Hi y'all.

In case you use Component (AU) or VST3, etc. And wanna get clean of VST versions of the same audio plugin, can you erase the VST format? Wich is better to erase?

And, What's the best way to find the similar for example between VST and VST3 to erase one of them?
(Imagine VSt folder and VST3 folder and both contains TDRslickEW, for example, and you wanna get rid of the VST version, how you find all coincidences in a bulk and easy way without going one per one comparing with all the coincidences.)

 

https://www.widebluesound.com/audio-plugin-uninstaller/ install, run
Due to alphabetical ordering, the identical plugins only differ in their extensions, and you only need to diligently uninstall the unwanted ones

 

Just to ask.. why would you bother? Are you worried about space? Or, is it just that you don't like to see the extra clutter in your DAWs plugin list? I ask, because I use Reaper, and Reaper lets you hide duplicates, giving preference to whatever format you want.... so maybe whatever DAW you use has a similar feature, if that's your only concern.

I've only had one plugin where I preferred VST2 over VST3 (VPROM) and that was because the VST2 version had a bug that didn't exist in the VST3.

Also, just to say it, most installers let you pick the formats you want to install for your plugins, so be sure just to select VST3 only, in the future, if that's all you want!

That all said, looks like @xbitz 's suggestion is a good way to clean up the duplicates though, if you want them physically gone.

 

... and are using a Mac.

I would love something like this for Windows.

 

- get Voidtools Everything
- let it scan your disks
- type in search bar: .dll | .vst3 "[enter complete path for dlls]" | "[enter complete path for vst3]"

| means or, for paths you need the "

 

Very usseful tool, I already know it but ¿what can you do when is it like this?, all in a line:

 

Yes, it is more for space and order, an also dont watch duplicates on daws.

I just read something like most of VST3 are wrappers of the VST version, if it is important in terms of eficience.

Yeah, some intaller give you the option, some others dont

Can a plugin stop working in VST3 or other, if you delete the VST version?

 

Last edited: Dec 30, 2023

I know a couple more for windows:

Owlplug, is an opensource tools https://owlplug.com/

Revo uninstaller

And a thread of AS https://audiosex.pro/threads/how-to-completely-erase-vst-plugins.57040/

 

Another tool for windows users. I will give it a try on windows side.

Finally I found a "fix" through terminal command, I share in case someone likes it, it works OK, just uncomment the rm -R line.
(Chat GPT created)

Code:

#!/bin/bash

VST_FOLDER="/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST"
VST3_FOLDER="/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3"

# Iterate over VST files
for vst_file in "$VST_FOLDER"/*.vst; do
    # Extract the file name without extension
    vst_filename=$(basename -- "$vst_file")
    vst_filename_noext="${vst_filename%.*}"

    # Check if corresponding VST3 file exists
    vst3_file="$VST3_FOLDER/$vst_filename_noext.vst3"
    if [ -e "$vst3_file" ]; then
        echo "Duplicate found: $vst_file and $vst3_file"
        # Uncomment the next line to remove the VST file
        # rm -R "$vst_file"
    fi
done

 

at top right: Uninstallers/All Plugins if it can find a dedicated uninstaller for it, use that, otherwise, you can only remove the plugin from the system

 

OK, thanks, I haven't touch all buttons, lol

Now there are two options, in a bulk with the script, or one by one with the Audio plugin uninstaller

 

I only keep AU .component files for Logic. But I have to get rid of accidental VST and VST3, RTAS, and AAX, also. Some installers do not have to option to just install what you want.

If I had a bunch of duplicates though, I would take them all from the VST folder, paste them into the VST3 folder, sort by name; and you would be able to go right down the list. Control+click the dupes and delete. Take any remaining VST and put them back if you want.

easy, but what is easier is to just have one format plugins. bluecat's Patchwork could help loading a one-off here and there.

 

I usually install the Vst3.
For many, I install the Vst2 as well, but then move the Vst2 .dll to a folder I named "64vst-hold".
I do that for any that may have Vst3 issues.
Moving them from my main Vst2 folder keeps them from being scanned but still easily available.

I also move Toontrack Vst2 .DLLs there as well, for use with the standalones.
The Toontrack standalone products will prompt for the path when it's not found due to being moved.
I had quite a few Vst2 folders so to reclaim space I zipped them up.

 

Don't forget the CLAP version, audio folders are a mess latelly.

Problem is not all plugins came on all versions, some are VST, some are VST3, etc.

At this .ALP versions of Ableton is the best in terms of eficiency.

Very good third method @clone

 

I think what would be a good thing to do to test is just move the DLLs to some other temporary folder first.. something your DAW doesn't scan. It would kind of be a "soft delete", for lack of a better term. Then, down the road when you confirm all is good with VST3 (or whatever), purge away. Kind of a similar idea as what @DoubleTake mentioned.

Don't expect to save massive amounts of space deleting most stuff though. If you don't have a lot of drive space, it might still be helpful, though.

 

Best way is to be mindful when you install

Bitwig is nice because it lets you decide to only show vst3 if its available , or then show both but its very clear which one is vst 3 and which one is vst

 

The "soft delete" is exactly what I do anytime I want to get rid of stuff, but without knowing all the ramifications. I do the same thing with regions in projects, putting them on Region Mute instead of deleting.

For space savings, you have to remember to look in all the usual places for extra files, presets, and whatever else. The different format plugins may share content like presets and manuals, but they really are their own separate objects and should be ok to delete. But I do the "Unused Plugins" folder, too. That way I can have that folder on an external drive and not care how big that folder grows to. Most plugins are not even that big, there is always so much sneakier trash hiding on hard disks.

 

I am having 2Tb nvme disk and I still have 2/3 parts empty, all the libraries are on external disks, and here just the system. But there is another disk for secure copy, etc. As light it can be the better.

Yeah, I try, but still instaler doing a mess. Bitwig is nice, but I still prefer the plugin selector in ableton

Good to know,

There are a couple of tools (on mac) to visualize the structure of an HDD and find big folders or files, an then decide to delete, move or create symlinks in case.

One is Daisy Disk, Disk space analizer and Disk Expert

 

Ah, you're looking for Mac soft, sorry, missed that part.

 

Me too. The part about VST is like a code word "Windows" to me. Logic is the primary reason I am a Mac user. So I delete all VST, VST3, Clap, MAS, AAX, RTAS files religiously. They are a total waste of space for me, because Logic only uses AU plugins. I can run VST''s in Patchwork if ever need to; which is almost never anyway. I love Cubase, about as much as a Fossil Fuel.

I really do not use any "cleanup" software for Mac, because it is very easy to do without it if you know what you are doing. Suspicious Package and UninstallPKG are two apps I use, but very infrequently. Other than applications and .component format plugins (AU), I run everything from Lacie Rugged 4TB usb-C external drives. They are about $120 for 4 tb and fast enough for me.

DaisyDisk is ok, and buho cleaner is another. Some of those apps are worse than any benefit you may get. (especially trial versions)

 

Last edited: Dec 31, 2023