Just a general shout out for this excellent piece of software. I'm mostly a live player and tried switching to VST based sounds about 10 years ago (maybe just a little less). Back then MainStage 3 did ok but got buggy with large projects. I tried Forte on PC but it wasn't very stable. I kinda gave up. Years passed, computer power increased and last year I tried Forte again (version 4 now). It worked well in general but setting up buses for reverb is convoluted and on the whole it was (surprisingly) still quite unstable. Seems a first requirement for a live sound host. Btw Cantabile, Sonar, Ableton and Maschine are all pretty stable on my system.

So I bit the bullet and bought Cantabile Performer v3. What a difference! It's a bit of a hassle learning a new interface and philosophy but it's been supremely stable and fast. If you're used to a DAW like Sonar their idea of "routes" shouldn't be too hard to grasp although with large/complicated patches it can get a little cluttered visually.

Still, based on my experiences I would really recommend Cantabile to anyone who wants to give a VST Host for live use a serious attempt. There's a free limited version available and a cheap one if you don't need to use all the options in a complex live environment. While I haven't tried to stress test it yet, Cantabile 3 has yet to crash on my system. Forte crashed often during editing of a soundset, adding VSTs etc.

Another Cantabile fan here. Can't afford the 200 bucks ATM, but will likely buy the upgrade eventually.
I'm not actually using it right now because it's extra setup time at gigs and we seem to be doing a lot of quick-turnaround performances where I only have 15 minutes to set up. Fortunately, my trusty Kronos handles essential duties just fine, even if its organs can't match VB3.

Hey Bit! Yeah I also still use my Kronos and get by fine! But it's getting a bit old and I own so many good VSTs and samples and good hardware, I thought I should again try to integrate a laptop into live use. Also makes it easy to adapt/set up some sounds on the couch and in some cases it sounds a lot better.

Because of Sandrexpandr's post in support of Cantabile I thought I'd ask more.

It just so happens, a good coincidence...I've been looking at options available to have lyrics, music, and set lists etc easily updatable, available to me on stage. Set up / breakdown hardware and cabling isn't a problem. Creating the docs and set flow charts etc. aren't problems.

With new display/video monitor products now available (meaning now affordable, large enough, portable enough...) to use on stage... (as I admit I need the extra memory help 😃😃).... I'm about ready to buy some displays and software when I've done my due diligence.

So without spending money for Ableton, I've been looking at more specific software to get session info in front of me.

I've read marketing info on Forte and Cantabile, couple others, and am easily leaning towards Cantabile Performer.
Should it do what I think I read it will do from marketing pages it looks like a go.

*I'm not one for installing free demo software offered so I'm trying to read up on things, get some comments, then purchase.

Bitflipper, Sanderxpander, all; has Cantabile been a good choice for you? Having the ability to take some of what I prepare in SPLAT for use is good, but being able to work (play) from a "flow chart" helps my confidence when performing because I don't have as much time as I'd like to prepare for each opportunity to play. 😉 I.E. memorizing....

Thanks in advance for any comments when convenient for you.

Joe

I've tried them all - at least, the ones not specific to Mac - and Cantabile was the most intuitive, efficient and reliable. It also has an active user community and forum, always a plus.
 
I did also like Gig Performer because it looks cool. But the audience doesn't see your screen, so it's better that you look cool, rather than your laptop. And it definitely doesn't look cool when you're futzing with the software between/during songs.

Super..

Thanks!