PlugSearch 2 Support

I hit Control or Command on an insert slot, but nothing happens.

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.

PlugSearch inserts the wrong Plug-in.

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.

The PlugSearch window appears, then disappears.

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.

PlugSearch doesn't list MIDI-controlled effects. Why?

MIDI Controlled Effects are different from other effects, as they are not flagged as such in their basic component description. The current version of PlugSearch doesn't support this category of Plug-ins yet.

Does PlugSearch work with ARA Plug-ins?

PlugSearch does not list ARA Plug-ins yet, but I'm working hard to have these included in the next update.

I installed new Plug-ins, but PlugSearch doesn't list them.

PlugSearch scans available Plug-ins on your system when it opens. If you installed or removed Plug-ins, quit and restart PlugSearch again. 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.

I can't add PlugSearch to the Accessibility list.

If you can't add PlugSearch to the Accessibility list, try to add another application, for instance Mail. If that doesn't work either, your Accessibility list system might be corrupted. Unfortunately, solving this goes beyond the scope of our support, and it's best to contact Apple support.

When I start my computer, PlugSearch is opened twice.

This can be fixed by removing PlugSearch from the list of startup items in the System Preferences.

Instead of selecting a Plug-in, PlugSearch triggers random actions.

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

 

I'm control-clicking, but nothing happens.

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

How do I reset the PlugSearch database and preferences?

• 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

I can't activate the PlugSearch license.

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

PlugSearch inserts a dual mono Plug-In, instead of stereo.

Use Control to insert a stereo version of the Plug-in, and Command to insert a dual mono or mono -> stereo version.

How do I install PlugSearch?

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

Where is PlugSearch installed?

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

Is PlugSearch compatible with BetterTouchTool?

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.

How do I uninstall PlugSearch?

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.

Can I install PlugSearch on more than one system?

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.

How do I quit PlugSearch?

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.

Can PlugSearch automatically start when I log in?

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

 

I lost my license key, what should I do?

If you lost the order confirmation with your license key, mail to support@speakerfood.com with your name and we will send you the order confirmation again.

Can I use my own custom Plug-in categories in Logic Pro?

Yes, you can. The PlugSearch category is only needed for stock Logic Pro Plug-ins, but you can use as many custom categories as you want.

I'm using BetterTouchTool, how do I set it up to work with PlugSearch?

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.

What is the latest version?

The latest version of PlugSearch is 2.12. If you own PlugSearch, you will receive automatic update notifications by mail. If you think you missed an update notification, please let us know by sending a mail to support@speakerfood.com

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.

How do I use PlugSearch?

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) 

Note: mono to stereo versions are only available for some Plug-ins, for instance "stereo delay"

 

How do I search by manufacturer?

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.

Can PlugSearch insert a random Plug-in?

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

Can I assign a custom key command to trigger PlugSearch?

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.

How can I see which Plug-ins are available in PlugSearch?

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

How do I show/hide Plug-ins from the search results?

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.

How do I reset the order in which Plug-ins appear in the search results?

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