Using vst fx live

Author
silvercn
Max Output Level: -66 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 1238
  • Joined: 2007/12/04 12:14:24
  • Location: Midland, Texas
  • Status: offline
2015/10/08 13:27:38 (permalink)

Using vst fx live

I may have already asked this question  but want to revisit it: What would be the way to route and use a DAW based  vst on my live guitar and or vocal sound..   I know that some vsts have a standalone mode - perhaps that would work better. 
#1

5 Replies Related Threads

    tlw
    Max Output Level: -49.5 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 2567
    • Joined: 2008/10/11 22:06:32
    • Location: West Midlands, UK
    • Status: offline
    Re: Using vst fx live 2015/10/08 13:53:37 (permalink)
    In Sonar, set up tracks as required for the VST, each one containing the relevant processing. Point their outputs at however many busses you need to feed audio outputs.

    Enable track echo on all tracks.

    Hope your PC can run everything 100% reliably with low enough latency.

    Using stand-alone VSTs is possible, but you'd need to be sure they could all access the audio interface at the same time using ASIO (or that WDM can provide low enough latency). If you're relying on MIDI clock to keep everything in sync then you'd also need to run MIDIoX or similar to route the clock between the various applications.

    Sonar Platinum 64bit, Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit, I7 3770K Ivybridge, 16GB Ram, Gigabyte Z77-D3H m/board,
    ATI 7750 graphics+ 1GB RAM, 2xIntel 520 series 220GB SSDs, 1 TB Samsung F3 + 1 TB WD HDDs, Seasonic fanless 460W psu, RME Fireface UFX, Focusrite Octopre.
    Assorted real synths, guitars, mandolins, diatonic accordions, percussion, fx and other stuff.
    #2
    mikedocy
    Max Output Level: -67 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1157
    • Joined: 2007/05/09 23:00:37
    • Location: Cleveland, Ohio
    • Status: offline
    Re: Using vst fx live 2015/10/08 14:34:04 (permalink)
    Google "VST Host".
    There are some free ones.
     
    http://bedroomproducersbl...vst-host-applications/
    post edited by mikedocy - 2015/10/08 14:51:33
    #3
    silvercn
    Max Output Level: -66 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1238
    • Joined: 2007/12/04 12:14:24
    • Location: Midland, Texas
    • Status: offline
    Re: Using vst fx live 2015/10/08 15:55:54 (permalink)
    Most likely I would only have two channels - acoustic guitar and vocal - I can see where any slight amount of signal delay/ latency could foul things up for live play. I know it would be much easier to use some fx boxes for guit/vocal, but in the meant time just wondering if this is even an option..   Sounds more trouble than worth messing with. !
    #4
    Danny Danzi
    Moderator
    • Total Posts : 5810
    • Joined: 2006/10/05 13:42:39
    • Location: DanziLand, NJ
    • Status: offline
    Re: Using vst fx live 2015/10/09 16:32:38 (permalink)
    silvercn
    Most likely I would only have two channels - acoustic guitar and vocal - I can see where any slight amount of signal delay/ latency could foul things up for live play. I know it would be much easier to use some fx boxes for guit/vocal, but in the meant time just wondering if this is even an option..   Sounds more trouble than worth messing with. !




    Nah it's actually a breeze and is no trouble at all. I have live rehearsals with my band here in my studio using Sonar as our sound source. With two tracks, you will be fine. I can run two tracks with insane plugins using a Realtek with ASIO4ALL drivers and a stock Dell Inspiron.
     
    Now that said, *some* effects can really draw CPU and when you set your buffers down to 64, you may get some stuttering or even a stopped audio engine. But that will depend on:
     
    1. How good your computer is...RAM, CPU, soundcard options etc.
     
    2. How many plugins you use
     
    3. What plugins they are
     
    I can't see you going too crazy with two tracks. I'd stay away from plugins in stand-alone mode. I've only had good results that way when I just need one plugin. For multiple plugs, I'd use Sonar and just set up a template.
     
    Example.....
     
    Guitar on track one: What do you need on the guitar? Reverb....delay, chorus? You can either put them directly on the track if need be or create 3 buses and insert the effects on the buses and then create sends on the guitar track for each effect.
     
    Track two Vocals: Do the same thing using the same effects you already inserted. OR...create a few more buses and put in the effects you'd want on your vocals. You should be able to do this without a problem and in real time. Again though, it depends on how many effects you want to use and which ones they are. If you do experience any latency you can always try to enable the PDC button, which is "plugin delay compensation". Sometimes it works great for stuff like this.
     
    Just for your head (if I was at my other computer I'd show you a template) this is what we practice through and how many tracks.
     
    1. Vocals with a compressor, verb and delay on the track. All Sonitus plugs
     
    2. My back up vocal: reverb and compressor
     
    3. Bassist back ups: Same as above
     
    4. Guitar in stereo: No effects used due to using a Fractal Audio Axe Fx pre-amp
     
    5. Bass: No effects due to using a bass POD pre-amp
     
    6. V-Drums midi
     
    7. Superior Drummer (this is really inserted as a synth with individual outs below, not inserted on a track. I just wanted it to be known it was being used.
     
    8. Kick: Drumagog Sonitus EQ
     
    9. Snare: Drumagog, Sonitus eq, Transient Designer
     
    10: Hats: low passed Sonitus eq
     
    11. Tom 1: left alone
     
    12. Tom 2: left alone
     
    13 Tom 3: left alone
     
    14. Tom 4: left alone
     
    15. Tom 5: left alone
     
    16. OH Stereo: left alone
     
    17: Room Stereo: left alone
     
    Buses:
     
    Master bus left alone
    Drum bus: Sonitus Compressor, light verb
    Gated verb: Used on snare only
     
    As you can see, though this is nothing elaborate, I am able to use this template religiously with my ASIO buffers set at 64. Now if I decide to change drum modules, I may get some flack so I'd have to increase buffers to 128. Sometimes a drummer will notice this believe it or not, so it's best to choose modules as well as VST effects that have a very small footprint. Notice I use mostly Sonitus stuff because it doesn't over-burden CPU use.
     
    I can't see you using all that stuff for two tracks...lol...so you should be fine and in no danger at all. Heck, a drum module alone can sometimes ramp up CPU cycles. If you're not using anything extensive, you'll be in great shape. If you need help creating the template, let me know.
     
    -Danny
    post edited by Danny Danzi - 2015/10/09 16:42:25

    My Site
    Fractal Audio Endorsed Artist & Beta Tester
    #5
    silvercn
    Max Output Level: -66 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1238
    • Joined: 2007/12/04 12:14:24
    • Location: Midland, Texas
    • Status: offline
    Re: Using vst fx live 2015/10/09 18:48:21 (permalink)
    Danny - this is pretty encouraging - I just need to get on it and give it a whirl tomorrow. Your description is really detailed and easy to follow -    Thanks ! 
    #6
    Jump to:
    © 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1