How to Install GrandOrgue on Mac
Install GrandOrgue 3.17.3 on macOS with the .dmg from GitHub Releases. Native Apple Silicon builds since 3.14.1 (requires macOS 14+), CoreAudio for low-latency audio.
GrandOrgue runs on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. The installer is a standard .dmg disk image hosted on the project’s GitHub Releases page — there is no Mac App Store version, and the GitHub release is the only official source.
Apple Silicon: use the arm64 build on macOS 14+
Native Apple Silicon (arm64) support arrived with GrandOrgue 3.14.1, and it requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. On an M1/M2/M3/M4 Mac with a current macOS, download the arm64 .dmg for the best performance. Older Intel Macs, or Macs still running macOS 13 or earlier, should use the Intel (x86_64) build. Do not try to run a pre-3.14.1 version on an M-series Mac and expect native behavior.
Getting past Gatekeeper
GrandOrgue is not notarized by Apple (volunteer project, no developer subscription fees for a certificate), so the first launch will likely be blocked with “cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified”. The fix takes ten seconds:
- Open Finder and find GrandOrgue in your Applications folder.
- Right-click (or Ctrl-click) the app and choose Open from the menu.
- Click Open in the confirmation dialog.
You only need to do this once — macOS remembers your approval.
Audio setup with CoreAudio
macOS audio is handled by CoreAudio, which gives low latency without any third-party driver — unlike Windows, you do not need an ASIO replacement. In GrandOrgue go to Settings > Audio/MIDI and select the CoreAudio device:
- Start with a buffer size of 256 samples; drop to 128 if your Mac handles it without dropouts.
- If you use a USB audio interface (Focusrite Scarlett and similar), select it as the CoreAudio output and let GrandOrgue take advantage of its driver.
- Class-compliant USB MIDI keyboards work out of the box — plug in, open the MIDI settings, and enable the device. Our MIDI keyboard guide covers what to look for.
Where to put your sample sets
Sample sets install wherever you like — a common choice is ~/Music/GrandOrgue Organs. As on every platform, an SSD makes a dramatic difference: large organs that take minutes to load from a hard drive open in well under a minute from Apple’s internal SSD. Load your first organ from File > Open and point it at the set’s .organ file (or the newer single-file .orgue package — see What Is an ODF?).
For the hardware side of things — RAM guidance and audio interfaces — read GrandOrgue System Requirements. If you record or mix, note that GrandOrgue is a standalone application, not a VST/AU plugin; our DAW integration guide explains how to route audio between GrandOrgue and your sequencer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does GrandOrgue run on Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes — native arm64 builds are available since version 3.14.1, and you need macOS 14 or later to use them. On older macOS versions or Intel Macs, use the x86_64 build instead.
Why does macOS say the developer cannot be verified?
GrandOrgue is not notarized by Apple because it is a volunteer project without a paid developer certificate. Right-click the app, choose Open, and confirm once — this is the standard Apple-sanctioned way to run legitimate unsigned software.
Do I need an audio driver like on Windows?
No. macOS uses CoreAudio natively, which already provides low-latency audio. Just pick the CoreAudio device in Settings > Audio/MIDI and tune the buffer size.
Can I use GrandOrgue as a plugin in Logic Pro or GarageBand?
No — GrandOrgue is a standalone program, not a VST or AU plugin. You can still combine it with a DAW by routing MIDI out of the DAW into GrandOrgue and recording the audio back. The full workflow is in Using GrandOrgue with a DAW.