Professional Guide to Audio Plug-ins and Virtual Instruments

If you are an audio professional needing a complete reference to the complex world of plug-ins and virtual instruments, look no further. Mike Collins, author of Pro Tools for Music Production, has meticulously surveyed the scene, showing what's available and how they integrate into the various host platforms. The book explains the differences between TDM, RTS, MAS and VST plug-ins, how they can be used with different MIDI + Audio programs and shows the range of options available. It also explains virtual instruments and how these can be used as either plug-ins or stand alone products. A must for every recording studio.

The book combines explanations, overviews and key concepts with practical considerations and hands-on examples. The reader will gain a broad understanding of the options available, how they work and the possibilities for integration with systems as well as the end result. The book also includes a section on how to write your own plug-ins and a suggested standard plug-ins portfolio for those wanting to get started quickly.

*Enhance systems with this full-color reference to plug-ins and virtual instruments for the major MIDI + Audio systems
*Presents both the capabilities and limitations for professional use as well as practical considerations demonstrated through hands-on examples
*Details key issues on quality, RAM etc and includes a quick-start guide to a standard plug-ins set-up

Mike Collins (Author) Mike Collins is a studio musician, recording engineer and producer with more than 30 years experience of making records. He has many credits on UK chart singles and albums, for radio and TV broadcasts, advertising jingles, and movie scores. Mike was awarded a BSc Degree in Electroacoustics-with-Music from Salford University in 1979, became a Member of the Audio Engineering Society in 1980, and was awarded an MSc Degree in Music Information Technology, with Distinction, in 1989. After graduating, he spent a 14 months working on transducer designs for Standard Telephones and Cables (STC), followed by a couple of 6- month stints as a Planning & Installation Engineer for Neve Electronics and as a Film Sound Consultant for Dolby Labs, before joining Yamaha's London R & D Studio in 1986 as Senior Recording Engineer and Music Technology Specialist. Working freelance since 1988, Mike has regularly reviewed music and audio software and hardware and written about a variety of audio and music production topics, with more than 1000 articles and reviews published in Future Music, Macworld, MacUser, Personal Computer World, Sound On Sound, AudioMedia, Studio Sound, Electronic Musician, EQ, MIX, Pro Sound News Europe and others. In parallel with this, Mike established a career throughout the 1990's as a studio musician, MIDI programmer, recording engineer and producer working on Top 40 albums and singles in top London recording studios including Abbey Road, Mayfair, Townhouse, Eden, Strongroom and Sony Whitfield Street Studios, CTS and Lansdowne Studios. In 1997, Mike set up a project studio equipped with a high-end Pro Tools system and has since been involved in everything from dance remixes to TV ads, background and featured music for TV and video, album editing and compilation, and, since 1999, producing jazz, blues and soul recordings.