Sub Hosts : EnergyXT VS. Bidule

[disturb]

Hi folks,

I've been using eXT for a few months now, both as a main host, and as a sub host in Sx.

But whenever i chat with really techie guys, they seem to swear by bidule.

Now that bidule is going vst, and that v.1 is supposed to be released soon, both apps are kinda clashing in the few populated sub host category.

My basic use for eXT as a subhost, is using it as a rack for convenient routing (multiouts etc), 'stacking' instruments and modulate vst parameters with ccs from my host or controller. I tend not to get really wild with it, eventhough i believe i could if i 'd put some thoughts into it...

I understand that bidule has some low level components that eXT lacks, but i have a fairly good set of plugins, and can't see myself relying on bidule for signal processing. And for the rest, i just don't get it...

So basically what are the pros/cons of each one compared to the other ?

As i only use eXT i can only comment on it, and i'd say :
+Routing is a breeze
+Vsts in use can easiely be accessed (docked or rest on the main page), and the loading is handy
+midi learn
+Arpeggiator
+chords module
-Automation parameters have to be mapped to CCs or vst params (128, with generic names). But i'm sure this can't be really better in bidule since the current vst protocol doesn't allow dynamic assignation of i/o's and parameters for a vst.

So any bidule user could comment on what he couldn't do in eXT ?

cheers

[autodidactic]

I own an EXT license and I think the software is awesome. However, despite this I will be looking into bidule for two reasons, Rewire+OSX compatibility. I own and use both a PC and a MAC for music. So I am not pro or anti PC/Mac but I do like to have my software available to both machines.

I think many are in the same boat as me. I am hoping XT2 (which Jorgen said would be out in early 2006) will have at least the rewire option available although I won't be holding my breath for an OSX XT2. Maybe with Macs moving to Intel it might be easier for Jorgen and he might be convinced to port. Another possibility is Darwine working so well nobody will ever need to port again.