Re: Will Cycling 74 create a basic VST host?

[a k butler <akbutler@tiscali.co.uk>]

At 02:41 21/08/2006, you wrote:
>- I don't want the virtual wire (ie. rat's nest) GUI of connecting 
>VSTs like Bidule and EnergyXT...that looks like crap after a while 
>and seems like a waste of screen space
>- I'd like to be able to create a module of VST effects, or one VST 
>effect, where the GUI for doing so is a graphical matrix table (rows 
>and columns fed by a input that I choose and going to a output that 
>I choose), where you can insert VST effects in serial or 
>parallel...then save that matrix or module and show it as one button 
>or small icon on the main VST host GUI; and then I'd like to be able 
>to activate that matrix with a mouse click, keyboard button, or MIDI 
>program change (I guess you can save modules like this in Bidule, 
>but it is not at all intuitive to me
>-Then I would like to be able to place these modules or matrices 
>into a higher order matrix of modules in parallel or serial, all 
>shown in the main VST host GUI
>- And when selecting the VSTs to go into the matrix, I'd like to be 
>able to drag and drop them with my mouse from an Explorer like space 
>into the matrix
>- And while playing in real time, I'd like to be able to open up a 
>module/matrix and drag and drop another VST effect into it ,which 
>activates and becomes a part of the module in real-time (this is 
>wishful thinking)
>- And I DON'T want to have to program my GUI with a bunch of cryptic 
>text or codes just to create a matix, but it should all be graphical 
>and highly intuitive - drag and drop, drop-down menus, what you see 
>is what you get, etc

Bidule should be able to handle this.


>Basically, even though all the efects are in parallel, I really do 
>like Chainer. If Chainer had the ability to put VST effects in 
>parallel, shown horizontally in the same "link" of the chain, and if 
>I could activate that "link" via MIDI, Chainer would amost do it for 
>me. However, I contacted them, and you can't activate a VST effect 
>via MIDI, only control the VST effects's parameters, presets, 
>etc...that seems sort of ridiculous to me, but it's their design. I 
>suppose I could run EnergyXT as a VST and insert a copy it inside 
>the chain of Chainer...I haven't tired that yet.
>
>I think MAX/MSP would probably work for me (if it can pull off the 
>intuitive GUI I prefer), but I don't want to spend the time and get 
>on the learning curve to create my own VST host. And it seems sort 
>of ridiculous for me to spend $500 on the program, when it basically 
>becomes an overglorified VST host. I just want the host ,but not all 
>the programming bells and whistles.
>
>I suppose when I can justify the spend, I'll buy MAX/MSP, and just 
>pay someone to create a VST host for me, built to my specs.

or pay someone to create a Bidule layout like this,  (  hint :-)
which would leave you with the
"And while playing in real time, I'd like to be able to open up a 
module/matrix and drag and drop another VST effect into it ,which 
activates and becomes a part of the module in real-time "
feature


>(this is wishful thinking)

nope, that's Bidule

andy Butler