AU vs VST

J9mm · 11-19-2014, 01:18 AM

So I have a few Native Instrument plugins, and I saw for some I now have AU options and VST options.

So in Reaper, which versions are better to use? I wasn't aware of AU at all (having just come across from a PC) What is it?

Cheers!

HugoRibeiroDotCom · 11-19-2014, 05:29 AM

I've been using more VST's lately. I've noticed that sometimes some AU's get graphical glitches. Its weird.

cheers

Fex · 11-19-2014, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J9mm

I wasn't aware of AU at all (having just come across from a PC) What is it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_Units

Banned · 11-19-2014, 07:35 AM

Fwiw, the differences are mostly superficial and subtle - some developers even use the *exact* same code and simply rename the file extension. Go figure...

Unlike VST 2.x, for AU plug-ins you don't need many versions of the same plug-in only to achieve different I/O configurations; they're assigned dynamically. For example, with Kontakt 5, I have a choice between three different versions of the VST (8, 16, and 64 output channels), whereas I have only one AU version.

If you intend to (occasionally) keep using REAPER on Windows systems, or cooperate with others using them, using the VST format is probably preferable, to maintain cross-compatibility. This also applies if you have many presets in VST format (AU plug-ins typically can not read/write VST presets, and vice versa - and conversions is cumbersome).

TimOBrien · 11-19-2014, 09:17 AM

They are just code containers.

Use whatever works for you.

J9mm · 11-20-2014, 12:16 AM

Thanks for the feedback - So I guess I will stick with using the VST version then, as I do need to swap project files from time to time with PC users. I had really just wondered if AU was more efficient on the MAC rather than using VST. Seems not from what you're all saying.