Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
How to Add Any Instrument Plugin to GarageBand
Want to use third-party instrument plugins in GarageBand for Mac?
In this video, I’ll show you exactly how to install and use AU instrument plugins so you can go beyond GarageBand’s built-in sounds.
We’ll cover:
- Which plugin formats work in GarageBand
- Where third-party instruments appear inside the app
- How to load and play AU instruments on a MIDI track
- How to record and control plugins just like built-in sounds
You don’t need to spend any money either. There are loads of excellent free instrument plugins that work perfectly with GarageBand, and I’ll link to some of my favourites below.
The Best Free GarageBand Instrument Plugins - youtube.com/watch?v=jBjAFMc3xQ8
Great FREE instrument plugins I recommend -
ODIN II: thewavewarden.com/en-gb/pages/odin-2
BBC Orchestra Discover: spitfireaudio.com/virtual-instruments/bbc-symphony-orchestra-discover
VITAL: https://vital.audio/
Love-Fi 3 Lite: https://quietmusic.eu/love-fi-3-lite
Surge XT: surge-synthesizer.github.io
Game Boi: nnaud.io/product/game-boi-retro-sounds-free-plugin
SynthMaster Player: synthmaster.com/synthmasterplayer.aspx
The Orchestra Elements: sonuscore.com/shop/the-orchestra-elements
———FREE GUIDES———
Just getting started with GarageBand Mac or iOS? : thegaragebandguide.com/FreeGuides
The ultimate GarageBand Toolbox: thegaragebandguide.com/resources
———GEAR———
My GarageBand for iPad Beginners Kit: kit.co/TheGarageBandGuide/garageband-for-ipad-beginners-kit
My GarageBand for Mac setup: kit.co/TheGarageBandGuide/my-garageband-for-mac-setup
Best budget MIDI keyboards and controllers: kit.co/TheGarageBandGuide/best-budget-midi-keyboards-and-controllers
———SOCIALS———
➤ Instagram: instagram.com/thegaragebandguide
➤ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/patrickbaird.bsky.social
➤ Facebook: facebook.com/TheGaragebandguide
The GarageBand Guide is supported by its audience. Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. You do not pay a higher price.
#freeplugin #freevst #garageband
How to Add Any Instrument Plugin to GarageBand
Want to use third-party instrument plugins in GarageBand for Mac?
In this video, I’ll show you exactly how to install and use AU instrument plugins so you can go beyond GarageBand’s built-in sounds.
We’ll cover:
- Which plugin formats work in GarageBand
- Where third-party instruments appear inside the app
- How to load and play AU instruments on a MIDI track
- How to record and control plugins just like built-in sounds
You don’t need to spend any money either. There are loads of excellent free instrument plugins that work perfectly with GarageBand, and I’ll link to some of my favourites below.
The Best Free GarageBand Instrument Plugins - youtube.com/watch?v=jBjAFMc3xQ8
Great FREE instrument plugins I recommend -
ODIN II: thewavewarden.com/en-gb/pages/odin-2
BBC Orchestra Discover: spitfireaudio.com/virtual-instruments/bbc-symphony-orchestra-discover
VITAL: https://vital.audio/
Love-Fi 3 Lite: https://quietmusic.eu/love-fi-3-lite
Surge XT: surge-synthesizer.github.io
Game Boi: nnaud.io/product/game-boi-retro-sounds-free-plugin
SynthMaster Player: synthmaster.com/synthmasterplayer.aspx
The Orchestra Elements: sonuscore.com/shop/the-orchestra-elements
———FREE GUIDES———
Just getting started with GarageBand Mac or iOS? : thegaragebandguide.com/FreeGuides
The ultimate GarageBand Toolbox: thegaragebandguide.com/resources
———GEAR———
My GarageBand for iPad Beginners Kit: kit.co/TheGarageBandGuide/garageband-for-ipad-beginners-kit
My GarageBand for Mac setup: kit.co/TheGarageBandGuide/my-garageband-for-mac-setup
Best budget MIDI keyboards and controllers: kit.co/TheGarageBandGuide/best-budget-midi-keyboards-and-controllers
———SOCIALS———
➤ Instagram: instagram.com/thegaragebandguide
➤ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/patrickbaird.bsky.social
➤ Facebook: facebook.com/TheGaragebandguide
The GarageBand Guide is supported by its audience. Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. You do not pay a higher price.
#freeplugin #freevst #garageband
