Editing Virtual Studio Technology (section)

== Overview ==
VST [[Plug-in (computing)|plugin]]s 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 analyzer]]s 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 the host application for their user interface.

VST instruments include software simulation [[emulator|emulation]]s of well-known hardware [[synthesizer]]s and [[sampler (musical instrument)|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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joshi |first=K. M. |date=2022-02-21 |title=Cost of Developing VST Plugin: Several Factors (With Table) |url=https://integraudio.com/cost-of-developing-audio-plugin/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Integraudio |language=en-US}}</ref>

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 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 [[reverberation|reverb]] effect.