VST3 Updates & Compatibility for NKS Libraries [August 2023] Featured

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Thursday, 24 August 2023 08:16

VST3

We have been updating NKS libraries for VST3 compatibility and testing for the last 10 months and are happy to announce almost all libraries that can be updated to VST3 have finally been updated. Most VST3 plugins now also support Apple M1/M2 processors so for all you mac users most of your plugins now work. 

If you are not all that farmiliar with VST2/3 differences or what any of this may mean to you, read on for all the info you will need. 

 

 

Why do I need to know about VST3 compatibility? 

If you use a DAW or use Komplete Kontrol / Maschine and have instrument plugins, you will need to know and understand the situation around VST plugins especially if you are a Mac user upgrading to Apple Silicon processors. 

VST3 is the updated format to the long standing VST2 format that has been in use since the early 1990s. While VST3 has been out for the last 10+ years it has been slow to be adopted, mostly because VST2 is so stable and reliable, however Steinberg (the company who developed the format) has discontinued support for VST2 and with the introduction of Apple M1 processors requiring developers to update all their software for compatibility, VST2 is being dropped from most DAWs as a supported format (Windows is still supporting VST2). This means that macOS users need to start updating to VST3 for their plugins. 

 

Is VST2 just a newer version of VST3, Do I need to care? 

While VST3 is an update and on the whole, is basically the same thing it is not a simple new version and in a large amount of cases is not backward/forward compatible. Content developed for VST2 plugins will not automatically work with the VST3 version of the plugin in most cases. There is a "Migration" feature of VST3 that will allow projects/presets to open the VST3 plugin if VST2 is not available, but developers need to program for this and sadly, many have not due to either lack of knowledge or issues around migrating features. 

Some plugins will support "partial" migration meaning the VST3 plugin launches fine and the loaded sound plays but any mapped controls will not work because the control IDs for VST3 may change making any mapped controls or recorded automation inoperable. In most cases, you will simply receive a "Plugin Not Found" error if you try opening files that used VST2 as the format. 

 

What is the solution? 

The solution in regards to NKS libraries is in most cases a new library needs to be created that works with the VST3 version of the plugin and this is what we have been doing for months. Each library needs to be tested to see if it does migrate from VST2 to VST3 automatically and if not, a new library has to be created and tested on both PC and Mac. From the users perspective, to update to VST3 support you need to check if a library we have developed has been updated to support VST3 yet and when support is available, the old VST2 NKS files need to be deleted and replaced with the new ones. 

To do this all that you need to do is download the latest NKS VST3 compatible library from your download area, locate the existing NKS library you installed on your system (you can right-click a preset for the plugin in the NKS browser to locate on the HDD) and simply delete the existing library and copy the new one. Then just rescan the library and that is it. 

In most cases, there is no need to update/replace the database and image files since these are the same files but check the changelog at the end of the included readme PDF as some artwork may have been updated, optional if you want to update artwork or not. 

 

What is Updated to VST3, How Can I tell? 

To make it easier to tell what has been updated to VST3 there are a few things you can check. 

All NKS libraries developed by Freelance Soundlabs has a library version number attached and this can be found in a few locations.

Within the NKS properties tab which you can open in both Komplete Kontrol and Maschine you will see the library version and release date information for a preset in a library:

nks version 2.6.0

You will also find this version info on each product page on the site at the very bottom of the page where the Changelog is and also in the PDF instructions for each library. In the download area you will find separate lists for VST3/VST2 downloads and this same version number is also listed for reference.

Version 2.x.x libraries were created for VST2 and will likely only work with the VST2 plugin unless they support Migration

Version 3.x.x libraries are updated libraries that work with VST3. All new plugin libraries will be released with 3.0.0 version numbers to indicate these are VST3 compatible. 

Further to this, each product page has a "Compatibility" section that will list the VST compatibility (example): 

Compatibility

  • Komplete Kontrol Software v2.8+
  • Maschine Software 2.16+
  • Supports Komplete Keyboards (all versions)
  • Supports Maschine Hardware (all versions) 
  • Supports PC / MAC
  • Supports VST3
  • Presets: 8500+

If a library states it supports only VST3 but it's a library that use to support VST2 then a VST2 compatible library is also usually still available in the user download area, however it will likely no longer be updated. 

If a library states "Supports VST2/VST3" this means the plugin supports migration and the library was developed for VST2 but also works the same for the VST3 version of the plugin

Below is a full list of what libraries support which VST formats with links to pages. If you need to update to VST3 you can go into the User Download area and check for updates there. Some libraries are free updates and some will have a small cost for the VST3 updated version. If you have any issues, concerns or questions feel free to Contact Me

 

Supported VST2 / 3 Migratable Libraries

PLEASE NOTE: Although VST3 support is specified this will NOT instantly mean your mac M1 system is supported. VST3 plugins still need to be updated by their developers to support Apple Silicon but most of these have been updated by their developers.

The following list of libraries will work with EITHER the VST2 or VST3 version of a plugin. This means if you have the VST2 version installed, it will be used otherwise VST3 will automatically load in place and there should be no need to update your existing NKS library.

These have been tested to load the preset and also work with the current controller mappings.

Supported VST3 Only Libraries

This list of libraries will load in the VST3 version of a plugin only. VST2 plugin versions are not supported (and will likely not be supported)

VST2 / VST3 Supported Plugins

This list offers up to date VST3 libraries which have been mostly updated from VST2 library versions. A VST2 library may still be available in the User Downloads but may no longer be updated. It is recommended to use the VST3 version of these libraries for the most up to date changes. Some updates may have a small cost associated. Check product pages linked below for more details

*Korg Legacy Cell does not currently have a VST3 version for PC so I cannot test this. A VST3 exists for macOS but until a version is available for PC this cannot be upgraded.

Currently Supported VST2 Only Plugins

This list covers all libraries that currently support loading only the VST2 version. If possible where a VST3 version is available these will be updated soon but currently if it is listed here, it is not tested for use with VST3 or M1 compatibility. 

2nd Sense Wiggle
Air Music Boom [only supports VST2]
Air Music DB-33 [only supports VST2]
Air Music Drumsynth 500 [only supports VST2]
Air Music Hybrid 3 [only supports VST2]
Air Music Loom 2 [only supports VST2]
Air Music Mini Grand [only supports VST2]
Air Music Strike [only supports VST2]
Air Music Structure [only supports VST2]
Air Music theRiser [only supports VST2]
Air Music Transfuser 2 [only supports VST2]
Air Music Vacuum Classic [only supports VST2]
Air Music Vacuum Pro [only supports VST2]
Air Music Velvet [only supports VST2]
Air Music Xpand!2 [only supports VST2]
Arturia Analog Lab 4 [VST3 version available for Analog Lab V]
Cableguys Curve2
D16 Drumazon [only supports VST2]
D16 LuSH-101 [only supports VST2]
D16 Nepheton [only supports VST2]
D16 Phoscyon [only supports VST2, VST3 version available for Phoscyon 2]
D16 Nithonat [only supports VST2]
D16 PunchBox [only supports VST2]
Gforce Imposcar [only supports VST2]
Gforce M-Tron Pro [M-Tron Pro IV supports VST3]
Gforce M-tron MKII
Gforce Minimonsta [Minimonsta 2 supports VST3]
Gforce Oddity2 [Oddity 3 supports VST3]
Gforce Virtual String Machine [only supports VST2]
Gospel Musicians Bassalicious
Gospel Musicians Neo Soul Keys 2
Gospel Musicians Pure Synth Platinum
Izotope Iris 2 [VST3 unstable,Izotope state plugin is discontinued, no VST3 support will be released]
Kilohearts KhsOne
Korg Legacy Cell [only supports VST2]
Lethal Audio Lethal
Loopmasters Bass Master Factory
Loopmasters Bass Master Expansions
MusicLab RealEight
MusicLab RealGuitar
MusicLab RealGuitar Complete
MusicLab RealLPC
MusicLab RealRick
MusicLab RealStrat
Novation Bass + V-station
Plugin Boutique Carbon Electra
Plugin Boutique VirtualCZ
Sonic Academy A.N.A 1
Sonic Academy A.N.A 2
Sonic Academy Kick 2 Factory
Sonivox Big Bang Cinematic [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Big Bang Universal Percussion [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Eighty Eight [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Orchestral Companion Brass [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Orchestral Companion Strings [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Orchestral Companion Woodwinds [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Singles: Atsia Percussion [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Singles: BlueJay Drums [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Singles: Bright E-Guitar [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Singles: Classic Bass [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Singles: FM Piano [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Singles: Full Collection [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Singles: Harmonica [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Singles: Harpsichord [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Singles: Session Drums 1 [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Singles: Silk Road Percussion [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Singles: Taylor Acoustic Guitar [only supports VST2]
Sonivox Solina Redux
Sonivox Stratum
Sonivox Twist 2
Sonivox Wobble 2
Soundspot Union
Vengeance Avenger [Currently the VST3 version of Avenger crashes Maschine and Komplete Kontrol]
WA Production ImPerfect

Last modified on Friday, 13 September 2024 08:15

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