Since October 2022, Sonnox has discontinued support for the VST2 plugin format in all new G5 releases. This decision aligns with industry changes and ensures compatibility with modern DAWs and operating systems.
This article explains what this means for your workflow, how to continue using older VST2 plugins if needed, and how to migrate to VST3.
Why Has Sonnox Discontinued VST2 Support?
Steinberg End of Life – Steinberg officially ended VST2 licensing for developers in 2018 and ceased support in 2022.
Better Performance & Features in VST3 – VST3 offers improved CPU efficiency, better automation handling, and enhanced parameter control.
Future OS & DAW Compatibility – Modern DAWs and operating systems are phasing out VST2 support entirely.
What Does This Mean For Me?
Current Sonnox G5 plugins are released in VST3, AU, and AAX formats only.
Older Sonnox G4/G5 plugins with VST2 are still available for legacy workflows.
Many DAWs will soon stop loading VST2 plugins altogether - some already have.
If Your Setup Requires VST2 Plugins
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Use a Legacy Sonnox Installer
Customers with existing licences can access the last available VST2 installers by visiting the publicly accessible Sonnox installer page.
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Keep a Compatible DAW Version
If you rely on VST2 for old sessions, ensure you maintain a DAW version that still supports VST2.
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Consider Freezing or Printing Tracks
For long‑term archival of older projects, consider freezing or bouncing VST2 tracks to audio.
Plugins Without VST2 Installers
The following plugins were released after VST2 was discontinued, therefore they are not available in VST2 format:
Oxford Drum Gate 2
Sonnox Soften (Focusrite)
Toolbox Voca
Toolbox ListenHub
Toolbox Claro
Migrating to VST3
We recommend moving to VST3 as soon as possible:
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Install the Latest Sonnox Plugins
Download from the Sonnox Installer Page.
Most installers will include VST3 format (and AU/AAX-Native where applicable).
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Update Your DAW
Ensure your DAW is compatible with VST3. Most current versions support VST3 natively.
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Replace VST2 Instances
In your DAW session, replace VST2 plugin instances with VST3 equivalents.
For Oxford plugins, settings can be transferred manually by saving presets and loading them into the VST3 version.
FAQs
Q: Do VST3 plugins sound different from VST2?
A: No — they deliver the same sound quality and processing, but with improved efficiency and features.