I have a bunch of VST/VSTi plugins, some of which have a standalone version and some that doesn't. I'm looking for a VST host to use when I just want to sit down and play one or more of these VSTs and don't want to fire up my DAW (Cubase). I'm not intending to use this setup live (i.e. on stage), just as a way to access the VST plugs that don't come with a standalone version.
Ideally I would also like the VST host to have functionality similar to a standalone Reason Combinator for VST plugs so that I could combine several VSTi with their own VST effects and controller settings.
I've tried a few VST hosts that seems to fit my needs; Brainspawn Forte, Cantabile, Live Professor, Abeem Live Rack Performer, ExtornoTechs V-Starter, and eaReckon BloXpander. At the moment I have narrowed the list down to Live Professor and Forte and would like to have some opinions on these hosts, ideally from someone who have used both. Other suggestions are also welcome.
/Jan
Help deciding on VST host
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- KVRist
- 52 posts since 5 Mar, 2010 from San Diego
I happen to like Cantabile for just the reasons you mentioned. I haven't tried the others you are considering, though.
Just curious, what did Live Prof and Forte have over Cantabile, or what didn't you like about it?
Just curious, what did Live Prof and Forte have over Cantabile, or what didn't you like about it?
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 3 posts since 28 Apr, 2004
Mostly because I got the impression that there hasn't been any new development for a long time. I know there is a version 3 in the making but the blog has not been updated since March. Otherwise it looks good. Maybe I should put it back on my list.elcabong48 wrote:I happen to like Cantabile for just the reasons you mentioned. I haven't tried the others you are considering, though.
Just curious, what did Live Prof and Forte have over Cantabile, or what didn't you like about it?
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angelremington angelremington https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=263204
- KVRist
- 266 posts since 22 Aug, 2011 from Melbourne
Looks like you may like Mulab, it comes with MUX which is very similar to reason combinator where you can combine devices and fx etc.
Just get the demo and try, there's a bit limited free version too
http://www.mutools.com/mulab-product.html
Just get the demo and try, there's a bit limited free version too
http://www.mutools.com/mulab-product.html
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- KVRist
- 103 posts since 6 May, 2005 from Asker, Norway
I can't comment on the other hosts, but you should also give Usine a try: http://www.sensomusic.com/download/
The free version should fit your needs, and you can do a lot more patching tricks than in the Combinator.
The free version should fit your needs, and you can do a lot more patching tricks than in the Combinator.
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- KVRAF
- 8484 posts since 12 Feb, 2006 from Helsinki, Finland
How about VSTHost (which also has a little-brother "SaviHost" for single plugin standaloning purposes).
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- KVRist
- 169 posts since 12 Jan, 2007
I went with Cantabile as well. The big difference for me was it's MIDI file handling.
If I'm playing around and come up with something I like, I can turn on the MIDI recorder in Cantabile and then I have the riff to move into my DAW and work from. You do need at least the cheapest paid version for recording, though.
If I'm playing around and come up with something I like, I can turn on the MIDI recorder in Cantabile and then I have the riff to move into my DAW and work from. You do need at least the cheapest paid version for recording, though.
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- KVRAF
- 2118 posts since 1 Apr, 2004 from Athens, Greece
Yup, simple, free, and it works great.mystran wrote:How about VSTHost (which also has a little-brother "SaviHost" for single plugin standaloning purposes).
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- KVRist
- 357 posts since 5 Aug, 2006 from St. Louis
+1 for Mulab Free. You don't have to maintain a list of VST's. Just load up a VST with the browser and go. The Free version allows up to 4 tracks without hearing the nag.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 3 posts since 28 Apr, 2004
Thanks for the advices. I found out that I already have a cut down version of Cantabile as part of Synthogy Ivory. It can only play a couple of plugins at a time but that's enough for me at the moment.
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- KVRAF
- 26963 posts since 3 Feb, 2005 from in the wilds
Mulab has one huge drawback... it only uses one core...jpumphandle wrote:+1 for Mulab Free. You don't have to maintain a list of VST's. Just load up a VST with the browser and go. The Free version allows up to 4 tracks without hearing the nag.
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- KVRAF
- 7844 posts since 20 Jan, 2008
Depending on the date of your Cantible check for updates. I use the free version and really like it. I like it so much I don't think about buying the full version though sometimes I think I should just to say thanks for the great host.janer2 wrote:Thanks for the advices. I found out that I already have a cut down version of Cantabile as part of Synthogy Ivory. It can only play a couple of plugins at a time but that's enough for me at the moment.
Dell Vostro i9 64GB Ram Windows 11 Pro, Cubase, Bitwig, Mixcraft Guitar Pod Go, Linntrument Nektar P1, Novation Launchpad
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- KVRAF
- 13863 posts since 24 Jun, 2008 from Europe
Working on that!pdxindy wrote:Mulab has one huge drawback... it only uses one core...jpumphandle wrote:+1 for Mulab Free. You don't have to maintain a list of VST's. Just load up a VST with the browser and go. The Free version allows up to 4 tracks without hearing the nag.
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- KVRist
- 194 posts since 12 Nov, 2011
EnergyXt is really nice, fast and easy just as a vst host.
http://www.energy-xt.com/
http://www.energy-xt.com/
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noobAudioJunky noobAudioJunky https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=319014
- KVRist
- 42 posts since 22 Dec, 2013 from UK
Quite an exhaustive list!janer2 wrote: Thu Oct 25, 2012 7:02 am I have a bunch of VST/VSTi plugins, some of which have a standalone version and some that doesn't. I'm looking for a VST host to use when I just want to sit down and play one or more of these VSTs and don't want to fire up my DAW (Cubase).
Ideally have functionality similar to standalone Reason Combinator for VST plugs
to combine several VSTi with their own VST effects and controller settings.
I've tried a few VST hosts that seems to fit my needs; Brainspawn Forte, Cantabile, Live Professor, Abeem Live Rack Performer, ExtornoTechs V-Starter, and eaReckon BloXpander.
narrowed to Live Professor and Forte
I'll have to take a look at the combinator - is there a trial, if Reason ain't free?
Tangent: Anyone been doing this since XP, with anything that's worth reviving, that doesn't work in X compatibility mode(?! I wanted to test some emulation stuff, virtual architecture and hardware...)
Of the ones tested how do they fare?
Any unique features or best UX?
I'm also interested in bests - DAWs, sample managers, VST-racks...
https://emastered.com/blog/best-vst-host-plugins
Live Professor mentioned here also, worth a peek, may check usine too.
I like the inclusion of pros and cons...
Are we to Assume everyone is running 64-bit, or do you also need wrappers?
Anyone doing much cli stuff?!