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VST File - What is a .vst file and how do I open it?
Learn about .VST files and view a list of programs that open them.
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What is a VST file? A VST file is a plug-in used by Steinberg Cubase and other digital audio workstations ( DAWs ). It contains information about an instrument or effect that can be used to modify recorded audio. VST files are often accompanied by .FXP and .FXB files.
More Information Steinberg developed the Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plug-in interface to allow Cubase users to create and install custom audio effects. For example, users can install VST plug-ins that emulate various instruments or produce unique reverb effects. Many other DAWs, including Ableton Live, Image-Line FL Studio, and Audacity, also allow users to install effects saved in the VST format. Many VST files are packaged with accompanying FXP and FXB files. FXP and FXB files contain effect presets, which can be loaded in their associated plug-in. These presets allow editors to quickly begin using a polished version of the effect a VST file contains. NOTE: The VST format was replaced by the .VST3 format.
Steinberg Cubase 4.5 Icon
Brotkrümel
DeveloperN/A
Popularity1.5 | 4 Votes
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.VST File Extension
3 file types use the .vst file extension.
VST Audio Plug-in
| Developer | Steinberg |
| Popularity |
3.7 | 26 Votes |
What is a VST file?
A VST file is a plug-in used by Steinberg Cubase and other digital audio workstations ( DAWs ). It contains information about an instrument or effect that can be used to modify recorded audio. VST files are often accompanied by .FXP and .FXB files.
More Information
Steinberg developed the Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plug-in interface to allow Cubase users to create and install custom audio effects. For example, users can install VST plug-ins that emulate various instruments or produce unique reverb effects. Many other DAWs, including Ableton Live, Image-Line FL Studio, and Audacity, also allow users to install effects saved in the VST format.
Many VST files are packaged with accompanying FXP and FXB files. FXP and FXB files contain effect presets, which can be loaded in their associated plug-in. These presets allow editors to quickly begin using a polished version of the effect a VST file contains.
NOTE: The VST format was replaced by the .VST3 format.
How to open a VST file
You can use VST files to add additional audio effects in many Digital Audio Workstations, including:
You can also open VST files with LMMS (Linux MultiMedia Studio) using VeSTige. However, you must change the file's extension to .dll before opening it.
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Programs that open or reference VST files
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Steinberg Cubase
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Steinberg HALion
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Ableton Live
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Image-Line FL Studio
Free Trial
Audacity
Free
LMMS
Free
Mac
Steinberg Cubase
Free Trial
Steinberg HALion
Free Trial
Ableton Live
Free Trial
Image-Line FL Studio
Free Trial
Audacity
Free
LMMS
Free
Linux
Audacity
Free
LMMS
Free
Category: Plugin Files
Updated: February 8, 2022
Microsoft Visio Drawing Template (Legacy)
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
3.0 | 5 Votes |
A VST file may also be a template created by Microsoft Visio, a technical drawing application. It contains a default layout and settings for a drawing that Visio users utilize to create multiple Visio drawings ( .VSD and .VSDX files) from the same starting point. Microsoft replaced VST files with .VSTX files when it released Visio 2013.
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VST file open in The Omni Group OmniGraffle 7
Microsoft Visio is a Windows application that allows you to visualize and communicate complex information through technical drawings. You will likely see the software used in business settings to create technical diagrams, such as flowcharts, organizational charts, system designs, and network diagrams.
The software comes with templates that allow you to start with a layout and content in place. You may also create custom templates for your specific needs. Microsoft introduced the VST format in the 1990s as the default format for saving templates. However, Microsoft replaced binary-based VST files with the Zip-based VSTX format when it released Visio 2013 (Visio 2013 and later versions still support VST files).
How to open a VST file
You can open a VST file with Microsoft Visio (Windows). Visio is the best option for opening VST files because it fully supports the templates' formatting, including images, charts, and text spacing and alignment.
You can also open VST files with third-party applications, such as Draw, which is available in the free LibreOffice suite (multiplatform), and The Omni Group OmniGraffle (macOS).
How to convert a VST file
Several applications, including Microsoft Visio, The Omni Group OmniGraffle, and LibreOffice Draw, can convert VST files to other formats.
For example, Microsoft Visio can convert VST files to one of the following formats:
Programs that open VST files
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File Viewer Plus
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Microsoft Visio 365
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LibreOffice
Free
Mac
The Omni Group OmniGraffle
Free Trial
LibreOffice
Free
Category: Vector Image Files
Updated: August 5, 2022
Targa Bitmap Image
| Developer | N/A |
| Popularity |
1.5 | 4 Votes |
Raster image based on the Targa Truevision format; can store data up to 32 bits per pixel, with 24 bits for the RGB information and 8 bits for the alpha channel; may also incorporate lossless RLE compression to reduce the file size.
More Information
Targa image files most often use the .TGA file extension.
Programs that open VST files
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Adobe Photoshop 2025
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Adobe Illustrator 2025
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Canvas GFX Canvas X Pro
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Corel Painter 2023
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Mac
Adobe Photoshop 2025
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Adobe Illustrator 2025
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Corel Painter 2023
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Category: Raster Image Files
Updated: March 11, 2010