Mac novice needs help

[pylon]

Hi
I'm a long time PC user but brand new Mac Mini M1 novice. I've just started what will no doubt prove to be the joyful and life-enhancing process of getting all my VSTs, etc onto the Mac. I'm hoping someone can help with some newbie queries.

1. In the initial Mac Mini set up I seem to have set up a password and now every time I go to install a new VST software I'm being asked for said password. I can't find a way to turn this off. Help greatly appreciated.

2. Can you choose your location where VST stuff is installed? First thing I've tried to install is a FabFilter compressor and the process skips past the "Destination Select" stage.

Thanks,

[sprnva]

1) You can't. Think of it like UAC on Windows. Anything that requires admin access has to ask for it.

2) On macOS there are predefined destinations for each plugin type and installers are hard-wired to install to those. If you really want to install to a different drive there are workarounds but really it's best not to fight the system.

[FapFilter]

1. that's normal behavior and a safety measure that nothing will get installed without your permission (think malware).
normally it's no problem if you have a fingerprint sensor like those on the official Apple keyboards.
it's of course not as quick as if no validation was required, but still much faster and comfortable than typing your PW every time

2. it depends on the developer. Fabfilter in particular thinks the users are extremely stupid and doesn't even let you choose which plug-in formats you actually need and simply installs everything from AAX, AU, to both VST formats, even though it's asking on Windows.
But i think the actual paths are actually easier to find and more consistently located than on Windows.
I never felt the urge to change them (unlike the stupid :\Steinberg default location some developers for whatever reason seem to like so much on the Windows side of things. )


edit: too slooooow

[pylon]

Thanks for your knowledge

1. It seems I can change the PW to blank so I don't have to type one in every time - I'll have to go with that

2. I was thinking about the VST folder scan (Studio One) I'll have to do when everything is installed. I was hoping to put everything in a minimum amount of folders but I guess that's out.

[sQeetz]

I actually don't mind typing in my password.... if you have an Apple Watch, though, you can set it up to authenticate you with a double press of the lower button.