Contents
Plugin & Instrument Formats Explained
| Format | Full Name | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| VST3 | Virtual Studio Technology 3 | Steinberg’s latest plugin standard for instruments and effects. Widely supported, modern features, cross-platform. | Most common for modern plugins |
| VST2 | Virtual Studio Technology 2 | Earlier version of VST, still very common. Many legacy plugins use this format. | Older and many current plugins |
| LV2 | Linux Audio Developer’s Simple Plugin API (version 2) | Open-source plugin standard, mainly for Linux but supported on other platforms. Flexible and extensible. | Popular in open-source DAWs |
| LADSPA | Linux Audio Developer’s Simple Plugin API | Older open-source plugin format, mainly for Linux audio effects. | Mostly simple effects on Linux |
| AU | Audio Units | Apple’s proprietary plugin format for macOS and iOS. Used in Logic, GarageBand, etc. | macOS/iOS DAWs |
| CLAP | CLever Audio Plug-in | New open-source, cross-platform plugin format designed for flexibility and performance. | Gaining popularity in open-source |
| JSFX | Jesusonic Effects | Lightweight scripting-based plugin format used in REAPER and some other DAWs. | Custom and community effects |
Merged Segment (.review/organized/P/Plug In Formats.md)
created: 2026-06-28T00:36
updated: 2026-06-28T00:50
Plugin & Instrument Formats Explained
| Format | Full Name | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| VST3 | Virtual Studio Technology 3 | Steinberg’s latest plugin standard for instruments and effects. Widely supported, modern features, cross-platform. | Most common for modern plugins |
| VST2 | Virtual Studio Technology 2 | Earlier version of VST, still very common. Many legacy plugins use this format. | Older and many current plugins |
| LV2 | Linux Audio Developer’s Simple Plugin API (version 2) | Open-source plugin standard, mainly for Linux but supported on other platforms. Flexible and extensible. | Popular in open-source DAWs |
| LADSPA | Linux Audio Developer’s Simple Plugin API | Older open-source plugin format, mainly for Linux audio effects. | Mostly simple effects on Linux |
| AU | Audio Units | Apple’s proprietary plugin format for macOS and iOS. Used in Logic, GarageBand, etc. | macOS/iOS DAWs |
| CLAP | CLever Audio Plug-in | New open-source, cross-platform plugin format designed for flexibility and performance. | Gaining popularity in open-source |
| JSFX | Jesusonic Effects | Lightweight scripting-based plugin format used in REAPER and some other DAWs. | Custom and community effects |