what are vst's? i have fruitloops but dont know what cubase is for and what are vst's?

thanx

VST is a open standard protocol from Steinberg. It enables developers to make sound effects (VSTs) and synths/samplers (VSTi's - "i" for instrument). Both are plug-ins, as they are made to be used in a VST host, like Cubase. (Some of them come with a stand-alone version too, nice for playing live if you want to use that synth and nothing more)

Cubase started as a MIDI sequencer back in the 80s. A sequencer is a composition tool. Later on, Steinberg added audio support and even the VST standard. Nowadays, Cubase can do almost anything a hardware studio can, and then some (especially in terms of composing by programming beats and basslines rather than playing them, and all kinds of MIDI weirdness).

I can't compare it to Fruity Loops - can't you use plug-ins in FL?

cptgone wrote:

I can't compare it to Fruity Loops - can't you use plug-ins in FL?

Yes, you can. trlee, FL is a host just like Cubase is. You can use VST plugins in FL. Luckily, you just stumbled into the VST motherlode site.

Most people keep all their VST plugins in subdirectories under one folder like "VSTplugins". In FL, go to Options | File Settings, and on the bottom there is a spot to browse to this top level VST directory. Once you do this FL will scan and make the VST plugins available. You get to them in varoius ways. The most obvious is by doing Channels | Add One | More... which will show a list of all your FL, DX (DirectX) and VST plugins.

When you've added new ones, choose Refresh | Fast Scan at the bottom of this panel to get them to show up. Choose the plugin you want from this list and it gets added to the step sequencer just like any other Fruity generator.

You can also use VST plugins in other places like on the FL mixer (i.e. "FX" button on top right of FL window). As you click each channel on the mixer (like FX1, FX2) there is a unique set of 8 slots below. Click the drop arrow, select just like you did before and insert a VST for mixing/mastering like a limiter or reverb, etc.

FYI, FL also works as a VST plugin itself! Isn't this confusing? What that means is if you have another host like Cubase or Sonar that you like better, you can still load FL as a VST inside that host and still do everything you love about FL. How cool is that?

Great explanation Mike. The only thing I'd add is...
One HUGE advantage to VSTis is that there are numerous inexpensive and free synths available in this format.

Some examples:
GTG13
ASynth
Polyiblit
Bazzoid
WusikStation

what are vst's?


you get em in crackers


merry christmas everyone

VST = Very Simple Thing.

( don't mix simple with stupid )

*xmas