﻿ Using Plugins Digital Audio Recording

Audio Plugins..


There are 3 basic software devices that work in the software realm of the digital audio sequencer.  They are: Soft Synths, Soft Samplers and Software Processors.  All 3 of these categories are sometimes referred to as "plugins".  They are called that because these are little computer applications that run inside a "host" application, i.e., a sequencer, typically.  These plugin devices are very important, as they have led the software revolution towards our virtual studios which is changing all recording studios, both home and pro.  Today there are few hardware devices left that cannot be emulated by plugins and software.  As you see from this page, software based synthesizers, effects processors, samplers and multi-track recorders can all work together on one single computer. 

But how well can these devices work together?  Aha! You are thinking!  Good!  That is a matter of utmost critical importance.  There's a lot of toys in the toybox, but a lot of them will not play well together, if at all.  Ok, now remember this: Bad Plugins Crash Sequencers. This is one reason to avoid free plugins.  I have used nearly every sequencer out there and can affirm that over half the reasons for instable, flaky operations is due to a poorly written plugins. You really have to be careful.  If you are having stability problems with any sequencer always check the soundcard driver and the plugins installed.  Even expensive plugins are often released full of bugs and fixed "eventually" as users complain.  Never trust stuff that was released last week or stuff that has not had an update in a few years. Plugins typically break when upgraded operating systems are released.  So keep an eye on these things and talk to actual users that use your platform and sequencer and get their take on stability. 

Each sequencer has its favored protocol, and may refuse to work with the rest.  Cubase Sonar, Logic, Pro Tools LE and Digital Performer all want plugins to follow defined rules, which we will call plugin formats.

Plugin Formats

Here it is plain and simple. 

VSTi (virtual studio technology instrument) was developed by Steinberg as a Universal platform for soft synths and samplers.   Not all the companies bought into it. Cubase and Nuendo use it extensively.  You may also hear about VST2 and VSTi2 plugins.  VST2 is simply an extension of the VST format. These pass on more parameters to the host for automation.

Are PC VSTs and VSTi compatible on Macs?  Always assume the answer is no unless the developer makes it clear. If they made a Mac version, they will be sure to list that.  Usually, developers will have a PC VSTi version and a Mac VSTi version, so be careful to get (and install) the right one. Usually, these days they are both on the same cd rom. 

DXi: Cakewalk, initially, did not go with VSTi, it went with DXi, which is based on Microsoft direct X code.  Today, however, they have relented an allow use of VSTis with Sonar in a shell.   DXi's cannot be run on Macs.  By the way, Steinberg has dropped DX plugins in Cubase.  Its going away.  I personally will not be getting any more DX or DXi plugins.

Ok by now you may be wondering what this "i" business is.  You see VST, then VSTi, then DX and DXi.  The "i" stands for "instrument", like a softsynth or sampler to distinguish it from a plugin processor, like a compressor, reverb or delay. 

AU, short for Audio Units, refers to a format developed by Apple for Mac OS 10.x  Because there is support in Apple's operating system, AU is used by many Mac sequencers and audio applications, and is the major supported format in LogicPro.

Important note: Just because Logic favors AU does not mean it will run all Audio Unit Plugins. As of Logic 7, Apple got stricter.  Logic only supports AUs that follow Apple's guidelines and not all of them do.  This is Apple's way of forcing plugin developers to follow the rules it developed.  Its a good thing, as the Audio Units that do pass are less likely to crash Logic. 

MAS refers to plugins that work with the MOTU Audio System in Digital Performer (Mac only), which can also use VSTi, AU and ReWire.  You'll note that fewer plugins support MAS, and that's because MOTU DP users can use AU as well as MAS.

RTAS is the format used by Digidesign, the maker of Pro Tools LE, which comes bundled with the popular Digi 002 interface. RTAS will also work in Pro Tools M-Powered, which works with M-audio interfaces.  RTAS plugins, however, will not work in Logic, Cubase or Sonar.   

Audiosuite is another Digidesign format which works with the above software packages and hardware interfaces.

Rewire, finally, is a scheme that pipes digital audio from Reason and Rebirth, Project 5 and Ableton's Live to other sequencers.  It basically allows you to run a sequencer inside of a another sequencer.  Its not a plugin per se, but because many soft synths use Rewire I include it here.

Software Synths


Are Soft Synths Better than Hardware synths?

  Well, you will never break your back carrying a soft synth to a gig.  But softsynths will rather quickly degrade your PC's performance as they eat CPU cycles with veracity.  Why is this? The CPU must deal with the soft synths instructions immediately or there will be latency.  Most fast computers can achieve a latency of 5 milliseconds and when they do, the soft synth "feels" like a hardware synth when you play it.  However, as you build your song and have 10-16 soft synths playing back at this incredible rate, the CPU gets behind in other tasks.  When you add effects on top   might notice clicks and pops in your audio.  If you don't heed the warning, suddenly the whole thing may stop dead in its tracks.





Software Processors

Its perhaps with plugin processors that the home studio operator gets a shot at being a mixdown and mastering engineer.  This is a fact that has not gone unnoticed by true professional audio engineer, many of whom are quite rightfully irritated at the bloody hoardes of noobs that try to wrestle the secrets of mastering out of them.  As I have said many times, these skills come from knowledge and experience.  So get some.  No!  don't ask people on the forums "whas da beh compres..settin for my beatz" To gain knowledge and experience you sit there with the machines (virtual or real) and experiment over and over again.  Then you start seeing patterns and hearing results.

Rewire Applications

Rewire came from the propellerheads, the developers that brought us Rebirth and Reason which are both a combination of a software synth and a sequencer.  Rewire is not a synth or a plugin; its a method by which 2 sequencers can pass digital audio from a "slave" sequencer to a "master" sequencer. 

Basically, the rewire slave routes the streams of digital audio through channels that connect the two applications together.  I view it as a series of pipes from one application to the next.  The audio goes out the pipes and ends up in the Master Sequencer's virtual mixer.  Once in the master sequencer, you can add plugins and process the signal before you direct it to the soundcard, audio interface, or output it as a file. 

The Propellerheads have a massive virtual application called Reason  Reason is like a total software studio in itself with one exception:  It does not record audio. Hence we need Rewire so we can run Reason inside an application that does record audio.

The subject matter can be confusing as plugin makers don't tell you everything I told you here.  They leave it up to you to figure it all out.  The virtual studio indeed is an amazing phenomena of our age. Its a virtual paradise of musical possibility!  But like all things on earth, there is trouble in this paradise, mainly for those who don't pay attention to many of the issues raised here..  I hope I have helped you get a solid handle on them so you can enjoy the benefits and sidestep the problems.  May you enjoy your virtual universe of sounds and use your power for good