VSTi

What is a VST Instrument?

The VST (Virtual Studio Technology) system was developed by Steinberg, to enable a complete studio to be created in software. It allows third-party developers to produce real-time effects modules (VST or VST FX), or synth engines that are called VST Instruments (VSTi), that could 'plug in' to the host application.

So basically, a VSTi is a realtime software synthesizer.

Nowadays, there are large numbers of third-party companies, that are producing VST instrument plug-ins. Some have a very high sound quality, that can surpass their hardware alternatives, while others are not so good. Some are expensive, and some are free.

The good news is that vArranger has a VST Host, that can load and play, up to 16 VST Instruments.

Requirements

When you press a note on your midi keyboard, the VSTi program will generate a sound, using the computer processor (CPU). This operation needs to be as fast as possible, (less than 5-15 milliseconds), in order that the player does not experience any latency. Some VSTi are doing complex calculations, in a very short time. That's why using VST's usually need a 'faster' computer. Intel Core series processors (Core i3, Core i5 or Core i7), is a good choice. The CPU power is shared between all running programs and processes on the computer. So, it is better to avoid installing unnecessary and unneeded programs on a music computer.

Keep in mind that some VSTi's load large quantities of sampled sounds (called "samples") into the computer's memory (RAM). In the case of using such a VSTi, you need to have enough RAM installed in your computer. 4GB, 8GB or more is recommended. More memory, means more flexibility and wider choice between which VSTi's you can accommodate in memory (RAM).

Some VST's play the sounds directly from the Hard Drive (streaming). In such cases, a fast Hard drive 7200RPM or better a SSD disk is essential, otherwise, you will hear some clics, or stuttering. It's simple - You need the system to be fast enough and available, in order for the computer to produce sound quickly, and thus eliminate clicks and stuttering or sound breakup.

vArranger (the VST host) receives the generated sound, and sends it to the PC sound card driver, then to your PC powered speakers, or headphones.

There are actually 2 kinds of sound cards. Some are integrated inside your PC motherboard, and some can be optionally installed. Some sound cards are for professional use, more expensive, and give a better quality sound. Other cards are cheaper, but could still give you decent quality. Some sound cards are simply not good enough.

vArranger can communicate with the sound card using 3 different methods :

- DirectSound Pros: Available on every computer, the sound can be used by different programs simultaniously. Cons : It has too much latency and CAN'T be used for realtime synths. Only for MP3 playback. Sound quality may be less good, as the Windows OS adds a layer of mixing operations, and is not "Bit Perfect"

- WASAPI Pros: Low latency. Available on every computer since Windows Vista. Cons : Not available on windows XP

- ASIO Pros: Low latency. Cons : ASIO drivers are only developed by the manufacturer for top end, professional sound cards.

Note that there is a free software called ASIO4ALL [1], created by Michael Tippach, that installs a generic ASIO driver, working for every sound card. This is the only solution for low latency audio if you use Windows XP, without a dedicated pro sound card.

Note that sometimes, different access methods may result in a difference in terms of audio quality and stability. In case of problems, it is useful to test the different options: ASIO <=> ASIO4ALL <=> WASAPI, to find the best working driver for your computer.

Configuring vArranger to play VST Instruments

In vArranger, go on OPTIONS / MIDI PORTS to select the audio outputs you want to use for playing VST instruments.

As you can see in this example, the ASIO4ALL output has been selected.

Some sound cards have many audio outputs. You will see them all, displayed in this list.

In case of an ASIO sound card with multiple audio outputs, a second sub list will appear to select the desired stereo out.

As you can see in this example, I have selected VST as the 2nd MIDI OUT port, but you can select VST for the MIDI OUT 1, if the VST instruments will be your main sound source.

I have also selected the GM2 mode, this works well for VST.

The VST Rack

Selecting VST in the MIDI PORTS screen, will add a new button called VST in the vArranger main screen (top right).

Clicking on this button will show the VST rack, with 16 slots, to load up to 16 VST instruments (VSTi's). Think of this as having up to 16 hardware synthesizers at your fingertips, at your instant disposal.

- To load a VST Instrument, click on the central and empty zone (2). This will allow you to locate the vst that you want to load. VST plugin files have an extension .DLL They are usually installed in a centralized VST folder, but when you install a VST plugin, you have the choice to define a different VST installation folder. So be attentive at this path, so you can find it easily in vArranger.

If you don't have any VST instruments, you can start by searching on google for free VST instruments. This website contains a nice compilation of free VST plugins to download [2]

Note that vArranger loads 32 Bit or 64 Bit VST 2.4 plug ins, in concordance with the version of the vArranger audio engine version currently installed (32 Bit or 64 Bit). If you really need to load 32 Bit and 64 Bit plug ins, together in the same project, you need to install a software like jBridge [3]

Once loaded, you will see the name of your VST in the VST Rack line.

Click on the same zone (2), on the VST name, and you will see the VST EDITOR. This is the graphical screen of the VST, where you can interact with it.

Note : VST plugins do not always have an editor, but most have one.

Exp : NI B4II

- To remove a VST from the rack, click on the [X] (4)

- Some plugins have PROGRAMS. They are predefined factory presets. If some are present, you will see the rack line number lightened (1). Clicking on it will allow you to see and select a program.

VST Options

The [+] (3) will allow you to see more options for every VST

(1) P : A click on the P letter will show the PROGRAMS of the VST (Same as (1) of the VST Rack)

(2) X : The X will unload the VST (same as (4) of the VST Rack)

(3) BYPASS : This will bypass the VST. If it is an instrument, it will be muted. If is if an effect plugin, this can be useful to listen and compare the sound WITH and WITHOUT the VST treatment. CPU usage decreases while the VST is bypassed.

(4) SEND ON MIDI CHANNEL 1 : Please read " Monotimbral VS Multitimbral " below

(5) ALWAYS ON TOP : Check this box, and the VST Editor screen will always be on top of the other windows. This option is great for most VSTi. But, some plugins are displaying sometimes a modal message box, waiting for your answer, e.g. "Do you want to load this sound?" If the VST editor is "always on top", it can be on top of such messages, and you will think that the VST is hanging when it really is just waiting for your response, for the message that you don't see. In this case, you need to disable this option. If the VST editor is actually open, you need to close it and open it again to see it Always on top.

(6) SEND TO FX1/FX2/FX3 KNOBS : This allows to adjust the level of effects to add to the VSTi. More info on the 3 auxiliary effects circuits on the EFFECTS section. This is useful as some VSTi does not include an FX section, or you may want to use a very high quality reverb VST plugin/chorus/delay... that will be shared with the vArranger Software Synthesizer AND with the 16 VST instruments AND with the audio input too. This can save some CPU too, not having to compute many reverbs, for every VSTi, and has the advantage to place all the instruments sources in the same virtual "room". If you edit the VST options of the FX3, you will be able to adjust the FX1 knob. This is a special feature that allows you to send the FX3 output (usually a delay) to the FX1 engine (usually a reverb). This way, the echoed voices produced by the delay are not dry, but also with some reverb.

(7) SAVE THE CURRENT PLUGIN STATE AS BANK FXB : This will ask to the VST plugin to save the full bank into a file. Banks usually contains many presets, but every VST plugin decide what they put in the saved file. Some VST use this as a full state saving. Give a name to your saving, and it will go to the list (10)

(8) SAVE THE CURRENT PLUGIN STATE AS PRESET FXP : This will ask to the VST plugin to save the current preset, not the full bank into a file. This may be lighter than the FXB saving. Only a test can determine what is the best saving method for every VST, to see what is then recalled, how fast, cutting the sound? and the size of the saved file. The file name will start with a ">" to differentiate from bank savings.

(9) SAVE AS STARTUP CONFIG BANK FXB and PRESET FXP : This is the VST state that will be recalled when starting vArranger

(10) VST STATES LIST : You can save different states of the plugin for every song or sound, and reload them from the list

(11) LOAD : Load the current selected state in the list. Double clicking on the list does the same

(12) DELETE : Delete the current selected state in the list.

(13) THE PARAMETERS LIST : VST plugins has some parameters that can be changed to modulate the sound. You can see here the list of all the VST parameters, and their actual value. Parameters are often similar between the VST graphical editor, and this parameter list, but not always, as the VST plugin decides what parameters it want to exposes.

(14) VALUE : When you select a parameter in the list, this slider will display the current parameter value. It is interesting to see the parameters are bi-directional : changing the parameter value in vArranger will move a knob or a fader in the VST editor, and in the other side, moving a knob in the VST editor, cause the parameters values to change in vArranger.

(15) (16) (17) (18) : VST CONTROLLERS : You may want to use a physical midi controller to change a VST parameter value.

More info here https://www.varranger.com/vforum/index.php?topic=1760.0

Monotimbral VS Multitimbral

- Monotrimbral: Most VST Instruments specialize in one type of sound, for example, analogue synth simulations, Hammond tonewheel organs simulations, Mellotrons, wavetable synths, drums or guitar plugins... They are intended to play only ONE instrument at a time. They are listening by default to the MIDI channel 1.

For such Monotimbrals plugins, Go on the VST OPTIONS screen, and check SEND ON MIDI CHANNEL 1

- Multibrimbral: This type of VSTi is designed to allow you to play different sounds on different MIDI channels simultaneously. For example, a General MIDI compatible VST Instrument. In this case, you don't have to check this box. Be careful of the vArranger midi channel assignation. (eg : RIGHT1 Track = Midi Channel 13)

If you plan to use only ONE channel of a multitimbral VSTi, you can check the option to send on midi channel 1, so you don't need to be careful to set the midi channel inside the plugin. This means you use the multitrimbral VSTi, as a monotrimbral VSTi.

LIMITATION : When you use the "channel 1" option, you need to be careful that only ONE track is using the same VSTi at any given time.

Flexible Routing

Every track of vArranger can be routed to a different VST instrument.

RIGHT CLICKING on the track will allow you to select the desired MIDI OUT and/or the VST Instrument that will be used to play this track.

This routing is saved with the Song (SAVE SONG) and with the Sound (SAVE RIGHT SOUND / SAVE LEFT SOUND)

See Also

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