Question on how to use this software

[wyndham]

I've recently been experimenting with different ways to use VST's live and stumbled across this software.
I'm looking into using some software to easily play by way of some software different synths from Camel to whatever in live performances, where I can switch quickly from patch to patch and might use some midi remote to change from song to song.
My question is, is this the better/best software for the job. Is it strong enough to hold up to multiple vst changes with out crashing and what is a practical laptop to host it. will a dual core athlon with 2 gigs and xp do it?
I'm going to develop some off the wall midi stuff(at least in my head)that will also send midi note and other controls to the vst. Hoping to get away from a standard keyboard at some point in the future.
Thought I'd ask here first, Thanks Wyndham

[TiUser]

Hi

I've noticed your question for a while but hesitated to comment on...

Cantabile is a good live host but you should try the demos to find out if it can do what you need.

More freedom in configuration always involves more work and organizing as well.

Fast sound changes is not only a matter of the host but the plugins too. Cantabile is usually not limiting speed but loading new samples or other plugins.

Same with HW suggestions. It depends on the load the plugins create and on the number of plugins you need to run at the same time. The type of audio card and driver quality also influence cpu load and hence the number of plugins you can use on the same machine. Basically I would say first choose high cpu clock second many cores.

Assigning midi controllers is possible in Cantabile too - so any free assignable system can lead to confusion and it's also another level of work and organization to be done.

I don't think just getting rid of "HW" is reason enough without taking a look on it's strengths too. If you want the fastest sound changes possible HW will usually be the winner. HW samplers have also well defined resources and you will not need to care about cpu load and related audio dropout problems. Sometimes you might get voice stealing but that's much less of an issue than a brute audio dropout.

Hopefully there are some useful points in here for your further exploration.

[viberunner]

TiUser as always with great advice.

Don't be scared of Cantabile LITE. It isn't time-limited, and though LITE doesn't have every feature you might want (set lists, crazy MIDI triggering) will have enough for you to get to grips with and see if you like it. Download today, really. It's $0.00 you can't go wrong at those prices.

Cantabile itself isn't a resource hog, but some VSTs can be. I think the sort of Laptop you're suggesting should be able to handle a synth. I run a quite modest set of VSTs (layers of modelled Organs and Pianos with effects) but I manage to get away on a Dell D410 XP with 1 gig of memory. Never had a note drop. Never had a crash. YMMV.

[wyndham]

Thanks, I have DL'ed the lite version and liked what I see. It took a little whle to get the feel of the program and loading the vst's needed to be done one at a time instead of scanning the vst folder Not sure if this is a limitation of the lite version or not understanding the loading of the vst's & effects or a bug.
My wife is the keyboard player so the idea to group instruments and effects to quickly change from song to song in a live venue is what is attractive to me.
At first the new interface took a bit of getting use to but it looks very workable now.
One of the area's that appeals to me are some of the synth's like Dune(Demo) and some of Camel's airy swelling pads that might add a new flavor to some older Gospels as well as some of our own.
I gotta tell you folks about a (New to me) keyboard, the Continuum Fingerboard ($5600.) but it is 3 dimensional smooth,felt type surface and sounds great in the right hands. So even though it's out of reach now, I can see this software and that keyboard with great synths being an interesting combo.
Thanks to you both for taking the time to help, Wyndham

[viberunner]

It took a little whle to get the feel of the program and loading the vst's needed to be done one at a time instead of scanning the vst folder. Not sure if this is a limitation of the lite version or not understanding the loading of the vst's & effects or a bug.

Not sure what you mean exactly. On first load it does a scan of the VST folder, which can take some time if you had 000s. Also make sure Cantabile is looking in your VST folder. Click Options, Plugin Options, and make sure the VST folder is correct. Then click Full Scan (also in that options page).

Then you build your Rack/s up with VSTs, and save your selections as a Session. Reload the session, all the VSTs come back.

You're not expecting Cantabile to pre-load every VST you have are you? Might take crazy amounts of system resources.

[TiUser]

Probably the question with selecting vst's is making this process faster. One way is using the favorites. But I admit I would like some alternatives too, probably like a thumbnail view. When you have a lot of VST's but use some of them rarely I sometimes struggle to find the right one too...

You're not expecting Cantabile to pre-load every VST you have are you? Might take crazy amounts of system resources.

This is one of the things I would like to see in a modified form, i.e. that I can check some plugins I want to be loaded always or not to be unloaded at all once loaded... I know this can end up in resource problems but just the "reuse in next session" optimization is a bit too weak to get loading sessions faster too.

[viberunner]

LOL - maybe it's time for you to put your VSTs into many different folders.

I did, took ages but has really paid off. I have all my instrument VSTis grouped by Instrument, and all my FX VSTs grouped by production company.

[TiUser]

Well, sorting plugins in folders does not help if you can't remember the name (and some names are more than fancy) but when I see a thumb I would instantly remember...

Depending on copyright schema sorting the plugin dll's is also not always possible.