Mac Computer Newbie needing help - Mainstage/Omnisphere

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Level 1

17 points

Mac Computer Newbie needing help - Mainstage/Omnisphere

Greetings everyone,

I've been a PC user since the MS DOS days and have just recently decided to move to the Mac Platform. I apologize in advance for any questions that may seem to have a simple solution but the Mac platform is so very new to me.

Here is my issue: I purchased Mainstage to use as my live performance solution for playing keyboard. I decided to install Omnisphere to be the first VST to use since it is my VST (Keyscape) of Choice. Long story short, I am not sure Omnisphere installed correctly. It installed in the default directory and I am NOT able to figure out how to open Omnisphere within Mainstage. (FYI, I did do a reinstall in case you're wondering)

I have confirmed that the STEAM folder exists on the MB (MB Pro 15" i7, 16GB, 256GB SSD drive, 2.8 GHz, 2017 model) but, I am NOT able to locate the *vst file on the computer. I assume the VST has a *vst file extension for Mac's as opposed to the *.dll on a PC. Regardless, I can not find the vst. Omnisphere is not a selectable VST in Mainstage. If I click and hold the channel strip I/O to select an AU Instrument only Apple products are available to select. Although Ihave an extensive library of VST plug-ins, I have not attempted to install anything else.

Please help!

Thanks in advance,

Rich

MainStage, MOTU 896 HD

Posted on Dec 26, 2017 10:32 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

adissu

Level 2

154 points

Dec 26, 2017 12:16 PM in response to psalmist35

I also used the credit card sized usb stick.

OK, have you tried to go into the settings --> PluginManager and do a re-scan of the plugins?

The audio unit itself is located at /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components

Hope this helps

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Answer 2

adissu

Level 2

154 points

Dec 26, 2017 11:08 AM in response to psalmist35

This is quite simple. Mainstage does not support VST plugins but only AU (Audio unit) plug-ins, so you have to install the AU version of Omnisphere, Keyscape or any other plugin you want to use.

I have the same MacBook Pro and run Omnisphere 2 on it successfully!

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Answer 3

adissu

Level 2

154 points

Dec 26, 2017 12:53 PM in response to psalmist35

OK, as I already mentioned in my first reply, MainStage can only deal with Audio Unit (.component) plugins and is not able to run VST plugins (in opposite to Logic Pro, Ableton, ...).

Just one additional idea. Maybe you have installed the plugin as a different user then Mainstage and maybe it is not installed in the folder I mentioned before but in the user Library folder but since Mainstage runs as a different user it cannot access the others users folder... I am not so familiar with the macOS and its user management, so this might be stupid stuff... :-)

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Answer 4

psalmist35 Author

Level 1

17 points

Dec 26, 2017 12:00 PM in response to adissu

Hello Adissu,

Thanks for the reply.

I am using Omnisphere 2 and this particular version is on Credit Card size USB "thumb" drive. During the install process u select either Mac or PC install. I did the Mac install. 😉 I do not believe it would have installed otherwise.

Perhaps you have another suggestion where I might be able to locate the AU file to verify it was installed correctly?

Thanks!

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