Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins are software designed to work within a digital audio workstation (DAW). EQ plugins are a type of VST plugin called VST effects plugins. VST effects plugins help you change your sounds in new and different ways.

Audio Units (AU) is a software interface for audio processing applications on macOS and iOS only. It provides a standard way for audio plugins to communicate with digital audio workstations (DAW) or other audio processing software.

The decision is yours, however there are some factors to consider when selecting between a VST or AU.

• If you are going to be sharing projects with a Windows user, it's best to use VSTs. If the person you are sharing with has the same plugin version, you'll both be able to open the plugin.
• The presets may be handled differently for each type of software.
• VST plugins are required if you want to route MIDI from a plugin as AU plugins do not have direct MIDI output support.

With a Plugin Installer

1. Download the plugin installer. Check the system requirements and supported host information to ensure compatibility with your DAW and operating system.

2. When prompted in the plugin installer, choose a folder for the plugin files:

• • VST3 plugins will be installed in C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3.
  • VST2 plugins can be installed in one of these locations:
    • C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST2
    • C:\Program Files\VST Plugins
    • C:\Program Files\Steinberg\Plugins.

3. If the plugin is also available as a standalone application, do not install both versions in the same folder.
4. After installation is complete, launch your DAW and rescan your plugin directory.

Without a Dedicatedd Plugin Installer

1. Download the VST Plugin.
2. Unzip the VST file.
3. Copy the dll file to the VST plugin folder. Here are the possible file paths for the VST plugin folder

• • C:/Program Files/VSTPlugins/
  • C:/Program Files/Steinberg/VstPlugins/
  • C:/Program Files/Common Files/Steinberg/Shared Components/
  • C:/Program Files/Common Files/VST2
  • C:/Program Files/Common Files/VSTPlugins/

  4. Launch your DAW and rescan your plugin directory.