Hi friends. Any recommendations regarding a VST HOST for a Windows-based PC?

I am planning to include some soft-synths to my rig, and wanted to know about any small-sized application that will do the job.

I do not want to use a DAW as a host since the notebook I have is not too powerful (and I do not need the bells and whistles of the DAW anyway!)

Your advise will be greatly appreciated.

Just remembered (I am slow yet...) a software called "SAVIHOST" that did the thing (http://www.hermannseib.com/english/savihost.htm)

Is there anything better that this?

Best!

I'm currently experimenting with a program called "Cantabile Performer" for much the same thing. Look pretty good, although I'm only just starting to get into it.

Steinberg did a cheap, stable, sophisticated, downloadable, easy-to-use VST host called V-Stack.

Apparently these attributes do not fit with their marketing strategy, so they canned it. You might find a secondhand copy somewhere, I guess. Or try writing to them (in the very unlikely event of them bothering to reply, please post and tell us !).

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Instant gratification is actually pretty good. It's fast as well.

A lot of soft synths have a stand-alone mode, which doesn't need a host. But you only get to use one at a time.

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Instant gratification is actually pretty good. It's fast as well.

Quote SecretSam:

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Steinberg did a cheap, stable, sophisticated, downloadable, easy-to-use VST host called V-Stack.

Apparently these attributes do not fit with their marketing strategy, so they canned it. You might find a secondhand copy somewhere, I guess. Or try writing to them (in the very unlikely event of them bothering to reply, please post and tell us !).

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Hi SMV_Argentina!

A bit more info about V-STack that may help you make up your mind

Steinberg's V-Stack is a simple host application that lets you run up to 16 VST Instruments with up to five VST or DX insert effects and eight send effects per channel, as well as providing four-band EQ and up to four subgroups in its integral mixer. It can also be used as a simple stand-alone host to run VST Instruments in a live setup, and provides layering, transpose and split functions.

With System Link, since the digital audio cables already carry a clock signal there's no need for separate sync, and linked machines should stay locked together with sample accuracy. One device should run from its internal clock and therefore be the Master, providing the clock signal for all the others that are set to external clock as Slaves.

Unfortunately success is not 100 percent guaranteed with V-Stack if you want to use it with Steinberg' System Link to sync together multiple computers. Steinberg have found that the drivers of some makes and models of audio interface simply don't comply sufficiently well with the ASIO 2.0 protocol for them to work reliably with System Link, so a few may suffer from clicks, pops and crackling. I personally experienced some lockup problems when attempting to link multiple PCs when I tried it out some years ago.

I suspect it could be perfect for use on a single computer though!

Hope this helps!


Martin

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YewTreeMagic

Toybear's Minihost

http://www.tobybear.de/p_minihost.html

Try Reaper. If that works, this other stuff is just mucking about.

I have been using Cantabile Performer for about 2 years now in my live rig on 2 different laptops. It is perfect for live use and very flexible.

I use it to layer and split my controllers with different VSTs assigned to each zone, route my controllers to external hardware, invoke programme changes, filter midi messages and trigger media clips. It can even launch external programmes which I use to launch various notepad docs with chords for songs I struggle to remember.

http://www.cantabilesoftware.com/

They have a free version so why not give it a try

Brainspawn Forte. I'm on stage with it since eight years now.

http://www.brainspawn.com/

My setup in 2007, not up to date with equipment now, but still true in principle:
http://www.powerlord.de/site/angel/Angels_Setup.pdf

Be prepared with some trouble at first, regardless which hardware/software you use. That's where Forte kicks ass, you get excellent support from many pro users in the forums:

http://www.brainspawn.com/forum/index.php

People like Mark Kelly from Marillion rely on it since years. I had the pleasure to meeting Mark during a show in Munich and discussing many pros and cons, and finally we agreed on Forte as the best solution for live keyboarders using VSTs.
http://www.powerlord.de/site/angel/MarkKelly-Marillion-Forte-Live-Munich20 09.pdf

V-Stack: Last update in 2004. Pooh ...

Cantabile: Maybe nice, but 2010 the developer disapeared for one and a half year without any sign of life ... now there seem to be new things going on. But no need to switch if you have Forte.

For only basic usage of VSTis without standalone version SAVIHost or Toby may be OK but without any important live features like Forte.

Have fun!

Angel

Thanks. AWESOME ADVISE. Love you all.

I'll try your recomendations and let you know. I think that the better options are Forte and Cantabile, since the Steinberg one looks outdated (it is still an option in case the other newer softwares end up being heavy on my notebook).

Some of the VST I am planning to use are freeware or shareware and are distributed as a plain DLL, hence no standalone version for them (i.e. Tapeworm Mellotron emulation, a Taurus emulation and a MinimogueVA as well)

On the other hand, at least with SAVIHOST, my automap Novation keyboard maps automatically some of the controls... not the case with the Arturia Minimoog V standalone.

Thanks and keep you posted.

Started with Cantabile Lite, since it is free and looks to cover my basic needs... So far, happy!

Thanks again