Hi I was thinking wouldn't it be great if you could offload your favourite plug-ins which are designed to run on native x64 processors. Your licenses could be stored on the device too. However with all the security concerns in the world, these should be encrypted and only readable by a software process.
 
There's been times when I realised I could do with a bit more power however without using things like Universal Audio and Protools you are kind of limited to in the box resources. Then I was thinking what if you could then run the plug-ins on any other system like a laptop without worrying too much about CPU resources.
 
I realise today's PC's are much more powerful although start emulating Analogue hardware like Moog Filters, Neve 1073, Passive EQ's etc. then the tally soon builds up. One of the biggest problems has been compatibility, so if the interface ran on a modified chipset and Intel Quad-Core over USB 3. The OS that runs it could be based on Linux, so the OS bridge could be more or less sorted. 
 
You could consider as a dedicated effects processor. Piracy is always a concern, so if major developers worked with the unit's developer they could sort some agreement out. By using a tried and tested processor and good RAM, a modified motherboard with only Solid State  storage for licenses..doesn't have to be big just enough for information storage.
 
So my proposal would be you could run all your demanding plug-ins externally since they are all VST anyway. You only need a way to access the hardware. Of course, there is latency and other software issues to consider however I think this is ideal for somebody on a budget or an already established ITB setup who wants to be more portable away from the studio.

the use of just one vst can radically change the way a mix sounds..
so if not using it in real time, how could you know how it was actually going to affect the sound?
 
 

Well the interface causes latency, so PDC or some sort of hardware management where one master clock controls the overall output. I'm no technician just lets just say Thunderbolt will cutdown all reasonably noticeable delays beyond the Haas effect or phasing dominantly. I first suggested USB 3 although 3.1 might be a better choice.
 
 

I use the Waves Digigrid/Soundgrid hardware/software combination to pass audio over Ethernet and off load plugin processing to a DSP server which is in the same network.

Don't even notice any latency.

I never considered waves dsp although I seen soundgrid mentioned. I was thinking almost like every commercial plug-in like izotope, ssl duende and any others which are native including cakewalk plug-ins even. From a business point of view it might be counterproductive and won't be profitable in some cases. I remember you used to get pci risers in the form of magma chassis. Anyway showing my age now.
 
Combined the other posts together. Feel free to delete my edits.
 

edited.

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