Introduction
If Pro Tools crashes when inserting BFD3 on an Instrument track, while the standalone version of BFD3 opens normally, the issue may be related to the AAX plug-in installed on your system.
This guide explains how to replace the existing BFD3 AAX plug-in and refresh Pro Tools on both Windows and macOS. These steps can be particularly useful following a BFD3 update if Pro Tools continues to load an older AAX component.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction
- Before You Begin
- Remove the Existing BFD3 AAX Plug-in
- Reinstall the BFD3 AAX Plug-in
- Refresh the Pro Tools Plug-in Database
- Test BFD3 in Pro Tools
- Summary
Before You Begin
Before proceeding, first check whether BFD3 works correctly as a standalone application.
- Close Pro Tools.
- Open BFD3 standalone.
- Load a kit.
- Confirm that the kit loads successfully and produces sound.
If BFD3 works normally in standalone mode but Pro Tools crashes when inserting it on an Instrument track, continue with the steps below. Testing the standalone application helps distinguish a general BFD3 problem from an issue specific to the AAX plug-in loaded by Pro Tools.
Remove the Existing BFD3 AAX Plug-in
Windows
First, remove the existing BFD3 AAX plug-in so that it can be replaced with a fresh copy.
- Close Pro Tools, BFD3, and inMusic Software Center completely.
- Open File Explorer.
- Navigate to:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins - Locate the BFD3 AAX plug-in folder.
- Delete the existing BFD3 AAX plug-in folder.
- Empty your recycling bin
If you would prefer to keep a backup, move the folder to your Desktop instead of deleting it.
macOS
First, remove the existing BFD3 AAX plug-in so that it can be replaced with a freshly installed copy.
- Close Pro Tools, BFD3, and inMusic Software Center completely.
- Open Finder.
- From the menu bar, select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter:
/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins - Press Return.
- Locate the BFD3 AAX plug-in.
- Move the BFD3 AAX plug-in to the trash.
- Empty the trash
Reinstall the BFD3 AAX Plug-in
Windows
Once the existing AAX component has been removed:
- Open inMusic Software Center.
- Locate BFD3 under My Software.
- Click the three dots next to BFD3.
- Select Download Again.
- When the download has completed, click the three dots again and select Install Again.
- Complete the BFD3 installation.
- Return to:
- C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins
- Confirm that a new BFD3 AAX plug-in has been installed in this location.
macOS
Once the existing BFD3 AAX component has been removed:
- Open inMusic Software Center.
- Locate BFD3 under My Software.
- Click the three dots next to BFD3.
- Select Download Again.
- Once the download has completed, click the three dots again and select Install Again.
- Complete the BFD3 installation.
- Return to:
/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins - Confirm that a fresh BFD3 AAX plug-in has been installed.
Refresh the Pro Tools Plug-in Database
After reinstalling BFD3, refresh the Pro Tools plug-in database. This forces Pro Tools to scan the newly installed AAX component rather than relying on previously stored plug-in information.
Windows
- Make sure Pro Tools is completely closed.
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Enter the following and click OK: %appdata%
- Navigate to: Avid > Pro Tools
- Locate and delete: InstalledAAXPlugins
- Empty the Recycle Bin to permanently remove the deleted file.
- Reopen Pro Tools. The plug-in database will be rebuilt automatically, and your installed AAX plug-ins will be rescanned.
macOS
- Make sure Pro Tools is completely closed.
- In Finder, navigate to: Library > Preferences > Avid > Pro Tools
- Locate and delete: InstalledAAXPlugIns
- If you are using Pro Tools 2024 or later, also navigate to: /Users/Shared/Pro Tools/AAXPlugInCache
Delete the cache files contained within the AAXPlugInCache folder. - Empty the Trash to permanently remove the deleted files.
- Reopen Pro Tools. The plug-in database will be rebuilt automatically, and your installed AAX plug-ins will be rescanned.
Test BFD3 in Pro Tools
Once Pro Tools has reopened:
- Create a new blank session.
- Create a stereo Instrument track.
- Do not load any other plug-ins yet.
- Insert BFD3 on the Instrument track.
- Confirm that BFD3 opens successfully.
- Load a kit and confirm that it produces sound.
Using a blank session helps rule out another plug-in or an existing session as the cause of the crash
Summary
If BFD3 works correctly in standalone mode but causes Pro Tools to crash when inserted, replacing the BFD3 AAX plug-in and rebuilding the Pro Tools plug-in database can help ensure that Pro Tools is loading the freshly installed version.
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