VST Packaging

Learn how to package your VST, acceptable file formats, and requirements for Windows and macOS.

As a Maker, this guide will help you prepare your VST plugin for listing on the Elgato Marketplace. Please follow the guidelines carefully to ensure compatibility with Wave Link and to maintain a consistent user experience.

Plugin Compatibility and Requirements

Windows Requirements:

• Plugin Format: Wave Link supports both VST 2 and VST 3 plugins on Windows. However, we strongly recommend using VST3 for better performance and compatibility.

• Sample Rates: Your plugin must support sample rates of 48 kHz and 96 kHz.

• Block Size: The maximum block size is 512 samples. This is a fixed size and cannot be exceeded.

Mac Requirements:

• Plugin Format: Wave Link on Mac supports only the AU (Audio Unit) format. VST formats are not supported on Mac within Wave Link.

• Sample Rates: Like Windows, your plugin must support sample rates of 48 kHz and 96 kHz.

• Block Size: The maximum block size on Mac is not fixed and can vary, even between calls of your plugin's process method.

Acceptable Download Files

For your plugin to be accepted on the Elgato Marketplace, it must be packaged as one of the following:

For Windows:

1. A single, unwrapped VST 3 file.

2. A folder with a .vst3 suffix.

3. A Windows installer package, either .msi or .exe format.

For Mac:

1. A single .component file for AU plugins.

2. A macOS installer package, either .app or .pkg format.

Packaging Zip Files

If you choose to provide a zip file, please adhere to the following structure:

Zip File Content Rules:

1. One or more VST 3 files placed in the root layer, with no additional content.

2. A single folder with a .vst3 suffix placed in the root layer, with no additional content.

3. One or more .component files for Mac, placed in the root layer, with no additional content.

4. A single Windows installer, with no additional content.

5. A single macOS installer, with no additional content.

Plugin Format Structure for VST 3

For details on the plugin format structure for VST 3, please refer to the Steinberg VST 3 technical documentation: Steinberg VST 3 Plugin Format

Note: Previous SDKs defined a VST 3 plugin as a single .dll file with the .vst3 extension. This format has been deprecated since VST 3.6.10 and should not be used.

Additional Information for VST 2 Plugins:

• VST2 plugins typically have a .dll file extension.

• For reference on VST 2 file structure, you may look at plugins like reaeq-standalone.dll.

Adding a VST Plugin into your DAW on Windows

If you need guidance on how users can add your VST plugin to a Windows DAW, you can direct them to Sweetwater's comprehensive article: How to Add a Plugin to a DAW on Windows