Hello community,

I don't use a DAW yet, so I don't use any effect plug-ins. The only thing I do so far is to experiment with software synthesizers.
There is a very nice, simple host tool from Tone2, with which you can use VST PlugIns - so also the mentioned software synthesizers without DAW.
It is called NanoHost.
Is there such a tool also for vst3?

Thank you in advance for your answers!

NBD'S DRLNG

 

vPlayer 3
https://www.digitalbrain-instruments.com/freebies

 

there are quite a few different applications that have similar purpose. Mainstage and Gig Performer are maybe the two I see discussed more frequently. But there are a good number of them you can check out comparisons of via google, for lots of results like this: https://www.saashub.com/compare-gig-performer-vs-nanohost

 

@blasterx
Thank you very much for the quick reply!

I just download it from AZ, on the site you linked I would have had to register.

I'm not allowed to vote, so a replacement - Thumbs up!

Edit: Got it to work.

 

Last edited: Aug 8, 2023

@clone
Thanks to you as well, I will take a closer look at the linked site.

Gigperformer looks a bit more complicated at first sight...

Also to you a replacement - Thumbs up!


Edit: Got it to work.

 

Last edited: Aug 8, 2023

Free VST Host - Cantabile Lite - Cantabile - Software for Performing Musicians (cantabilesoftware.com)

 

I'd also vote for Gig Performer but another popular option is Blue Cat's PatchWork

https://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Product_PatchWork/

 

I've been keeping an eye out for a simple window host that accepts VST3s as well, but haven't found anything yet, and not for lack of looking. As for the above mentioned, Mainstage and Gig Performer aren't merely windowed hosts like NanoHost, and vPlayer is more geared towards testing plugins with a VSTi and/or as small chains, but since that seems to be what you're doing, vPlayer should work fine for you (note: the "x" in the corner doesn't close the plugin, you have to go to the File and Exit option, which is kind of odd.)
I own Gig Performer and it's a solid application that I use constantly to practice, but it's a lot closer to a DAW than it is to a simple host. Also, if you dig Gig Performer but aren't into purchasing it (they're no longer hosted by Plugin Alliance, so you have to pay the full never-on-sale price on the Deskew site, which is a fair deal, but still steep,) and don't want to go the pyrated route, there's another free live host that's decent enough (and would be impressive, in a world where Gig Performer didn't exist,) called Elements.

https://kushview.net/element/

 

I know this isn't an answer to your question but I can't help myself: you'd probably be very happy getting a DAW sooner than later. I recommend REAPER. Not only can it seemingly do the most and at maximum efficiency, but the unrestricted demo lasts as long as you need it to. Generally speaking, you can do all this synth and FX routing stuff, but you can also set a hundred different things up that all have their own immaculately saved settings. Theres live input processing with virtually no latency.... You don't even need the DAW to be playing unless you're using sequencers/fx/synths that are synched to your project tempo and need the movement. Go crazy and download 10 VSTs and flesh out its capabilities. There are free global samplers that will continuously record whatever you're doing, like you're plugged into a tape deck. And there are others that will save all the MIDI data you generate, even with DAW not playing. If you like jamming, that's a great feature.

You'll love the freedom. It'll encourage you to make music. imo, just jump in and stick with it. I somewhat fondly remember my pre-daw days, but I can't imagine my production would've been worse if i'd jumped right into a DAW instead of living inside Cool Edit 96, Little Drummer Boy, tape decks, lots of dubbing, really annoying shareware...

 

Last edited: Aug 8, 2023

@Legotron
Cantabile...

However, I would have had to register there again (even for the Lite - version).

Thanks for the suggestion!

I'm not allowed to vote, so a replacement - Thumbs up!

 

Last edited: Aug 8, 2023

https://www.hermannseib.com/english/savihost.htm
There is vst2+3 in 32 or 64 bit, and the first sentence states "SAVIHost is a little derivate of VSTHost that has been crafted for the sole purpose of automatically loading exactly one VSTi"

 

@juggz143
Gigperformer / Patchwork

GigPerformer runs, but has already crashed 2x for me.

Patchwork will be tried later...

Thanks!

 

Last edited: Aug 8, 2023

@eXACT_Beats_
Element

Thank you for your detailed explanations!

Element runs well, is lightweight, it might become my favorite, need to test it (like Gigperformer & vPlayer 3) extensively.

Also to you a replacement - Thumbs up!

 

Last edited: Aug 8, 2023

@vladimir guerrero

Thank you For your encouraging words about using a DAW. I'm sure I'll get around to it later, but I was thinking more along the lines of Cakewalk by Bandlab....

Also to you a replacement - Thumbs up!

 

@loveriuz
vsthost bzw. savihost:

I have already looked as a result of @clone 's link, but I do not like.

Thanks anyway, for the recommendation!

 

Last edited: Aug 8, 2023

Dear thanks for all the tips, recommendations, explanations, screenshots and links !

I now have several ways to use the VST3 Synthesizer - PlugIns.

@All


The mod can mark the thread as "solved" from my point of view.

 

Last edited: Aug 8, 2023

Note that plugin hosts rarely crash by themselves -- your plugins crash.
It may be worth noting what plugins crash.

 

Which version of GP? It's most likely that a faulty plugin crashed it.

 

I use VSTHost, other alternatives have already been mentioned; Another "Minihost Modular by Image Line" but I don't remember if it accepts vst3.....

 

dud this is insane! thanks!