Smallest (and free) DAW to test plugins?

Discussion in 'DAW' started by Highdom, Apr 28, 2020.

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  1. Highdom

    Highdom Kapellmeister

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    I need to test a plugin that I'm trying to develop.
    Is there any light, free and super basic DAW that I can use just to run the plugin?
    I'd like to work both in windows and mac


    Thanks for your help!
     
    Highdom, Apr 28, 2020
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  2. Ads Master

    Ads Master

     
  3. scrappy

    scrappy Platinum Record

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    three free ones that come to mind immediately (sorry, PC only, I don't know about mac), they're not really daws, but described as vst hosts.
    kushview element:
    https://kushview.net/element/
    hermann seib vsthost:
    https://www.hermannseib.com/english/vsthost.htm
    Niall Moody pedalboard2:
    https://www.niallmoody.com/apps/pedalboard2

    I like vsthost best for testing plugs coz I can dragndrop a .dll or .vst3 file directly on a shortcut to the .exe and it'll open quickly and load the plug connected and ready to go (it's got a version of jbridge built in too).
    Unlike a daw that probably wants to scan all installed plugs on startup, I find simpler, one plug hosts quicker for single plug testing.


    good luck
     
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2020
    scrappy, Apr 28, 2020
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  4. notremid

    notremid Producer

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    Look no further than Cockos REAPER (https://reaper.fm/). Its basically free and there's a free license till August IIRC. It works on Mac, Windows (even Linux). Super light, but not really basic (in the sense it can be used professionally) It handles all my plugins the best of all the DAW's I have used on Mac and Windows. It also has a built-in bit-bridge (can run 32-bit plugins on 64 bit systems). I use it to test plugins myself, if it doesn't work on REAPER then it probably won't work in other DAWs either.

    All the best!
     
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    notremid, Apr 28, 2020
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  5. MarkSlater

    MarkSlater Producer

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    Lighter than Reaper? :dunno:
     
    MarkSlater, Apr 28, 2020
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  6. Talula

    Talula Rock Star

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    Talula, Apr 29, 2020
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  7. Gyro Gearloose

    Gyro Gearloose Audiosexual

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    reaper has 60 day trial...and after opens nerving screen at start...its still full version after...

    or use warezed synapse orion or so , its discontinued

    mulab maybe

    stablity you should test in every DAW on ideal scale...at least 2 majors i would say , reaper is one of them for sure
     
    Gyro Gearloose, Apr 29, 2020
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  8. chopin4525

    chopin4525 Producer

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    chopin4525, Apr 29, 2020
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  9. tun

    tun Rock Star

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    tun, Apr 29, 2020
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  10. Valnar

    Valnar Rock Star

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    vsthost is as small as it can get
     
    Valnar, May 26, 2020
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