The beta at a glance.
- Mac
- macOS 14 Sonoma or later. Apple silicon (M1 or later) recommended. Built for Intel Macs (2018 on, quad-core Core i5 or better), not yet tested on one; dual-core MacBook Air models are not recommended.
- Windows (coming)
- Windows 11, 64-bit, 4-core CPU.
- Memory
- 8 GB RAM, 16 GB recommended.
- Formats
- Audio Units (AU) and VST3; no AAX or VST2 host workflow.
- Signal path
- Up to sixteen effects in a serial chain on a mono or stereo track/bus.
- AI connection
- Internet for activation and AI. Existing chains and manual controls work without AI access.
- Effect licenses
- Compatible effects must already be installed and licensed on your Mac.
DAW checks are specific, not universal.
The beta has passed AU and VST3 validation. Logic Pro 10.7.9 on macOS 26 has been through the full workflow, and Reaper 7.80 was checked for discovery, insertion, editor opening and save/reopen. That does not certify every DAW, macOS version or third-party effect.
| DAW | Route | Beta status |
|---|---|---|
| Reaper 7.80 | AU / VST3 | Discovery, insert, editor and project reopen checked on 22 September. The full AI workflow has not been tested in Reaper yet. |
| Logic Pro 10.7.9 | AU | Tested on macOS 26 on 2 and 3 October: the full AI workflow, restoring a saved project, quitting, and recovery after Logic was force-quit. |
| Logic Pro 11 and 12 | AU | Same format; not yet tested. |
| Cubase | VST3 | Supported format; not yet tested. |
| Ableton Live, Studio One, Bitwig, FL Studio on Mac | VST3, or AU where offered | Not yet verified for this beta. Do not buy on the assumption of tested support. |
| Pro Tools / Windows hosts | — | Not supported by this release. |
“Installed” does not always mean “hostable”.
Logic’s and Cubase’s stock effects belong to those applications and cannot be loaded inside Knobpilot. Separately installed compatible AU/VST3 effects are the relevant collection. Having a plugin knowledge card is not proof that every version of that plugin works.
AU or VST3? On a Mac, Logic Pro uses AU; most other DAWs use VST3. Knobpilot hosts both, and a plugin you own in both formats can run in either.
Tested so far on macOS 26 with Apple silicon. macOS 14 and 15 and Intel Macs are supported by the build but not yet tested.
Use effect builds compatible with the architecture running your DAW. A universal Knobpilot build does not make an Intel-only effect run in an Apple Silicon process. Check the final installer’s requirements before downloading.
Keep these beta limits in mind.
- No external sidechain routing or hosted-effect parameter automation workflow in this release.
- No whole-song autonomous mix, DAW-wide fader control or guaranteed mastering result.
- No included third-party effects or factory preset licenses.
- Updates are installed manually. Keep a backup before trying a new beta in an important project.