Virtual Studio Technology - VST Plugins
By Alan J Orr
One thing that makes digital recording even more rewarding, and more fun, is Virtual Studio Technology, or VST.
Im not going to get too technical with my definition here; I couldnt if i wanted to.
Virtual Studio Technology is software emulation of hardware devices, usually in two categories. Instruments, and effects.
The instrument VST's can simulate "real" instruments mostly due to another technology called sampling. A real instrument such as a piano is "sampled" by making many recordings of a real instrument. The instrument is recorded playing hard, and playing soft. Different nuances of the instrument are also recorded such as the fret noise of slipping your fingers on acoustic guitar strings. All of this is controlled by a MIDI controller. Usually a MIDI controller is a piano type keyboard, but it can be a guitar, and even a wind instrument. When you play a note on the keyboard, you are actually playing a recording of the note on a different instrument. You can play chopsticks on the piano keyboard and hear it as a harp, a guitar, or even a human voice!
Most of these VST's come on a CD or a DVD. It is not unusual for the files for a complicated instrument to over 5 gig in size.
There are complete orchestras available including sections and solo instruments, as well as individual instruments from all over the world. This technology is so common that you are hearing virtual instruments on pre-recorded music, on a daily basis.The amazing thing is that if the VST instrument has been constructed well, it really feels as if you are playing the instrument. VST instruments are inserted into special places in the DAW for recording. A VST can cost as little as $20.00, or many hundreds. There are many great free instruments as well.
The other main type of VST is an effect. This is an emulation of hardware audio effects such as reverb, delay and compression. There are a vast number of effects available. I should point out that these emulations both for instrument and effects are in most cases very accurate. I own a hardware synth and a VST of the same synth, and they are impossible to tell apart.
Also in the category of VST effects are programs that simulate guitar effects, amplifiers and stomp pedals. You can plug your guitar in dry and add a distortion pedal, delay, and the tone of a particular amplifier such as a Fender.
Many of these effects are added via the mixer view, especially when you are mixing down a finished product. There are special VST's for mastering as well. These are usually combinations of filters and effects that specialize in making a full mix.
Virtual Studio Technology really completes your digital home studio.
Alan Orr is a musician of over thirty years and a digital composer living in the mountains of New York State. This will be a series of articles on the subject of home digital recording. The next will focus on the Digital Audio Workstation software. You can find an easy guide to home digital recording at http://www.hotconcept.net You will cover all the essentials, from what you need to start, to quantizing your music, all in a couple of hours. http://www.hotconcept.net
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