What is the difference between plug-ins that support AS,AU,MAS,RTAS,TDM, and VST? Is each one only compatible with certain DAWs? Finally, if a plug-in offers an TDM option, why does this cost so much more compared to the other formats?
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Plug-In Processor Differences
- Thread starter Mad Maestro
- Start date
They're compatible with different DAWs, yes. TDM is the plug-in associated with ProTools. I couldn't say why they cost more, other than maybe because they require more R&D to develop specifically for PT and its associated DSP maybe? Someone with more technical or business knowledge in that area might have a better answer. Native plug-ins tend to cost less in general, which is one of the reasons why I use Logic. Although I think there's some crossover with formats, certain DAWs can utilize different types of plugins with a little effort or the use of a 3rd party plugin.
- Jun 25, 2006
- 3,226
- 341
- Disclosures
- Owner, Pike Amplification & 3Leaf Audio
TDM is more expensive because it is written in a different programming language and is specially developed to run on the motorola DSP chips in the Pro Tools HD cards. It won't be around for much longer, though....the new HDX cards use AAX plugins that use the same code to run natively or on DSP.
The majority of DAWs support VST/VSTi and RTAS. I use FL studio, Ableton Live! and AcidPro. FL studio is the easiest to use VSTs.
