Installation guide

KICKGRID

macOS installation

Thanks for downloading KICKGRID! These are universal builds — they run natively on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

What's in this zip

Which one do I need?

Quick start

Full details further below

  1. Copy the plug-in(s) into the system folder(s)

    KICKGRID.vst3/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3
    KICKGRID.component/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components
    KICKGRID FX.component/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components

    In Finder: Cmd + Shift + G, paste the path, drag the file in.

  2. In Terminal, run the line for what you installed

    One time only.

    sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/KICKGRID.vst3"
    sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/KICKGRID.component"
    sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/KICKGRID FX.component"

  3. Restart your DAW

    Logic: rescan in Plug-in Manager if needed.

Stuck? The full step-by-step is below.

Two Audio Unit versions

Both Audio Units are the same plug-in. The only difference is whether they accept MIDI notes, and that decides where Logic puts them.

KICKGRID.component — the full version

Because it takes MIDI, Logic lists it in the instrument slot, under "AU MIDI-controlled Effects". Use this one if you want to trigger KICKGRID with notes.

Capturing a hit and dragging it into your project, Sample's MIDI Trigger mode, Note Trigger on the envelopes, AutoFilter's Note mode and the Sub Generator all need a note to work.

KICKGRID FX.component — no MIDI input

Logic lists it in the Audio FX slot, like any ordinary effect. Use this one when you only want to process audio.

Everything in the list above does nothing here, and the Sub Generator stays silent, since it only sounds while a note is held.

You can install both; they don't conflict. They share the same presets and the same license, so activating one activates the other.

In GarageBand and other Audio Unit hosts, use whichever one your host offers you in the slot you want.

Full instructions

This build isn't Apple-signed yet, so you need to perform a few steps before you can run KICKGRID. Apple requires a paid Apple Developer Account before you can sign software. Once we reach v1.0 we will make sure to have a signed version available.

  1. Copy the plug-in(s) to your system plug-in folder

    Install the format(s) your DAW uses, into the system-wide folder, so every DAW and every user account can find them.

    VST3/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3  — copy KICKGRID.vst3 here
    Audio Unit/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components  — copy KICKGRID.component and/or KICKGRID FX.component here

    Easiest way, per file:

    1. In Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G.
    2. Paste the matching folder path above and press Return.
    3. Drag KICKGRID.vst3 (or KICKGRID.component) into that folder.
    4. macOS will ask for your Mac password — it's the system folder — enter it to allow the copy.

    Note: these are the system folders (/Library/…), not the personal ones in your home folder (~/Library/…). Use the system folders as shown.

  2. Allow the plug-in to open

    As stated earlier, this copy isn't signed yet. macOS therefore quarantines it after a download, and your DAW would otherwise refuse to load it. Clear that flag once, for whichever format(s) you installed.

    1. Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities → Terminal, or search for "Terminal" with Spotlight).
    2. Copy–paste the matching line(s) and press Return:
    VST3
    sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/KICKGRID.vst3"
    Audio Unit
    sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/KICKGRID.component"
    Audio Unit (FX version)
    sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/KICKGRID FX.component"
    1. Enter your Mac password when asked. Nothing appears on screen while you type the password — that's normal. Press Return.

    If it prints nothing and returns to the prompt, it worked. You can now use KICKGRID in your DAW, and you never need to do this again.

  3. Restart your DAW

    Quit your DAW completely and reopen it so it rescans plug-ins.

    • Logic Pro: Audio Units are validated on launch. If KICKGRID doesn't appear, open Logic Pro → Settings → Plug-in Manager, find KICKGRID and press Reset & Rescan Selection.

Uninstall

Delete the files you installed:

VST3/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/KICKGRID.vst3
Audio Unit/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/KICKGRID.component
Audio Unit FX/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/KICKGRID FX.component

Troubleshooting