With the release of Cubase 14 on November 6, 2024, we have taken another step towards the announced discontinuation of the VST 2 plug-in format.
In Cubase/Nuendo 14 and 15, VST 2 plug-ins are therefore disabled by default.
This serves as a reminder that support for this plug-in format will be discontinued in the foreseeable future. We urge all users still using VST 2 plug-ins to switch to VST 3 versions. If in doubt, it is recommended to contact the respective plug-in manufacturer for information on the availability and support of VST 3 compatibility.
Enabling VST 2 Plug-ins
If you still rely on your VST 2 plug-ins in Cubase/Nuendo 14 or Cubase 15, you have the option to enable them again:
- Open Cubase/Nuendo.
- In the menu, go to "Studio".
- Click "VST Plug-in Manager".
- Click the "VST 2" button.
Cubase/Nuendo then immediately scans for VST 2 plug-ins, which can be used again afterward.
⚠️ Note
Cubase/Nuendo does not respond while the scan is running. The duration of the scan can vary depending on the number of installed VST 2 plug-ins.
Cubase/Nuendo 15
Additional settings such as the VST 2 plug-in path settings become available again only after VST 2 plug-ins have been enabled.
Cubase/Nuendo 14
Additional settings such as the VST 2 plug-in path settings become available again only after VST 2 plug-ins have been enabled.
⚠️ Operating system compatibility
macOS
VST 2 plug-ins can only be used on macOS if Cubase/Nuendo is running in Rosetta mode. They cannot be used in native Apple Silicon mode. In addition, Rosetta is only available up to macOS 27, and will no longer be supported in later macOS versions.
Information on switching between native Apple Silicon mode and Rosetta mode can be found here: Cubase/Nuendo: Using the native Apple Silicon version
Windows on ARM
VST 2 plug-ins cannot be used on ARM-based Windows computers.