Well this is a kick in the nuts: VST2 plug-ins

DSP, Plugin and Host development discussion.
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I'm the author of Synth1 Librarian:
https://www.kvraudio.com/product/synth1 ... utrino-sky

Since I released that plugin, I've created another set of librarians for old - but popular - soft synths (Dexed, OB-Xd, Charlatan, Crystal, PG-8X to name a few). I've had numerous people asking for these, so the demand is certainly there.

My plugins very specifically 'wrap around' the soft synths, and I interface with them via the standard VST2 api.

But I've now discovered that Steinberg aren't allowing new VST2 plug-ins? Wondering how other devs here have got around this?

I'd welcome any tips/advice on this.
Thanks.
Author of "Synth1 Librarian", music meddler, software maker
https://neutrinosky.com | https://twitter.com/neutrino_sky

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These are 2 years old news now. There are no workarounds - new developers need to use the VST3 SDK, if you haven't signed a VST2 SDK contract with Steinberg before October 2018.

For example, Dexed is not distributing VST2 anymore because it's open source and VST2 license is not compatible with GPL3. You could still build it from source if you are a licensed owner of VST2 SDK, but that's as far as it goes.

If, however, you DID sign the VST2 SDK contract with Steinberg before October 2018, there's nothing wrong with you releasing closed source VST2 binaries. You can still do that (as other plugin vendors that are not new players in the market are doing exactly that).

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Plug-in development is an infrequent part-time/hobby thing, so this was completely in my blind spot. I'm using a 3rd party component that does the API interfacing, so it's not an area that I spend much time on.

Thanks for your reply, though 👍
Author of "Synth1 Librarian", music meddler, software maker
https://neutrinosky.com | https://twitter.com/neutrino_sky

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I don't quite see the problem though. Your librarians will continue to work with the plugins you mentioned, unless they only offer VST3 in a future release. Which is always possible, of course, but, that's the way it goes with software.

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I need the VST2 to bridge to the actual soft synth, which effectively makes my librarian a *host*. So even if I made my librarian VST3, the bridge is the contentious part. I'll keep researching, in hope...
Author of "Synth1 Librarian", music meddler, software maker
https://neutrinosky.com | https://twitter.com/neutrino_sky

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neutrino.sky wrote: Sat Feb 27, 2021 10:39 amBut I've now discovered that Steinberg aren't allowing new VST2 plug-ins? Wondering how other devs here have got around this
As mentioned you are allowed to continue releasing VST2 plugins, so long as you have a license.

Maybe, you have the license as you have previous VST2 releases? If not you were already operating without a license since the beginning

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I'm afraid situation has changed as of 30 march 2021 because the new VST 3 License Agreement version 2.1 states in clause 9.7:

"Any and all prior VST 2 and/or VST 3 Plug-In SDK Agreements between Steinberg and the Licensee
shall be automatically terminated by signing this Agreement."

So signing the VST 3 LA fully kills the ability to release any new VST 2 plugins, or even update existing VST 2 plugins :(

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It's very clear VST2 is being forced to be ended.

New standards should be good enough to make stop using the old ones.

Not a fan of this Steinberg strategy.

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This new VST 3 License Agreement also means that even if a dev chooses to release a new VST 3 plugin instead of VST 2, which is something steinberg should be happy about, then this dev applies suicide on all his existing VST 2 plugins. It really is a very agressive and disgusting clause. And not only from dev pov but also from user pov as also users are affected by this!

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It's clear that Steinberg don't care about that at all.. to be quite honest it seems that Steinberg is the dictator and originator of the vst world.. I think its time for the the other developers and daw developers to Unite and create an open source plugin platform that equalls the playing fields for all and has a proper unified plugin platform that is not ruled or dictated by one developer..

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I fully agree. We really need an open music plugin platform.

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VST3 SDK is GPLv3. How can Steinberg apply that kind of contract clauses?

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So the day is coming when an upgraded version of my existing DAW simply won't scan for VST2, sooner than later. Noted
Don't feed the gators,y'all
https://m.soundcloud.com/tonedeadj

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melomood wrote: Sat Apr 17, 2021 11:14 am So the day is coming when an upgraded version of my existing DAW simply won't scan for VST2, sooner than later.
Of course. Didn't you think that day would come sooner or later?

Cubase will probably be the first though.

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discoDSP wrote: Sat Apr 17, 2021 10:18 am VST3 SDK is GPLv3. How can Steinberg apply that kind of contract clauses?
Just like you can apply contract clauses (or terms of usage) to your plugins, I guess.

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