With this M5 Macbook pro I just got, I want to move music production there from windows, and I don't know if there's any "Whatever you do, don't...!" type things to consider when installing from the sister site on a Mac. Anyone recently switched over and could point me to a post here or share any info or resource that they find valuable? I need an "installing r2r plugins on Mac for dummies" book think.
Extra Noob Special Edition..... with pictures..lol

Amazon out of stock on that title.

 

https://ohanaware.com › permissionsreset

Permissions Reset can reset the owner, group, access permissions, Access Control Lists (ACLS), Extended Attributes (including Quarantine) to default settings

https://objective-see.org/products/lulu.html
In today's interconnected world, it's uncommon to find an application—or even malware—that doesn't make use of the network.
LuLu is the free, open-source firewall designed to block unknown outgoing connections, safeguarding both your privacy and your Mac!

Or Little Snitch (paid, so cannot link here.

Sentinel: https://itsalin.com

Audiogridder - connect your Mac and PC with an ethernet cable. The PC will be your plugin server, or vice versa
https://audiogridder.com

 

Apart from having Mac versions of software, you will need for some plugins to be able to open a Keygen exe, you could do this on your PC, but better to learn how to use "Crossover' on the Mac, available at the sister site.

 

Apart from the already said, (and it is very important to be able to use a PC win if possible, nothing flashy), I add these:

Be in good relations with the Terminal app.
Use also sometimes Batchmod app.
Get used to the duplication of Library folder; the user's and the system's.
Get used to navigate many times in the vst, au, vst3 folders, etc...
Learn general fixations of Mac worlds

 

Be prepared to bite your tongue when you see all the windows goodies on the sister site but can't request them for mac. Of course there are proper channels to do this bit as a mac user you must choose to ignore them.

 

You are going to run into some apple security stuff when trying to install software. That stuff will drive you crazy! You have to run a terminal command to allow software from anywhere. a simple google search will get you there, good luck

 

The Terminal part is very important... you'll need Xcode's Command Line Tools to use Codesign. It will save you a lot of trouble.

Merry Christmas to all.

 

In MacOS, is using a Firewall enough to be safe when using cracked stuff?

Or is it common practice to have a second User Account with No Internet just for Audioz and stuff?

Will programs contact Apple and put you in trouble?
Is there any actions or backlash from Apple if they find your MacOS/Macbook has pirated software?

Or is it pure Anarchy as in Windows?

I'mma be getting a Macbook very soon,
but for Dev matters rather than audio..


(I worked in a Hackintosh building company for a couple years,
I can literally mod the OS and EFI, put the Kexts, and fool it to make you a intel-mac...
but I haven't even used the system beyond sending email, can you believe it lol)

 

We noobs need to be told/shown the basic things,
like hiorgos says the "general fixations of Mac" ..

Things that are natural for Mac users like:
Installing an app by drag/dropping the icon into the programs menu..

Windows ppl is not used to that sort of Voodoo lol

Linux has some of that with the appimages and flatpacks tho..

But yeah we need to be specifically Told/Shown exactly how,
otherwise we may miss it completely!


-One of the things I will 100% try is installing Macports,
withe idea of installing KDE Plasma desktop later.. is it even possible?

I'm sorry for the sacrilege lol
But after 2 years of Debian, there's just no going back! ;)

Has anyone tried that, any luck?

 

Last edited: Dec 26, 2025

If you are paranoid about xed programs phoning home you can install little snitch - i warn you, it asks for everything and can be a pain to run.

 

Uninstalling apps, Apple says: just drag the application to the bin. But this method sometimes leaves hidden system files, that you do wanna get rid of. So I mostly use an external app to do a more thorough uninstall, like: AppCleaner, or Pearcleaner.

Searching: Just like Win, the build in search tool on Mac often finds too many, or not enough results. There's an app for that too,
like: Easyfind, or Find Any File.
Agreed, you could do all this stuff with the Terminal, but I'm also a Mac user because I'm into GUI's, not into command prompts.

 

you won't be able to write on NTFS disks (windows) - don't fall for Tuxera ntfs, there's always a chace to corrupt your data
-> if you'll need transfer files between Windows and MacOS, either have an exFat formatted disk/stick or use SMB file sharing (either host from Windows or MacOS)

get used to Mac's hotkeys and Finder quirks (CMD+down instead of Enter, CMD+up instead of Alt+up, Enter instead of F2, Fn+Backspace instead of Delete, CMD+C & CMD+Alt+V instead of Ctrl+X & Ctrl+V, Space is a "quick look" and many others), stay away from green "maximize" dot,

Finder is rather unreliable to copy/move lots of data, I recommend FreeFileSync app, it's free (but also bit tricky)

there is usually no proper uninstallation, I recommend AppCleaner free app, it's a drag&drop search all traces and delete things

there is no WinRAR and default extraction/compression is dumbass, get free Keka app

Apple is obsessed with security, if you don't want to mess up your new Mac with random Terminal commands, better use Sentinel app - https://github.com/alienator88/Sentinel

you'll want some behavioral network filter/blocker - Little Snitch is best (or Lulu is free, less granular features)

sooner or later you'll need to inspect .pkg installers, use free Suspicious Package app

sooner or later you'll need to edit .plist files, they aren't plain text, use PlistEdit Pro app

sooner or later you'll need to run .exe files on Mac, Crossover app is what you'll need (or, WINE which is less user friendly)

if you'll need remote desktop into Windows, better get Jump Desktop app (it can handle RDP, VNC..)

learn difference between Library and ~Library,
or even better, make shortcuts in Finder to quickly get to frequently needed folders:
/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins
/Users/<username>/Library/Application Support

 

whoa didn't know he has own site, definitely check all those freebies then

 

Buy Little Snitch, it'll be ya best friend. Install Keka for unrar, Jdownloader2

 

no need any antivirus! no need to update all the time. Stable! safe! powerfull! The best thing for Your music production! do not think... just do it

you will be safe more with ; LULU and gas mask for blocking the hosts. I do not use gas mask anymore because I'm 100% legit now

 

The Apple firewall is good but it doesn't block outgoing as far as i know. LuLu is a good free alternative if you want to block outgoing.
Personally i always disconnect from the internet and disable the firewall when making music.

 

sudo nano /etc/hosts

 

- for outgoing traffic you will find little snitch on the SS. turn everything off, then allow only what asks you to. this way you can easily allow domain.com for safari, but block it for a plug-in host.

- as a former window user, make sure you understand the difference in practice between coreaudio on the two OS: on windows, the coreaudio drivers are two of multiple possible solutions, and as a pro you will be used to use ASIO or Protools drivers or even third party OS-extending mixers such as the vb-audio matrix.
on macoS there is basically only coreaudio - but it should cover all your needs.

- on macOS you traditionally do not need make multiple partitions, but it is of course possible and can have benefits for organisation or for having an additional OS install ready.

 

Last edited: Dec 26, 2025

Hello , I am a noob as well . I have Lulu installed . Is Little Snitch significantly better ? Thank you

 

I use both Mac and Windows. Here's some tips:

• Get/install/learn LittleSnitch for Mac (from sister site). It will be annoying at first, but it will ensure apps don't call home.
• Plugins are substantially easier to manage because Apple has a standard location that all developers follow, unlike the PC madness that exists for VST2.
• Mac versions from sister site are straightforward, following the instructions per release. Of course, VR/MORIA versions are simpler in most cases and don't require extra effort.
• There are going to be plugins that don't work properly (or at all) on Apple Silicon. In this case, you can utilize the PC as an external plugin host via AudioGridder by connecting your computers via ethernet directly or using a network switch (I use USB ethernet adapter for the Mac). Then you can load your Windows VSTs remotely with UI, midi, and audio functionality. It's free any open source.
• The closest thing to Revo Uninstaller is AppZapper or Uninstall Sensei for Mac.
• I recommend using VST2/VST3 whenever possible so that you still have the option to move/share the project with a PC system.
• Consider investing in Carbon Copy Cloner to maintain various backup strategies easily with incremental, bootable, and scheduled options.