If you’re starting out as a music producer or sound designer, you are probably wondering: What are VST plugins?
In the last few decades, VST plugins and DAWs completely transformed how we record, edit, and produce music.
A quick introduction to VST plugins and DAWs
Much of this recent music production evolution can be attributed to the development of DAWs or Digital Audio Workstations.
A DAW allows users to create entire musical compositions in a digital space without requiring the extensive recording gear and studio equipment that was needed to achieve the same results years earlier.
Thanks to these software tools, the financial requirements to produce music and work on sound design are much lower.
However, there are still times when the default tools in our DAW aren’t quite enough to achieve what we want.
That’s where VST plugins come in!
In this article, we’ll cover:
- What are VSTs;
- The different types of VST plugins;
- Why VST plugins are important;
- Examples of the most popular VSTs;
- How to choose the best VST plugins for your workfow.
Let’s get straight into it!
What is a VST plugin?
A VST plugin is a piece of audio software that integrates with the Digital Audio Workstation to expand its capabilities.
VSTs are plugins, meaning they “plug in” to existing software rather than working independently. To use a VST, you’ll need a Digital Audio Workspace (DAW) or some other VST host to attach the plugin to.
Plugins are designed to seamlessly integrate with DAWs, giving you extra tools for your music production process.
The abbreviation “VST” stands for Virtual Studio Technology. The first VST interface specification and SDK was published in 1996 by Steinberg. Cubase was the first DAW to implement VST capabilities.
Who can use VST plugins?
VST plugins are used by everyone from hobbyist musicians and bedroom producers to professional studios.
I started using VST plugins in 2004. They instantly became a crucial part of my music production workflow, and I started collecting dozens of plugins for my studio.
Instead of being limited to a handful of effects and instruments included with my DAW, I suddenly had access to hundreds of compressors, reverbs, and synthesizers.
It’s interesting how music production beginners and high-end music studios often use the same VST plugins and software tools to create music. This was impossible in the era of analog music production equipment because most people couldn’t afford professional studio equipment then.
Types of VST plugins
There are a few different types of VSTs, all used for different purposes. These can be divided into three main types: VST instruments, VST Effects, and VST MIDI Effects.
VST instruments (VSTi)
Virtual Studio Technology Instruments (VSTi) are plugins that generate sounds. There are different kinds of virtual instruments, but most fall into one of these three categories:
- Synthesizers;
- Samplers;
- Romplers.
Virtual synthesizers use a synthesis engine to generate sounds. They can emulate hardware synthesizers like the Moog Minimoog or use completely original synthesis algorithms that don’t exist in the hardware realm.
Romplers are a completely different beast. To massively simplify the process, romplers are created by recording various sounds from a real instrument (such as a guitar) and then allowing the user to place these sounds into their DAW at will.
This can be achieved with pretty much any instrument in the modern age.
VST effects
VST effects allow you to process and modify your audio recordings.
They can’t create anything new but can add effects like reverb, echo, distortion, and modulation to your music. They are often modeled after real, physical hardware that is traditionally used to achieve these results.
Most DAWs will come with a few basic, built-in effects. However, if you want to achieve a very specific result, third-party VST effects can be incredibly useful.
VST MIDI effects
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) data is a popular tool in digital music production and is used by a variety of artists and engineers to create specific sounds.
Using a VST plugin, it’s possible to equip your DAW with advanced MIDI capabilities.
VST MIDI plugins can generally perform basic tasks like transposing or arpeggiation, but they can also carry out much more complicated actions if you dive deeper into their functionality.
This helps to make MIDI inputs sound natural and interesting and can help you achieve specific effects to suit your needs.
How Do VST Plugins Work?
The exact functions of a VST plugin depend on its specific purpose. This can vary significantly depending on the VST you choose.
However, the basic principle of how VSTs work is always the same. They integrate with the digital audio workstation to expand its capabilities.
Every VST plugin works as an expansion for the VST host. It implements additional features for audio processing or sound generation.
A VST plugin can’t work on its own. It requires a plugin host (typically a DAW) to load the plugin and put it to work.
Integration of VST Plugins in DAWs
Adding a VST to your DAW is incredibly simple.
All you need to do is download the file of your chosen VST, unzip it, and drag the files into your DAW’s plugin folder. In some cases, the VST may come with an installer instead – in which case you run the installation file and let it do the rest.
Once this is done, scan for new plugin add-ons within your DAW software – and voila! Your new VST plugin will be active and usable.
The Importance of VST Plugins in Music Production
A few decades ago, music production was a prohibitively expensive, difficult thing to do.
It required a studio equipped with recording equipment, instruments, and musicians able to play them all. This cost a lot of money and occupied a lot of space.
Nowadays, anyone can produce music as long as they can access a laptop and the internet.
Take your pick of any popular artist – their music was almost certainly touched by a VST at some point.
Additionally, DAWs and VSTs have become industry standards and crucial pieces of equipment even in cutting-edge music production studios. Music production software is the centerpiece of modern music studios, regardless of the budget.
There are heaps of reasons for this. VSTs have many positive impacts on the music production process that help create specific results.
Enhanced Sound Quality
Using VSTs to carry out tasks like compression, equalization, and limiting often provides better results compared to the native audio effects that are included with the DAW.
This makes the audio more pleasant to listen to and helps to ensure the artist’s vision for the music is met. It also helps to clear up any imperfections that occur during recording that would otherwise require a full rerecording session to fix.
Access to Virtual Instruments and Effects
Adding VSTs means that anyone can use a variety of virtual instruments in their music and sound design projects.
Previously, if you wanted a violin to be present in your music, you’d have to find a violinist.
This quickly becomes incredibly expensive as the musicians, instruments, and equipment required to record all these different sounds add up. More space is also required due to the increase of people and equipment.
With VSTs, users can add any instrument to their music digitally at a much lower price point.
Real-Time Processing and Manipulation
VSTs allow you to modify any part of your music in real time as the recording is created.
This means you can fine-tune your final result to achieve exactly what you want from your music. Whether you’re making small tweaks or completely changing the final output, VSTs provide full control over your creative process.
Cost Effective Alternative to Hardware
Along with instruments, VSTs also replace a large variety of complex physical hardware that used to be required to achieve certain effects in music.
A lot like instruments, this equipment is often very expensive and requires space to store and use.
By achieving the same effects with a computer, you significantly reduce the time, money, and space needed to produce music – allowing you to focus on the creative process instead.
Integration With DAWs
A major benefit of VSTs is their extremely simple integration with DAWs.
Almost every musician in the modern age uses a DAW at some point in their production process. You can seamlessly add VSTs to whatever you already use, thanks to their great flexibility and ease of integration.
Experimentation With Different Sounds
We’ve already pointed out the massive price difference when producing effects with VSTs instead of traditional means.
Using VSTs means you can experiment with a wide variety of sounds without spending money on the physical hardware needed to achieve them in the past. This means you aren’t committed to a specific sound or style once you try it out.
VSTs allow you to experiment freely without having to worry about high costs piling up.
Access to Presets
Many VSTs offer presets that allow the user to recall the plugin’s parameter settings quickly.
This tremendously speeds up the music production workflow. Users can save their favorite settings for later and create libraries of instruments and effects that are only a mouse click away.
Unique and Innovative Sounds
VSTs can provide you with novel ways to use your DAW software, letting you change up your sound design process completely.
This opportunity means you can create completely new sound effects and musical arrangements that wouldn’t be possible without access to virtual instruments and effects.
Emulate Classic Analog Hardware
A lot of classic analog hardware is not only expensive but completely unavailable in the present day.
Using VSTs allows you to emulate this lost equipment without tracking down historical versions, helping to keep these sounds alive even as the physical counterparts are lost to time.
Facilitate Collaboration and Sharing
Using digital tools means a wider network of people can all work on one project since they don’t all need access to a studio with a wide range of tools and instruments. This helps facilitate collaboration significantly.
Additionally, the nature of VSTs is built around community. Nurturing their use encourages this feeling of online sharing that enables everyone to improve their musical abilities.
Examples of Popular VST Plugins
There are countless free and paid VSTs available online. A single Google search will show you endless options to choose from, suiting any specific needs you may have.
A popular choice is the Reaktor modular playground created by Native Instruments, which lets you construct and customize your own instruments to granular levels of detail.
Another beloved option is the Pigments 4 synthesis plugin, which offers many options to fiddle with.
How to Choose the Right VST Plugin
Choosing the right VST for you depends greatly upon your specific needs.
Consider what you’re looking for from your VST.
Do you want to add a specific effect, such as reverb or compression, to your music? Or are you hoping to emulate a specific instrument?
Research this specific need during your search, and we’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for. The internet has facilitated the creation of a boundless ocean of incredible VST software for practically every conceivable purpose.
The Bottom Line
The introduction of DAWs and VSTs has revolutionized the music production process. And if you read our article, you now definitely understand what VST plugins are.
Their biggest contribution is the expansion of accessibility of music, allowing anyone to access high-level music production tools. This means that people can create the music they want, no matter their budget or resources.
I hope this article clarified some of the mystery around what VST plugins are. Once you explore their capabilities, you’ll fall in love with VSTs just like I did!
