Live Vst Plugin Host

LiveProfessor is a live oriented plugin host for Windows and OSX.LiveProfessor makes it easy to create a powerful, portable and flexible effect rack using VST or AU plugins.

Cantabile is a powerful and flexible VST host designed for live performing stage musicians who want to perform better. Cantabile is the best way we know to play VST instrument and effect plugins in real-time. A plug-in host (the program that will host the VST and/or AU and/or other plug-in format). This plugin is a “snapin”. That means you can use it as a regular VST/AU plugin, or you can use it with our snapin hosts Multipass and Snap Heap where you can combine effects in amazing ways. System Requirements. These are the minimum recommended system requirements for running snapins. CPU: 2 GHz or faster; Memory: 1 GB or more; Operating.

The software was developed in close collaboration with experienced audio professionals from live sound, theatre and broadcast, and is now used all over the world.

  • Search results showing free plugin host VST Plugins, VST3 Plugins, Audio Units Plugins (AU), AAX Plugins and Rack Extension Plugins for Windows and MacOS. The results are sorted by most popular with KVR members (Data from MyKVR 'Favorites' Group).
  • In order to load a VST plug-in, the host sequencer needs to be pointed to the folder the plug-in is located in. To find out if you assigned the correct VST 64-bit folder in your 64-bit host sequencer, follow these steps: Open Native Access Installed products. Click on the product that is causing the issues and choose Installation Path.
  • Element is an audio plugin host, modular synth, effects rack made for live performance. Audio Plugin Host Features Third Party Plugin Support (AU/VST/VST3).
  • Advanced Audio Plugin Host Element is a modular AU/VST audio plugin host. Connect plugins to create power effects racks and instruments. Load graphs on the fly for quick access to your sounds.

Signal Chains

LiveProfessor 2 comes with a new feature called Signal Chains.
A chain is a collection of plugins where all plugins are connected in series.
It makes it easy to organize plugins, for example all plugins that process the bass-guitar can be put in the “Bass guitar” chain.

Snapshot automation

LiveProfessor comes with extensive snapshot automation. Seamlessly switch between snapshots that save individual plugin settings, or global snapshots that recover the entire state of a project.

Hardware controllers

LiveProfessor also features an extensive system of hardware controllers, to allow you to control plugin parameters and program functions.
We’ve worked hard to make this system as flexible as possible, while at the same time quick and easy to use. What’s more, each control can be tweaked to respond just how you want it to.

Responsive User Interface

LiveProfessor has a nice, dark, customizable user interface and let’s you recall window layouts easily using View Sets and Work Spaces

Cue lists

Cue lists allow you to seamlessly change LiveProfessor’s settings during a live performance.
Some of these cues include recalling a snapshot, changing audio routing, sending midi messages, and altering project tempo. You can easily recall these on the fly to get the right settings for each individual song.

Midi Modifiers

Each plugin has a set of powerful Midi Modifiers. These are especially useful for keyboard players, with functions such as transpose, key-zone and filter.

Downloads

  • Windows

  • OSX

    User Manual

LiveProfessor has extensive snapshot automation. There are two types of snapshots. Global Snapshots store and recall the entire setup, while plugin snapshots contain settings only for a specific plugin, more like presets.

The Global Snapshots can be filtered so that you can decide what should be recalled in each snapshot.

Snapshots can be used together with the cue lists to recall settings during a performance

Signal Chains

In LiveProfessor 2 there are two ways to organize plugins, either as free standing units that you wire up any way you like or as Signal Chains

A chain is a collection of plugins where all plugins are connected in series, and can have anywhere from 1 to 8 channels.

Chains make it easy to organize plugins, for example all plugins that process the bass-guitar can be put in the “Bass guitar” chain.
Drag the plugins to change the order of processing.
Replacing a plugin or bypassing the whole chain is easy.

If you are using plugins that create additional latency, chains can be time aligned to each other.

As one of the most powerful features of LiveProfessor, the Cue Lists lets you program shows for instant recall of all LiveProfessor settings.
The cue list is built up with different cue types, like “Recall Snapshot”, “Send MIDI” and “Map Controller”. With the many cue types available you can make each cue as simple or complex as you like. The cue list can be stepped through as a sequence, or each can be triggered individually by external gear.

Vst host program

Everything in LiveProfessor can be controlled using the cue list, it can even playback audio files

User Manual
PDF manual can be downloaded here

Community
Feature request from the users are added and voted on here
Follow the development of LiveProfessor in the forum
News and updates are also posted on Twitter and Facebook

Knowledge Base
An ever-growing collection of helpful articles can be found here

Change logs
View the change log to see the latest updates to the software.

VSTs revolutionized mixing music.

Instruments and effects that used to cost thousands became accessible to every musician with a computer.

If you produce music in a DAW, VSTs are probably a key part of your workflow.

But sometimes you want to use your plugins without launching a full fledged DAW. Maybe you just want your jam with your virtual synths, or play live with a VST rig on stage.

To run VSTs without the extra functionality of a DAW you’ll need a VST host.

In this article I’ll go through the 8 best VST host apps available today.

What is a VST host?

A VST host is a software program that can load VST instruments or effects plugins. A VST host can be a DAW or a dedicated software program just for running VSTs.

Live Vst Plugin Host

While a traditional DAW can be used for live performance, many musicians prefer the stability and ease of use that comes with dedicated VST hosts.

While a traditional DAW can be used for live performance, many musicians prefer the stability and ease of use that comes with dedicated VST hosts.

These purpose-built software programs don’t need the extra features and functionality of full recording apps.

That makes them simpler and more efficient for your computer to run.

Even if you’re just playing through a handful of instruments or effects, a VST host can help when a standalone version of the plugin doesn’t exist.

The 10 best VST hosts

With the basics out of the way, here are the 10 best VST hosts available today.

1. Apple Mainstage

Apple’s Mainstage is one of the most well-known VST hosts for live performance.

It includes many of the respected plugins, presets and effects from Apple’s flagship DAW app Logic Pro X.

Built specifically with live shows in mind, Mainstage has many impressive features for performers.

Guitarists will love the virtual pedalboards and amp rigs that come complete with tuner, tap tempo and spillover features.

And keyboardists can take advantage of the excellent built-in emulations of classics the Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes, Hohner Pianet and more.

Unfortunately, like all Apple software, Mainstage is only available on Mac OS X. But if you’re a Mac user looking to play VSTs live, Mainstage is probably your first option to try.

Live Vst Plugin Host Download

2. Topten Cantabile

Topten Cantabile is a high performance VST host that’s tailor-made for live playing.

With robust MIDI routing and impressive real-time features, Cantabile is an excellent choice for using VSTs on stage.


Cantabile was purpose-built for the stage, so it’s among the most stable and efficient hosts you can find.

If you’re a keyboard player looking to ditch a heavy hardware rig for simple laptop setup, Cantabile could be your best choice.

It comes in three editions, including a free tier with Cantabile Lite.

Unfortunately, Cantabile is Windows-only, so you’ll have to choose another option if you want to turn your MacBook into the ultimate plug-in based synthesizer.

3. Your DAW

Any application that can run VSTs is a VST host.

That means your DAW is a perfectly good option for playing VSTs live.

Any application that can run VSTs is a VST host. That means your DAW is a perfectly good option for playing VSTs live.

DAWs are more complex than basic VST hosts, so your system will naturally have to do a bit more to keep the gig running.

But there are some upsides to using a DAW as a live VST host. You won’t have to learn a new program to be able to build your stage setup.

And you can easily translate your projects from tracking and mixing to live performance.

Some DAWs are lightweight enough that they’re well suited for live performance. For example, Ableton…Live is often used as a performance DAW.

4. Audiostrom LiveProfessor 2

Audiostrom LiveProfessor 2 is another feature-rich option for live VST use.

It features impressive preset capabilities, performance-oriented cue lists, flexible signal chains and impressive hardware control.

LiveProfessor 2 was developed in collaboration with industry professionals to create an app rugged enough for live use.

It’s popular among front-of-house engineers for mixing live sets with VST plugins.

5. Niall Moody Pedalboard 2

Niall Moody Pedalboard 2 is a simple and effective VST host that’s designed to work just like a guitarist’s pedalboard.

Set your I/O, load your VSTs and patch between them to create a pedalboard-style signal flow.

The best part? Pedalboard 2 is free, lightweight and easy to use.

If you’re looking to chain together a few virtual stompboxes and amp simulators in a digital guitar rig, Pedalboard 2 is a great choice.

6. Hermann Seib VSTHost

VSTHost is a simple but effective hosting app created by independent developer Hermann Seib.

The project started as a plugin testing platform but became popular among keyboardists for playing live in the early days of VSTs.

It’s still a great choice for a simple and effective VST host.

VSTHost lets you load plugins, edit them, send MIDI and save your setups to recall later.

7. Kushview Element

Kushview Element is a modular plugin host that can run VST and AU instruments in flexible configuration.

Its unique matrix style patchbay and graphical editor lets you draw in complex effects racks and signal chains with ease.

Host

If you’ve ever tried to use your plugins in a live performance, you’ll know the challenges that can arise.

Live Vst Plugin Host Software

Element features easy integration with hardware controllers and easy external sync to MIDI clock sources.

Live Vst Plugin Host App

It’s also free and open-source for you to experiment with and shape to your needs.

8. Tone2 NanoHost

Tone2 NanoHost is the most lightweight VST host on this list—in fact it’s barely a host at all.

NanoHost acts as a wrapper to turn a VST plugin into a standalone application.

If your favourite VST instrument doesn’t come bundled with a standalone app, NanoHost will do the job—for Windows users only.

It’s perfect for those who just want to boot up a single VST without the hassle of a complicated program.

Play VSTs live

Vst Host Program

VST hosts may seem like an extremely specific type of software, but they fulfill an important purpose.

If you’ve ever tried to use your plugins in a live performance, you’ll know the challenges that can arise.

Vst Host Pc

VST hosts can help, and if you’ve made it through this article you’ll have a handle on some of the best options available today.