I have the most important features in “Cubase 15.”
For example, I can create as many “plug-in collections” as I want. For example, a collection containing only “SSL” plugins; all others are then hidden to keep things organized. I can then sort these by category: compressors, EQ, delay, reverb, and so on. Or I can create a synth collection with the synths I use most often. There, I’m also shown specific details: synth, drums, orchestra, and so on. Or I could create an orchestral collection with all the plugins needed for this genre—synths, Kontakt banks, compressors, EQ, and so on. It would also show whether it’s VST3, which version, and whether it supports internal 64-bit processing. Then I could create favorites and so on. I think a DAW these days should offer such features, or similar ones.

 

the trick with organizing work processes is to start with it from the beginning.

once everything is cluttered, you never never sort it.

 

user error. that applies only to people who install 3000 plug-ins without knowing what is what.

 

Something like a "VST Plugin Manager" has been on my wish list forever.

Over at KVRAUDIO they used to have access to dump / download their entire database, sorted be Developer name or Product name.
- I cannot find that now -_-
They also have a preset pick-list of Product Type eg. Synth VA, Synth PD, Effect... to search/sort by.

How is the development for this coming along?
What sort of database is it based on (SQLite, MYSQL ... ) ?

 

I am regularly using KVRs list of plugins that you can make and sort by tags and groups (that you can also make). I see that in last half a year, or a year, they dropped an application that scans your PC for plugins and makes a list that you can have locally or upload it to your KVR profile.

 

I do not know how well this would work on Windows, but on Mac you can just open your plugins folder such as /Components, copy every plugin in the folder, paste it as plain text into a text document, and stick the list into GPT. You tell it to save it as your plugin inventory, and you can automatically populate any kind of list you want, such as mfg names, categories, descriptions, and so on, in seconds. Export it to an excel spreadsheet format, csv, whatever you want. Exactly the kind of thing it is actually useful for.

 

UNINSTALL PLUGINS YOU DONT USE

UNINSTALL PLUGINS YOU DONT KNOW

 

The DAW's depending on which one being talked about have these options (more or less) already built into them. IMO, in order for a proggie dedicated to managing plugins to be useful you would need to value add the app above and beyond what DAW's can already do on their own with regard to plugins.

Features like;
- Searching and finding Dupe plugins and options for disposition
- make possible "REVO" type removals when dealing with old or dupe plugins
- options to properly remove reg entries and all subsidiary files on removal
- complete malleable sorting and listing of plugins and their respective install paths
- options for sorting/exporting plugin lists in plain TEXT and popular spreadsheet and DB formats
- list usage data for plugins to allow the user to make better judgments on what needs removing
- options for dealing with Kontakt libraries and their version numbers
- effectively dealing with adding/removing Kontakt libraries and their remnants
etc, etc ...

These are typical difficult or semi-difficult scenarios most folks using DAW's deal with on a regular basis. I'm sure every one here could probably add to that list if pressed. A useful manager of plugins would accomplish the tasks mentioned above and more making it a value added tool to have.

 

Last edited: Jun 23, 2026 at 11:07 PM

no