Garageband: Plugin only available for software instruments?

[eicca]

I'm trying to use the plugin "Ambience" by Smartelectronix. Here's the weird thing. If I create a software instrument, i.e. Hammonds B3, I go to the Smart Controls panel and add plugins and it shows up in the list. BUT when I add an instrument using the line-in, the plugin doesn't come up! This is really irritating me because I NEED THAT PLUGIN for my line-in recordings.

I have other projects saved that have the Ambience plugin applied to the line-in tracks and it seems to work just fine but starting from scratch I can't apply it to line in tracks.

Weirdest part? This only started happening a few days ago.

I've done everything I can imagine to try and fix this issue. I've lowered my security settings, deleted and reset all imaginable cache and preference files, removed any software I installed since the problem occurred, you name it.

What would cause a plugin to show up under one type of instrument but not another?

 

[ChrisA]

Garage band searches some folders for plug-ins when it starts up and runs a test to see it they work. It refuses to use those that it thinks are broken. I bet this process was broken by some software upgrade.

You can force GB to re-evaluate all you plug-ins by removing and reinstalling them. You might get some clues from a log file (but which log file?) try looking in /var/log/ for log files that are being written to. I'd try /var/log/syslog.log first but I don't use GB having moved to Logic.

 

[eicca]

Well I fixed it. The problem was choosing a mono input instead of stereo. Apparently the plugin only works with two channels.

I cannot believe I spent hours chasing this thing and THAT'S ALL IT WAS.