What Is Vsti?, What is VSTi? Options

[stanh]

Could someone please explain just what a VSTi is?
Thanks you!

This post has been edited by stanh: Thu 29 Jan 2004, 16:41

[dixiechicken]

Well I guess you mean VST.

Thats a plug-ins architecture used by many music software vendors to write - among other things - reverb units, compressors equalizers delays, guitaramplifiers & much more.
Steinberg aka Cubase uses this standard for most of it's plug-ins.

The plug-ins can be chosen within a program like DP4(use a wrapper) or Ableton, Cubase etc, and applied upon recorded audio material. Instead of bying a separate hardware box.

Cheers: Dixiechicken

[nate d]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong:

While dixiechicken is right about VSTs, I believe VSTi's are actual instruments that you can play through MIDI or some other form of control. VSTs are mostly used for effects and sample manipulation while actual VST instruments generate their own sounds/samples. Virtual Instruments. Things like synths, organs, anything really! Like VSTs, I believe they can "plug-in" to most audio applications such as the ones dixiechicken mentioned. Except for Ableton Live...I'm pretty sure VSTis aren't supported in that.

.....and now I wait to be told I'm wrong

This post has been edited by nate d: Thu 29 Jan 2004, 19:57

[rickenbacker]

VST stands for Virtual Studio Technology. Whether it's FX or instruments, it all works the same, loaded onto your computer and usually controlled via a Midi keyboard.

So you could have, say, some FX plug-ins from PSP Audioware (like their excellent new MasterQ parametric EQ) and a soft synth like VirSyn's Tera 2. Both work using the VST protocol.

The term VSTi has also become generic shorthand in some cases for any plug-in, whether it's VST or AudioUnit. Strictly speaking, it refers to a VST-compatible plug-in only.

If a company announces that their new plug-in is available in VST format, you need a sequencer that is VST-compatible to run it. Logic is not officially VST compatible, but using the FXpansion VST-AU wrapper, you can use VST plug-ins in Logic.

And, yes - Ableton Live does work with VST plug-ins... kind of. It works with FX, although not instruments.

[nate d]

I know Live supports VST plugins, but it doesn't actually support VSTi's, the instruments. Do a google search on "ableton live vsti", you'll get a ton of results that say the same thing.

[rickenbacker]

And I know that you know Live supports VST plug-ins but not instruments. Do a search of my post using your eyes and you'll see that I say the same thing. I was clarifying the point.

[nate d]

Somehow, I misunderstood your post even though I read it a few times...sorry!