Introduction

Developing VST plugins under Mac OSX is in many ways simpler than other platforms, but nonetheless there are a few “gotchas” along the way.

VST (Virtual Studio Technology) is a standard created by Steinberg for audio plugins, which are libraries that can be loaded by a sequencer for synthesizing or processing audio. Of course, with so many available options, it can get a bit hectic to evaluate which VST plugins are worth installing. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 10 best free VST plugins so that you can pick the best ones to fulfill your requirements. So, without any further ado, let’s start the list.

This guide assumes familiarity with Xcode and C++ development, and that you are working with Mac OSX 10.5 or greater and have a relatively recent version of Xcode (4.2 or better). This guide only covers building VST 2.x plugins, as the VST3 SDK is not widely supported yet.

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Also, before you start, you will obviously need the VST SDK, which can be acquired from Steinberg’s Development Portal. Note that Steinberg’s website is a bit confusing and does not label the downloads clearly, so make sure that you get the right version of the SDK.

Creating your project

First, create a new empty Xcode project. Now add a new target to the project, which should use the “Bundle” template under the “Framework & Library” group (for Mac OS X, of course). Set the product name, bundle identifier, and choose to link it against the Cocoa Framework.

Adding resource files

Create a new empty file in your project named “PkgInfo” with the contents “BNDL????” (no quotes, and no newline either). You can verify that this file will be copied to the VST bundle by clicking on your project’s target in the file browser, and then expanding the “Copy Bundle Resources” section underneath “Build Phases”.

When you created the project, Xcode should also have created a property list (plist) file for you. Open the plist file for editing, and right click anywhere in document body to change the view type to “Show Raw Keys/Values”. Now, set the following properties, adding new keys if necessary:

• CFBundleDevelopmentRegion: English
• CFBundleExecutable: vst
• CFBundleGetInfoString: vst
• CFBundleIconFile: (empty)
• CFBundleIdentifier: com.yourcompany.pluginname
• CFBundleInfoDictionaryVersion: 6.0
• CFBundlePackageType: BNDL
• CFBundleSignature: (A unique 4-character identifier of your choosing)
• CFBundleVersion: 1.0
• CSResourcesFileMapped: (empty)

Adding the VST SDK files

Create a new group for the VST source files, and drag them from the Finder into your project. Do not drag the entire vstsdk2.4 folder into your project. Make sure that the subfolders for “pluginterfaces” and “public.sdk” (excluding the samples) are in the project.

Now, in the project’s properties, go to the “Search Paths” section and add the vstsdk2.4 directory to the “Header Search Paths” setting. Make it recursive.

Project build settings

Unless you have very specific requirements, I highly recommend building your plugin as a standard 32-bit Intel binary. My reasoning for this is as follows:

• Although 64-bit Macs are widespread, there are not so many 64-bit compatible plugin hosts, though this is slowly changing.
• Likewise, building 64-bit VST’s is sometimes a bit difficult, as Apple is deprecating Carbon, which is 32-bit only.
• The number of PPC users out there is not so many anymore, so building a 32-bit Universal Binary is probably overkill.

You can set the build type in the “Architectures” section, and again I recommend setting this to “32-bit Intel”. If anyone can get VST2.4 plugins building as 32/64 bit UB’s, please let me know so I can adapt this documentation to include how to do this.

Next, set the Base SDK to “Current Mac OS”. This will make it much less painful when opening the project in future versions of Xcode. In the “Deployment” section, set “Mac OS X Deployment Target” to the oldest version of Mac OS X you plan to support. Setting it to “Compiler Default” is likely to get you into trouble.

Under “Packaging”, make sure that both “Executable Extension” and “Executable Prefix” are empty. Set “Wrapper Extension” to be “vst”.

Frameworks

Again, in your target’s settings, go to the “Build Phases” tab and expand the “Link Binary With Libraries” section. Add the following libraries to your project:

• QuickTime
• Carbon
• ApplicationServices

Your source code

Now you are ready to add or create files for your plugin’s source code.

Stereo Tool

Stereo Tool is one of the most popular broadcast audio processors for FM and internet radio, and is our#1 top pick. It's available in several forms, including a VST plugin that brings world-class audio processingto Rocket Broadcaster.

Stereo Tool offers a comprehensive suite of effects that makes audio consistent, clear, and warm to listen to.It includes two multi-band compressors, stereo enhancement, bass enhancement, a fantastic graphical equalizer, automaticgain control, a noise gate, and much more. It also includes a unique 'declipper', which restores detail in recordingslost by tracks being recorded too loudly.

The free VST plugin version of Stereo Tool plays a short message ('This sound is processed by Stereo Tool') everycouple of hours, but this limitation can be removed by registering Stereo Tool for only €35.The registered version also unlocks the Advanced Clipper feature. For full licensing details, check out the Stereo Tool registration page. New vst 2018 free.

DownloadDownload the Stereo Tool VST plugin here (Windows, free trial with limitations. 32-bit VST)

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GranComp3 Free

GranComp3 is a relatively easy to use multiband compressor that helps smooth out theloudness of your broadcast. A multi-band compressor splits the bass, mid, and treble frequenciesof your audio, applies dynamic range compression to bring them all up the same volume level,and then mixes them back together. The result is a more balanced equalization, and usuallybrings out detail that can be lost while listening at lower volumes. (As a broadcaster, youwant to make sure your broadcast sounds good at any volume level, and on any set of speakers.)

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To round out the package, GranComp3 also includes a peak limiter (to prevent clipping) and unique 'SonicFilters' that add saturation/character to your audio.

We recommend GranComp3 because it's free, and offers a simple set of presets for mastering. If you're new to VST plugins, compressors, or just want a quick way to enhance yourbroadcast's sound, this is a great plugin to try.

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DownloadDownload GranComp3 here (Free, Windows) - Direct Download Link.

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Other VSTs to Check Out

• Terry West Productions - Terry West has a great suite of combined equalizer and compressor plugins. Donationware
• JB Broadcast - Jeroen Breebart's multi-band compressor design for broadcast, with stereo sub-band processing. Free