Studio One Artist does not support VST plugins natively; however, you can buy the VST plugin support addon for $80, which then allows Artist to work with VST/VSTi plugins.

But I agree with Mario that this kind of thing is what gives it a bad name. When free audio programs support VST technology, why not make it available in the Artist Version. So you can get Studio One Artist with VST support for $180 ($100 for Artist + $80 for Add-in). But why not include VST support in the base product. There's already a ton of differences between Artist and Pro; I would think that not including VST causes a lot of folks to take a pass. But were it included, you might find yourself wanting the Pro version upgrade after working with Artist for awhile (and then they sell more units).

Here are the features you don't get in Artist that you do get in Pro:

Features
  • Project page (Mastering, DDP, Red Book CD burning, digital release)
  • Integrated Melodyne pitch correction (you do get a Trial version in Artist)
  • Scratch Pads
  • Chord Track and Harmonic Editing
  • Audio-processing resolution (floating-point) (Artist is 32-bit; Pro is 64-bit)
  • Import sampler formats (EXS, GigaSampler, Kontakt, SoundFont)
  • Multi Instruments
  • Channel Editor with macro controls
  • Extended FX Chains with parallel processing
  • Integrated mastering suite with automatic mix updating, DDP import/export, Red Book CD burning, and digital release
  • AAF (Advanced Authoring Format) import and export
    Import Song data
  • Video playback and sync
  • Third-party plug-in support (AU, VST2, and VST3 plug-ins and ReWire applications) You must purchase the add-on for Artist to get this capability


Native Effects
  • Arpeggiator (Note FX arpeggiator with pattern sequencer)
  • Chorder (Note FX chord processor)
  • Console Shaper (Mix Engine FX analog console emulation)
  • Groove Delay (Multi-tap delay with tempo sync and tap filtering)
  • IR Maker (Impulse response creation utility)
  • Multiband Dynamics (Multiband compressor/expander)
  • Open AIR (Convolution reverb)
  • Pipeline (External-processor insert)
  • Repeater (Note FX delay with transpose)
  • Total Native Effects™ Plug-ins Artist has 31; Pro has 40


Virtual Instruments
  • Support for third-party sampler format (EXS, Giga, Kontakt)


Bundled Content
  • Melodyne Essential Artist only includes Trial
  • Presence XT Core Library
  • Acoustic Drum Kits and Loops
  • Producer Loops and Kits (BigFishAudio, Sample Magic, MVP Loops)
  • Electronic Audioloops
  • Electronic Kits and Musicloops
  • Studio One FX
  • Studio One Impulse Responses
  • Ueberschall Impact Drums
  • Vengeance Sound

John

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