What is VST?

Steinberg developed a software processing engine in 1996 for their Cubase program called Virtual Studio Technology (VST). It allows the real-time processing of Audio and Midi plug-in effects, very much in the same way that a mixer would access outboard effects such as reverbs, delays, etc., but without all the expensive needed hardware. First implemented in Cubase VST, it allows the user to access a wealth of plug-ins, from Steinberg as well as a large number of third-party commercial, shareware and freeware developers. It is arguably the most popular plug-in format, and plug-ins are written for Macintosh and PC (but they must written for one or the other), and is supported by many programs in addition to Cubase.

Another application for the VST format has recently been introduced with the Virtual Instrument, or VSTi. This is a type of plug-in that can emulate many existing (or extinct!) hardware instruments, or create any type of new instrument. The most popular plug-in’s have revived the early analog synths such as Prophet 5’s (Pro 52) and Moog’s (Model-E), and digital synths such as the PPG Wave 2.2. They can be Samplers or incredible recreations of drum machines, B-3 organs, and totally new instruments such as Reaktor and AbSynth. These "instruments" are played thru Midi, but the sound output appears as Audio in the DAW’s Virtual mixer. This allows for all the convenience of Midi, but all the benefits of high quality audio, free of signal problems such as hum, buzz, etc. They are far cheaper than the real instruments, occupy far less space, the sound quality is top notch, and you can load in as many “Moogs” as you need (or have the power to run)! The downside are the tiny, on-screen knobs and faders, and the amount of power that is required to run these instruments.

A very popular add-on to Digital Audio Workstations (DAW’s) to address the problem of controlling those tiny knobs and sliders on the screen with a mouse, is the control surface. These are essentially hardware boxes that add the “missing” knobs and sliders to the software version of their hardware counterparts. Most VST programs also have the ability to control their Virtual Mixers, EQ’s, etc., from control surfaces. Some of the control surfaces offer programmable knobs and a small controller keyboard, such as the Evolution MK-225C, the MK-361C, and the Midiman Oxygen 8. Other controllers are boxes with knobs only, such as the Evolution U-Control UC-16, and the Native Instruments 4 Control. The Tascam US-428 combines three needed features for the VST recordist; it combines a 24-bit audio interface, 2 independent Midi ports, and a full control surface.

To address the power needs of many of the new VST virtual instruments and effects (aside from upgrading your computer!), is the addition of a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) card, such as the TC Works Powercore, or the Universal Audio UAD-1. These cards go into a PCI slot in your desktop computer, and provide a tremendous amount of computing power to run a suite of specialized software plug-ins that provide reverbs, delays, compressors, and even virtual instruments. They also sound excellent, and are the ultimate add-on to your computer music experience! (refer to : http://kellysmusicandcomputers.com/detailedanswer.asp?faq=103).

I just installed the Liquid Guitar v3, and thought it was going to be a nightmare. It wasn't, but I admit that I got lucky. I fired up the Magix Music maker program v10 Deluxe, and opened up the "Synthesizer". I clicked the "VSTi" block and chose set up path. I don't know enough about the best file location to put your new VST instrument, so I put it in the VST folder under c:\Programs\ and also I put the new instrument in the file folder path location inside Magix Music Maker. It does not seem to be a problem to have multiple locations for your instruments. I hope this article helps some other fellow musican venturing into the Computer Music world! Peace Out, The Compusician at www.SundayisFunday.com !

Advantage Out

I was so blind with hope,

my eyes could not see.

Now I'm left with less than nothing,

not even a true memory.

- The Compusician

Breaker, Breaker, One, Nine..... O kay, I was heading north to the state line, about to run out of time... okay, the law was not following me but you want interesting stories, yes?

Last night I headed out north from Dallas to Oklahoma City. I heard many reports about ice. I called another driver in OKC about the driving situation, and I headed back to Dallas, the big "D" and I do mean "Dallas".

I will try again tonight, but let me just say that it is times like these a man wishes he was not a trucker. We want to get our load, and get done. Dispatch, Weather, Unforseen Obstacles, you name it....we have to overcome it all. You want to be a trucker? Then I recomend you play it "OVER safe" and never go out into what you cannot get back out of! I have tire chains and (the cable chain type) and can chain up easily. But I want you to know right now, and truckers speak up!, your chains are designed to get you TO the truck stop or safety zone, not put you IN a bad situation!!! The chains are for getting you out of a bad situation, not into one!

I cannot stress this enough. I know the chains are pretty good, and can do much for your travel (almost indestructable!). But, it is the other driver who will find you trouble! The guy who drank too much, the guy who knows too much, the person who is not sure but will try anyways, and the girl who has to prove she is as good as the guys.... just wait it out and use the chains ONLY to get you to a safe place. that is my advice. A seasoned trucker.

www.TireChains.com is the place to go for your needs. Look up "Cable Chains" I like these better for the midwest and east coast drivers.

Also, if you are close to home, it's late at night, no traffic (remember the other guy factor) then by all means strap them on and get home!!!!!

F the dispatcher, home is home.... but have the right tools to do it. 75 bucks, for a lifetime investment.

I'm retiring from trucking soon, and exploring music and arts. Worldwide. But i will try to maintain my CDL. It is valuable and profitable. Good Luck my trucking friends, and support my music too if you have a chance. If you have some words to submit for a trucker's song let me know!!!!

Yours, Gary

Ah yessss, the Olympics, or Torino Games. I watched a little bit of them and the TV coverage has improved. They cut out much of the boring parts, and increased the action!

Janet Jones, Who is she? I see her name in the news. At the Grammy's I was glad to see U2 win many awards against the crap theses kids are putting out these days (please disregard my crap I put out).

Vanity Fair, Superbowl commercials, Michele kwan, teri hatcher, all busts.

I did look at Zillow and was impressed. They show the prices of your house in the neighborhood.

Sasha Cohen, haiti, face transplant, sly stone, bode miller, arrested development, do not interest me. And finally.....

Valentines Day round out the top 15 internet searches for this week, checked February 16.

Peace Out, The Compusician!

Valentine's Day Poem or thought,

Valentines Day is almost here, and you will probably present your girl with the standard candy and flowers. Of course you will have a card to give her, but with nothing to say (off the top of your head). So, here is something you can write to your girl (or man, I don't ask)... Change the words to fit the situation...

"I wake filled with thoughts of you. Your portrait and the intoxicating evening which we spent yesterday have left my senses in turmoil. Sweet, incomparable Alexandra, what a strange effect you have on my heart!"

That's better than just signing your name on the card. Good Luck!

Virtual Continous CD (VCC or VCCd) is an idea for music enthusiasts to explore. The idea is given free to the public domain and can be explored and profited by anyone who develops it. No credit is necessary to the conceptual inventor, Gary Ruff (aka Compusician).

What is the Vcc? A band places a Virtual Disk for sale on their website. It looks like a CD, but it is "Virtual". Nothing is ever shipped. However, the songs are downloaded to the users Virtual Cd they have on their mp3 player. The Cd never runs out! As a matter of fact, the idea is like this. Example: You buy a Vccd from the Rolling Stones (let's say they are just starting out and you like their first song). The initial album might have 10 songs on it and the intial cost is only 5 dollars! But in addition to that small reduced cost, you will be the first every month or so to get the newest Stones song added to your Vcc. This way the artist can sell one song at a time, has a guaranteed sale (each automatic download is only $1.49) and can grow his fan base. Like "BMG music club", the Vcc user must agree to 6 auto downloads over the next year.

Now, as an added advantage...the Vcc owner (The Stones in this case) may have more than one song, but these will be bonus songs (and why not throw in some advertising for Coke or Budweiser on these bonus songs...this way when they are stolen, the advertiser will love the fact that the message is getting out, AND will pay more to have the product placement in the bonus Stones Song). I think it might be good to guarantee the Vcc user that never will they be automatically charged for more than 1 song per month.

There it is world! The newest way the next generation will be enjoying music! The "Next Wave"! Let me know how this business model works for your company, and don't forget the little guy who will be making music in their homes! It is the next and newest big fad (I use Magix Music Maker). Peace Out! -The Compusician