MK Studio Upkeep

Your studio software, in one place.

A free, open-source macOS app for music producers and studio engineers.

Download · User manual · Report a bug

Browse your installed plugins and DAWs, spot Intel-only copies and different installed versions, and find official websites where you can check for updates. Open supported software managers and review your audio devices and drivers from the same app.

Released under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0.

Scanning stays on your Mac. No account, telemetry or inventory upload is required.

What it does

The 0.4.1 source includes recovery and software-manager discovery fixes. Its installer is pending release verification; use GitHub Releases for published downloads. Verified local recovery copies protect eligible in-app removals, and backup cleanup is blocked while a protected removal is running.

• Inventory plugins: scan Audio Unit, VST3, VST2 and CLAP plugins in standard and additional folders. Group matching formats and inspect each installed file and version.
• Review local findings: find Intel-only copies, files whose architecture cannot run on this Mac, different installed versions and repeated formats.
• Find update destinations: open reviewed developer websites and installed software managers. Latest plugin and DAW releases are not fetched or compared.
• Inspect the studio: browse recognised DAWs, software managers, audio/MIDI devices and installed audio drivers in separate views.
• Review maintenance: inspect recognised caches, read audio preparation tips, review eligible software bundles before an optional move to Trash, and restore verified local backups when needed.

The plugin scanner works without a developer-directory entry. Website coverage, DAW recognition and manager recognition are limited. Missing metadata stays unknown. Architecture alone does not establish compatibility with a DAW or macOS release, and an older edition may still be needed by existing sessions.

Screenshots

The v0.4.0 interface with fictional example plugins. Names, versions, counts and file locations are demonstration data; they do not represent a real studio or confirmed updates.

Light appearance, installed-file comparison and studio tips

Light appearance

Compare installed copies

Prepare for audio work

Download and install

1. Open GitHub Releases.
2. Download the versioned macOS .dmg and its SHA256SUMS.txt.
3. Quit the previous app, open the image and drag MK Studio Upkeep to Applications.
4. Open the app and choose Scan This Mac. Add any extra plugin folders in Settings.

The installer is available at no charge; downloading it does not require an account. GitHub's Source code archives are not installers. Each release records its signing, notarisation and verification results. See Installation for checksum verification and troubleshooting.

Requirements: macOS 13 or later. Distribution builds contain Apple Silicon and Intel code. Runtime coverage is documented in Platform support; a universal binary is not evidence of testing on every supported configuration.

A clear boundary around updates

Developer links come from a maintained directory of identifiers and official websites. Matching happens locally; scanning does not run internet searches. Unknown destinations say Official website not identified. A website or manager button provides somewhere to check, not confirmation that an update exists.

Newer-edition recommendations are not provided. Related-edition findings describe software already installed on this Mac; they do not recommend an upgrade.

MK Studio Upkeep's own release action is separate. It opens GitHub Releases in your browser; it does not download or install updates. No GitHub credentials are stored in the app. See Update destinations.

Your files and privacy

The scanner reads metadata and executable headers. It does not load plugins, record audio or inspect the contents of projects, presets, samples or licences. Hardware, activity readings and scan history remain local. Reports are exported only when requested; support reports have a preview before opening GitHub.

Software removal is optional and deliberately limited. Before moving an eligible bundle to Trash, the app creates and verifies a local backup by default. Related settings and external creative content are kept. Content stored inside a selected bundle moves with that bundle; removing a plugin can break an existing session. Restore history and retention controls are available under Backups.

Driver-file removal is disabled; use the developer's instructions. Cache inspection does not delete files. Read the Privacy policy and Removal guide.

Report a bug

Choose Help → Report a bug… in the app. Review the report preview, then open the GitHub form and submit it yourself. Nothing is submitted automatically; a GitHub account is required to submit a report.

Bug reports and fixes are handled on a best-effort basis, with no guaranteed response or resolution. General questions and individual setup support are not offered. Please do not contact the maintainer by email or social media for support.

Remove private details from reports and attachments. Never attach credentials, licence keys or third-party plugin binaries. For security vulnerabilities, follow SECURITY.md. See reporting guidance for details.

Licence and development

This source is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0. Use, modification and redistribution are governed by its terms. See licensing and source availability. Version 0.3.0 and earlier installers retain the licence supplied with them.

Build with Xcode 26 or newer:

./scripts/check.sh
./scripts/build-app.sh release

Local builds are ad-hoc signed. Distribution signing and notarisation are separate. The app uses local inventory findings and reviewed official website links. It does not include a release catalogue or an automatic plugin-update service.

Documentation · Architecture · Contributing · Release verification