Axiom question: Loading VST vs VST3 vs AU?

[LGK_Dude]

Hello,

I'm on a mac demoing Axiom, and your plugin has the option of loading 3rd party plugins which is AWESOME! Question: For plugins that have all 3 mac supported formats (VST, VST3, AU) is there any consideration as to which version to load? Its obvious in your DAW to use what is supported (Logic AU, Cubase VST3) but for your host its not as clear since it can use both.

For example, I believe VST3 format codes to bypass plugins unless there is audio signal running through them, which is great! However, at what level does this happen? For example, in cubase if I load Axiom as a VST3, and insert a plugin in my FX chain, does the fact that Axiom is a VST3 mean that the plugins within Axiom are not using CPU until audio signal is passed through them? Or do the insert plugins in Axiom need to also be VST3 for this to work?

Also I believe current AU spec does not allow for midi to be sent to insert plugins, though in all honesty haven't even dug into midi in Axiom, but it would be nice to know if I'm limiting myself by using AU instead of VST3?

I know this is getting slightly technical, but before I go making a bunch of presets, it would be nice to know what plugin formats would be best to use. Thanks in advance!

[Blue Cat Audio]

That's a good question!

As explained in our article about hosting VST vs VST3 vs AU, we still recommend using VST over other formats (check the article for more details).

AU does support MIDI, so it should not be a problem. The VST3 plug-in bypass thing is done at the host level, and there is not a big difference with other formats for plug-ins that properly handle it (all our plug-in stop processing when fed with silence).

So, it's simple: use VST when you can, and switch to another format in case it causes problems (compatibility is sometimes a mystery!).

[LGK_Dude]

Thank you so much!