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SetupGearGuide

Music Production

VST3

Steinberg's plugin format for instruments and effects that load inside a DAW, alongside AU and AAX.

VST3 One plugin often ships in three formats: VST3 loads in most DAWs, AU is Apple's macOS format, and AAX is what Pro Tools expects. Plugin installer e.g. a reverb VST3 AU AAX Most DAWs macOS DAWs (Apple) Pro Tools A VST3-only plugin won't open in Pro Tools, which needs AAX — check your format.

Steinberg's current plugin standard for software instruments (synths, samplers) and effects (EQ, reverb, compression) that load inside a digital audio workstation. It's one of several competing formats: AU (Audio Units) is Apple's macOS format, and AAX is the format Pro Tools uses, so a single plugin is often sold in multiple formats.

Concrete example

a reverb plugin might ship as VST3, AU and AAX in one installer so it runs in most DAWs.

What it means when you're buying

before you buy a plugin, confirm it's offered in a format your DAW actually supports — and on the platform you use — since a VST3-only plugin won't load in Pro Tools, which expects AAX.

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