VST
Page tree
Skip to end of metadata
Go to start of metadata

Why use VST 3 SDK ?

There are different use cases you can realize by using the VST 3 SDK:

  1. You are a plug-in developer and you want to create audio FX or instrument plug-ins which can be included and used in a VST 3 host application.
    • an audio FX plug-in is an audio processor effect taking audio as input and creating audio as output: such as Delay, Phaser, Compressor, Reverb, …
    • an instrument plug-in is a sound/audio generator, taking as input note events and creating audio as output: such as emulations of well-known hardware synths. There are 2 kinds of instrument plug-ins: virtual sample-based (using audio samples as the basis for sound generation) and virtual synth (using different types of synthesis: physical modelling, additive, subtractive, FM, sample-based, …)
  2. You are a host developer and you want to load in your application VST 3 plug-ins:
    1. audio FX and/or
    2. instruments plug-ins.

On this page:

Related pages:

Advantages of using VST 3 SDK

By using VST 3 SDK directly:

  • you are sure to be compliant with the VST 3 format.

  • developing your plug-in based on the VST 3 format allows you to support easily new VST 3 features that improve the integration of these plug-ins inside a DAW. Some 3rd party SDKs use only a common layer between all plug-in formats, limiting in this way the possibility for a better integration, for example exclusive VST 3 features:

  • you get optimal integration of the VSTGUI tool with VST 3

  • it includes the major plug-in format wrappers:  AAX, AUv3, AU, VST2 (deprecated)

  • the included Validator allows you to check your plug-in's conformity to the VST 3 standard


Examples of VST 3 host applications

NameCompanyLink
CubaseSteinberg Media Technologieshttps://new.steinberg.net/cubase
NuendoSteinberg Media Technologieshttps://new.steinberg.net/nuendo
WavelabSteinberg Media Technologieshttps://new.steinberg.net/wavelab
DoricoSteinberg Media Technologieshttps://new.steinberg.net/dorico
LiveAbleton AGhttps://www.ableton.com/en/live
AuditionAdobehttps://www.adobe.com
SonarBandlab/Cakewalkhttps://www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk
BitwigBitwig GmbHhttps://www.bitwig.com
MaxCycling 74https://cycling74.com
FL StudioImageLinehttps://www.image-line.com
SamplitudeMAGIX Software GmbHhttps://www.magix.com
Digital PerformerMOTUhttps://motu.com/en-us/products/software/dp
BidulePlogue Art et Technologie, Inc.https://www.plogue.com
Studio OnePreSonus Software Ltdhttps://www.presonus.com/products/Studio-One
ReaperReaperhttps://www.reaper.fm
WaveformTracktion Software Corporationhttps://www.tracktion.com
  • No labels

Copyright ©2021 Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH