Free Audio Softwares Hosting VST Instruments

VST Shell

VST Shell is a free host application developed by Wild Front Ear. Compatible OS(s): macOS.

VST Shell allows you to play up to 4 VST instruments through a matrix of up to 4 VST fx, and send the lot to Pro Tools (or whatever) via ReWire. It also has a built in arpeggiator (which can be synced to a ReWire host).

Supports note, controller, program change, aftertouch and pitchbend input via the OMS MIDI port of your choice.

Arpeggiator and external input.

Allows you to use VST instruments in Pro Tools.

MultiVST Shell is a four-part multitimbral version, with a number of other improvements, such as assignable MIDI input and audio output and a 4 way matrix of VST plug-ins.

{See video at top of page}

http://www.wildfrontear.co.uk/

VST Plugin Analyser

VST Plugin Analyser is a free development tool plugin developed by Christian Budde. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

VST Plugin Analyser is a measurement tool for VST Plugins. It can be used by plugin developers for debugging and as a quality control tool, since it can work with virtually any sample rate and any VST Host settings. Furthermore several automated tests are included.

A simple interface makes it easy to use for anyone. Predefined measurements allow to measure the impulse response and thus the magnitude and phase response of any VST effect plugin. Different excitation signals also allow to get an overview how non-linearities affect the impulse response. For further nonlinear investigations, a dedicated waveshaper measurement is available. Beside that, a complete suite of unique measurements for dynamics (compressor/limiters) is available.

The measurement results can be saved in several formats. Impulse responses, can be saved as WAV or CSV (for import in to Excel). All plots can be stored as Bitmap/PNG or SVG (only available on request). Furthermore it is possible to copy the measured data to MATLAB for further processing.

Specifications:

Fully customisable VST host.

Can work faster than real time, allowing to present results instantly.

Works virtually with any given sample rate.

Every VST parameter is adjustable without using the GUI.

Several built-in measurements such as:

Impulse Response Measurement (including magnitude and phase response).

Harmonic Distortion (including THD, THD+N values).

CPU Performance Test (including P4-bug check).

Harmonic Response (fast frequency response measurement of K2, K3…).

Waveshaper measurement.

Several dynamic measurements (e.g. static characteristic, attack/release time, etc.).

Built-in generator for white and pink noise.

Workbench for virtually every test available (on request).

Plots can be saved as WAV, CSV, BMP/PNG and SVG (on request).

Special KVR export available to produce graphics optimized for the KVR-Forum.

Data can be transferred to MATLAB for further processing.

(Last) settings are stored in an INI file.

http://www.pcjv.de/

VST-Scanner

VST-Scanner is a free development tool plugin developed by VB Audio. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

VST-Scanner allows you to register and test VST plugins.

It consists in two tabs: the “Scan Plugins” section searches for VST plugins and validates them, and the “Test Plugin” section allows you to do a sharp analysis of a particular plugin and to put it in the context of real use to tackle possible problems.

http://www.vb-audio.com/

VST-Plugin Unit Test

VST-Plugin Unit Test is a free development tool plugin developed by Christian Budde. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b.

VST-Plugin Unit Test is an ‘Extreme Programming’ unit test for generic VST-Plugins. It is based on DUnit and allows automated tests for a whole collection of plug-ins. It was written to ensure the quality of Christian’s open source project, but might be useful for other plug-in developers as well. A detailed manual explains all tests.

http://www.pcjv.de/

vPlayer 2

vPlayer 2 is a free host Stand Alone application developed by Digital Brain Instruments. Compatible OS(s): Windows, macOS.

vPlayer 2 is a standalone software developed for quick testing new vst/au instruments without the need to use any DAW.

But also for playing a quick loading jam session with your friends using your favourite instruments, playing up to 4 instruments at same time using 1 to 4 different MIDI keyboards.

Features:

Play up to 4 vst/au instruments

Load 1 vst/au effect plugin on each instrument output

Load and save plugin presets

Master EQ

Recording

Free Download. More info at Digital Brain Instruments website.

http://www.digitalbrain-instruments.com

VIP (Virtual Instrument Player)

VIP (Virtual Instrument Player) is a free audio player Audio Unit, AAX, VST plugin developed by AKAI. Compatible OS(s): Windows, macOS.

VIP 3.0 revolutionizes the hardware/software experience and provides musicians and producers with unparalleled access to their VST virtual instrument and effect collection. The combination of VIP 3.0 and a compliant controller maximizes workflow and ensures a natural, creative playing experience that fuses the tactile feel of hardware with the unrivalled processing capability of virtual Instruments.

With VIP 3.0, users can drastically enhance the creative capability of any standard MIDI over USB controller thanks to all-new MIDI Learn functionality. Now artists can seamlessly custom map the controls of their MIDI controller (knobs, encoders, faders, buttons) to VIP’s parameters, for effortless integration and the enhanced workflow, attributes that owners of the award-winning Akai Professional Advance Series, M-Audio’s CTRL49 and the Alesis VX49 have long enjoyed. VIP 3.0 is also available for the first time ever as a no-charge complimentary upgrade (a $99.99 value) to owners of the following models:

Akai Professional

MPK2 Series.

MPK Mini Series.

M-Audio

Code Series.

Oxygen MK IV Series.

Axiom AIR Mini 32.

In addition, VIP 3.0 is available to 3rd-party keyboards for the first time, for a $99.99 access fee at Plugin Boutique or at Plugivery Dealers

Other notable new features include Pad Chord Progressions and Key Control processors – MIDI centric performance tools, armed with comprehensive articulation controls, that provide the ideal platform to explore new musical possibilities by harmonizing root notes in real-time and playing chord progressions on pads (using either the vast factory library or user’s own fully customizable motifs).

VIP 3.0 Highlights

• Plays virtually every VST-compatible plugin and effects unit.

• Operates as a standalone virtual instrument and effects player or as a plugin within any AU, VST or AAX compatible DAW.

• Organizes user’s plugin collection with intuitive browsing by plugin, artist collection, instrument type, timbre and more.

• Includes an Effects Browser allowing users to browse effects by type and audition across multiple plugins with a single click.

• Access, edit and mix up to 8 virtual instruments at one time in a Multi.

• Expanded Multi mixer includes insert effects, send effects, bus tracks and a master output channel strip for total routing control.

• Effects Stacks combine multiple effects into re-usable patches, accessible in the patch list for easy selection and auditioning.

• NEW | VIPMS – The VIP Native Plugin Map Standard allows 3rd party virtual instrument and effect developers to produce their own plugin maps for enhanced VIP integration and opening their plugins to the superior workflow offered by VIP.

• NEW | MIDI Learn functionality seamlessly maps the controls of any VIP-compatible keyboard (knobs, encoders, faders, buttons) to VIP’s parameters with a ever-growing library of MIDI controller mappings for Akai and M-Audio controller keyboards included.

• NEW | Pad Chord Progressions – play factory or user defined chord progressions using a VIP-enabled keyboard controller’s pads.

• NEW | Key Control modes: play scales, harmonized chords or chord progressions from a VIP keyboard or MIDI keyboard.

http://www.akaipro.com/

Usine

Usine is a free host VST application developed by Sensomusic. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

http://www.sensomusic.org/

The Ugly VSTi Interface

The Ugly VSTi Interface is a free adapter and host plugin developed by reFuse Software. Compatible OS(s): macOS.

Ugly VSTi Interface is a simple host application for VSTi plug-ins. It loads one VSTi at a time, and no effects, but it’s intuitive and stable.

Features:

The Ugly can now be launched by double-clicking a VST file.

Now remembers your MIDI input device of choice.

Added “hold” button for onscreen keyboard.

Now passes aftertouch MIDI data.

Added Panic button (kill all hanging MIDI notes).

Lots more little improvements.

Awesome new ugly colors.

https://www.refusesoftware.com/

Temper

Temper is a free sequencer VST developed by Angry Red Planet. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

Temper is a MIDI+audio sequencer with an emphasis on MIDI.

Features:

Sophisticated event routing and manipulation.

Powerful MIDI editing environment.

Interactive algorithmic composition tools.

Easy audio recording.

http://www.angryredplanet.com/

SynthFont

SynthFont is a free sequencer stand alone application developed by Kenneth Rundt. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b.

SynthFont 1 is a free tool for playing/rendering MIDI files using SoundFonts and other similar sound sources (WAV, DLS, GIGA and also VST Instruments).

SynthFont2 is the second generation of SynthFont and has a number of new features and improvements. It costs €15.

SynthFont is intended to mimic the behavior of SoundFont compatible hardware/soundcards like SoundBlaster Live! or Audigy and SynthFont is (almost) modulator aware, which Live! is not. But SynthFont is more. It provides an interface into the SoundFont structure and has basic editing capabilities. It also displays various data about the loaded MIDI file through the piano roll and the event list. Finally, there is a simple playlist feature for storing the files you are currently working on.

SynthFont also supports VST effects – there are 17 busses in all: one master bus and 16 channel busses.

VSTSynthFont (VSF), a separate VST instrument version of SynthFont is also available.

http://www.synthfont.com/