New features:

• Program Selection
  VSTHost can store up to 129 programs now. A "program" in this case is a collection of VST plugins, their settings, and all chains. Program 0 is the Default program which is loaded upon program start if the "Reload Program" menu entry is not checked. This program is the only one that is not MIDI-selectable (see Remote Port/Channel below).
• Improved Effect Chains
  In previous versions, plugins could have multiple outgoing connections, but only up to one incoming connection; this restriction has been removed now, so you can set up "concentrating" chains, too. The only remaining restriction (which will stay) is that you cannot set up recursive signal paths. This also means that the effect's input assignment method was redesigned; for each chain set up for an effect, you can separately define the input channel assignment.
• Improved MIDI handling
  This version can handle as many MIDI Input and Output ports as there are available. Since there might be some combinations that lead to a MIDI feedback loop, MIDI Thru can be separately set up for each loaded MIDI Input port.
• Remote Port/Channel
  On the MIDI Device selection dialog, you can also define one MIDI Input Port as the "Remote Port", and eventually set up a "Remote Channel". This Remote Port has to be in the list of opened MIDI Input ports, of course. If you don't define the Remote Channel (leave it at the default setting of "---"), all channels of this port are interpreted as Remote Channels. The Remote Port/Channel can be used to change the current Program (see above) via MIDI Program Change messages.
• Keyboard Bar MIDI Output
  The keyboard bar can now be configured to directly send MIDI messages to all or selected MIDI Output ports, in addition to sending them to the various plugins.
• Effect MIDI Input / Output
  For each effect, you can define the MIDI Input ports it listens to, and the MIDI Output ports (or other plugins) it sends to.