Tension Builder is free for every producer. Download now

Support

Install & help

Installing takes about a minute. If something doesn't work, the answers below cover the usual causes.

Installing

  1. Download TensionBuilder-1.0.0-macOS.pkg from the Tension Builder page and double-click it.
  2. First time only: macOS asks you to confirm installers that don't come from the App Store.
    • macOS 15 Sequoia or later: click Done on the "Not Opened" message, open System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down to the message about Tension Builder, click Open Anyway and enter your password.
    • macOS 14 or earlier: Control-click the installer, choose Open, then Open again.
  3. Follow the installer. It installs VST3, Audio Unit and CLAP; choose Customize to pick formats.
  4. Open your DAW. Most find new plugins on launch; if not, see Finding Tension Builder in your DAW.
Requires macOS 11 Big Sur or later, on Apple Silicon or Intel. The installer puts Tension Builder.vst3, Tension Builder.component and Tension Builder.clap in the matching folders under /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins.

Finding Tension Builder in your DAW

Tension Builder is listed under the GrooveCrafts manufacturer. If it doesn't show up after installing, rescan:

Ableton LiveSettings → Plug-Ins (Windows: Options → Preferences → Plug-Ins). Turn on Use VST3 Plug-In System Folders (and Use Audio Units on Mac), then Rescan.
Logic ProRestart Logic. Still missing: Logic Pro → Settings → Plug-in Manager → Reset & Rescan Selection.
FL StudioOptions → Manage plugins → Find more plugins, then star Tension Builder.
Cubase / NuendoRestart. Still missing: Studio → VST Plug-in Manager → Rescan All.
Studio OneOptions → Locations → VST Plug-ins → Reset Blocklist, then restart.
Bitwig StudioFound automatically; check Settings → Locations if not. Use the CLAP version.
ReaperOptions → Preferences → Plug-ins → VST (or CLAP) → Re-scan.

Updating & uninstalling

To update, run the new installer. It replaces the old version, and your projects and presets keep their settings.

macOS

In Finder choose Go → Go to Folder…, enter /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins, and move Tension Builder.vst3 (in VST3), Tension Builder.component (in Components) and Tension Builder.clap (in CLAP) to the Trash. Or paste this into Terminal:

sudo rm -rf "/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/Tension Builder.vst3" "/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/Tension Builder.component" "/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/Tension Builder.clap"

Windows

Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Tension Builder → Uninstall.

Then rescan plug-ins in your DAW.

Troubleshooting

The usual fixes, most common first.

Tension Builder doesn't show up in my DAW

Rescan as shown in Finding Tension Builder in your DAW. On a Mac, restarting the DAW after installing the Audio Unit can help.

macOS says the installer "can't be opened"

That's the one-time confirmation in step 2. On macOS 15 and later, the Open Anyway button is in System Settings → Privacy & Security, just below the Security heading.

macOS says Tension Builder "is damaged" or it won't load

This happens when the plugin is copied in by hand from a download. Delete it and reinstall with the .pkg installer.

Which DAWs does it work in?

Any DAW that loads VST3, Audio Unit or CLAP plugins: Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, Studio One, Bitwig, Reaper and more.

Does it work in Pro Tools?

Not at the moment. Pro Tools only loads its own AAX format, which Tension Builder doesn't support.

Is it really free?

Yes, with no account, no license key and no time limit.

Will my old projects still load after an update?

Yes. Updates keep the plugin's identity and settings format, so saved sets open with the same settings.

Contact

Found a bug, or have an idea for a tool? Get in touch.

Email support

For bugs, please include your OS version, your DAW and its version, the plug-in format (VST3, AU or CLAP) and the steps that cause the problem.