Setup
VST3 vs Audio Unit: choose the format your host loads
Check host format, operating system and published installer before downloading a plug-in.
Hear and inspect the tools in this guide
Loop the same phrase, change one control at a time and compare at similar playback loudness. The linked walkthroughs are product demonstrations, not measurement results for this guide.
Pictured: Band Practice (Equalization) — A 24-band EQ with ten filter shapes and three phase modes.
Match the host first
Check which external format your host accepts on the actual platform. A Mac host may accept VST3, AU or both; Logic and GarageBand use AU. Availability on one platform does not establish another.
Architecture and operating-system requirements also matter. Product pages describe published installers rather than every internal build target. Choose the release your host can load.
Install the entitled release
Claim or purchase the relevant licence and download the platform installer from your account. Use the installer instead of moving or renaming binaries between formats.
The standard system VST3 location is C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 on Windows. On macOS the system folders are /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3 and /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components. Host scanning settings still matter.
- Read host requirements.
- Install the correct release.
- Use the documented rescan controls.
Rescan safely and preserve projects
If validation fails, record the host/product versions and error. Do not delete preference databases or bypass system security as generic troubleshooting.
A session may identify VST3 and AU instances differently even for the same product. Check state and automation before changing format in an established project, and keep the working session saved.
Side-by-side comparison of related plug-ins
Compare the Fat Berry DSP plug-ins referenced in this guide by price, category, formats, and primary studio role. Every licence is a perpetual single-user licence (3 machine activations, 14-day full refund policy).
| Plug-in | Category | Regular Price | Formats | Primary Studio Job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band Practice | Equalization | Free ($0 USD) | VST3, AU | A 24-band EQ with ten filter shapes and three phase modes. |
| FB-60 | Synth | Free ($0 USD) | VST3, AU | A polyphonic analogue-style synth with classic chorus and effects built in. |
References and comparison method
An explanatory guide based on the linked product specifications and host documentation. Suggested listening steps are a method for your session, not a report of a controlled experiment. Behaviour depends on the release, source and settings.
Use the actual product controls, compare at similar playback loudness and check the result in the arrangement. Settings and behaviour vary by recording and software release.
Sources and further reading
Questions, answered
Can I rename a VST3 into an AU?
No. Use an actual AU release.
Which format sounds better?
Format alone does not establish an audible improvement. Use the supported release.