This $1 app means you no longer need to restart your Mac when you install a new Logic AU plugin

It’s fair to say that PlugInstall, a new $1 Mac app, is very much a one-trick pony, but for some people, said trick might be one that they’ve been hoping to see pulled off for a while. Quite simply, it’s designed to let you install new AU plugins and have them show up in Logic Pro X without you having to restart your computer.

This is something that has been a bugbear for some musicians since they upgraded to macOS 10.13 High Sierra in 2017 (it’s also an issue when running 10.14 Mojave and 10.15 Catalina). Once you’ve got PlugInstall in your Applications folder, though, you can ignore any messages saying that you need to restart your Mac after installing plugins - just open Logic Pro X and they should be right there, ready to use.

That’s the theory, anyway; given how little PlugInstall costs, you’re not risking much if you want to find out for sure. It’s available now from the PlugInstall website and is compatible with all versions of macOS from High Sierra onwards.

Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it. 

Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects… image
Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects…
…with the latest issue of Computer Music magazine