KVR Audio

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Mon May 30, 2005 9:37 pm

I think something like this might be close to what I'm talking about, I'm checking it out now:

http://www.fnprg.com/softcat/softcat.html

mandolarian · Post by **mandolarian** » Mon May 30, 2005 9:38 pm

Hey, bduffy, don't let the neat freaks get you down. I'm a VST packrat too. I started a little database app that not only stored comments, but actual sounds too. So maybe there is a humanitarian reason to finish it. PM me if you're interested in being a disorganized alpha tester.

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Mon May 30, 2005 9:42 pm

mandolarian wrote:Hey, bduffy, don't let the neat freaks get you down. I'm a VST packrat too. I started a little database app that not only stored comments, but actual sounds too. So maybe there is a humanitarian reason to finish it. PM me if you're interested in being a disorganized alpha tester.

Woo Hoo! Will do, thanks.

greendoor · Post by **greendoor** » Tue May 31, 2005 12:37 am

I write databases in Microsoft Access, which is ideal for this type of stuff. I've thought about making my own database for categorising VST plugins. Specifically - I need to keep track of registration codes, and installation files and notes - and upgrades, and web URLs etc - it's a nightmare trying to keep on top of this stuff. Access is expensive if you don't have it. An Excel spreadsheets would be adequate but not much fun. I could write a Visual Basic GUI for a textfile database - any interest in a freeware database like that?

bugs · Post by **bugs** » Tue May 31, 2005 12:54 am

I delete bad VSTs from my hard drive immediately upon discovery--no database needed. A database for samples might be another thing, however.

Dazza66 · Post by **Dazza66** » Tue May 31, 2005 5:33 am

Long live VST collectors! I've well over 300 instruments and 150 FX and though I concede it stifles productivity (and creativity a bit too), I just can't help myself when the next shiny new instrument is available for download. All those coloured dials, buttons, sliders and digital numbers, just ready for tweaking

....errrr... anyway. Collect as many as you want I reckon: they're ALL good.

Back on topic though, my solution is simply to use PowerPoint to catalogue them all. The main problem I had was just to remember what plugins I had and what they looked like. Now, I just take a screenshot of every plugin I have, or download, and put it in a PowerPoint slideshow with a title. You can do (v.basic) sorting and could easily add basic info on each plugin, such as a hyperlink. This way I can keep track of what I have and as I can make the screenshots quite large, its often much easier to see than when the plugin is in the host itself (I use high resolution so I can fit more on the screen - too bad I can't make anything out!). Its a quick and simple solution anyway.

Keep collecting....

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Tue May 31, 2005 4:51 pm

greendoor wrote:I write databases in Microsoft Access, which is ideal for this type of stuff. I've thought about making my own database for categorising VST plugins. Specifically - I need to keep track of registration codes, and installation files and notes - and upgrades, and web URLs etc - it's a nightmare trying to keep on top of this stuff. Access is expensive if you don't have it. An Excel spreadsheets would be adequate but not much fun. I could write a Visual Basic GUI for a textfile database - any interest in a freeware database like that?

Well, you know I'm interested! I think we might have Access here at work, I'll check it out, thanks for the advice.

Dazza66 wrote:Back on topic though, my solution is simply to use PowerPoint to catalogue them all. The main problem I had was just to remember what plugins I had and what they looked like. Now, I just take a screenshot of every plugin I have, or download, and put it in a PowerPoint slideshow with a title. You can do (v.basic) sorting and could easily add basic info on each plugin, such as a hyperlink. This way I can keep track of what I have and as I can make the screenshots quite large, its often much easier to see than when the plugin is in the host itself (I use high resolution so I can fit more on the screen - too bad I can't make anything out!). Its a quick and simple solution anyway.

Keep collecting....

PowerPoint! Interesting...that I do have. I'll give it a go, thanks!

That "SoftCat" is confusing as all hell. You might like it, Greendoor - it's designed to keep track of reg codes, installation paths/files, etc.

pilgrim_heart · Post by **pilgrim_heart** » Tue May 31, 2005 6:17 pm

I used to delete the bad apples right away, prob was I found myself having deleted some really good stuff from plugin auditioning burnout or simply from being in a bad mood that made everything sound shitty.

I've started regarding plugin auditioning as something of a process that has to take some time since some great stuff grows on you rather than revealing its awesomeness straight away (IMHO).

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Tue May 31, 2005 6:57 pm

Yeah, I hear you. Especially after getting more involved here, I'm rediscovering volumes of plug-ins I brushed off years ago!

danyell · Post by **danyell** » Tue May 31, 2005 7:11 pm

High five to the packrats. I think I have every working VST linked off this site in the past year installed on my PC. I intend to keep them too.

If one of your vst's don't work well for one project it may be just the thing for another. Of course this is from the point of view for an experimentalist. Keep working and you will find the ones that do well for different applications.

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Tue May 31, 2005 7:21 pm

Word!

beltrom · Post by **beltrom** » Tue May 31, 2005 7:35 pm

bduffy wrote:Just wondering how other VST addicts keep track of what's good and what's not.

When I wanted to get organised a year back I did a simple spread sheet in excel and had columns like "Type", "polyphony", "Sound", "Usability", "CPU%", "manual", "comments", etc. I ran through a lot of synths and rated them - took some time - but then at least I had a solid starting point and a way to judge what I should keep. Using filters I could easily get some sense of what was worth keeping. After this it's been easier to keep things neat...

ztrauq · Post by **ztrauq** » Tue May 31, 2005 9:11 pm

I had a bit of a similar issue with Reaktor ensembles. Now that I'm switching to Reaktor 5, I'm going through and only selecting the top ensembles to move over to the new program. I also have a text file where I list the most useful ones, their applicability to different types of music, and the names of some of the key presets.

My other solution is a bit more unorthodox, I suppose... I take all of the new plugs that show up on a regular basis and put them all on my old PC, where I can mess around with them to my heart's content. On my Mac, though, where I actually do most of my music, I keep things limited to a good selection of plugs, without becoming overwhelmed by choice. The "sandbox" PC is great for playing around with new ideas and experimenting with stuff, while the Mac stays limited enough to actually get projects completed without endlessly agonizing over plugin choice...

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Tue May 31, 2005 9:42 pm

Thanks for more ideas, guys. Actually, this fall, after I get married, I will regain the use my old P3 800, which I fully plan to make a VST slave (right now my poor work computer is the testing ground), so I can keep the plugs on the old, internet/multimedia computer! Much better.

Stevie1 · Post by **Stevie1** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:50 pm

this all sounds very interessting!
one year later, any of you guys found a good way to organize your stuff?
btw, where can i find that "sample catalog"?

anyone use databases for good/bad VST?