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Virtual Studio Technology

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Virtual Studio Technology ( VST ) is an audio plug-in software interface that integrates software synthesizers and effects units into digital audio workstations . VST and similar technologies use digital signal processing to simulate traditional recording studio hardware in software. Thousands of plugins exist, both commercial and freeware , and many audio applications support VST under license from its creator, Steinberg .

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40-501: VST plugins generally run within a digital audio workstation (DAW), to provide additional functionality, though a few standalone plugin hosts exist that support VST. Most VST plugins are either instruments (VSTi) or effects (VSTfx), although other categories exist—for example spectrum analyzers and various meters. VST plugins usually provide a custom graphical user interface that displays controls similar to physical switches and knobs on audio hardware. Some (often older) plugins rely on

80-632: A built in wrapper for full VST, VST2, VST3, DX , and ReWire compatibility. Although FL Studio's own plugins are set to be available only in their native format in the future, some of them also function independently as standalone programs and can be purchased in VST format for use with other DAWs. FL Studio is bundled with a variety of sound processing effects , including common audio effects such as chorus , compression , distortion , delay , flanger , phaser , reverb , gate, equalization , vocoding , maximization, and limiting . FL Studio's install contains

120-417: A computer, though some of them require a computer for editing. Other hardware options include PCI/PCIe cards designed for audio processing, which take over audio processing from the computer's CPU and free up RAM . Some hardware hosts accept VSTs and VSTis, and either run Windows-compatible music applications like Cubase, Live, Pro Tools, Logic etc., or run their own DAW. Other are VST Hosts only and require

160-567: A curated selection of audio samples. Its features include: FL Studio processes audio using an internal 32-bit floating point engine. It supports sampling rates up to 192 kHz using either WDM - or ASIO -enabled drivers. Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11 or later ( 32-bit or 64-bit versions), MacOS Version 10.13.6 (High Sierra) or later. Note: More powerful CPU, more Instruments and Effects you can run. The mixer interface allows for any number of channel configurations. This allows mixing in 2.1, 5.1 , or 7.1 surround sound , as long as

200-464: A method of managing presets (sets of control settings). Steinberg Cubase VST introduced two file formats for storing presets: an FXP file stores a single preset, while an FXB file stores a whole bank of presets. These formats have since been adopted by many other VST hosts, although Cubase itself switched to a new system of preset management with Cubase 4.0. Many VST plugins have their own method of loading and saving presets, which do not necessarily use

240-404: A polyphonic arrangement. According to Steinberg, this supports performance flexibility and a more natural playing feel. In October 2011, Celemony Software and PreSonus released Audio Random Access (ARA), an extension for audio plug-in interfaces, such as VST, allowing greater integration between audio plug-ins and DAW software. In September, 2013, Steinberg discontinued maintenance of

280-722: A separate DAW application. Origin from Arturia is a hardware DSP system that houses several VST software synthesizers in one machine, like Jupiter 50/80 from Roland. Using appropriate software, audio data can also be sent over a network, so the main host runs on one computer, and VST plugins on peripheral machines. The VST plugin standard is the audio plugin standard created by Steinberg to allow any third-party developers to create VST plugins for use within VST host applications. VST requires separate installations for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The short history of commercial environments for Linux means few developers have targeted this platform. VST plugins often have many controls, and therefore need

320-401: A single codebase. Plug-in (computing) In computing , a plug-in (or plugin , add-in , addin , add-on , or addon ) is a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing computer program . When a program supports plug-ins, it enables customization. A theme or skin is a preset package containing additional or changed graphical appearance details, achieved by

360-599: A single instance of FL Studio, chained together or with a different mode set for each. It is sold in two variants, one coming without extra software (aimed at existing FL Studio users), and one bundled with an exclusive version of the Fruity edition called the Fruity Fire Edition . The latter of these involvements is currently the Novation FL Key line of controllers. It consists of two redesigned MIDI Keyboards – dubbed

400-629: A standalone Groovebox -style application optimized for touch-based music creation, was released for the Windows 8 store on September 2, 2013, as FL Studio Groove. It was later released on mobile devices as Groove Machine Mobile and temporarily available as a plugin in FL Studio. As of now, it is no longer available for purchase. FL Cloud is a sub-brand launched by Image Line on October 26, 2023, encompassing online products and services for music production, with tools for mastering, music distribution, and accessing

440-564: A translation layer, or shim . For example, FL Studio only supports its own internal plugin architecture, but an available native "wrapper" loads VST plugins, among others. FXpansion offers a VST-to-RTAS ( Real Time AudioSuite ) wrapper that lets VST plugins run in Pro Tools , and a VST-to- Audio Units wrapper lets VST plugins run in Logic Pro . Hardware VST hosts can load special versions of VST plugins. These units are portable and usable without

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480-404: Is an external viewer program—like IrfanView or Adobe Reader —that displays content retrieved using a web browser . Unlike a plugin whose full code would be included in the browser's address space , a helper application is a standalone application. Web browsers choose an appropriate helper application based on a file's Media type as indicated by the filename extension . In the mid-1970s,

520-684: The Apple Macintosh , both released in 1987. In 1988, Silicon Beach Software included plug-in capability in Digital Darkroom and SuperPaint . FL Studio FL Studio (known as FruityLoops before 2003) is a digital audio workstation (DAW) developed by the Belgian company Image-Line . It features a graphical user interface with a pattern-based music sequencer . It is available in four different editions for Microsoft Windows and macOS . After their initial purchase, lifetime updates of

560-652: The EDT text editor ran on the Unisys VS/9 operating system for the UNIVAC Series 90 mainframe computer . It allowed a program to be run from the editor which can access the in-memory edit buffer. The plug-in executable could call the editor to inspect and change the text. The University of Waterloo Fortran compiler used this to allow interactive compilation of Fortran programs. Early personal computer software with plug-in capability included HyperCard and QuarkXPress on

600-596: The FL Key Mini and the FL Key 37 , the latter being larger in keybed and size – originally from Novation's own Launchkey line, modified to have a grey case and an FL Studio-themed RGB lighting palette. They later released the FL Key 61 , a larger version with the same features. Despite some initial traction regarding the Akai FIRE 's unusual velocity implementation, both units have gone on to receive broadly positive reception from

640-860: The Producer Edition plus a series of plugins such as the Fruity Video Player, DirectWave Sampler, Harmless, NewTone, Pitcher, Gross Beat, and the Hardcore Guitar Effects Suite. The All Plugins Edition includes the Signature Bundle and extra plugins, particularly synthesizers. On June 21, 2011, Image-Line released FL Studio Mobile for iOS and in April 2013 for Android. Both support the ability to create multi-track projects on mobile devices including iPod Touches , iPhones , iPads , Android 2.3.3, and higher smartphones and tablets. Groove,

680-598: The VST 2 SDK. In December, Steinberg stopped distributing the SDK. The higher versions are continued. VST 3.6.7 came out in March, 2017. It includes a preview version of VST3 for Linux platform, the VST3 part of the SDK gets a dual license: "Proprietary Steinberg VST3" or the "Open-source GPLv3". There are three types of VST plugins: A VST host is a software application or hardware device that VST plugins run under. The host application presents

720-445: The ability to produce sounds from pictures fed into the synth (known as image resynthesis ). Sytrus is an FM synthesizer with an internal effects module and additional wavetable capabilities. Its architecture can let it interface directly with patches from Yamaha DX7 units, allowing it to import original SYSEX data. As with other DAW developers, Image-Line has collaborated with hardware manufacturers on two occasions, resulting in

760-486: The company's attempt to obtain a US trademark prompted concerns from Kellogg's . and to improve the software's marketability. Software piracy was a major issue in the company's early days, and it took nearly 5 years for the company to earn money from users purchasing legitimate licenses. A macOS-compatible version of FL Studio was released on May 22, 2018. FL Studio comes in several editions with different levels of functionality. The free trial version includes all of

800-453: The effect in sync with the tempo). MIDI messages can control both instrument and effect plugin parameters. Most host applications can route the audio output from one VST to the audio input of another VST ( chaining ). For example, the output of a VST synthesizer can be sent through a VST reverb effect. Steinberg released the VST interface specification and SDK in 1996. They released it at the same time as Steinberg Cubase 3.02, which included

840-539: The entirety of native software synthesizers, internally labeled as "generators". Depending on the edition of the program, some will be locked in trial mode until the synth itself or a software upgrade is purchased. Harmor is Image-Line's flagship synthesizer. Initially released in late 2011 as a successor to Harmless, it was envisioned as a way to work with additive synthesis through an interface typical of subtractive synthesizers. It also includes many functions previously found within individual FL Studio utilities. such as

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880-487: The features of the Fruity Edition, as well as full audio recording for internal and external audio and post-production tools. It allows hand-drawing point and curve based splines (referred to as "automation clips"). Plugins include Edison, Slicex (loop slicer and re-arranger), Sytrus , Maximus, Vocodex and Synthmaker. It also allows waveform viewing of audio clips and the ability to add cue points. This edition includes

920-443: The first VST format plugins: Espacial (a reverb ), Choirus (a chorus effect ), Stereo Echo, and Auto-Panner. Steinberg updated the VST interface specification to version 2.0 in 1999. One addition was the ability for plugins to receive MIDI data. This supported the introduction of Virtual Studio Technology Instrument (VSTi) format plugins. VST Instruments can act as standalone software synthesizers, samplers, or drum machines. Neon

960-641: The host application for their user interface. VST instruments include software simulation emulations of well-known hardware synthesizers and samplers . These typically emulate the look of the original equipment as well as its sonic characteristics. This lets musicians and recording engineers use virtual versions of devices that otherwise might be difficult and expensive to obtain. VST instruments receive notes as digital information via MIDI , and output digital audio. Effect plugins receive digital audio and process it through to their outputs. (Some effect plugins also accept MIDI input—for example, MIDI sync to modulate

1000-473: The host application. Programmers typically implement plug-ins as shared libraries , which get dynamically loaded at run time. HyperCard supported a similar facility, but more commonly included the plug-in code in the HyperCard documents (called stacks ) themselves. Thus the HyperCard stack became a self-contained application in its own right, distributable as a single entity that end-users could run without

1040-563: The look and feel still have to be created by the plugin manufacturer. VST GUI is part of the VST SDK and is also available as a SourceForge project. There are also several ports to other programming languages available from third parties. Many commercial and open-source VSTs are written using the Juce C++ framework instead of direct calls to the VST SDK because this allows multi-format (VST, Audio Units and Real Time AudioSuite) binaries to be built from

1080-446: The most common and the most powerful one. Mozilla applications come with integrated add-on managers that, similar to package managers , install, update and manage extensions. The term, "plug-in", however, strictly refers to NPAPI -based web content renderers. Mozilla deprecated plug-ins for its products. But UXP -based applications, like web browsers Pale Moon and Basilisk , keep supporting (NPAPI) plug-ins. A helper application

1120-424: The native project format with an .FLP filename extension . The trial allows users to save projects, but does not allow reopening them. Tracks may be exported to any of the available file formats. FL Studio comes with a variety of plugins and generators ( software synthesizers ) written in the program's own native plugin architecture. FL Studio also has support for third-party VST and DirectX plugins. The API has

1160-413: The need for additional installation-steps. Programs may also implement plug-ins by loading a directory of simple script files written in a scripting language like Python or Lua . In Mozilla Foundation definitions, the words "add-on", " extension " and "plug-in" are not synonyms. "Add-on" can refer to anything that extends the functions of a Mozilla application. Extensions comprise a subtype, albeit

1200-474: The output hardware interface has an equivalent number of outputs. The mixer also supports audio-in, enabling FL Studio to record multitrack audio . FL Studio supports audio time stretching and pitch scaling , beat slicing , chopping , and editing of audio, and as of version 12.9 it can record up to 125 simultaneous audio tracks. Other key features include a digital piano roll. Audio can be imported or exported as WAV , MP3 , OGG , FLAC , MIDI , ZIP , or

1240-427: The playlist, piano roll, and event automation features, which allow complex and lengthy arranging and sequencing. There is also VST/ReWire support so that FL Studio can be an instrument in other hosts such as Cubase , Sonic Solutions , and Logic . As of version 21.0.3, this edition includes 84 instruments and effects; it does not support audio recording and the use of audio clips. The Producer Edition includes all of

Virtual Studio Technology - Misplaced Pages Continue

1280-439: The plug-in can use, including a way for plug-ins to register themselves with the host application and a protocol for the exchange of data with plug-ins. Plug-ins depend on the services provided by the host application and do not usually work by themselves. Conversely, the host application operates independently of the plug-ins, making it possible for end-users to add and update plug-ins dynamically without needing to make changes to

1320-527: The plugin UIs and routes digital audio and MIDI to and from the plugins. Examples of VST hosts include media players such as JRiver Media Center and foobar2000 . Stand-alone dedicated hosts provide a host environment for VST plugins rather than use the plugins to extend their own capabilities. These are usually optimized for live performance use, with features like fast song configuration switching. VST plugins can be hosted in incompatible environments using

1360-461: The program's features, all plugins, and allows users to render project audio to WAV , MIDI , MP3 , FLAC and OGG . Projects saved while in demo mode, however, can only be opened once FL Studio and its plugins have been registered. Also, instrument presets cannot be saved and the audio output of some instruments is cut out momentarily every few minutes until the program and its plugins have been registered. The Fruity Edition allows users to access

1400-533: The release of products branded and compatible with FL Studio. The first was the Akai FIRE , a MIDI controller with touch and pressure-sensitive buttons modelled after the software's channel rack pattern editor. Released in 2018, it can be used as a pattern editor, keyboard, drumpad, multi-colour peak visualizer and performance controller. A distinctive feature of the Akai FIRE is that up to 4 units can be connected to

1440-777: The software are free to registered users. Image-Line also develops FL Studio Mobile for Android , iOS , macOS , and Universal Windows Platform devices. FL Studio can be used as either a Virtual Studio Technology (VST) or Audio Unit (AU) instrument in other audio workstation programs, and as a ReWire client. Image-Line offers its own VST and AU instruments and audio applications. FL Studio has been used by many notable hip hop and EDM producers, including 9th Wonder , Cardo , Basshunter , Metro Boomin , Hit-Boy , Porter Robinson , Alan Walker , Madeon , Soulja Boy , Southside , Martin Garrix , Avicii , Imanbek , Lex Luger , and Deadmau5 . The first version of FruityLoops (1.0.0)

1480-450: The standard FXP/FXB formats. Steinberg's VST SDK is a set of C++ classes based around an underlying C API. The SDK can be downloaded from their website. In addition, Steinberg has developed the VST GUI, which is another set of C++ classes, which can be used to build a graphical interface. There are classes for buttons, sliders and displays, etc. Note that these are low-level C++ classes and

1520-417: The use of a graphical user interface (GUI) that can be applied to specific software and websites to suit the purpose, topic, or tastes of different users to customize the look and feel of a piece of computer software or an operating system front-end GUI (and window managers ). Applications may support plug-ins to: Types of applications and why they use plug-ins: The host application provides services which

1560-422: Was developed by Didier Dambrin and was partially released on December 18, 1997. Its official launch was in early 1998, when it was still a four-channel MIDI drum machine . Dambrin became Chief Software Architect for the program, and it quickly underwent a series of large upgrades that made it into a popular and complex digital audio workstation . Image-Line renamed FruityLoops to FL Studio in mid 2003, after

1600-633: Was the first available VST Instrument (included with Cubase VST 3.7). It was a 16-voice, 2-oscillator virtual analog synthesizer . In 2006, the VST interface specification was updated to version 2.4. Changes included the ability to process audio with 64-bit precision. A free-software replacement was developed for LMMS that would be used later by other free-software projects. VST 3.0 came out in 2008. Changes included: VST 3.5 came out in February 2011. Changes included note expression , which provides extensive articulation information in individual note events in

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