The four types of audio plugin formats are:Įach of these plugin formats can come in different versions, so you may see mentions of VST2, VST3, AU2, etc. There are a few different formats plugins come in and the format you use depends on the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) you use. Most of the plugins in this guide will focus on guitar effects and amp plugins, but I’ll also cover a few plugins you might want to look at if you want to create tracks using other instruments. Learn more about drum plugins in this guide and why you might want to get one (there are free and paid options). The above screenshot is a great example of a plugin you can use to create realistic-sounding drums on any track you want without needing to go through the hassle of recording an actual drum kit. With other plugins, you can create full backing tracks and program your own drums, bass, keyboards, or any other instrument.

Outside of guitar effects and amp simulation plugins, there is a massive range of plugins you might be interested in using. Plugins allow you to access different sounds or process your recordings in different ways.įor guitarists, the most common use of a plugin is to process your recorded guitar parts to simulate guitar amps and effects. What is a Guitar Plugin?Ī plugin is a separate piece of software that can either run on its own (called standalone) or run inside of a DAW (such as Ableton or Cubase). Let’s go through the basics of guitar plugins (skip this section if you already know about plugins). If you’ve never used guitar plugins before, there are a few things to know before you get started.

16.4 Related Guides and Lessons: Understanding Guitar Plugins

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