PluginONE 1.2: session recall, MIDI Hold and a smoother playground for Audio Unit plugins
PluginONE continues to evolve as a lightweight environment where Audio Unit plugins can be played instantly without the complexity of a full DAW. Designed as a creative playground for virtual instruments, PluginONE makes it easy to test new sounds, explore ideas and create spontaneous musical sketches directly on your Mac. With version 1.2 the focus is on continuity of the creative process, allowing creators to save their setups, reload them instantly and interact with their instruments more freely while playing.
Session Management: restore your creative setup instantly
One of the most requested improvements was the ability to save and restore complete plugin environments. Version 1.2 introduces full Session Management, allowing creators to store their working setups and recall them whenever needed. A session remembers which plugins were open and which presets were active, making it easy to return to a specific sound palette without rebuilding everything from scratch. Sessions can be restored directly from the new Load Session menu available both in the menu bar and in the toolbar, allowing an entire configuration to be brought back with a single click. PluginONE also introduces a dedicated Manage Sessions window where sessions can be renamed, organized or deleted. Existing sessions can be updated or saved as new configurations, giving creators the flexibility to experiment with multiple sound combinations while keeping their favorite setups ready to go.
MIDI Hold: hands-free sustain for sound exploration
Version 1.2 also introduces a new MIDI Hold function designed for performance and sound exploration. The Hold button in the toolbar allows notes to sustain without keeping your hands on the keyboard, making it easy to tweak parameters, switch presets or layer additional sounds while a chord continues to play. Hold can also be toggled instantly using the keyboard shortcut ⌘⇧H, and sustained notes remain active even when switching between windows, which is particularly useful when working with multiple instruments at the same time.
A playground for your Audio Unit plugins
PluginONE was designed as a simple and immediate way to run Audio Unit plugins without opening a full DAW. Multiple windows allow creators to combine instruments freely, creating layered sound environments that feel closer to live exploration than traditional production workflows. Imagine a drum machine running in one window, a synth looper in another, and your favorite virtual instrument in a third — all playing together seamlessly. No complex routing, no overwhelming interfaces — just a direct and intuitive way to explore sound.
With the built-in Virtual Keyboard, PluginONE can also be played without an external MIDI controller, making it perfect for quick experimentation whether you are working on a MacBook on the go or at your studio desk. PluginONE transforms your plugin collection into an interactive playground. Download a new plugin and test it instantly, layer sounds across multiple windows, and save your favorite setups as sessions that can be recalled in one click.
Built by the creators of ONE Instrument®, PluginONE celebrates the joy of musical discovery and spontaneous creativity, making sound exploration accessible to everyone.