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