VST and other plugins explained

VST and other plugins explained
Now a days you really can do it all on your computer with
just your audio interface and monitors! Today there are
only a few hardware devices left that cannot be emulated by
plug-in's. You all have the tools available to extend your
Daw into a complete high end studio with all the virtual
equipment you could need.

There are 3 basic software devices that work in the
software realm of the digital audio sequencer plug-in's,
these are: Synth's, Samplers and Processors. Each sequencer
has a favored set of protocols when it comes to plug-in's,
hence the need for multiple formats. Explaining: Plug-in
Devices

Synths are an instrument or ensemble which generates sound
based on building blocks of simple sound waves. These
sounds can be very complex. Some of the popular synthesis
methods are subtractive, fm, and wavetable.

Samplers; are an instrument that records and plays back
samples, usually by allowing them to be distributed across
a keyboard and played back at various pitches.

Processors, Process the sound with effects like reverbs,
delays etc.

The Types

Each sequencer has a favored set of protocols when it comes
to plug-ins, hence arises the need for multiple formats,
here we will take a look:

VSTi: Virtual studio technology instrument; VSTi was
developed by Steinberg as a universal platform for soft
synths and samplers. Not all the companies bought into it
but Cubase and Nuendo used it extensively. Then came VSTi2;
an extension of the VST format, to pass on more parameters
to the host for automation and so giving more options and
control.

DXi: Cakewalk initially didn't go with VSTi; it went with
DXi, which is based on Microsoft direct-X code. Today,
however; they have given in and allow using VSTi-s with
Sonar in a shell. But DXi-s cannot be run on Macs.

AU: This is short for Audio Units, and refers to a format
developed by Apple for Mac OS 10.x.

MAS: Refers to plug-ins that work with the MOTU Audio
System in Digital Performer (Mac only), which can also use
VSTi, AU and ReWire. There are a few plugins that support
MAS and that's because MOTU DP users can use AU as well as
MAS.

RTAS: It is the format used by Digidesign, the maker of Pro
Tools LE. RTAS will also work in Pro Tools M-Powered, which
works with M-audio interfaces. RTAS plug-ins, however; will
not work in Logic, Cubase or Sonar.

Rewire: Allows a user to pipe digital audio from Reason,
Rebirth, Ableton Live (and more) to and from other
sequencers by allowing running a sequencer through another
sequencer. However, technically it can't be called a
plug-in.

Remember you can visit the free online VST Directory tool
to find tons of Free to donload VST plugins. Or if your a
VIP Member you can use your own dedicated tool from the
members area and search the rest of the formats as well.

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Visit
http://www.ixlproductions.co.uk/index.php?pages=vst_search
for the free iXLProductions VST Search Tool. Or visit
http://www.ixlproductions.co.uk/members/index.php to sign
up for the private members tool which does all other
plugins as well as VST.