VST3 is a plug-in standard, not a product or host application. VST3 is the next major revision of Steinberg's Virtual Studio Technology and follows VST 2.4, which is the latest current version of VST. Here are just the key facts about VST3 as well as some answers to frequently asked questions: With VST (Virtual Studio Technology), Steinberg established the world's leading and most widely supported standard for plug-ins and virtual instruments. Please note the FAQ below for additional information to this. For plug-ins, which have been created according to the very old VST1 specification, please note that correct functionality is not warranted anymore. You can still use VST2 plug-ins and instruments as well of course. Articulation messages are no longer bound only to channels, but can now be used for every single event.Īll our sequencers since version 4 are installed with a complete new set of plug-ins, according to this new VST3 specification.

With Note Expression, each individual note (event) in a polyphonic arrangement can contain extensive articulation information, which creates unparalleled flexibility and a much more natural feel of playing. A VST3 plug-in may have multiple MIDI inputs at the same time. As an example, a synthesizer that offers a built-in vocoder will be able to directly receive an audio signal to control the effect. Plug-ins can be connected to the host environment in many different ways: Future VST3 Instruments can have audio inputs. This cleans up the mixer and further helps to reduce CPU load. The VST3 interface offers the possibility to deactivate unused busses after loading and even reactivate those when needed. Especially virtual samplers with multiple outputs often occupy more mixer channels than needed. Future plug-ins may replace the common MIDI interface with alternative control methods.Ī typical issue with current virtual instruments is their audio output bussing system and how they are connected to the mixer after loading. Typically, this is a MIDI input for control/modulation but these busses are no longer restricted to MIDI standard only. In addition to their flexible audio bussing capabilities, VST3 plug-ins may also offer a dedicated event bus. While it is still eligible to have dedicated surround plug-ins, basically any VST3 plug-in can be surround-capable with true multi-channel processing. Interaction between channels depends on the type and design of the plug-in. In any case, each audio channel is processed independently. For example, the new VST3 plug-ins in Cubase 4 can work in stereo-mode when inserted into a stereo channel, but switch to 6 channels when inserted into a 5.1 channel. Their I/O configuration can dynamically adapt to the channel configuration they're inserted in. VST3 plug-ins are no longer limited to a fixed number of inputs and outputs. So instead of always processing input signals, even when there is only silence present, VST3 plug-ins can apply their processing economically and only when it is needed. VST3 helps to improve overall performance by applying processing to plug-ins only when audio signals are present on their respective inputs. Managing large plug-in sets and multiple virtual instruments on typical project studio computer systems can often be difficult because of CPU performance limits. Some current plug-ins are known to be heavy on CPU load. Following is a brief overview of the major new features included with VST3 and a FAQ section.

It marks an important milestone in virtual studio technology and incorporates countless updates, enhancements, changes and new features.

VST3, introduced in 2008, is the latest standard for effect plug-ins and virtual instruments. Three years later VST2 allowed for using virtual instruments for the first time. In 1996 Steinberg introduced the first version of the audio plug-in standard VST (Virtual Studio Technology).

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