MuLab as alternative to eXT?

[Compyfox]

I just saw this in the other subsection of KVR, and please excuse me for asking this (didn't find anything in the backlogs):

I'm looking for alternatives to eXT, since even v1 crashes like crazy on me. But the modular host needs to cover a couple of things.


First of all, I mainly used eXT as FX modular host. Meaning: using eXT as VST or VSTi in Cubase (my main host). This way I could create some interesting modular FX evironments, mid-side setups, etc.


Is this possible with MuLab? (aka use it as VST plugin or VSTi)?
If so, can it also process higher than 24 or 32 bitrates?

And a feature I really liked with Bidule (if the demo wouldn't crash as much either): put your tools into a container, pick out some specific parameters, then mess only with them from the container.

Is that possible with MuLab as well?


If all this can be answered positively, I might consider this host as alternative to eXT... if it's stable enough for my needs.

[aMUSEd]

MuLab doesn't exist in a plugin version though I think it's planned at some point.

Surprising Bidule is crashing for you - in my experience it is the most rock solid host of them all by a wide margin and the most compatible with buggy VST's too (although Reaper is close with its plugin firewalling capabilities). It replaces eXT for me very well (better in many ways)

[Compyfox]

I'm surprised to that as well, but aparently, it did. On both my old P4 and my i7 now. No matter if C5 or SX3, even Wavelab wasn't save from it.

But thanks for the info regarding Mulab... Guess I have to live with what I have and do some extra saves in case eXT is creating corrupt projects yet again.

[Trancit]

First of all, I mainly used eXT as FX modular host. Meaning: using eXT as VST or VSTi in Cubase (my main host). This way I could create some interesting modular FX evironments, mid-side setups, etc.


Is this possible with MuLab? (aka use it as VST plugin or VSTi)?
If so, can it also process higher than 24 or 32 bitrates?

As answered already, MU.LAB atm would only replace the standalone version of XT
NoVST/VSTi atm...but most people have problems with seq-features of xt2, so you can use XT further as a plugin...

And a feature I really liked with Bidule (if the demo wouldn't crash as much either): put your tools into a container, pick out some specific parameters, then mess only with them from the container.

Is that possible with MuLab as well?

Thats exactly, what you can do with MUX...you can put into and route any VST/VSTi or internal components (e.g. a MUX into a MUX into a MUX...) however you like, define up to I think 16 knobs to control every parameter on the frontpanel...on the frontpanel, nothing else is visible than the parameter knobs you defined (in a very flexible way, e.g. you can define as many parameters from different pugins or components with different modulation amount to one knob) before...very powerfull and flexible...

[Compyfox]

Now if MU.LAB would only turn into a VST or VSTi, I might take it for a spin. I never used eXT as standalone host, since I'm mainly a Cubase and Wavelab guy.

But thanks for the answers so far. Guess I'll keep an eye on it.

[liquidsound]

I am aware that a Cubase user is going to be a Cubaseier for the longest time, but just try to fool around with MU.LAB for a weekend or so and maybe.... maybe you get something going with it that you may not regret.
It happened to me.
I usually need to know what I'm about to refuse....
Keep in touch!

[MuTools]

First of all, I mainly used eXT as FX modular host. Meaning: using eXT as VST or VSTi in Cubase (my main host). This way I could create some interesting modular FX evironments, mid-side setups, etc.
Is this possible with MuLab? (aka use it as VST plugin or VSTi)?

Not yet at the moment, but it's in active development i.e. The MUX VST.

I expect this to happen this year.

If so, can it also process higher than 24 or 32 bitrates?

How do you mean?

And a feature I really liked with Bidule (if the demo wouldn't crash as much either): put your tools into a container, pick out some specific parameters, then mess only with them from the container.
Is that possible with MuLab as well?

Yep, the MUX is a multi purpose modular plugin able to build synths and effects, audio and MIDI processors.

Also note that the MUX as it is now is not an end point, it's rather the beginning of a modular adventure. It will be finetuned and extented in the coming months and years.

If all this can be answered positively, I might consider this host as alternative to eXT... if it's stable enough for my needs.

I think MU.LAB, the MUX, MuSynth etc are all pretty stable. If someone doesn't agree on this please tell me about any instabilities and it will be R&Ded. Stability is very important as it's the base of a happy user experience!

[Juan Mendoza]

Not yet at the moment, but it's in active development i.e. The MUX VST.

I expect this to happen this year.

WOW
I have some thoughts about this, added to my personal wishlist i'll send it to you soon.

[Compyfox]

Not yet at the moment, but it's in active development i.e. The MUX VST.

I expect this to happen this year.

Looking forward to that.

If so, can it also process higher than 24 or 32 bitrates?

How do you mean?

I was a bit scared off by the fact that the standalone version only offes a "specific bitrange" if I understood that right. I mostly work in 32bit float within Wavelab to have to issues in terms of overshots and the like. My question was aimed at that area if it might be possible to actually "use" 32bit float.

I think MU.LAB, the MUX, MuSynth etc are all pretty stable. If someone doesn't agree on this please tell me about any instabilities and it will be R&Ded. Stability is very important as it's the base of a happy user experience!

I'd have to test it in VST/VSTi form. So far eXT crashes on load of presets from Wavelab and arrangements in Cubase. Bidule crashed on me on both my old P4 and now i7 on several occasions (also used as VST/VSTi). This was a major turnoff and I still hesitate using my eXT license and actually relying on it.

But since the developer seemed to have abandonned his own tool, I can hardly expect any fixes in the near future. This is why I was asking. I'm looking for a stable tool that let's me create containers, use my own VST plugins withot crashing while still being flexible in terms of sound design (engineering area).


I'll definitely keep an eye on this. Maybe MUX VST will finally be my ultimate solution in terms of modular connectivity for VST plugins.

[MuTools]

I was a bit scared off by the fact that the standalone version only offes a "specific bitrange" if I understood that right. I mostly work in 32bit float within Wavelab to have to issues in terms of overshots and the like. My question was aimed at that area if it might be possible to actually "use" 32bit float.

MU.LAB uses a 32 bit audio engine, everywhere!

The only points where the 32 bit audio data is reduced to 16 bit is

1) when doing mixdown into a 16 bit audio file. With MU.LAB UL you can also choose to mixdown into a 32 bit audio file.

2) When the final output audio data is pushed to a 16 bit audio driver

Both points are logical and transparant, imho.

I'll definitely keep an eye on this. Maybe MUX VST will finally be my ultimate solution in terms of modular connectivity for VST plugins.

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