrade to version 3, as it has many new features. Also version 3 is compatible with Apple Silicon systems. Log in to your account (or create one with the mail address you used to order version 2), and use the code PLUGSEARCHUPGRADE at checkout. The upgrade price is $10.

To install PlugSearch:

• Open the .pkg file
• If you get a warning, open System Preferences -> Security and allow the installer to open
• After installation, open PlugSearch from the Applications folder

On opening for the first time, PlugSearch will ask for Accessibility privileges

• Go to System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> Privacy
• Click on Accessibility in the left column
• Unlock
• Find PlugSearch in the right column and enable access

LOGIC PLUGIN MANAGER SETUP

Follow these steps:

• In Logic Pro X, open Preferences -> Plug-in Manager
• Create a new category by clicking the plus sign to the right of the label Category
  
• Name the new category “PlugSearch”
• Click "Logic" in the bottom left panel
• Select all Logic Plug-ins and drag them to the category PlugSearch

PlugSearch is installed in your applications folder as a standalone application. When you open it, it will run as a background process in the Finder's task bar. You can see its icon (a magnifying glass) there.

The Plug-in library is stored at ~/Application Support/PlugSearch

A preference file is also created at ~/Library/Preferences/com.speakerfood.PlugSearch

Yes it is, but you need to follow these additional steps after installation.

• Download the BTT preset for PlugSearch
• Unzip the file
• Double click the BTT preset file. This wil import the preset in BTT.
• In the preferences of PlugSearch, enable 'Automatically Enable/Disable BetterTouchTool

Each time PlugSearch triggers event to the system, BTT is temporarily disabled with the key command 'command-ctrl-shift-P'. Don't use this key command for other actions.

To uninstall PlugSearch, remove the following files and folders:

• /Applications/PlugSearch
• ~/Library/Application Support/PlugSearch

And, if present:

• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.speakerfood.plugsearch.user.agent.plist
• ~/Preferences/com.speakerfood.PlugSearch.plist

In Logic Pro, you can safely remove the custom category 'PlugSearch'. It won't affect the installation of your Plug-ins, or other categories you may have defined.

Yes you can, you can install PlugSearch on any system you personally own. There's no online hardware ID check, just me trusting you to handle this license with care.

PlugSearch runs as a background application in the Finder's task bar. You can find it's icon in the top right (a magnifying glass). Click the icon and select 'quit' from the dropdown menu.

Yes.By default PlugSearch starts when you login. You can change this in the PlugSearch Preferences, which you can open from the top menu bar icon.

PlugSearch is compatible with: 

• macOS High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina and Big Sur
• Logic Pro X 10.4.5 and up 
• Chinese and Japanese languages are not supported

Follow these steps if you are running BetterTouchTool:

• Download the BTT preset for PlugSearch
• Unzip the file
• Double click the BTT preset file. This wil import the preset in BTT.
• In the preferences of PlugSearch, enable 'Automatically Enable/Disable BetterTouchTool

Each time PlugSearch triggers event to the system, BTT is temporarily disabled with the key command 'command-ctrl-shift-P'. Don't use this key command for other actions.

Using PlugSearch is very simple.

To insert a Plug-in:

• Open Logic Pro
• Hoover above an empty Audio FX, Instrument or MIDI FX insert slot
• Hit Control (Ctrl)
  
• Type to start searching
• Select a Plug-in with the mouse or arrow keys
• Double-click or hit return

To remove a Plug-in:

• Hoover above an occupied Audio FX, Instrument or MIDI FX insert slot
• Hit Control (Ctrl)

Hit Command or the alternative key command to insert: 

• a mono to stereo Audio FX on a mono insert slot 
• a double-mono Audio FX on a stereo insert slot 
• a mono or multi-output Instrument (depending on availability) 

Simply start the first search word with a capital. For instance: "Wa" will list all Plug-ins made by Waves and other manufacturers who's name contains "Wa". 

You can refine your search by adding words without capitals, to search for Plug-ins by name. For instance, use "Wav lim" to quickly list Plug-ins by Waves that contain the string "lim" in their name.

Yes. Type "?" and hit enter. PlugSearch will enter a random Plug-in. Great way to create randomness in your production.

Yes.

Open the preferences to set custom key commands for PlugSearch. A custom key command has to be a combination of modifier key and alphanumeric key, for instance command-P. Single characters are not allowed as they interfere when typing regular text in Logic Pro.

Open the PlugSearch Plug-in Database to see all detected Plug-ins on your system. It also shows information on how many times a Plug-in was inserted by PlugSearch, how many Plug-ins were scanned, and which custom name a Plug-in has in Logic Pro.

The following actions are available:

• Visibility: option to show/hide Plug-ins in the search results
• Import or export these settings

Open the PlugSearch Plug-in Database. Here you can select which Plug-ins you want to hide in the search results.

For instance, the Universal Audio update installer always installs all Plug-ins on your system, even the ones you don't own. In PlugSearch, the visibility of these Plug-ins is permanent, so you can hide the ones you don't own, and this setting will remain even after the update.

By default, the search results are ordered by 'last time used'. You can reset this order in the Plug-in Database action menu.

• Double click the .pkg file
• Go to the Applications folder and open GainControl

The first time you use GainControl, it will ask permission to control System Events.

• Click 'OK'
• Click 'Open System Preferences'
• Unlock to make changes
• Enable the checkbox next to GainControl

If for some reason GainControl does not ask for Accessibility permissions, you can add it manually:

• Open System Preferences -> Security & Privacy
• Go to the tab 'Privacy'
• Select 'Accessibility' from the list
• Unlock to make changes
• Click the plus sign and add GainControl from the Applications folder

When you use GainControl for the first time in Logic Pro, it will ask permission to operate on Logic. 

• From the Finder task bar GainControl icon, open the GainControl Preferences
• Enter the license you received and click Activate

Yes you can, you can install GainControl on any system you personally own. There's no online hardware ID check, just me trusting you to handle this license with care.

By default, GainControl starts when you login. You can change this in the GainControl Preferences, which you can open from the Finder task bar icon.

GainControl runs as a background Finder task bar application. You can find it's icon in the top right Finder task bar. From there, you can quit GainControl.

To uninstall GainControl:

• remove GainControl from the Applications folder
• open a terminal and type: defaults delete com.speakerfood.GainControl

GainControl allows you to change the gain and fades of audio regions in Logic Pro. You can set the key commands in the GainControl Preferences window.

Here is how you use GainControl:

• In Logic Pro, make sure that the Inspector is open (in the sidebar or floating)
• Select an audio region
• Use the GainControl key commands to change the gain or apply/remove fades

The gain can be changed by 'small' or 'normal' amounts. The fade length can be increased or decreased by a fixed amount, that can be set to a custom value.

If GainControl does not change the region gain or fades, check that it's actually running, it's icon should be visible in the Finder task bar.

Under some circumstances, the Accessibility privileges may get corrupted. In that case, remove GainControl from the Accessibility list under System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> Privacy. Restart your system and open GainControl, it will ask for permission to be added again.

The presets are all installed in the folder /Library/Audio/Presets, in the following folders:

• FabFilter
• UAD
• Waves
• SoundToys

• To use these presets you need to have Logic Pro X or 9 installed, as well as the corresponding plugin(s).
• OSX version 10.6 - 11.2
• 692 MB of free space

Yes. Custom presets are saved at user level, at:

~/Library/Audio/Presets

The Logic Pro Presets are installed at system level, at:

System/Library/Audio/Presets

You can create and delete your own custom presets without affecting the installed presets, and Logic's Library window will show all the presets it finds at system and user level.

Yes, you can. The installer allows you to install only the bundles you use. And if you want to clean up some more disk space you can delete the preset folders of the plugins you don't own. 

You get all the factory presets in native Logic Pro format from:

• Waves Mercury
• UAD Powered Plugins
• SoundToys
• FabFilter Total Bundle

UADx (Spark) presets are not included in the bundle.

Important: You don't buy the plugins themselves, you have to own these to use the plugin presets.

If you can't see the presets in Logic's Library window, make sure the blue triangle is pointing at the right Plug-in slot in the inspector or Mixer window. See screenshot below:

Otherwise, you can check if they are installed correctly from the top drop down menu in the Plug-in window. See screenshot below.

Unlike the Powered Plug-Ins, the Spark Plug-Ins have an excellent preset browser, which works with tags and favourites.

The short answer is yes. If you are not satisfied, a refund is no problem.

The long answer is that I will do the best I can to solve any issues you have with PlugSearch, GainControl or the Logic Pro Presets. So before you ask for a refund, please contact support.

I intentionally decided to make the upgrade price just the difference between the old and new version. This way all owners of PlugSearch 2 are treated equal.

Order confirmations are sent right after payment is fulfilled. If you didn't get it, please check your spam folder first.

If you still can't find it, please contact support@speakerfood.com. I usually respond within 1 business day, 2 days at max.

You can find your licenses as follows:

- Login to your account page on www.speakerfood.com. If you don't have an account, create one with the same mail address you used for your purchases.

- Click the order number for the corresponding purchase

- Under the product name, click on “Download here”

You will now see all the downloads and licenses attached to this order.