Topic by hvaartsen

  • Avatar
  • hvaartsen
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: The Netherlands
  • Registered: 13-07-2009
  • Posts: 58

Topic: Running multiple instances of Pianoteq

Hi,

I like to run 4 instances of Pianoteq (left hand, right hand, right hand layered and pedals) each listening to a separate midichannel/device. Further more I like to avoid using a sort of VST host because stability is very important and obviously each software introduces new overhead.
Of course I can configure the midichannel for each instance individually after statup but it would be more convenient (much less hassle) if I could supply a paramater (in a command file) to specifiy the midichannel and make a script for starting the 4 instances.

Is it possible to use parameters? Or what other solution is at hand?

Reply by EvilDragon

  • Avatar
  • EvilDragon
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Croatia
  • Registered: 27-06-2008
  • Posts: 3,994

Re: Running multiple instances of Pianoteq

Why not use a free VSThost? It's simple and practically adds no overhead!

Hard work and guts!

Reply by hvaartsen

  • Avatar
  • hvaartsen
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: The Netherlands
  • Registered: 13-07-2009
  • Posts: 58

Re: Running multiple instances of Pianoteq

The problem with lots of VST-hosts is the fact that there is lots of functionality I'm in no need of.
One can choose from:
- Cantabile (which is actually part of the Ivory sample library now)
- Plogue
- Brainspan's Forte
- Steinberg stuff
- VSThost (Hermann Seib)
- ....

The latter one is suggested very often in posts but the rate of updates on the website is depending on the time his "normal" work consumes. So in fact, and he has my great respect though, you cannot actually predict when bugs are fixed. This is of course a bit of concern when I'm going to use this configuration in a live gig.
The other VST-hosts offer lots of functionality, but the more functionality is offered the more likable it is that bugs (and also crashes) occur.

Maybe I should rephrase the question. What's THE solution for running multiple pianoteq instances (in my case 4) with (near) 100% stability?

Reply by dhalfen

  • Avatar
  • dhalfen
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Baltimore, MD, USA
  • Registered: 25-05-2008
  • Posts: 469

Re: Running multiple instances of Pianoteq

See my configuration below -- Live works very well for me, and I often run 4-5 instances of Pianoteq with absolutely _no_ flakiness or crashes while improvising (often in storms of notes!) for _hours_.  I drive the instances with two keyboards and MIDI files, and it hasn't crashed on me _once_ during all of this. 

(The one caveat:  Live _has_ crashed on me while running a bajillion additional effects plug-ins, though I really haven't pushed the limits with the latest 8.0.5 version.  I can get rather carried away with the effects at times, so I'm not surprised.  If only I had a better [read:  quad] processor...)

:-)

"Our developers, who art in Toulouse, hallowed be thy physical-models.
Thy version 4 come, thy new instruments be done, in the computer as it is in the wood!"

Reply by hvaartsen

  • Avatar
  • hvaartsen
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: The Netherlands
  • Registered: 13-07-2009
  • Posts: 58

Re: Running multiple instances of Pianoteq

Thanx for your comment. I looked into Ableton Live but for me this program offers lots of functionality I'll never use (besides the price of 350 euro). Is there any other stable vst-host in which I can just (and of course all of the points below is basic functionality):

- load mutiple instances of one and the same plugin
- show parameters of plugins and map them onto midi-events
- do midi filtering and mapping
- mix audio outputs

Reply by Jake Johnson

  • Avatar
  • Jake Johnson
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Atlanta
  • Registered: 04-05-2007
  • Posts: 4,501

Re: Running multiple instances of Pianoteq

Cantabile lite is free and lets you load several instances of PianoTeq. Loads very fast and automatically loads whatever setup you last used (unless you turn this feature off).

Very straightforward operation. It has many options and features, but it's easy to ignore these and just use the essential features.

Last edited by Jake Johnson (23-09-2009 00:34)

Reply by RepeatChorus

  • Avatar
  • RepeatChorus
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Oslo, Norway
  • Registered: 30-09-2008
  • Posts: 17

Re: Running multiple instances of Pianoteq

Hi Hvaartsen! Maybe you should take a look at Energy-XT 2.5? From what I've heard, it uses very little computer power and seems easy to use. Besides, the full version costs only €59:

http://www.energy-xt.com/index.php

Reply by EvilDragon

  • Avatar
  • EvilDragon
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Croatia
  • Registered: 27-06-2008
  • Posts: 3,994

Re: Running multiple instances of Pianoteq

You could try Reaper, too.

Hard work and guts!

Reply by hvaartsen

  • Avatar
  • hvaartsen
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: The Netherlands
  • Registered: 13-07-2009
  • Posts: 58

Re: Running multiple instances of Pianoteq

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have a little homework to do ;-)