# .vst instead of .dll

**URL:** <https://forum.cabbageaudio.com/t/vst-instead-of-dll/1433>\
**Category:** Cabbage Stew\
**Created:** [14 May 2019 00:56 UTC](https://forum.cabbageaudio.com/t/vst-instead-of-dll/1433 "2019-05-14T00:56:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![zlitch](https://forum.cabbageaudio.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/z/d2c977/32.png) [@zlitch](https://forum.cabbageaudio.com/u/zlitch)\
**Post date:** [14 May 2019 00:56 UTC](https://forum.cabbageaudio.com/t/vst-instead-of-dll/1433/1 "2019-05-14T00:56:51Z")

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Hi, i’m using a mac, when i export a vst plugin i get a .vst file instead of .dll

also inside the .vst there is no dlls

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**Author:** ![metaphysician](https://forum.cabbageaudio.com/user_avatar/forum.cabbageaudio.com/metaphysician/32/549_2.png) [@metaphysician](https://forum.cabbageaudio.com/u/metaphysician)\
**Post date:** [14 May 2019 02:56 UTC](https://forum.cabbageaudio.com/t/vst-instead-of-dll/1433/2 "2019-05-14T02:56:05Z")

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i believe this is normal for Mac. certainly all my VST plugins on my Mac have the .vst extension, and are not .dll files. a dll is more common for a PC/Windows build. if you’re looking for a Windows compatible VST, it would be a better idea to run Cabbage on a PC and build the VSTs there.

scott

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**Author:** ![rorywalsh](https://forum.cabbageaudio.com/user_avatar/forum.cabbageaudio.com/rorywalsh/32/165_2.png) [@rorywalsh](https://forum.cabbageaudio.com/u/rorywalsh)\
**Post date:** [14 May 2019 08:51 UTC](https://forum.cabbageaudio.com/t/vst-instead-of-dll/1433/3 "2019-05-14T08:51:29Z")

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@metaphysician is right. Plugins on OSX are actually bundles, i.e., folders with a fixed file extension .vst is used for VSTs and .componet for AUs. You’ll see no .dlls anywhere. On Windows it’s different. Each plugin is given a .dll extension if it is a VST 2.x, or .vst3 if it is a VST3.