GWVST

Plug-in Manual

Warning! This is a beta release and may be unstable. Not for production work.

Copyright © 2017 GoldWave® Inc.

July 2017

Do not upload or include this document on a website.

# Table of Contents

1. Introduction
   1. Setup
   2. Using VST Effects
   3. Limitations
   4. Revisions

# I. Introduction

GWVST32 allows GoldWave to use 32 bit VST effects (versions 1.0 to 2.4). Note that VST Version 3 or later is not supported.

## Setup

Effects must be selected before they can be used in GoldWave. Use Options | Plug-in | Effect | GWVST32 to search and select VST effects.

1. Choose the "Search For VST Plug-ins" button.
2. Choose `Add` to add folders where VST effects are installed. VST developers typically install VST files in their own folder under "C:\Program Files (x86)", such as:
   - C:\Programs Files (x86)\Steinberg\VSTPlugins
   - C:\Programs Files (x86)\Steinberg\Cubase\VSTPlugins
   - C:\Programs Files (x86)\Nuendo\VSTPlugins
   Make sure that only VST DLL files are stored in the folder. Any non-VST DLL files will cause program failure during the detection of VST effects. This is due to a design flaw in the specification ('main' is used for the interface function, which is commonly used in many DLLs). Check the `Confirm before opening...` box to manually confirm opening each VST during the search.
3. Choose `Begin Search` to search the folders and find VST effects. All compatible VST effects are listed. During this search, some effects may display windows. Close any windows that appear so the search can continue.
4. Check the boxes next to the VST effects you wish to use in GoldWave or choose the `All/None` button to select them all.
5. Choose `OK` and restart GoldWave to update the menus.

## Using VST Effects

After setting up VST effects (as explained above), they appear in GoldWave under the `Effect | Plug-in | GWVST` menu. Use the Options | Tool Bar command to add buttons for these to the effects tool bar.

Many effects have their own user interface, which GoldWave displays in the `VST Editor` tab. GoldWave also displays a basic, accessible user interface on the `Basic Parameters` tab. All VST settings are mapped to a 0.0 to 1.0 range (including on/off settings). The actual value is shown in a read-only text box on the far right of each parameter.

Note that many effects are provided as demo/evaluation versions. Such effects often play random tones or silences/dropouts during previewing or after processing. GoldWave is not the source of these defects. You must install (or license) the full version of the VST effect (contact the VST vendor, not GoldWave Inc.) to avoid the defects.

## Limitations

The performance and functionality of VST effects varies greatly, depending on the VST developer. Common problems are listed below.

- Some effects trigger floating point exceptions (such as division by zero). GoldWave attempts to ignore such errors when possible, but in some cases the effect terminates. These errors are caused by bugs in the VST effects. Please contact the VST developer to fix the problem.
- Some effects have meaningless, unused parameters.
- Some effect have inappropriate parameter names, values, or labels.
- Some effects have no presets (programs) or a set of empty presets or fail to use standard VST presets entirely.

## Revisions

- 2017/09/12 Fixed defect in processing quality.
- 2017/07/19 Added threaded processing for improved previewing. Changed 'Confirm" default setting. Fixed exception error when VST plug-in stalls in message loop.
- 2017/06/02 Fixed trailing silence.
- 2017/03/02 Fixed initial delay.
- 2016/06/28 Added plug-in list filter. Added scroll bars for large VST GUIs. Improved processing and reduced errors.
- 2016/05/06 Improved preview refresh. Fixed size problem.
- 2014/12/09 Updated icons.
- 2014/10/28 Created a cleaner configuration interface. Added confirmation setting. Retained list of found VSTs even when not selected.
- 2014/10/08 Redesigned plug-in for 64 bit. Added 64 bit to 32 bit bridge.
- 2013/10/10 Fixed height problem.
- 2013/08/30 Added "Unsafe detection..." option for older VST plug-ins.
- 2013/01/23 Minor stability changes.
- 2012/01/19 Improved shellCategory support. Fixed several bugs loading and processing plug-ins.
- 2011/12/06 Added support for more plug-ins, including shellCategory. Improved keyboard navigation.
- 2011/03/02 Initial beta release.

GoldWave is a registered trademark of GoldWave Inc.
VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH