合成器/采样器/音源/音色

英语里有这个概念吗？是不是一般都统称sampler啊？

vsti

首先要肯定英语里是有这个概念的，况且这个概念还就是西方提出的。至于你说的软音源我们一般说Virtual Instruments。直译过来就是虚拟乐器。意义和软音源是一样的。通过采样或者合成的形式产生音色的软件乐器。

soft-instrument
logic英文版打开以后软音源就叫这个

plugins是什么？

plugin是插件的意思，也就是不能独立运行，只能插入到宿主程序中运行。关系就像寄生虫和宿主一样。当然有些音源、效果器是可以独立运行的，比如Kontakt，add，waves的GTR系列一类的，但是当在宿主中调用他们的时候是以插件的形式存在的，，，

谢谢你的回答啊～～～非常详细～～不过我的意思是卤煮所说的英语对应表达可不可以用Plugin Formats来表达～～～

谢谢你的回答啊～～～非常详细～～不过我的意思是卤煮所说的英语对应表达可不可以用Plugin Formats来表达～～～

不可以，因为软音源最早其实是以独立运行程序的方式出现的，如果是独立程序，就不能被叫做Plugin了，既然不是Plugin，或者说Plugin不能涵盖所有的软音源形式，那么用Plugin Formats来描述也就是不准确的。

VST

本帖最后由 zgghhz 于 17-6-6 10:32 编辑

专业上的是把”软音源“称呼为虚拟乐器Virtual Instruments 缩写为VSTi. Plugins翻译成中文是插件，多数情况下指代的是效果器插件Effects Plugins，不能独立运行，而是需要运行在DAW(Digital Audio Workstation)数字音频工作站也就是我们通常说的Pro Tools/Logic/Steinberg Cubase/Steinberg Nuendo/PreSonus Studio One etc。

Sampler翻译成中文是采样器，聚个例子，Kontakt就是一个制作得很成功的Sampler,另外还有比较有名的Sampler 在 DP中的MachFive，大家用的SampleTank本质上也属于Sampler.

你说的“Plugin Formats”被称为插件格式，比如AAX, dpm,TDM,AU, Vst etc.

For Anyone who built a studio in the late 90's or earlier, its like being in a strange new world these days.  New, previously unreal possibilities are everywhere as the day of the Software Studio has finally arrived. It's here.  It's real. And it sounds excellent.  More and more, my studio is getting smaller.  I realize, as I look at the several tiered racks of equipment surrounding me that I no longer need any of it to make music at the quality I am used to.  I can do it all on my computer with my audio interface and monitors if I want to.

There are 3 basic software devices that work in the software realm of the digital audio sequencer.  They are: Soft Synths, Soft Samplers and Software Processors.  This article chats about all three in general to get you grounded.  Then we'll devote a class on each of them specifically.  We'll also talk about Rewire applications here as they often contain softsynths, samplers and processors.

All 3 of these categories are sometimes referred to as "plugins".  They are called that because these are little computer applications that run inside a "host" application, i.e., a sequencer, typically.  These plugin devices are very important, as they have led the software revolution towards our virtual studios which is changing all recording studios, both home and pro.  Today there are few hardware devices left that cannot be emulated by plugins and software.  As you see from this page, software based synthesizers, effects processors, samplers and multi-track recorders can all work together on one single computer.  


But how well can these devices work together?  Aha! You are thinking!  Good!  That is a matter of utmost critical importance.  There's a lot of toys in the toybox, but a lot of them will not play well together, if at all.  Ok, now remember this: Bad Plugins Crash Sequencers. This is one reason to avoid free plugins.  I have used nearly every sequencer out there and can affirm that over half the reasons for instable, flaky operations is due to a poorly written plugins. You really have to be careful.  If you are having stability problems with any sequencer always check the soundcard driver and the plugins installed.  Even expensive plugins are often released full of bugs and fixed "eventually" as users complain.  Never trust stuff that was released last week or stuff that has not had an update in a few years. Plugins typically break when upgraded operating systems are released.  So keep an eye on these things and talk to actual users that use your platform and sequencer and get their take on stability.

But I digress; let's get back to the topic.  Each sequencer has its favored protocol, and may refuse to work with the rest.  Cubase Sonar, Logic, Pro Tools LE and Digital Performer all want plugins to follow defined rules, which we will call plugin formats.


Plugin Formats

Here it is plain and simple.

VSTi (virtual studio technology instrument) was developed by Steinberg as a Universal platform for soft synths and samplers.   Not all the companies bought into it. Cubase and Nuendo use it extensively.  You may also hear about VST2 and VSTi2 plugins.  VST2 is simply an extension of the VST format. These pass on more parameters to the host for automation.

Are PC VSTs and VSTi compatible on Macs?  Always assume the answer is no unless the developer makes it clear. If they made a Mac version, they will be sure to list that.  Usually, developers will have a PC VSTi version and a Mac VSTi version, so be careful to get (and install) the right one. Usually, these days they are both on the same cd rom.  


DXi: Cakewalk, initially, did not go with VSTi, it went with DXi, which is based on Microsoft direct X code.  Today, however, they have relented an allow use of VSTis with Sonar in a shell.   DXi's cannot be run on Macs.  By the way, Steinberg has dropped DX plugins in Cubase.  Its going away.  I personally will not be getting any more DX or DXi plugins.

Ok by now you may be wondering what this "i" business is.  You see VST, then VSTi, then DX and DXi.  The "i" stands for "instrument", like a softsynth or sampler to distinguish it from a plugin processor, like a compressor, reverb or delay.  


AU, short for Audio Units, refers to a format developed by Apple for Mac OS 10.x  Because there is support in Apple's operating system, AU is used by many Mac sequencers and audio applications, and is the major supported format in LogicPro.

Important note: Just because Logic favors AU does not mean it will run all Audio Unit Plugins. As of Logic 7, Apple got stricter.  Logic only supports AUs that follow Apple's guidelines and not all of them do.  This is Apple's way of forcing plugin developers to follow the rules it developed.  Its a good thing, as the Audio Units that do pass are less likely to crash Logic.  


MAS refers to plugins that work with the MOTU Audio System in Digital Performer (Mac only), which can also use VSTi, AU and ReWire.  You'll note that fewer plugins support MAS, and that's because MOTU DP users can use AU as well as MAS.


RTAS is the format used by Digidesign, the maker of Pro Tools LE, which comes bundled with the popular Digi 002 interface. RTAS will also work in Pro Tools M-Powered, which works with M-audio interfaces.  RTAS plugins, however, will not work in Logic, Cubase or Sonar.   

Audiosuite is another Digidesign format which works with the above software packages and hardware interfaces.


Rewire, finally, is a scheme that pipes digital audio from Reason and Rebirth, Project 5 and Ableton's Live to other sequencers.  It basically allows you to run a sequencer inside of a another sequencer.  Its not a plugin per se, but because many soft synths use Rewire I include it here.