Crate vst3_host 

vst3-host

A safe, simple, and lightweight Rust library for hosting VST3 plugins with audio playback, MIDI, and advanced plugin compatibility features.

The audio path is correctness-first, not yet lock-free/real-time-tuned — see the audio processing notes for the current model and limits.

Quick Start (Simple API)

use vst3_host::simple;
use vst3_host::midi::MidiChannel;

// Load a plugin with sensible defaults
let mut plugin = simple::load_plugin("/path/to/synth.vst3")?;

// Start processing audio
plugin.start_processing()?;

// Send a MIDI note
plugin.send_midi_note(60, 127, MidiChannel::Ch1)?;

Advanced Usage (Full Control)

use vst3_host::prelude::*;

// Create a host with custom settings
let mut host = Vst3Host::builder()
    .sample_rate(48000.0)
    .block_size(256)
    .with_process_isolation(true)  // Crash protection
    .add_scan_path("./my-plugins")
    .build()?;

// Load and configure plugin
let mut plugin = host.load_plugin("/path/to/plugin.vst3")?;
plugin.start_processing()?;

// Real-time parameter automation
plugin.update_parameters(|update| {
    update.set(1, 0.5).set(2, 0.8);
    Ok(())
})?;

Re-exports

pub use audio::read_wav;

pub use audio::AudioBackend;

pub use audio::AudioBuffers;

pub use audio::AudioConfig;

pub use audio::AudioLevels;

pub use audio::AudioStream;

pub use audio::BusArrangements;

pub use audio::BusDirection;

pub use audio::ChannelLevel;

pub use audio::InputSource;

pub use audio::MediaType;

pub use audio::PeakMeter;

pub use audio::RmsWindow;

pub use audio::SignalSource;

pub use audio::SpeakerArrangement;

pub use discovery::discover_plugins_safe;

pub use discovery::get_detailed_plugin_info;

pub use discovery::probe_plugin_info_isolated;

pub use discovery::BusInfo;

pub use discovery::BusLayout;

pub use discovery::ClassInfo;

pub use discovery::DetailedPluginInfo;

pub use discovery::FactoryInfo;

pub use discovery::PluginReport;

pub use discovery::SafeDiscoveryReport;

pub use discovery::SafeDiscoverySkip;

pub use discovery::DEFAULT_PROBE_TIMEOUT;

pub use embed::EditorRect;

pub use embed::EmbeddedEditor;

pub use error::Error;

pub use error::Result;

pub use host::DiscoveryProgress;

pub use host::ProbeResult;

pub use host::Vst3Host;

pub use host::Vst3HostBuilder;

pub use midi::cc;

pub use midi::MidiChannel;

pub use midi::MidiEvent;

pub use midi::NoteExpressionInfo;

pub use midi::NoteExpressionType;

pub use midi::NoteId;

pub use midi_input::bind_to_handle;

pub use midi_input::connect;

pub use midi_input::list_midi_input_ports;

pub use midi_input::MidiInputConnection;

pub use midi_input::MidiInputPort;

pub use parameters::AutomationCurve;

pub use parameters::AutomationPoint;

pub use parameters::Parameter;

pub use parameters::ParameterAutomation;

pub use parameters::ParameterChange;

pub use playback::play_realtime_with_backend;

pub use playback::play_with_backend;

pub use playback::play_with_input_backend;

pub use playback::AudioHandle;

pub use playback::MidiSink;

pub use playback::RtAudioHandle;

pub use plugin::OutputMidiConsumer;

pub use plugin::ParameterEdit;

pub use plugin::ParameterEditKind;

pub use plugin::Plugin;

pub use plugin::PluginInfo;

pub use plugin::PluginPreset;

pub use plugin::PluginUnit;

pub use plugin::ProcessMode;

pub use plugin::WindowHandle;

pub use realtime::RealtimePluginRunner;

pub use realtime::RtControl;

pub use transport::AutomationLane;

pub use transport::BlockEvents;

pub use transport::MidiClip;

pub use transport::Timeline;

pub use window::PluginWindow;

Modules

audio

Audio types and utilities for VST3 host

backends

Audio backend implementations

discovery

VST3 plugin discovery functionality

embed

Embed a plugin editor inside a host window (e.g. an egui/eframe window), as an alternative to the standalone PluginWindow.

error

Error types for the vst3-host library

host

VST3 host implementation

midi

MIDI types and utilities for VST3 host

midi_input

Bind a live MIDI input device and forward its messages as MidiEvents.

parameters

Parameter types and utilities for VST3 host

playback

Batteries-included audio playback: drive a Plugin from an AudioBackend.

plugin

VST3 plugin wrapper with safe API

prelude

Prelude module for convenient imports

process_isolation

Process isolation for VST3 plugin hosting

realtime

Lock-free real-time plugin runner.

simple

Simplified API for common VST3 hosting tasks.

transport

A sample-accurate musical timeline: schedule MIDI clips and parameter-automation lanes on a beat grid and drive them into a plugin block by block.

window

Plugin window management