I have waited for this host for quite a while now -- before buying, I guess I'd like to hear if anyone has been able to use the thing (and justify the $149 price tag!) ...

regards,
venice

I downloaded the demo, and really can't figure it out much. The "any combination of vst synths blah blah blah" looked like exactly what I've been waiting for, but the vsti support looks pretty week. The help file only mentions effects, no synths. I posted a question on their forum about it, but nobody's responded.
It looks like it'd be perfect if you need a multi-effects box to run an audio signal through like a guitar, or if you want to play one synth at a time with lots of effects. But I need comething that will let me create layer and split patches with lots of vsti synths at the same time, and on different channels, so I can have multiple controllers routed through it.
If I can ever get a clear answer on what this thing can and can't do, or is supposed to and not supposed to do, then I'll post on their "wish list" what I'm looking for and hope they're small enough that they actually read it (since joining this list I've realized how much small software companies kick ass!) Until then, I'll have to stay in the hardware world for live use.

RT Player Pro isn't multi timbral so unfortunately it is limited in its VSTi use.

What you can do is to chain up to 24 FX and Instruments together in any order and play the instruments as one big UNISON like patch. This way you can have FX only processing certain instruments and not others.

Well, in that case it's probably great at what it does. So if thats what you're looking for you'll be happy. I think I'm gonna post on they're wish list and keep my fingers crossed for the next version

Hi Venice
Welcome to the world of the Future. A World where 1 computer hosts the Guitar or VSTi and that is fed into a second Computer (Running your audio Sequencer) via SPDIF to record. Or RT can be used as a Guitar or Synth players live effects host. Sure some of you will say "I can do that with Orion ...or whatever" But not as Smoothly as it can be done with RT Player. (I have Orion Pro and Logic and N Track and Cubase.)
I have the New Bundle from DSound (On for $219.00 instead of $450.00) which also includes Both Stompin FX Packages. All I can say is, this is a nice professional package . I was amazed at how Great these effects sound. The Reverb and Distortion are so sweet. The Waw Waw ...Wow. They just sound awesome on Guitar or synth. Also I have been using them on all kinds of different material. These are going to replace a few of my "More Expensive" effects in my studio. And I am currently trying the RT Player and effects as my new Guitar Host. And I am Amazed !!!
The RT Player has a Fantastic way of Loading and Handling Presets.
It just works so smooth.
You have to dig a little deeper to fully understand the concept behind this Package, But it is definately worth the money. If you are a guitar player, get it with the Bundle, as you won't regret the effects.
Also, I stuck a CM101 Synth in front of the pedals and created the best guitar lead sound I ever heard out of a synth. Want to hear it Kev?
Paul Brown
Manytone Music
Manytone Samples

paul,

thanks for the info -- i think i'll give that bundle a try...

warmest regards,
venice

It looks like a future version will have the features I'm looking for
This is really nice, I might finally be able to make the jump to all virtual in a band setting.

a brief update:

DOUBLE RATS!!

I tried to buy the RT Player PRO bundle two days ago - no response at all from DSound.

Am I doomed to look through the toy store window, drooling with desire but ever denied the sheer joy of the wondrous world of the future which Paul Brown / Manytone describes?

Sobbing Bitterly,
venice

How much coding is required to make a decent VST host? All I need is a wraparound host which let me chain some effects as well; *no* built-in sequencer or anything! Just a host!

I downloaded the demo of RT Player Pro (I couldn't figure what was special about the demo version; all functions seemed to work and there was nothing in the documentation specifying what was disabled in the demo - anyone know?) and it seemed great for my use, but it is not worth that hefty price tag, even if they include some effects.
And especially, if it turns out DSound don't even reply messages sent to them from potential customers, the company should plain and simple be ignored.

As for my question about programming, anyone wish to make a shareware/freeware host?

To everyone who asked about a simple freeware VST host:

The problem is, Steinberg does have an SDK for plugin development, but they do NOT give away information about the structure of a VST host! We are nerving Charlie & Co to do at least a basic VSTHost SDK, but right now it is trial and error, which makes programming such a thing somewhat time consuming :-)

There have been some recent postings on the VST developer mailing list that showed some "homebrewn" solutions, so maybe something does come out in the near future from someone?

Cheers

Toby www.tobybear.de

Z :
For chaining effects, you could try BUZZ. Although the VST Loaders are far from being perfect, the option to chain an endless amount of VST Plugs works flawless.
The availability to save your settings within a song, depends on the plugin ...and you can't load external presets, but...

ah...try it

manytone, I could not find that 219 package. I've allways been interested in that auto wah, so it sounds real good huh. I gudess I will have to give it a try. hopefullly thay still have that cheap package. later
dw

quote:

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Originally posted by dr who:
manytone, I could not find that 219 package. I've allways been interested in that auto wah, so it sounds real good huh. I gudess I will have to give it a try. hopefullly thay still have that cheap package. later
dw

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Try this page http://www.dsound1.com/purchase/dirord.php3 the $219 package is listed there

Have a try with Synthedit at http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/%7Ejeffmcc/synthedit.htm

Right now works with 75% of vsti and 100% vst, but the maker assured that popularity will grow.
my config is PII350-sblive1024(APSdrivers)-delta44-512ram and I play a VSTIs with 2 or 3 VST flawlessly (which is rare with my pc). You can do pretty complex stuff with it, and I hope it will grow. I'm planning to perform with it, this winter. I tried to effect a bass with it, but wasn't that good(too much latency.Due to low processor?).

Dsound wasnt in NY were they??

I was beta testing RT-pro with UAD-1 for them and tuesday i completely stopped hearing from them, so I'm a little concerned.

Does anyone know?

Another Update:

I finally received the $219 bundle via a US-based company (the developer is actually in the Czech Republic) -- be warned: at this point the software seems almost "alpha" to me. This is odd (and costly for me) 'cause after over four months of delays I would have expected MUCH better. Of specific interest is the notion of "real time effects"; for any given latency figure, the actual delay appears to be double: one delay going in and another coming out. bummer...

peace,
venice