Hi
I'm looking for a vst host for live performance for my keyboardist.
She is very good playing keyboard but knows almost nothing about computers.

So, we are looking for the following functions:

Host 64bits instruments

Ability to split midi signal between 2 or more instruments, like playing one synth with left hand and another with the right hand.

Ability to receive program change an load a different instrument configuration, this must be fast as we want to do it, even in the middle of some song.

Ability to receive CC message like mod wheel , pitch bend and sustain pedal.

Thanks in advance for your advice and experience.

 

The 8 best VST hosts to perform live https://blog.landr.com/best-vst-host/

Your DAW
Any program that can play VSTs is a VST host.
This means that your DAW is also a perfect option for playing VSTs live. Any program that can play VSTs is a VST host. This means that your DAW is also a perfect option for playing VSTs live. DAWs are more complex than VST hosts, so the system has to do more to load the VSTs.
But there are a few advantages to using a DAW as a live VST host. For example, you don't have to learn a new program to put together your stage setup. Plus, you can easily transfer your projects from recording and mixing to live performance.
Some DAWs are so slim that they are good for performing live. For example, Ableton Live is often used for live performances.

Tone2 NanoHost https://www.tone2.com/nanohost.html
Apple Mainstage https://www.apple.com/ca/mainstage/
Topten Cantabile https://www.cantabilesoftware.com/
Audiostrom LiveProfessor 2 https://audiostrom.com/
Niall Moody Pedalboard 2 http://www.niallmoody.com/apps/pedalboard2
Kushview Element https://kushview.net/
Hermann Seib VSTHost https://www.hermannseib.com/english/vsthost.htm

 

Last edited: Aug 12, 2021

Gig Performer https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/gig_performer_3.html
Camelot https://audiomodeling.com/camelot/features/
and i think Mainstage is common among MAC users
and last time i used a free version of an app for mac only but i forgot the name of the software

 

Last edited: Aug 13, 2021

Besides Gig Performer like @odod said, here's another one.

I don't know about stability, but the classic free Seib's VstHost is feature-wise one of the best VST hosts. Sure it's ugly but man, what a plethora of options.
I'm not sure about the speed of switching program and the keyboard split in a live setting.

 

Nice to grab a list from somewhere but why not paste the source of the review page you got them from?
https://blog.landr.com/best-vst-host/
That list includes some nice VST hosts that would be almost useless for serious live use.
Oly listed some very specific required features and I think wanted some recommendations from hands-on experience.

Personal (only) opinion: For PC platform... for serious live use... Cantabile is the most versatile item in that list
https://www.cantabilesoftware.com

 

Thank you. I corrected it!

 

Last edited: Aug 12, 2021

EDITED: I was being evil-minded. I mean even more than usual
forget it

I don't get it. Is that a critique? I didn't use a first result google.
I mentioned a very complete and tested Vst host I've known from years instead of several others that I don't think are suitable for what Oly asked.

 

Last edited: Aug 12, 2021

^^^ :

https://www.pluginguru.com/products/unify-standard/

https://www.spectrasonics.net/video/videos.php?p=4&q=&InstrumentID=all&VideoTypeID=all *--> (CHECK Diego Stocco full Masterclass vid)

& MainStage if on Mac platform.

 

I had quoted Beat16's list. Pure coincidence that my comment followed yours and was not related to your comment in any way.

 

I stand corrected. I misinterpreted you. Hug and cheers. And beers

 

Many thanks - graciously accepted - now where can I download the beers?

 

Unify (Mac/Win)
Gig Performer (Mac/Win)
MainStage (if you are in a Mac)

 

GigPerformer is said to be very good and easy to use:

Gig Performer 4 (Windows) 169 EUR ----> https://gigperformer.com
Gig Performer 4 (MAC OSX) 169 EUR ----> https://gigperformer.com
Gig Performer 4 (OSX + Windows ) 199 EUR ----> https://gigperformer.com

Review: Gig Performer 3 https://ask.audio/articles/review-gig-performer-3
Gig Performer 3 Review https://livekeyboardist.com/gigperformer3review/

Gig Performer 3 In Depth Review

 

i vote for Camelot tho,especially with it's sheet reading feature and other stuffs, but then again it's all up to Olly

 

At this point if you ask me it's more of audio interface drivers than daws, so if you ask me, if she has access to a mac that would be the perfect start, later on as stated earlier any daw would do, it's a matter of choosing the right one for easy navigation and acces, (i would personally recommand either ableton or fl studio)...

to top that, a pretty stable machine is really required which takes me back to my earlier statement about a mac or macbook, later on you can help her with basic stuff, and making the right project for each task...

 

I have experienced some issues (crashes and volume peaks) using the free Seib's VstHost with some vst synths.
For live performance, stability is the main point to consider, in my opinion (both for the host and instruments you intend to use). So, I try to keep things simple and cpu and ram friendly.
I have used ableton live lite (came with my interface) in live situations, with no problems.
What bothers me in Live is that it sometimes takes a little time to open a project (I have a different project for each song I play live) and lags the first time I open It (so, before I start a performance, I have to remember to make it play a project for some seconds to get rid of this issue).
A friend of mine was an experienced keyboard player in a band that played a lot here where I live. He used Live lite too, and had all instrument vsts he played live on one single project, one in each track/channel, and changed from one to the other on the fly by muting/unmuting/arming/soloing the channels.
PS: I remember him telling me he sometimes had problems with his interface, but not with Live.

 

Last edited: Aug 12, 2021

Thank you all for your advice.

That's what we're doing actually, but with Reaper.

It works, but I thought that a dedicated program would be easier to use, specially to create splits.

Gig performer seems to be great but it's very expansive.

 

There is Usine too, very "special" for the geeks :
http://www.brainmodular.com/usine.php

About Live, there are some additional soft (M4L mainly) to make it even better.
Like switching between whole sets with a single click/command

As an example, Depeche Mode used Ableton for their "playing the angel" tour.
Most of their effects where in a single set, switching between different states between songs or on the fly.

 

Nothing beats Cantabile on PC. Enormous flexibility fair priced.

 

I've had the best live experience so far in terms of stability, functionality and flexibility (FX sends, switch of instruments) with New Sonic Art's FreeStyle.
https://www.newsonicarts.com/html/freestyle.php
It also excels at finding and integrating any VST Instruments and effects. Its scanning of the plugins installed on a system is flawless.