Starkeeper, you got me but VST could stand for Virtual STudio - but I don't know. A check on the Steinberg site may give away the answer.

You can do an array of things by changing channels:

Instruments
Effects
VSTs
Midi Messages
etc.

I use it primaily to change instruments, e.g., Piano to Guitar, etc. To do this you do not need to change VSTs. Most VSTs have at least 16 channels each of which could contain different instruments, different effects and so on.

Alternatively, I can also send midi messages (Program Changes, Control Changes - volumn, reverb, chorus, etc.) from my keyboard to the soft synth. Many of the pro soft synths do not accept program changes but do accept control changes. So on my Roland A-37 Controller keyboard I can store 128 full setups and send these messages to my soft synths.

Again, you need to decide in advance which system you prefer. If you wish to have full access to 128 instruments and drum kits from your keyboard then something like VSampler & sYnerGi GS will do it (but at lower quality). If you just want high quality lead/melody voices then something like Kontakt may be better (more expensive).


[This message has been edited by Frank L. Rosenthal (edited 02-05-2004).]