Virtual Studio Technology

 Virtual Studio Technology (VST) is an audio plug-in software interface that integrates software synthesizer and effects in digital audio workstations.

VST and similar technologies allow the replacement of traditional recording studio hardware with software counterparts.

Software that provides VST gives access to virtual effects processors and virtual synthesizers, as well as other additional capabilities (such as the ability to host Audio Units plug-ins).

VSTs are a useful tool for musicians or producers that allows them to use extra processing power on their computer to produce audio.

Thousands of plugins exist,both commercial and freeware, and many audio applications support VST under license from its creator, Steinberg.

VSTs are a useful tool for musicians or producers that allows them to use extra processing power on their computer to produce audio.

  • VSTs allow musicians to use extra processing power on their computer to produce audio
  • VSTs are a useful tool for musicians or producers that allows them to use extra processing power on their computer to produce audio
VST was developed by Steinberg Media Technologies in 1996. It creates a complete, professional studio environment on the PC or Mac.[1]
VST was developed by Steinberg Media Technologies in 1996. It creates a complete, professional studio environment on the PC or Mac.[1]



Steinberg released the VST interface specification and SDK in 1996. They released it at the same time as Steinberg Cubase 3.02, which included the first VST format plugins: Espacial (a reverb), Choirus (a chorus effect), Stereo Echo, and Auto-Panner.[2] Steinberg updated the VST interface specification to version 2.0 in 1999. One addition was the ability for plugins to receive MIDI data. This supported the introduction of Virtual Studio Technology Instrument (VSTi) format plugins. VST Instruments can act as standalone software synthesizers, samplers, or drum machines

VST plugins
There are three types of VST plugins:
VST instruments generate audio. They are generally either virtual synthesizers or virtual samplers. Many recreate the look and sound of famous hardware synthesizers. Better known VST instruments include Discovery, Nexus, Sylenth1, Massive, Omnisphere, FM8, Absynth, Reaktor, Gladiator, Serum and Vanguard.
VST effects process rather than generate audio—and perform the same functions as hardware audio processors such as reverbs and phasers. Other monitoring effects provide visual feedback of the input signal without processing the audio. Most hosts allow multiple effects to be chained. Audio monitoring devices such as spectrum analyzers and meters represent audio characteristics (frequency distribution, amplitude, etc.) visually.
VST MIDI effects process MIDI messages (for example, transpose or arpeggiate) and route the MIDI data to other VST instruments or to hardware devices.