Which to use, VST or DX?

Posted: Sat May 27, 2006 5:39 pm

Hi,
For Windows DAW install...>

I notice that some Plugins can install both DX and VST version of the same plugin.
Which version is "better" to use for recording, and for mixing?
Better=less system resource intensive, memory CPU, etc...
Do I need both versions?

Thanx
DrD

Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 2:35 pm

there are good plugs in both formats. and with some of your more higher end plugs, you can select which format to install.

in my opinion, i doesnt really matter which way you go.... they always have those freeware programs to convert your plugs... and some recording software comes with one (ex: sonar producer 5.0, samplitude, and alot more)

now when you get into software synths or samplers, i go with VSTi, (for some reason i just think they sound better.)
but of course this could be just a placebo effect as most of the really good soft synths come in VSTi format.

some one please correct me if i am wrong, but as far as plugs go i really dont see or hear a difference between VST and DX.

Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 5:29 pm

I use DX since it's the default protocol for Sonar, but the VST wrapper in Sonar does work very well. I have a decent assortment of VST plugs, but they do seem to use more resources from my experience. I tend to use them mostly on busses for submixes.

Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 5:29 pm

Hi thanx for the reply... I've been looking at a lot of plugins recently.
So which is less resource intensive? Or do they both use the same?
I have a program to convert VST's to DX, etc...
Thanx
DrD

Moderator Joined: Apr 13, 2006 Posts: 129

I doubt there would be much or any difference in cpu load between the VST and DX versions of the same plugin in most cases.

With a VST based host, VST plugins would be the preferrable way to go. At one time there wasn't delay compensation for DX plugins for some VST hosts, but I don't think that is an issue with Nuendo and Cubase SX at least. Automation of plugin parameters might be the only difference - available in most VST hosts, but not for DX plugins in those hosts (I use VST plugins 98% of the time, so I haven't tried automating a DX plugin in Nuendo recently to know if this has changed).

Sonar probably provides the most DX-friendly environment. With most VST-DX wrappers, you can usually run either. On a very minor difference, VST plugins are easier to manage as they are just .dll files in a folder, where DX plugins are registered in WinXP's registry - hence you need a DX plugin manager (of which there are some freeware apps around) to fully remove DX plugins. Not a big deal though.

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