I just purchased a couple of (single-instrument) sample libraries that I intend to use with Dorico in Mac OS (14.5). Am I correct in understanding that I need to install the VST3 versions, as Dorico can’t access Apple’s AU samples?
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Yes.
Normally, players install VST2, VST3, Audio Units, AAX, and the apps choose the ones they want to work with.
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The default setting on the installers is to include AU, VST (2 not specified), AAX, and something 40% of the size called “Rectangles.”
VST3 defaults to unchecked/skip, but I had the sense that’s the one Dorico needs.
If these are Ample libraries, Rectangles is the stand-alone app which you can use outside of Dorico to play around with the instrument via MIDI keyboard.
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“You are correct, sir!” Thanks very much for explaining that. (Haven’t actually installed yet to start learning; still waiting to know if I must include VST3.)
Personally, I’d just install them all–let Dorico pick what it needs.
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You certainly want to install the VST 3 version of the Amplesound libraries, they work perfectly in Dorico.
Yes, definitely install the VST3, because in the future we won’t support VST2 in Steinberg products any more. Already starting with Apple Silicon, Dorico won’t load any VST2 plugs any more (unless you are in Rosetta mode).
Or in other words, VST2 is dead, long live VST3 
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Thank you, @Ulf . I suppose my real question was: do I need a VST install at all? As a Mac user, I’m so accustomed to thinking in terms of only installing AU.
I’m not 100% sure, but I think that HALion also comes as AU version, so with that one you would get along. But all our plug-in hosting apps (Dorico, Cubase, etc) are not able to load AU plug-ins. So if you run Dorico, you better install VST3.
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The HALion Sonic VST is 191 Mb.
I’ve got 10 plug-ins in my VST3 folder, and the whole thing comes to 3/4 of 1 Gigabyte. The entire collection of AUs and VSTs comes to 2.5 Gb.
I would just install everything, to avoid having to work out why things aren’t working at some point in the future, when you’ve forgotten that you didn’t install everything.
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Do you use a DAW as well, such as Logic? In my experience also as a mac user, Logic is really the only app which requires AUs. Steinberg products I believe only support VSTs, and Pro Tools uses their own (now AAX, used to be RTAS). Some DAWs such as Ableton and a few others support both, which can sometimes be a little confusing if you happen to install both (as your plugin list will double-populate).
Personally as I bounce between different DAWs and Dorico I just install all of them, the file size for plugins are pretty negligible, and just let the software pick (if it prefers one standard).
All of that is to say, if you do not use Logic, and do not use Pro Tools, you can safely get away with only installing VSTs, since most audio software on mac outside of those two will generally be happy with VSTs.
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“Blue Cat`s PatchWork” plugin hosting, supports all plugins, VST 2, VST3, AU. In Dorico it works very well.
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