VST2 vs. VST3 - an interesting observation

I have several plug-ins that are VST2 and VST3. I tested a limiter VST2 vs. VST3 version to see if there was any discernible difference in sound.
There was.
I mixed a track with both the VST2 and VST3 version, and then compared the two by inverting the phase of one, and then mixing them together.
It was down there about -46 db, but upon increasing the gain, I saw a large differential below about 200 Hz.
REALLY interesting result, in my opinion. Upon listening to each separately, the VST3 seemed to have more liveliness and sparkle - for lack of better words.
Has anyone else noticed this?

I hope CW implement all the features of VST3 in new version...

"Interesting" indeed. Given that most plugins' VST2 and VST3 versions share a common code base, the audio-processing portions should be literally identical.
 
Remember that VST is an interface specification. The difference from v. 1 to 2 to 3 is in how plugins communicate with the host, and has little to do with what the plugins actually do to audio. If a given plugin sounds noticeably different between VST2 and 3, it's probably a peculiarity of that particular plugin and not something you can generalize about VST2 versus VST3.

There would need to be far more detailed information (is what plugins test positive and what plugins test negative). If there's just one plugin comparison that compares OK then it isn't a Sonar issue.

I don't believe so. Other DAW's may send out false flags themselves.. Or some of the plugin's code may only be executed in particular DAWs but not in Sonar (or vice versa).

Hi - sorry I was absent here for so long.
The plug-in is Voxengo's Elephant - the VST 2 version verses the VST 3 version.
I will try it again to see what happens, but the first test definitely yielded a quantifiable difference.

I will try it.

Can you load the same preset into each one?

Pdarg well done.  Thanks for putting in the time to get to the bottom on this. 

One obvious possibility is that the VST3 version is built from newer code and has some bug fixes that the VST2 version doesn't have :)

Considering that most plug-ins are trying to emulate hardware they may return more identical performances between two versions (VST2 & VST3 for instance) than 2 pieces of the same equipment that they are trying to emulate. The differences people seem to be discussing here are basically minutiae that the average set of ears can't tell the difference between anyway and the speakers they are being played back on color the results of the music more than the plugins being compared do. It all seems a bit  of a monumental waste of time that could be spent on making the music you create more interesting from a writing and playing standpoint than any filter you might run it through. Another problem with plugins is that they are based on algorithms of the parts in the original equipment. It is not like a CPU in full of resistors and transistors and of all types and diodes and what not, the original signal path is nothing like the signal path in a plugin. Even when they say they get out the original diagrams and  try to emulate the circuit by running it through the same components only very small to fit on a chip. It id basically a wild approximation and sometimes it sounds good and sometimes it just doesn't. Use what sound good to you and is compatible with your organization of your plugins  so you are not tortured by having your plug ins organized like the makers of them think they should be, you should be able to build your setup like you want so it is easy for you to use and you can get the sound you want. It can be a nightmare finding you plugins when the makers have decided to have your computer organize them like they want. Always remember you are the artist. Plugin manufacturers are only the makers of the brushes of your masterpiece.
Peace,
Brian
P.S.- These are my own opinions and I am sorry if I didn't agree with some people, but this is how I see things, and I try to see things in the best light for the artist.

Oh, I suppose I should tell what I have in the way of computer stuff. I have a 2 processor 32 full core workstation/server with a striped RAID that uses 8 Black Enterprise WD drives at 6gb/s. I also have 2 ssd'd on 1/2 TB for most of windows and a 1/4 terabit for keeping my desktop/ my Documents/and downloads on them. I also have 2 striped [2x1 TB drives that are compressed for long term storage]
Peace,
Brian Burke Jr.
P.S. - I was in a bit o a mood and wanted to play devil's advocate to make people think about what they are really listening to...THE SPEAKERS! I use  DynAudio BM series monitors with 8" woofers and Esotec tweeters, they are are crossed over quite low at about 1500 Hz using a single pole 6 db/octave crossovers. They have Lots of a/b power for their size with 50 for the tweeter and 100 for the woofer. I love the low crossover and the first order slope. They take a good 4-6 months of some pretty loud playing to come into their own. Once they do they just open op like magic I paired them with the DynAudio BM14IIs 12" sealed box sub woofers that are only down 3 db at 18 Hz!  They have that nice tight acoustic suspension base and although if you were to use them for an all out T.V surround system 2 to 4 of them would be better, but I use the near field and they are perfect. The 300 watt amp never runs out of power, and they are placed on Auralex floor decouplers. The bass is amazing. I never though such a small sealed cabinet woofer could go so low with such vanishing distortion.  They just stopped making the monitors and I was lucky to get some, the new ones lack something I am afraid. well that is it for me. I am sure I will get an earfull of replies. My AD/DA solution are MOTU 2408MK3's and a 24 I/O with a midi express 128.                          
 

I am not exactly new to SONAR, but I am to forums like these and now that I have unlimited updates for life...awesome deal...I was a bit distraught about not getting Craig's new version of each SONAR book when a new version came out. I am glad that you are taking such a helpful role in the whole new way to pay for SONAR and get updates, now that I have been using it for a while I really love it. I do hope I understood correctly when they said pay <X # of $''s> and I would get updates for life. I have owned every version since 7. I think Rolands biggest mistake was coming out with the hardware to go along with SONAR just before the software made a huge and significant change in the software. Had they waited and put a big chunk of cash into the Apple version they could possibly have competed with the like of Pro Tools eventually. The new owners have the know how to do make such a change. I would welcome accelerator cards/boxes and mixing boards etc. designed to work seamlessly with Platinum. Only time will tell. I will say that SONAR has never been more stable, at least for me, The lack of phone customer service is a bit of a downer, but e-mail works well enough. I think I remember SONAR coming out with touch screen compatability before Windows 8 and I had already bought and extra monitor and a GPU that could handle it. I may be wrong about the touch screen with Win 7. Wish it was available now. I think they are still the only DAW with true full movable docking of the GUI. I still think it has as good if not better a sound engine than Pro Tools and way better than Live. Well enough accolades, I wanted to ask if anyone has either come across or made one themselves, I am talking about a template and MIDI setup for Behringer's MOTOR 61 MIDI board. They ran into problems during its development and have pretty much given up on further support for the time being. I guess Sweetwater is the one who noticed the problems with it. I have one and actually like it for the most part. The key bed is fantastic and if you need it, the software suite is extensive. If anyone knows of one that is around please let me know. Ever since the X-32 mixer came out their stuff has been much better. The only issue with the synth, the Deepmind (I returned mine as it had major problems) is the pathetic oscillator section, I would much rather have seen a saw, double saw, sine, square and a multimode filter, other than that and the horrible presents it's not a bad board. Now there is a baby one as well, I am looking for a more Oberheim type synth. I think I will go for Novations new synth. I am a bit short on cash, any one need a like new Tempest? Or a Tatra with all the software. I wanted to buy a total of 4 TYetra' for a 16 voice, but they stopped making them and people are charging near list for used ones. I promise to make further writing more SONAR focused and less chatty. Namaste...happy music making! Brian