Vst Q&a

[Dr. Jake Destructo]

This thread is a general help thread for virtual studio technology. For more info, look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Studio_Technology

I would also like to build a decent VST host and plugin-in archive, so please post what you've gotten to work for what application. Everything will be held in this post if all goes well.

I have always had trouble running VST's on my computer..I recently got a Yamaha DGX220 MIDI keyboard and I have downloaded and installed the drivers, and I'm wondering how possible it is for me to run VST's with this setup? I've never gotten a VST host to cooperate, but I have gotten some VST patches to run as effects in Audacity.

Help.

[Moseph]

Audacity doesn't do real-time effects, it only does offline processing.

A better solution is to look into a freeware "test host" which is designed to essentially host one or more VST effects or instrument plugins. VSTHost by Herman Seibb is my favorite. The webpage is

http://www.hermannseib.com/english/vsthost.htm

There is also Cantabile Lite, which is somewhat limited compared to VSTHost, but has a simpler interface for usage.

http://www.toptensoftware.com/cantabile/

Essentially, in either software you load up the plugins you want to use, ensure you're drivers/connections are correct, and hit the "Run" button. Then you can play with effects/instruments in real-time (assuming you have low latency audio hardware and drivers).

[Dr. Jake Destructo]

What kind of drivers would I need to install? I tried running VST effects while playing line in, but now I have capabilities to use my USB. Which would you reccomend?

[Moseph]

normally the drivers that are provided by the manufacturer are best. ASIO or CoreAudio drivers provide low-latency response.

[Dr. Jake Destructo]

Oh, so I shouldn't have to download anything, the drivers that are on my computer should work?

[cadencethefire]

normally the drivers that are provided by the manufacturer are best. ASIO or CoreAudio drivers provide low-latency response.

i have the asio drivers and i've still got a half second delay on my computer...

[The Chemist]

there are very few cheap or free VST-pligin compatible DAWs or Workstations. Save Up and go buy Cubase LE. It will definately work, because Steinberg, the creator of Cusbase also created VST

[Moseph]

there are very few cheap or free VST-pligin compatible DAWs or Workstations.

I disagree. In fact, I'd be willing to say that there are far more cheap/free hosts than "professional" ones. Off the top of my head...

Kristal Audio Engine
REAPER
energyXT
VSTHost
SaviHost
Cantabile/Cantabile Lite
Skale Tracker
Jeskola Buzz
Plogue Bidule
Maizesoft Air Rack
Maizesoft Maize Studio
Wavosaur
Tobybear Minihost

It will definately work, because Steinberg, the creator of Cusbase also created VST

That's actually largely irrelevant. Latency is mostly a matter of hardware. The software mostly intervenes when the the processor load is heavy by other tasks managed by the operating system (ie, the computer isn't up to snuff) or if another program has heavy CPU load and is given higher priority by the operating system.

Most problems are caused by the hardware, the drivers, or the operating system. Make sure you're using the latest drivers from the hardware manufacturer. Additionally, if you're using Windows XP, there's a handy guide to tweak your system for audio here:

http://www.musicxp.net/

Though some of those tweaks are potentially problematic, so don't blame me if you screw things up more than they already are.

[Dr. Jake Destructo]

Does Kristal have decent VST support?

[Moseph]

Does Kristal have decent VST support?

The short answer is maybe, depending on your needs.

Kristal does not have support for VSTi or MIDI, but it does allow for VST effects plugins. Natively, Kristal supports 2 inserts per channel and also 3 inserts on the Master channel. I don't recall if there's aux sends or not.

The long answer is since there are plugins which act as "chainers" and also host plugins - like energyXT or "Legree", which is VSTHost acting as an effect or instrument plugin - you can conceivably do what you need to do if you're clever about it.