| If you have been recording or producing music via a | | | | organ. Let me tell you, lugging the soft synth version of |
| computer, you may have heard the term VST. What | | | | the B3 around in my laptop is a whole lot easier than |
| is VST and how does it figure in to playing, recording, | | | | having to carry around the hardware version! |
| and editing music? | | | | VST effects - VST effects are used to process |
| What is VST? | | | | audio, like any other type of audio effect. These can |
| VST, Virtual Studio Technology, is an interface | | | | also be used in real time, most effectively when |
| standard for connecting synthesizers and effects to | | | | coupled with an appropriate low-latency soundcard. |
| audio editors and recording systems. Invented and | | | | There are VST equivalents to every type of audio |
| developed by Steinberg, makers of the Cubase audio | | | | effect available as hardware. I use all of the standard |
| recording programs; VST replaces traditional audio | | | | VST effects that come with Cubase SX, plus quite a |
| recording hardware with software equivalents. So | | | | few standalone units as well. One great VST effects |
| instead of having to route your audio out of your | | | | bundle is the WaveLab 6 package offered by |
| computer into your hardware effects units and then | | | | Steinberg. |
| back into your computer, all the routing is done | | | | VST instruments and effects must be used in |
| internally. If you have a powerful enough computer, you | | | | conjunction with a VST host to be used at all. A VST |
| can do real time effects processing, utilizing either a | | | | host is usually a software application or a hardware |
| MIDI controller or through envelope tweaks using MIDI. | | | | device. I use Cubase SX as a host for my VST |
| There are 2 different types of VST plug-ins, with | | | | instruments and effects, and I recommend the |
| thousands of different varities, making it the most | | | | program not just for its VST support. As a multi-track |
| widely used plug-in type. The 2 main types are: | | | | recording program that supports MIDI and VST |
| VST instruments - Also know as a VSTi, they take | | | | technologies, there aren't many other programs out |
| the form of synthesizers and sampler units. They can | | | | there as robust and user-friendly as Cubase SX. |
| be played in real time, or also used in conjunction with | | | | As a computer savvy musician, if you aren't familiar |
| MIDI for live performance. They are basically a | | | | with VST technology, I suggest that you get |
| software version of a piece of hardware. I have and | | | | acquainted. It will cut down on your equipment costs |
| use the Master Hammond B3 VST soft synth very | | | | and potentially streamline your recording and editing |
| often, which is the software version of the Hammond | | | | processes. |