VST (Virtual Studio Technology)
"Music expresses what cannot be put into words and what cannot remain unsaid."
VST stands for Virtual Studio Technology. It's a standard, developed by Steinberg, for software plugins that add virtual instruments (VSTi) and effects (VSTfx) to recording software (DAWs). This allows you to use digital synthesizers, samplers, or effects like reverb in your music productions.
Key details about VST:
Origin: Introduced in 1996 by Steinberg in Cubase 3.02.
Function: It simulates traditional studio-grade hardware in the digital world (plugins).
Types: There are VST instruments (which produce sound, such as a virtual piano) and VST effects (which process sound, such as EQ or compression).
Versions: VST2 (.dll) and the newer standard VST3 (.vst3).
It has become an essential technology for modern music production, allowing producers to use thousands of instruments and effects on their computers.
Virtual studio technology.
VST is a type of plugin that loads into your DAW.
There are two different types of VST plugins: effects and virtual instruments.
The first category, VST effects, is used to modify vocals or instruments and add effects for a better performance. Imagine you have a vocal part that needs some reverb, or a guitar that needs a wah-wah effect for a big solo. You then choose a specific plugin to apply the changes. Some plugins allow you to do this while recording, while others require you to apply the effects afterward to one or more inputs and outputs.
The other type of VST plugin is virtual instruments. This means you can use your computer to simulate musical instruments you don't actually have. So if you need a large brass section or a funky percussion instrument, you can achieve all that using VST instruments.
Whether you use VST effects or instrument plugins, they both work the same way. The VST plugin has become a standard in the music industry.
The only DAWs that don't use or accept any of the various versions of VST plugins are Pro Tools and Logic. Pro Tools has its own AAX (Avid Audio eXtension) plugins, and Logic uses AU plugins. Apart from that, all other major DAWs work with VSTs.
This ranges from free software like Audacity to advanced programs like Adobe Audition and Cubase.
The exact number of VST (Virtual Studio Technology) music plugins is difficult to determine, as new ones are developed daily by both large companies and independent developers.
However, there are strong indications of their scale:
Tens to hundreds of thousands: There are now many thousands of VST plugins.
KVR Audio Database: One of the largest databases (KVR Audio) contains over 20,600 individual products, including effects and instruments.
Active distribution: According to market analysis, more than 4,000 VST plugins are actively distributed and used.
Free plugins: There are hundreds, if not thousands, of options available for "free" VSTs alone.
What are the most popular?
The following VST instruments and effects (often VST3) are well-known among producers:
Synthesizers: Serum, Sylenth1, Massive, Omnisphere, Arturia V Collection.
Samplers: Kontakt.
Effects: FabFilter Pro-Q3, Waves bundles, Valhalla DSP.
In conclusion, there's no limit to what's available; the selection is constantly growing, with thousands of professional options and a nearly endless number of free or inexpensive tools.
VST3 plugins are a more recent version of VST with new features. They were introduced in 2008 and continue the development of the standard. However, there are some important differences between the older VST standard and the newer VST3 standard.
