Hi,

VSTi's ask alot from your computer, so I was wondering which DSP cards or whatever you can put into a PC to put the workload of VST instruments off the CPU and onto the card?!

Which are recommended?

I actually thought that UAD cards that everybody speaks about did this, but am I understanding it right that these cards only run its own FX plugins, and don't do anything for VST instruments?! Is that correct or am I missing something?..

I searched with google and it's always about those UAD cards that only runs its own vst fx's.

What I wanted to know if there are good cards that can run all kinds of VST instruments or effects, taken the load of your computer?

Which ones are there and what do you recommend? Thanks!!

I'm not sure if there's any DSP cards out there that run 3rd party instruments and FX, but for Cubase/Nuendo, there's V-stack which basically lets you use a 2nd [or 3rd or 4th] computer [for additional CPU power] as a host for VSTi's and/or FX. All data being transferred through MIDI and sending the audio from computer #2 back to computer #1. There's other programs that do this universally, but I don't know the names of any of them.

For V-Stack you do need to add other computers

I was more thinking of cards that you can plugin that can run any VST instrument, taking load of your CPU?! Do these exist?? I searched with google but couldn't find anything, so please tell me if such cards exist or not?!

Also, of the cards that use there own plugins, are there any that have VST instruments or only effects like with UAD if I am correct?

I find it hard to believe such DSPs excist (could be wrong though), because whats the point in having such a DSP? Then you can better buy a better CPU or make it dual I think. Or am I wrong?

quote:

Originally posted by Dance123 I was more thinking of cards that you can plugin that can run any VST instrument, taking load of your CPU?! Do these exist?? I searched with google but couldn't find anything, so please tell me if such cards exist or not?!

no, they don't you'll always need dedicated plugins for those cards..

quote:

Originally posted by Synchronicity For the price of these type of cards you could get a hardware synth.

a hardware synths is something totally different! you can't compare VST plugins with external synths/effects... the workflow is quite different.

quote:

Originally posted by thecYrus no, they don't you'll always need dedicated plugins for those cards..

Actually, one "card" exists that allows you to use VST's and VSTi's. Although the card doesn't allow to use the standard version of the plugs, a lot of plugs have already been made in a special version made for usage with the specific "card".

Unfortunately, I do not remember the name of that "card" (don't even know if it's an actual pci-card or something you hook up through fw or usb), but I'm sure a little search on KVR or Google will lead you to it. I've seen it advertised a lot as something "brand new" some months ago, so it's probably not that known to everyone yet.

For UAD-1 and TC PowerCore you do need the special plugs that come with these cards (or can be bought seperately from the producer).
I own 3 UAD-1 and 1 PoCo and believe you me: You will never find anything that sounds half as good as the 1176 compressor and Cambridge EQ on the UAD-1 or the reverbs on PowerCore in software plugins. I know it obviously depends on what "sound" you're after and that it is always nice to have a lot of different plug-ins, but if you do own a UAD-1 and a PowerCore, I can't imagine you really need more. And if you do, there is always the Waves hardware to look at. They've made it possible to run all their plugs on some dedicated hardware too. Unfortunately, like other Waves products, this is very expensive!

Btw: PowerCore is an "open" platform (or at least semi-open), so you'll get a lot of 3rd party developers plugs as well. I just want to point to one here, since you're specifically asking for VST Instruments (rather than VST plugs): The Virus synth. The Virus synth on the powercore card sounds exactly like a real Virus hardware synth. Also there is another synth (that comes with card) that is very nice too.

One last thing here, is to remember that if you spread out all your VST plugs to DPS cards (like PoCo and UAD-1) you'll free up CPU power to run those VSTi's...

Another thing you can do (at least if you work in Cubase) is to "freeze" the VSTi's track. This "converts" the track to a waveform freeing up CPU power on that specific VST instrument track.

Best regards

___________________
RiValMan

- Pumping the bits using:
My beloved MacBook Pro, Logic Pro X, UAD hardware and software and tons of plug-ins...

there is this thing, but it isn't VST:

http://www.chameleon.synth.net/english/index.shtml
(actually, the company seems to be going under, maybe they were a flop, shame, the thing was really cool)

Another question you might ask is if any of these DSP cards will allow everybody to develop software which uses them. That powercore thing evidently does from the looks of a previous post. Coding for embedded systems is so much fun, its just so satisfying to hack away at something then be able to hear a noise come out or an led blink, even talking to a device connected to a computer is very enjyable. I work on smaller things than sound cards for my day job, it's more control systems DSP than audio DSP, but writing noise code is something I'm always fantasizing about.

There is a DSP that can run VST instruments. It is called Muse Receptor (http://www.museresearch.com/receptor_overview.php and the guys at Computer Music Magazine ran something like 40 instances of Native Instruments FM7 on it before it started to crumble but it drops voices instead of stuttering so its more suited for live use.

It only runs supported VSTis but the list has been growing steadily and all the big softsynths like Zeta+, FM7, albino etc are all covered.

Its fucking expensive though. A snip at £1500.

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1 No it's not. 2 Yes you can. 3 So?

Do you own a hardware synth? Unless you have a TI the workflow is completely different and for alot of people its off putting. Such as having to record from analogue outs. Its such a big issue for some that TI owners sold up becaue The VST integration didnt work properly in the first OS release.

Some people just fecking hate working with hardware. The process of getting a sound into a track so that you can render it and listen to is longer and involves shuffling a few steps around to accomodate. Recording from analogue outs at extremely high CPU loads captures all the pops and clicks and stutters of an ASIO buffer overload for instance - too many people already hate having to bounce as is and this just exacerbates that need.

Hardware and software, as theCyrus said, are not comparible. They both have their ups and downs but when someone specifically asks for softsynths I'll keep it on the topic of softsynths. If he wanted a hardware VA the threadstarter probably would have asked. But yea it seems like hes not looking for a synth. Just a way to run alot of his existing synths without having to bounce or worry about high CPU load fucking things up. Aside from the sound, it is easy to forget that convenience can be priceless.

Not at all. Im saying that if he wanted a Hardware synth he would have asked for one. But hes asking for a DSP type solution which is more than just a means of running synths. They run software outboard emulations and effects too.

Processors do the same thing. They are different manufacturers that build chips which run all the same software. The software they run is standardised and the workflow is exactly the same except for the actual process of fitting the CPU. Even that has some standards (socket lever, heatsink etc).

A hardware synth is not the same as a software synth for workflow reasons. Besides, and more on topic, a hardsynth is absolutely nothing like a Muse Receptor. The Receptor doesnt even play sound. It just crunches loads of software instruments that make sound.

To use your own analogy, it would be like some guy asking for an Intel CPU at your proverbial computer store and you saying 'dont get that CPU - buy this graphics card instead.'

Completely different things.

This discussion is getting retarded. I fail to see what you are trying to suggest with this.