Neural DSP Archetype Petrucci 1.0.0 — macOS

Archetype: Petrucci ships as a 64-bit plugin in VST2, VST3, AU, AAX, and standalone formats, supporting both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. That means it will load in Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase, Ableton Live, and most other DAWs without adapter layers.

Find the right format for your DAW

Check your host’s plugin folder before installing. The AU version is the default choice for Logic and GarageBand; VST3 works well in Cubase and Studio One; AAX is required for Pro Tools. The standalone app lets you play without opening a DAW.

Set up on macOS

Open the downloaded disk image and run the standard installer. The plugin files go into the system audio unit and VST folders automatically. Restart your DAW after installation so it scans the new plugin.

Know the sound

Named after John Petrucci, this plugin covers clean to high-gain tones with three amp channels, built-in effects, and a delay/looper section. It is part of Neural DSP’s Archetype series, designed for direct recording and live playing through a computer.

Looper keeps playing when you switch presets

The delay/looper section is tucked into the plugin window but works independently per preset. You can set a loop, switch presets, and the loop keeps playing. That makes it useful for practicing solos over a riff without having to stop and restart the DAW transport. The standalone app gives you the same loop behavior without launching any other software.

Three amp channels are available on the front panel, and each one remembers its own EQ and gain settings. If you switch from channel A to B and back, the knobs stay where you left them. It is not something you notice right away, but it saves time when jumping between tones during a session.

The built-in noise gate is set conservatively by default. If you play with high-gain presets and get a little hiss between notes, there is a gate threshold control in the amp section. It is not hidden, but it is easy to overlook on first load.

Plugin not showing up in DAW after installation

The most common issue people hit is the plugin not showing up in their DAW after installation. Usually that means the DAW scanned the wrong folder. On macOS, the AU files go to ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST by default. If your DAW looks in a custom VST folder, copy the .vst3 or .au file to that location. Restart the DAW and rescan.

Another issue is audio dropouts at low buffer settings in the standalone app. That is normal for any amp sim running in standalone mode. Open your Mac’s audio device properties and raise the buffer size to 256 samples or higher. The latency stays playable, and the audio glitches stop.

If the plugin does not respond to MIDI program changes for preset switching, check that your DAW or MIDI controller is sending on the same channel as the plugin expects. The plugin listens for program changes on channel 1 by default. Change your controller output if needed.

For users on Apple Silicon Macs, the plugin runs natively. No Rosetta translation is needed. But if you are on macOS 10.15 or an Intel Mac, the x86 64-bit version works fine. The installer selects the correct architecture automatically.

Initial release brings full Petrucci X feature set

Version 1.0.0 is the initial release, so there is no update history to compare. The everyday use is the same as the release day: you get the full Archetype: Petrucci X feature set in a single installer for both Windows and macOS. The plugin arrives with Native Apple Silicon support from day one, so newer Macs do not need compatibility layers.

The standalone app is part of the base install. You do not need to download anything extra for standalone mode. That is convenient if you want to practice or jam without opening a DAW.

Works with Logic, Pro Tools, Cubase, and more

Archetype: Petrucci works as a standard plugin in any DAW that supports VST2, VST3, AU, or AAX. That covers most Mac audio software. You can use it inside Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase, Ableton Live, Reaper, Studio One, and many others. The AU format is especially handy for Logic users because it loads without a wrapper layer.

On the macOS side, the plugin respects the system audio device selection. In standalone mode, it uses whatever output you have set in Sound Preferences. If you use an external audio interface, select it in the plugin’s audio settings for lower latency. The plugin also passes audio to system-level tools like Audio Monitor or Loopback if you want to route the signal elsewhere.

For Quad Cortex owners, the plugin and the hardware share the same preset architecture. You can transfer presets between the two. That saves time when building a tone on the computer and then using it live on the hardware unit.

Recording a clean-to-driven guitar part step by step

Here is one way to record a clean-to-driven part using Archetype: Petrucci. It is not the only way, but it covers the basics from start to finish.

1. Open your DAW and create a new audio track.
2. Insert Archetype: Petrucci as an AU or VST3 effect on the track.
3. Select amp channel A for the clean tone. Dial in a low-gain setting with just a touch of reverb from the built-in effects section.
4. Set the loop section to four bars. Record a clean chord progression into the loop.
5. Switch to amp channel B for a mid-gain rhythm tone. Adjust the EQ to boost the low mids slightly.
6. Record a second track with the rhythm tone while the clean loop plays. Pan the two tracks left and right.
7. Switch to amp channel C for a lead tone with more gain and a delay effect from the delay section. Record a solo over the looped chords.
8. Export the mix or bounce the tracks to audio. The plugin retains all settings until you change the preset.

The standalone app follows the same steps, but without a DAW timeline. Set the loop length in the plugin, play over it, and record the output with your Mac’s built-in audio recorder or a separate app like QuickTime or OBS.

• Initial 1.0.0 release for Windows and macOS.

• macOS 10.15 or later
• 64-bit host (Intel or Apple Silicon)
• Native Apple Silicon support
• Interface language: English