Making sense of all the plug-ins.Are DirectX files part of the VST conspiracy? Can I MAS with the RTAS? Would Premiere TDM with the best of them? The answer: No, to all of the above. We've had some inquiries into what the difference between all of the plug-in formats really is, so here's the answer: although they are all similar and ostensibly perform the same functions, they're all created by different developers and hence, are not compatible with one another.The most discernable difference is the platform on which each format will run. DirectX is solely Microsoft. MAS only works on Macs, the notable Premiere plug-ins for audio are currently only implemented on Macs as well (there are, however, Premiere plug-ins for video that will function with Wintel machines). VST plug-ins are not cross-platform compatible, however there are both Mac and Wintel versions... you just won't be able to use your Mac VST effects on a Windows machine, or vice versa. Both RTAS and TDM plug-ins frequently appear in versions for both Mac and Windows, yet they also will not interchange between the two platforms. Another difference that TDM plug-ins exhibit is the dedicated hardware that is needed to run these powerful plug-ins. Indeed, the processing power of TDM is due to the fact that the extra hardware does the work and not the host CPU. All of these plug-in formats are independent of one another, and will only function correctly with software that can host their specific engine.This isn't to say that there aren't ways to 'bridge the gap' in some cases. There are some "wrapper" applications that will host plug-ins from foreign processing engines within their own plug-in format. More to the point, these "wrapper" applications translate the language of the foreign engine into the language of the format in use. For PC users, there's the VST DX Wrapper Pro from Spin Audio, which allows DirectX-only programs (e.g.. Cakewalk [now Sonar], SoundForge, ACID, Vegas Pro, Samplitude) to host VST plug-ins within their DirectX plug-in engine. A freeware Lite version is also available.Mac users also have an option in Audio Ease's VST Wrapper, which allows for the use of VST plug-ins within the MAS engine. This means that those of you using Performer or Digital Performer can have the world of multitudinous VST plug-ins available to you. And it's always nice to have a few more tools at your disposal!There is also the opportunity [though not directly cross-compatibility related] with such applications as ReWire (utilized by Cubase VST, Logic Audio and Digital Performer) or DirectConnect (Pro Tools) which allow the routing of certain 'enabled' soft synths/samplers (some of which are also available in a plug-in form) directly into the mixers of the respective programs. The synth serves the mixer application with audio data, and can be mixed and manipulated just like any of your other tracks. Both applications are completely separate, but communicate via the ReWire or DirectConnect protocol.