What is a VST3?

VST3 is a modern version of the Virtual Studio Technology plugin format developed by Steinberg for use in digital audio workstations (DAWs). It allows software instruments and audio effects to run as plugins inside music production software, expanding the capabilities of the host DAW.

Like earlier versions of the format, VST3 plugins can function as virtual instruments that generate sound or as audio effects that process existing audio. However, VST3 introduced several improvements over VST2, including better CPU efficiency, more advanced audio routing, and improved automation handling.

One of the key features of VST3 is that plugins can dynamically disable processing when no audio signal is present, which helps reduce unnecessary CPU usage. Because of these improvements and ongoing developer support, VST3 has become the modern standard plugin format used by many contemporary digital audio workstations and plugin developers.