added a few plugins recently and just curious if there is any reason to have the vst version  installed if the vst3 is being installed. installing both seems to put two instances in the add effect dialogue and these are not differentiated from each other so my instinct tells me I just need the vst3's

When ever freezable I use VST 3 myself.
There is a setting in preferences "Hide related VST 2 plug ins"
I believe this will assist you in what you may be looking for a better way of life
 

Thanks, Chuck!
 

I started sticking with vst 2 unless vst3 actually works better,(boz digital sasquach whatever for me) because it seems like some vst 3 versions have some hidden flaws that you might detect too late like, settings resorting to default when you reopen a project, or ACT acting funny.  I think there only a few plug that make difference anyway like waves vocal rider, and I'm not sure that issue has been resolved. 

i always install both, as not all hosts do vst3 yet (for me, it's live) but this seems odd:

frankjcc
I started sticking with vst 2 unless vst3 actually works better,(boz digital sasquach whatever for me) because it seems like some vst 3 versions have some hidden flaws that you might detect too late like, settings resorting to default when you reopen a project, or ACT acting funny.

frank, if you can reproduce this, please report the bug here https://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Contact/Problem-Report

Someone posted about an issue with one of the Klanghelm plug ins in VST3 format. If you install both and have an issue, you cane revert to the other. More of an issue with third parties I guess.
 
I tend to use the VST2 myself, I don't really understand the benefit of VST3, when it's the same plug in.

sure... as i understand it, one could use either vst3 or vst2 version, save, reload, the settings should be recalled for both/either?

I don't even install VST3 versions unless that's all there is. For the most part, that's limited to SONAR-bundled plugins (Rapture, Drum Replacer, CA-2A, Melodyne, LP EQ, LP MB, TH3) since AFAIK CCC doesn't give you the option of installing VST2 versions.

VST 3 is better than VST 2 because the # 2 is one number higher than # 3 so it has to be better.
Simply put the only reason I choose VST 3 over VST 2 is for its side chaining capability's.
That and it seems the direction we are going in. Cakewalk supports it, its newer technology.
I don't want to be that guy who has all VST 2 plug ins when they drop a bomb saying VST 2 will not be supported anymore. This could be in 3 years, maybe 5 years. who knows. We all thought DXI would last forever didn't we ? well it has stood the test of time but it will be gone as well soon enough. Its probably just a coincidence but I find VST 3 has been more stable than my VST 2 plug ins are. I still use VST 2 plug ins but not if I don't have to.