Is there a utility tool to scan my VST plugins directory to list the format of plugin.dll's ?

Even better - to display if each plugin is an instrument, effect etc.

Can any DAW do this?

 

Last edited: May 31, 2025

Cubase/Nuendo can, and so can Reaper if I recollect. Possibly others as well...

 

You could make a script, or otherwise your DAW is probably best to use as a fast scanner. Most plugin application options like Plugin Doctor will need for you to go one by one and give you results individually.

Even 32Lives on Mac will show you every 32bit AU plugin on the system and details of each, but it will not give you a detailed and exportable list. 32lives is like "the other Jbridge option". We also have the added wrinkle now of arm vs Intel, or U2B; which someone made a very nice app for. Otherwise it would be terminal commands and Applescript.

I would probably use REAPER to do a fast scan of 32 vs 64 bit plugins personally, if your DAW is not so great at this. Logic definitely is not.

 

Which DAW are you using?

In "PreSonus - Studio One," you have a browser that displays "Instruments" and "Effects."
If you click on an entry, it will show you VST2 or VST3.

Some DAWs no longer support 32-bit plugins.

It's better to just open the corresponding folder and then look for yourself!

64 --> C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins
32 --> C:\Program Files (x86)\VSTPlugins
VST3 --> C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3

Other storage locations could look like this:

VST2
C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins
C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VSTPlugins
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST2
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Steinberg\VST2
32-bit plug-ins on 64-bit Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steinberg\VstPlugins

 

Last edited: May 31, 2025