A dumb question but is there a difference between the processing power used by the different plugin types? Does one use more resources to run or is everything the same?

 

Err, what? Of course. Acustica Audio is top in the Hall Of Blame (when it comes to used processing power), convolution reverbs demand more power than algorithmic's (with Altiverb being veery demanding) and as we could read here at AS recently the Slate VMR2 seems to be hungrier than the competitors.
There's also a difference among algorithmic reverbs and eqs.
In general you can say that your DAW's stock pluggies use less CPU power than those from third parties (exceptions prove the rule).

 

Would it make a difference if opting for .component plugins vs .vst? For some reason I have the idea that the audiounit plugins use more processor power, might be wrong though.

I definitely had to create a specific workflow for AA stuff on my current CPU but am not complaining, for me that sound just clicks for some reason...

 

thats not what he asked broski
he meant difference specifically with VST & AU differences if i got it right?
as far as i know there shouldn't be any major difference, tho different DAWs prefer to use VST over AU for some reasons, like FL Studio on mac and Ableton too from my experience but thats more in regards to automating parameters and plugin wrappers inside the DAW.
However i do remember there was a case of different security methods being compiled differently with VST & AU on some plugin, dont remember which was it, that the AU used a tad bit more CPU and took a bit more time to load, but thats kinda rare

overall, there shouldnt be a difference, but i would recommend sticking to VST&VST3 when possible just for the sake of cross-platform support, lets say u work on a session and you wanna transfer it to a windows machine for your friend, if u used AU plugins - windows wont be able to recognize them and open them in the project since they are a different format and they are named differently

 

You're right, thread title 'audio unit vs. vst and processor power'

 

Thanks for the insights!

 

AU was developed by and for Apple Mac OS (iOS too nowadays) which means Logic (Garage Band, ...). Logical choice if you're using Logic, I don't know what's the AU support of others non-Apple DAWs under Mac OS.

VST's are Steinberg's (Cubase) but they're cross-platform. Logical choice if you're using PC or Steinberg, and I's say in general for non-Apple software.

Like @vuuru_keg well explained, there shouldn't be differences in processing or RAM usage. At least, noticeable ones.

You also have Pro Tools AAX, Linux's LADSPA (not 100% sure about this).

 

Keep in mind some AU plugs sold by manufacturers are just wrapped VSTs. This question and answer should be plugin specific.

 

This is the only ONE and RIGHT answer.
Some Code Programmer (Ableton Live, Studio One,) confirm exact the same!

Important NOTE related to Mac platform
AU’s doesn’t support FXP and FXB Files!
That’s the reason, why I use in Studio One on Mac my KORG Legacy Plugins as VST only.
I can access with the Studio One Browser countless Sound-banks (FXB’s) instantly.
In case you use the same KORG Plugins as AU’s, this is not possible.
The same it possible with Sylenth1 Plugin, you can access all the available 1.5k Sound-banks instantly with the Studio One Browser.

 

Last edited: Apr 6, 2019