virtual instruments

Digital audio plugins

Virtual instruments are software that generates or manipulates sound, replacing physical hardware like synthesizers, samplers, and drum machines.

They run inside digital audio workstations or as standalone programs, responding to MIDI input from keyboards or controllers: The track uses virtual instruments exclusively—no live drums.

Also called VSTs, plugins, or soft synths.

audio pluginSoftware extending sound capabilities
samplerSelection for trying
synthesizerElectronic sound-generating instrument
drum machineElectronic percussion simulator
data loggerDevice that records measurements

sequencer · DAW · sound design · oscilloscope · simulation software

Opposites

physical existence

virtual instrumentsacoustic instruments

Non-electric sound producers

traditional instruments · folk instruments

technological mediation

virtual instrumentsplayer pianos

Self-operating keyboard instruments

music boxes

production method

virtual instrumentsacoustic instruments

Non-electric sound producers

field recordings · live performance

Family

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Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G