DX is a plugin standard created by Microsoft while VST is a plugin standard created by Steinberg. Both standards have been around for ages but while Steinberg's VST standard has been widely accepted and continues to evolve the Microsoft DX standard has been superseded by newer standards.

Another plugin standard you may know is the AU or Audio Unit standard specific to Mac DAWS. AAX and RTAS plugins are developed for use in ProTools.

Every DAW manufacturer provides a list of the types of plugin standards the DAW accepts.

Sometimes instead of VST or DX you'll see VSTi or DXi. The "i" means the plugin is an instrument instead of an effect.


Jim Fogle - 2025 BiaB (Build 1128) RB (Build 5) - Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk Sonar - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home