Vst Host Mac Free

VSTs revolutionized mixing music.

  • Audio Modeling releases Camelot VST Host MAC/PC free version 09th January 2021. Audio Modeling has released Camelot, VST Host for Mac and PC free version. All in one place. Hardware instrument presets. VST/AU Plug-ins. External MIDI keyboards and MPE controllers mapping.
  • Does anybody have any recommendations for a VST host that would essentially make the Helix Native run like a standalone version? I used to use Bias FX, where as soon as i turn on my computer the program opens and i can plug in my guitar and start playing.
  • Intel Mac running at least macOS 10.11; Minimum of 4 GB of RAM; VST-compatible or AU-compatible host application; Windows. Windows 7 and a recent Intel processor (at least Pentium 4 or above) Recommended: Computer running Windows 7 64-bit or newer; Minimum of 4 GB of RAM; VST-compatible host.

Kushview Element Modular VST Plugin Host Is Now FREE By Tomislav Zlatic on October 28, 2019 News Element modular VST plugin host by Kushview is now open-source and completely free to download and use. Kushview has announced that the Element modular VST and AU plugin host is now open-source.

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?

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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.

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.

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.

Vst

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

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

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.

Best Free Mac Vst

Play VSTs live

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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

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.

Surge is a digital synth and makes no bones about it.

If you have used it in the past, it will be like welcoming an old friend back into your life. If you are new to Surge, welcome to the party. Come on in, the water is fine.

Thanks to the generosity of @Kurasu (owner of Vember Audio), Surge has been open sourced and lives on GitHub.

SYNTH SPECIFICATIONS

Synthesis method: Subtractive hybrid

Each patch contain two ‘scenes’ which are separate instances of the entire synthesis engine (except effects) that can be used for layering or split patches.

Quick category-based patch browser

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Runs on a variety of operating systems, plugin formats, and architectures

FACTORY SOUNDS

  • 1725 patches
  • 523 wavetables

OSCILLATORS

  • 3 oscillators per scene.
  • 8 versatile oscillator algorithms: Classic, Sine, Wavetable, Window, FM2, FM3, S&H Noise and Audio Input.
  • Classic oscillator is a morphable pulse/saw/dual saw oscillator with a sub-oscillator and hard sync.
  • FM2/FM3 oscillators consist of a carrier and 2 or 3 modulators and various options.
  • Most algorithms (except FM2, FM3 and Audio input) offer up to 16-voice unison at the oscillator level.
  • Oscillator FM and ring modulation between oscillators 1-2 and 2-3.
  • Most oscillator algorithms (except FM2, FM3 and Sine) are strictly band-limited, yet still cover the entire audible spectrum, delivering a clear punchy yet clean sound.
  • Noise generator with variable spectrum.

FILTER BLOCK

  • Two filter units in 8 different configurations.
  • Feedback loop available in 7 of those configurations.
  • Available filter algorithms: Lowpass (12 and 24 dB/oct, each with 3 variations), Lowpass 24 dB/oct (3 variations), Ladder Lowpass (6-24 dB/oct), Highpass (12 and 24 dB/oct, each with 3 variations), Bandpass (12 and 24 dB/oct, each with 3 variations), Notch (12 and 24 dB/oct, each with 2 variations), Comb (4 variations), S&H.
  • Filters can self-oscillate (with excitation) and respond amazingly fast to cutoff frequency changes.
  • Waveshaper (5 shapes).

EFFECTS

  • 8 effect units arranged as 2 inserts per scene, 2 sends and 2 master effects.
  • 13 effect algorithms:
  • EQ, Distortion, Conditioner (EQ, stereo image control and limiter), Frequency Shifter, Rotary Speaker, Ring Modulator, Vocoder, Chorus, Phaser, Flanger, Delay, Reverb 1, Reverb 2

System Requirements

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macOS

  • Intel Mac running at least macOS 10.11
  • Minimum of 4 GB of RAM
  • VST-compatible or AU-compatible host application

Windows

  • Windows 7 and a recent Intel processor (at least Pentium 4 or above)
  • Recommended: Computer running Windows 7 64-bit or newer
  • Minimum of 4 GB of RAM
  • VST-compatible host application
  • x64-compatible CPU, OS and host is required to use the 64-bit version

Linux

  • PC running a Linux distro
  • CPU must support the SSE2 instruction set. This has been supported on Intel CPUs since Pentium 4, and on AMD CPUs since Athlon 64.
  • Minimum of 4 GB of RAM
  • VST-compatible host application
  • x64-compatible CPU, OS and host is required to use the 64-bit version