Using 32-bit plugins in 64-bit Waveform 11?

[dynamo]

If possible, how can I run 32-bit plugins in Waveform 11 (64-bit, Mac version)?
There are a few free 32-bit plugins (like the deprecated free TAL plugins -at the bottom of this page) I'd like to use, but simply putting them in their respective "VST" and "Components" (Audio Units) just gives me this message in Waveform:

Screen Shot 2020-11-12 at 20.55.31.png

I haven't been able to find much information about this online except some discussions regarding various 32 to 64 bit "bridging" solutions. Does anyone know more about this and can share their experiences?

[terrynoakes]

You will need to use a bridge to use 32bit.
I've used J bridge without problems.
I think there are a couple of others available.
Try googling 32bit to 64bit Vst bridge
I'm on PC don't know if it works for mac

[pough]

Some hosts (eg Fl Studio) have their own 32 bit bridging but Waveform does not. I am using jBridge on a PC and it seems to work very well.

Here are some I found for Mac:
https://jstuff.wordpress.com/jbridgem/
https://www.soundradix.com/products/32-lives/
https://ddmf.eu/bridgewize/

Looks like nothing runs on Catalina. WTF is up with that?

[dynamo]

Thanks guys. Looks like there's no free option available. I'll do some further searching, now that I know what to look for.

Pough: I'm still on MacOS 10.13 High Sierra, so no problem for me.
Does anyone know if the Waveform developers are considering a built-in 32-bit bridging solution? I suppose there are people out there who have spent good money on 32-bit plugins that are no longer updated, but still perfectly usable for them.

[Kott]

You can try Carla as bridge. But I'm not sure if it support 32bit under MacOS.

[Watchful]

I had a conversation with Dave at Tracktion a couple years back on this, and he said the difficulties in supporting bridged plugins were massive, and the number of users still working with 32-bit plugins was surprisingly very small, so it couldn't be entertained at that time. I assume that market has gotten even smaller.

[dynamo]

Watchful: thanks for sharing that info.
I suppose for those who rely mainly on 32-bit apps they could run an older version of Waveform (or another DAW) for those.

It's no biggie for me as I'm just starting out with all of this, and just about all the plugins I've bought or downloaded for free are 64-bit, but it would be fun to use out those TAL plugins for instance as I can't find any free equivalents that run in a 64-bit environment.
But like I said it's no big deal and I can live without it, so I'm not going to spend much time and money on getting this to work, but had to give it a go

Kott: I looked up "Carla" and found this (which has Windows, Linux and even Mac downloads). Is this what you're referring to as a bridge which can take 32-bit plugins within the 64-bit Waveform app?

[Kott]

Kott: I looked up "Carla" and found this (which has Windows, Linux and even Mac downloads). Is this what you're referring to as a bridge which can take 32-bit plugins within the 64-bit Waveform app?

Yes. But I never try it on MacOS.

[Watchful]

I suppose for those who rely mainly on 32-bit apps they could run an older version of Waveform (or another DAW) for those.

That's basically it, especially in the Tracktion world where you can get an old version for nothing. You can always import your MIDI or audio, bring it into the older version, load your 32-bit plugins and render them. Then import those renders into WF11. It's a few extra steps, but you'll likely have a lot less hassle than dealing with bridge software, especially over time. And a lot more reliability if you have to make changes later.

Jbridge is easily the most popular, but I don't believe there's been any real development there, and--I don't know what I'm talking about, here, so please correct me--I'm not sure they're 100% current MacOS friendly, right? Or was something recently done in that regard?

I messed with Netvsthost as a way to load 32-bit plugins into Waveform in the past. It worked well, but it was a lot more steps, and Netvsthost wasn't keen on loading multiple 32-bit plug ins. I eventually realized my 32-bit plugins weren't really worth saving with all that extra work, went all 64-bit, and haven't looked back.

[21tones]

I'm updating this thread as I noticed that Pough said he is using 32 bit VSTs in Waveform 11 on PC without any problems, using JBridge. I would prefer to move completely to 64 bit vsts but there are a few old 32 bit ones that I still really like.
Pough - is it possible to mix 32 bit and 64 bit vsts in the same song in Waveform?

[terrynoakes]

I use jbridge also, yes you can use 32&64bit Vst's in the same edit/project.
Takes a wee bit of time setting up but once done. You won't notice it working. Just add Vst as you would any other.

[pough]

Pough - is it possible to mix 32 bit and 64 bit vsts in the same song in Waveform?

Yup. From Waveform's perspective it's just another 64 bit plugin.

[21tones]

Pough and Terrynoakes thanks for your responses. I'll look into this.

[Peter Widdicombe]

I had tried JBridge a few years ago, but just tested again with Waveform 11. The demo is good for 20 minutes and then will shut down.

Basically, from what I remember, you "Encapsulate" each 32-bit VST and store that version of the VST into another folder for JBridge plugins. You do then treat that "wrapped" version of the VST as the 64-bit one; and it will automatically load the necessary JBridge things needed to make it work any time you use it. Relatively inexpensive, and works simply and reliably. Except for the folder, you'd think it was just another 64-bit VST.

There is another "free" way of using them with VSTHOST - but that's a bit of a nightmare to use. You preload a program and manipulate the VST in a 32-bit version of VSTHOST, and then connect it to a 64-bit plugin in Waveform dedicated to linking with that application; but make all parameter changes in VSTHOST...

[21tones]

Peter - thanks for your input. Where did you find the demo/purchase. On searching I've come across a few things, some of which claim to be free. Is the current version 1.75?