Configuration

Use Windows 64bits and 32bits default directories

On Windows, VST2 default locations are

C:\Program Files\VstPlugIns          # native bitdepth: 32bit plugin on 32bit OS, 64bit on 64bit OS
C:\Program Files (x86)\VstPlugIns    # 32bit plugins on 64bit Windows 

OwlPlug can't be configured with multiple install directories for a given plugin format. Some developers are packaging their releases in a bundle containing both 32bit and 64bit files. It's impossible for Owlplug to identify which file goes where. For now, OwlPlug tries to be compatible with all types of user setup and all types of plugin distributions. This lack of constraints is great because it provides lots of liberties for the user but some features can't be implemented.

There is a way to make all your plugin appears in OwlPlug.

1. Keep your plugins already installed in the default install locations

2. Create a main directory anywhere managed by OwlPlug.

For example C:/AudioPlugins, but it can be located anywhere on your filesystem. Change VST2 and/or VST3 directories in Options.

3. In this directory, create two links to default install locations

Plugins > New link

C:/AudioPlugins/64bits -> C:\Program Files\VstPlugIns
C:/AudioPlugins/32bits -> C:\Program Files (x86)\VstPlugIns

4. Create a subdirectory where OwlPlug plugins (downloaded from stores) are installed

C:/AudioPlugins/owlplug

In Options, select: Save downloaded plugins from store in a dedicated subdirectory And configure: @plugin-directory/owlplug

Done! All plugins will be visible in the UI. The directory structure of C:/AudioPlugins will be:

C:/AudioPlugins
    ├── 64bits    # All 64bits plugins in C:\Program Files\VstPlugIns
    ├── 32bits    # All 32bits plugins in C:\Program Files (x86)\VstPlugIns
    └── owlplug   # All plugins installed with OwlPlug

Configure a DAW to search plugins in C:/AudioPlugins and all plugins should be detected :)