Hi guys,
I need advice from experienced users of modular vst host.

My requirements are:

◘ Must work as VST3 or VST 2 (STandalone is not important)

◘ Must be able to host synths and effects

◘ Must be completely modular

» Not requisite but important:

○ Better if it's possible to create macros.

○ Better if midi learn is implemented for any parameter, not only macros.

To give a concrete example, I'd like to have Synthmaster to go into Kilohearts ladder filter and Parawave Rapid Filter, then the whole thing, going into Arturia Pigment, and finally into Parawave effects.

A bit exaggerated, but why not?

I dont mind if its not cracked and I have to pay for it, but in this case, I need at least a trial period.

I wait for your advice and experience, thank you.

 

Last edited: Jan 25, 2024

Plogue Bidule

 

Plogue Bidule is basically the best of those such hosts, that's specifically the kind of thing I like, so I went to great lengths to try as many as I could. Technically, there is one by New Sonic Arts that I have not tried, but Bidule is pretty awesome.

The really nice thing about Bidule is that there is a MIDI record function, but it's NOT a sequencer.

It probably has Macros, it has all kinds of interesting features, some of which I've yet to try. You can build synths from scratch in it.

 

Have you looked into Unify. It is extremely powerful, low on CPU and so easy to use. Just add your VST and then your EFX. Don't know if you can route your audio VST into another VST but I think it is well worth you looking into. John "Skippy" Lehmkuhl is the mastermind behind Unify and he is one the most brilliant sound designers/programmers/sampleists around today.

 

Paid version of VCV Rack 2 have VST2 & VST3 plugins. Module for hosting VST synths & effects.
It's completely modular. Every knob can be midi learn and there are also macros.
Everything you need!

 

Last edited: Jan 25, 2024

a list in bulk: Kushview Element, AudioStrom LiveProfessor, Cantabile Performer v2, DDMF MetaPlugin and SuperPlugin, Digital Brain vPlayer, GigPerformer, Hermann Seib VstHost, KXStudio Carla, Live Factory and Live Factory Rack Performer, Loomer Architect,
... and yeah, vcv rack pro ...

 

but Metaplugin needs a host itself to host other plugins

 

Cardinal. Fork of VCV. Free, has daw plugins. Cannot add to the modules that are in the plug but they add from time to time.
https://github.com/DISTRHO/Cardinal

 

Maybe
ImageLine's MiniHost Modular
or
BlueCat's PatchWork

 

Blue Cat's Patchwork?

 

Didn't try it but nembriniaudio Nexus looks like a not bad candidate

 

why not just use Reaper?
I mean, lightweight DAW is more flexible than any VST host

 

I need a modular one because I want to connect for example, the oscillators of one synth, to the filter of another one.
This is not something I can do by loading 2 synths in reaper on the same track or not.
Also, I need it to be flexible and easy to save complex configurations.
Last but not least, I want to command all this with midi cc and external controllers..

I know that's a bit crazy, but that's what I want to do.

This seems a good candidate, thank you

 

Reaper would greatly benefit if it had more visual rooting like Plogue or Fruttiy Patcher

 

Not sure there would be a lot of VSTi synths that allow audio in to its filters does Kilohearts synth support that? Those kind of rooting are better done in some modular things

 

not to sure what modular means in this context

but one of the coolest is def
New Sonic Arts Freestyle

fuck google link
https://iv.ggtyler.dev/watch?v=kV1AdpeKWkM

YT

 

I can create a patch in Phase Plant, with only the oscillators, then connect this to Parawave Rapid "effects" which includes it's filter.
Or do the contrary, Rapid as Oscillator (it's true granular oscillator is one of the best) , and connect it to Kilohearts filters .
But these are very simple examples.
I have much more complex ideas.

Yes, using snapheap, or Multipass.

 

The MuLab Plugin version is quite usable, it has a rack component and with that, UI builder which allows for the construction of fairly useful gadgets. However, its internal modulators cannot be synchronized with the host's playhead position; they can only be looped or triggered. Yet, inserted plugins can see it, so with tools like LFOTool or Gatekeeper it can be solved as a workaround

workflow is something like this(knows the audirate based modulation too)

The 'space' key is only passed through to the host from focused plugin windows under Live 12 and Cubase 13. In other DAWs, you have to click on the host window, which is inconvenient, but in the former two, it works well.

◘ Must work as VST3 or VST 2 (STandalone is not important) ... check

◘ Must be able to host synths and effects ... check

◘ Must be completely modular ... check

» Not requisite but important:

○ Better if it's possible to create macros ... check

○ Better if midi learn is implemented for any parameter, not only macros. ... check

one minus, there is no multithread support in it

 

Last edited: Feb 5, 2024

there's been track wiring diagram view in Reaper for years, but almost nobody uses it

 

it's doable within a track - parameter modulation link with track envelopes is a thing, although rather cumbersome at first sight
approach would be to throw everything onto a track, and just make sure audio channel routing is either independent (for parallel plugins) or within plugin chains (recent feature)