VST (Virtual Studio Technology)

A plugin format that lets synthesizers and effects run inside a DAW.

VST is the most widely supported plugin format in music production, created by Steinberg in 1996. VST plugins come in two types: VSTi (instruments like synthesizers, samplers, drum machines) and VST effects (reverb, delay, compression, etc.). They run as software inside your DAW, processing audio in real time. VST3 is the current version, offering better CPU efficiency, resizable GUIs, and improved MIDI handling. Popular VST synths include Serum, Vital, Massive, and Omnisphere. The VST ecosystem is massive — thousands of free and paid plugins are available, making it possible to build a complete production setup entirely in software.

Related Concepts

Au Daw Serum Vital

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Browse All Terms

Wavetable Synthesis ADSR Envelope LFO (Low Frequency Oscillator)Filter Filter Cutoff Filter Resonance Oscillator Reverb Delay Compression EQ (Equalization)Distortion MIDI DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)VST (Virtual Studio Technology)Serum Vital Unison Sidechain Compression FM Synthesis Subtractive Synthesis Granular Synthesis