BWare: n00b question! Masterkeyboard and VSTi plugins live?

[fuztec25]

Hello everybody at KVR's forums! My name is Davide, I'm 37 Y/O and I'm writing from Italy.

As an hobbist performer, i am trying to switch from "old-school" instrument racks to "brand-new" virtual instruments' technology: i just kept my trustworthy Roland A-50 master keyboard and... Put all those racks in the closet, for now...

So, just few days ago the computer shop assembled my computer for installing the software , under my specifications, they assembled it this way (sorry for being "longposting"...):

Pentium 4 2.8 GHz machine, 2 GB RAM, Ultra160 SCSI controller with 2 SCSI disks: one 18GB 10K RPM drive (for OS) and one 73GB 15K drive (for datas), 16X CD-ROM SCSI burner, all packed in a 2-rack spaces unit. All under Windows XP Professional with service pack 1.

At first, i choosed a Terratec EWX2496 audio card (for its renowed ASIO drivers and "MIDI driving") but the shop told me to use a much powerful E-mu "ProteusX" audio card (as a sound generator and MIDI driver, as it has all the connections required). Also, it has a full "Proteus composer" soundset and other libraries included (a decent stereo piano and a nice string orchestra). Also, the board can load E-Mu EOS and AKAI libraries and Gigasampler libraries (didn't test it anyway...)

So, up to now, i bought 2 VST software packages to add to my audio rig: the Native Instruments' FM7 (i can't live without FM sounds :p ) and Waldorf PPG 2V (idem... The PPG Wave V2 was my first electronic instrument... I still love it too bad i sold it too rapidly... ).

Now, assuming my masterkeyboard can drive 4 MIDI channels at a time, i was wondering how to set it all and, the question is...

Which VST host have i to use to play all this live?

Assuming i don't want to use a sequencer, which VST host can you suggest to me please? It should be quick at loading/reconfiguring the presets (i swap sounds very often via footswitches on the A-50)...

Thank You all so very much in advance for Your great courtesy and responsiveness...

...And sorry for the long post .

Regards,
Davide (from Italy).

[ZioKiller]

Definitely EnergyXT.
I'm using it live on my Laptop and nothing could be more easy and really *quick* to configure "on the fly"

Ciao Paesano!

[whyterabbyt]

If you want to play more than one synth at a time or use effects, you could have a look at Chainer, or EnergyXT, both of which are fairly 'lightweight' (although EnergyXT is actually incredibly flexible and powerful) and very convenient for live playing.
Otherwise TobyBear's MiniHost may do for one instrument and no effects...

[jura]

Try this:

http://www.kvraudio.com/get/1015.html

or this:

http://www.kvraudio.com/get/1290.html

or EnergyXT, of course

[fuztec25]

For your valuable support!!!
I really appreciated it... I just had a message suggestion to try "Brainspawn's Forte"... I just need to decide between Forte and EnergyXT...

Thank You all, this had been a more-than-nice welcome .

Regards,
Davide.

[dougsyo]

For your valuable support!!!
I really appreciated it... I just had a message suggestion to try "Brainspawn's Forte"... I just need to decide between Forte and EnergyXT...

I have Forte and use it for live playing. It's more expensive, but this is my preferred host for live playing.

I have EnergyXT that I use mostly in the sequencer when I want something "modular".

I have combined them

Doug