A Guide to Installing Third-Party Sibelius Plugins: For Mac and Windows Users

Sibelius, the renowned music notation software, is beloved by composers and musicians worldwide for its robust features and intuitive interface. However, what truly sets it apart is its extensibility through plugins. These plugins, created by third-party developers, offer additional functionalities and customization options, allowing users to tailor Sibelius to their specific needs.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing third-party Sibelius plugins on both Mac and Windows operating systems, so you can unlock even more potential in your music notation workflow.

Installing Third-Party Sibelius Plugins on Mac:

1. Quit Sibelius: Before you install a plugin, ensure that Sibelius is closed. New plugins are only recognized by Sibelius when you restart the program.

2. Download and Unzip: Choose the plugin you want to download and click the link to download it. If prompted to choose where you want to save the plugin, save it to your Desktop. If your web browser doesn't automatically unzip the archive, double-click the downloaded file to uncompress it.

3. Install:

   • Navigate to ~/Library/Application Support/Avid in Finder.
   • Create a folder named "Sibelius 7" or "Sibelius 6" if it doesn't already exist.
   • Inside this folder, create a folder named "Plugins" if it doesn't already exist.
   • Create a folder for your new plugin. If you want it to appear in an existing submenu in Sibelius, name the folder accordingly. Otherwise, you can name it anything you like.
   • Copy the plugin you downloaded into the folder you created.

4. Restart Sibelius: After moving the plugin file, close any open instances of Sibelius and then restart the application. The newly installed plugin should now be accessible from the Plugins menu within Sibelius.

Installing Third-Party Sibelius Plugins on Windows:

Please note that the precise location for installing a plugin varies depending on the version of Sibelius you are using.

1. Quit Sibelius: Make sure Sibelius is closed before proceeding.

2. Download and Unzip: Choose the plugin you want to download and save it to your Desktop. If necessary, unzip the downloaded file.

3. Install:

   • Depending on your version of Sibelius, navigate to the appropriate folder location as described in the official directions provided by Avid Sibelius.
   • Create folders and copy the plugin file into the designated Plugins folder.

4. Restart Sibelius: Once you've copied the plugin file, close any open instances of Sibelius and restart the application. The newly installed plugin should now be available for use.

Tips for Troubleshooting:

• Compatibility: Ensure that the plugin is compatible with your version of Sibelius.

• Documentation: Check if the plugin comes with any specific installation instructions or requirements. Reading the documentation can often provide useful guidance.

• Restart Sibelius: If you encounter any issues after installing a plugin, try restarting Sibelius to refresh its plugin list.

• Community Support: If you're experiencing persistent problems, consider reaching out to the Sibelius community forums or contacting the plugin developer for assistance.

• Avid's Official Instructions: https://www.sibelius.com/download/plugins/index.html?help=install

By following these steps, you can easily expand the capabilities of your Sibelius software with third-party plugins. Whether you're looking to streamline your notation process, add new features, or customize your workflow, the vast array of plugins available ensures that there's something for everyone. Happy composing!