VSTHost now has a built-in Mixer

[ENV1]

Just a quick heads up for those who dont read the other thread in the Effects forum.

If you always thought that VSTHost would be even better with a built-in mixer, Hermann has just added one. When nothing is connected to the module, it displays 4 channels and a Master. As plugins are being connected, new channels are being added. Each channel features a 3-band EQ, Panning, Mute/Solo, 4 Sends and Metering. The 4 Sends have a Bypass and a Pre/Postfader option.


click for fullsize

[ENV1]

One thing might become a problem though: The mixer plugin doesnt seem to actually process any audio.

It makes the proper connections, so theres no problem there, however according to the meters no audio is actually going in and there definitely isnt coming anything out.

The small meters on the plugin container itself are dead too unless the Bypass button is engaged.

Hermann?

[ENV1]

Update:

The problem only seems to exist with the DoublePrecision executable. Out of curiosity i just tried the SinglePrecision exe and to my surprise the mixer plugin suddenly worked. I then switched back to the DoublePrecision exe to re-check, and again, no audio into and/or out of the mixer.

So SP appears to be OK, but DP is a no-go and needs checking.

32bit on Win7/32

[miketurn]

Hello Again,

As I mentioned in my thread, I tested it rather quickly, but to be honest I don't know if I am a huge fan of the mixer as of yet, but like I said I haven't really used it to its fullest potential. I am a little confused about the "sends" section, I have to read the manual a bit more.

Found a possible little bug with the mixer, not sure where to report it or if it is intentional, but if you link a few VSTs to the mixer it will automatically create new channels but if you remove one somewhere in the middle, it does not automatically delete it, it leaves a blank channel in the middle.

I have so many ideas that I would love to share for the mixer and the program in general, but would feel weird. It is hard to know if someone that is offering a program for free / optional donationware would really want to hear my opinions. I also really don't know if my opinions would be good for the program and helpful to how others use it.

Anyways, this is just the first release so I am sure that this mixer will evolve over time.
The fact that a new version has been released period is the thing that I am most excited about.
Will be interesting to see where this program goes,
The main thing is it is so great to see that an amazing programmer is back in action.

I am still quite shocked that you and I were just speaking about the program getting some DAW type elements such as a mixer, and a few days later, Hermann is like here you go.

Thank You Hermann!

[ENV1]

I havent done much testing yet either, because when i did have the time (sunday evening) the mixer didnt work, and when i found out that it works with the SinglePrecision exe (monday evening) i didnt have the time.

Anyrate, as far as i could see the Sends work like this:

- Connect plugin (lets say a delay) to audio output of mixer
- Click the chain button on the delays plugin container
- The 'Chain after' dialog opens, Submixer is checked and highlighted
- Click the Submixers speaker button
- The 'Assign PlugIn Input Channels' dialog opens
- Select the desired Input Channels and OK the dialogs

Table
- O1 / O2 = Master Left / Master Right
- O3 / O4 = Send1 Left / Send1 Right
- O5 / O6 = Send2 Left / Send2 Right
- O7 / O8 = Send3 Left / Send3 Right
- O9 / O10 = Send4 Left / Send4 Right

(Send1 being the topmost knob and Send4 the one at the bottom.)


As to detaching plugins, once the mixer has been extended it wont go back to its original 4-Channel+Master size. This is true even if you detach all plugins. In most cases this wont be a problem because the 'vacant' ones will be assigned to other plugins when attached. However, there can be cases where the vacant ones cannot be used because the newly attached plugin has more outputs than there are consecutive vacant channels. In these cases the vacant channels remain vacant and new channels are being created for the plugin needing the many channels. The mixer also has a maximum channel limit of 20+Master.


Thats all i have for now, i will do some more testing as soon as i have more time.

I am still quite shocked that you and I were just speaking about the program getting some DAW type elements such as a mixer, and a few days later, Hermann is like here you go.

Thats exactly what i was thinking.

So much for 'Probably wont happen anytime soon'.

[ZeePok]

 
I'd love for this program to get Midi recording functionality

[ENV1]

And built-in sequencing would be great too.

Given the modular nature of VSTHost it could be done like its done in Orion, where each plugin container has its very own (segmented) pianoroll.

Segments from the various pianorolls (A0 through H8) can then be arranged in a playlist to form songs.

A most effective concept because its easy and its fast.

(Youd probably not want it for orchestral scores, but for sequencer-based synth music its super.)

[fmr]

Ho do we get that? I just downloaded version 1.55, and here the mixer looks the same it ever was.

[ENV1]

Its a built-in plugin.

Go to the plugin list -> Builtin -> {SubMixer}

As i mentioned above, one mixer instance can provide up to 20 channels plus Master, but you can of course use more instances if you need more channels.

[ZeePok]

And built-in sequencing would be great too.

Given the modular nature of VSTHost it could be done like its done in Orion, where each plugin container has its very own (segmented) pianoroll.

Segments from the various pianorolls (A0 through H8) can then be arranged in a playlist to form songs.

A most effective concept because its easy and its fast.

(Youd probably not want it for orchestral scores, but for sequencer-based synth music its super.)

 
Thats a bit like EnergyXT, no?

If only ...

But I doubt Hermann would go that way with VSTHost.

[ENV1]

By the way, you can now make the connector-nodes bigger too.

If you find them too small, do this:

- Close VSTHost
- Go to Data\DefaultSkin and open Skin.ini with Notepad
- Scroll down to the 'Main Window Settings' section
- Locate the 'MainBgConnSize=' line
- Value defaults to 5, try 8 or 10 for slightly bigger or 20 for really big
- Save Skin.ini

Note: If you increase the size to 8 or more, the Audio and MIDI nodes start touching each other. (However they will never overlap regardless of their size.) If you want some space between them again, adapt the 'MainBgLinkOffs=' line as required to make up for the bigger node size. The notes in the .ini provide more details.

Important: These new parameters do not exist in the Skin.inis of older versions! (Nor does the Mixer related stuff.) There were also new images added, thus if you upgrade an already existing installation be sure to remove the old DefaultSkin folder from your VSTHost Data dir and replace it with the new one.

[ENV1]

Thats a bit like EnergyXT, no?

No, its a little different.

In Orion each plugin container has its own sequencer, and then there is a playlist where you can chain sequences from different plugins together to form a song.

(I think the most similar in concept would be Phrazor, but its not 100% identical either.)

[ZeePok]

 
Anyways, thanks for the connector tip! .

[ENV1]

 
Anyways, thanks for the connector tip! .

Youre welcome.

(Im so grateful that this was added, it was really fiddly business with those small 5px nodes at 1920x1200 resolution.)

[Autobot]

Hey, maybe someone can help me. I use VSTHost since a couple of days and like it a lot but somehow the 'Submixer' don't work for me. There is no sound running through. May I've overseen something. Thanks

Bug.JPG