Working with VST and VSTi

Introduction to VST

Virtual Studio Technology (VST) is an audio plug-in software interface licensed under Steinberg that integrates software synthesizers and effects units into digital audio workstations. Most VST plugins are either instruments (VSTi) or effects (VSTfx); VSTi includes software simulation emulations of well-known hardware synthesizers and samplers.

In MuseScore 4, any compatible VST plugins installed on your computer will automatically be made available in the Mixer, where you can easily switch between VSTi plugins, stack multiple VST effects, and access plugin interfaces for further customization.

MuseScore 4 supports VST3 plugins only (VST2 is not supported due to licensing restrictions). Support is currently only for Windows and MacOS, but Linux support is in the pipeline.

For alternatives to VSTi’s, try one of the following:

• install Muse Sounds
• use the built-in MS Basic SoundFont
• download and use 3rd party virtual instruments in sf2, sf3, or sfz formats (see SoundFonts).

Note: (1) Any sounds you load in the Mixer are automatically saved with the score. (2) SFZ files are not directly supported—host these in a third party VSTi sampler instead. See SoundFonts.

Enabling, disabling, removing and replacing VST plugins

To learn more about working with VST plugins in the Mixer, see Audio FX and Sounds.