Free Host for Audio Plugin & Instrument

SeqHost

SeqHost is a free sequencer and host stand alone application developed by Larry Taylor. Compatible OS(s): macOS.

SeqHost is a single Audio Unit host for MacOS that can load and play Standard MIDI Files (sequences).

Features:

Sequences can be played using the built-in DLS Music Device, which has a standard General MIDI soundset, or sent out a user-selectable MIDI output to another host.

Responds to sequencer start and stop messages on a user-selectable MIDI input.

Selection of audio output device and channels.

Selection of sample rate (44.1 KBs or 48 KBs).

https://www.larrymtaylor.com/software.html

SAVIHost

SAVIHost is a free host and wrapper application developed by Hermann Seib. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b.

[Image shows SAVIHost with Attack loaded]

SAVIHost is a derivative version of VSTHost that can be used to make any VST Effect or VSTi run like a standalone application.

This offers two major advantages:

Effect or VSTi can be used (tested, checked or tried) easily and directly without the need or search for another host.

Effect or VSTi can be distributed to be tested in a temporary directory without the need of the presence of another host or to search for a dedicated VSTPlugIns-subdirectory. The VSTi-dll can still be used within other hosts like Cubase, Sonar etc. when copied to that host’s VSTPlugins-subdirectory.

For use just rename SAVIHost.exe to the corresponding VSTi.dll e.g. if there is abc123.dll rename SAVIHost.exe to abc123.exe and this will run the VSTi.

Separate versions for VST 2, VST Module Architecture, and VST3 are available in 32- and 64-bit versions.

http://www.hermannseib.com/english/

QjackCtl

QjackCtl is a free host application for Alsa, developed by rncbc. Compatible OS(s): Linux.

QjackCtl is a simple Qt application to control the JACK sound server (https://jackaudio.org), for the Linux Audio infrastructure.

Written in C++ around the Qt framework for X11, most exclusively using Qt Designer.

Provides a simple GUI dialog for setting several JACK server parameters, which are properly saved between sessions, and a way control of the status of the audio server. With time, this primordial interface has become richer by including a enhanced patch-bay and connection control features.

Website: https://qjackctl.sourceforge.io, http://qsynth.sourceforge.net

Project page: https://sourceforge.net/projects/qjackctl

Weblog: https://www.rncbc.org

QjackCtl is free, open-source Linux Audio software, distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2 or later.

See also: https://jackaudio.org

http://www.rncbc.org

Psycle

Psycle is a free DAW developed by Psycle. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b.

Psycle is a free, Open-Source, music creation program that offers an easy way to create your own music, fast, and with high quality.

Psycle uses a classical tracker interface (a text grid of notes which are sequenced one after the other), coupled with modularity (plugins) that allow to extend the sounds that you get from it.

It supports three ways to get sound: its own native format, the VST Plugin standard, and recorded .wav samples using the sampler machine.

Notes are entered in patterns, where you can also use commands (plugin specific, or global), as well as automating parameters via the mcm and twk commands. These patterns are then organized in a linear sequence, which becomes the song order.

Main features:

A 64 Tracks Pattern Editor, with up to 1024 lines.

256 sequence positions.

Audio Routing (machine) view to interconnect the virtual machines in order to apply different effects. Multi I/O for VST plugins is supported.

Internal Stereo Sampler unit which supports .wav, .aiff, .iff/svx, .s3i, .its files of any sampling rate, 8/16 and 24-bits, mono or stereo.

Modern tracker Sampler (Sampulse), with extends sampler support to .xi and .iti, and supports most of the Impulse Tracker like features, including filter.

70+ Native Plugins (generators & effects), most of them open-source and with an easy to use API to create new ones.

Multithreaded audio engine.

Support for VST1 and VST2 plugin standard, including support for jBridge.

Imports .xm, .s3m, .it, .mod.

Exporting to wav, as well as recording realtime to .wav.

Configurable Keyboard Layout.

MIDI-In Support (control Psycle using a MIDI keyboard, or even a software sequencer).

Themes and skins support.

http://psycle.pastnotecut.org/

Open Sound World

Open Sound World is a free host application developed by Amar / Open Sound World. Compatible OS(s): Windows, macOS, Linux.

Open Sound World is a scalable, extensible programming environment that allows musicians, sound designers, and researchers to process sound in response to expressive realtime control.

It combines a familiar visual patching paradigm with solid programming language features such as a strong type system and hierarchical name spaces.

OSW also includes an intuitive model for specifying new components using a graphical interface and high-level C++ expressions, making it easy to develop and share new music and signal processing algorithms.

OSW now includes support for VST instrument and effects plug-ins under Windows, with LADSPA support coming soon.

http://osw.sourceforge.net/

NanoHost

NanoHost is a free host and wrapper Stand Alone application developed by Tone2 Audiosoftware. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, Linux.

What is NanoHost?

Tone2 NanoHost is a free, minimalist host application which can load VST-synths. Furthermore, it can act as a wrapper which converts VST-synthesizers into standalone applications.
This tiny tool works best for live-performance, sound-design, jam-sessions and testing.

What is special about NanoHost?

It is free, requires no registration and you are allowed to share it with your friends.

It requires no installation. You can run it directly from a USB-stick or CD.

There is no plugin-scanning required since a plugin can be loaded directly – no matter where it is located on the hard-disc.

Because of low-level code-optimization it offers highest performance and can operate with lower latency than conventional hosts.

The GUI refreshes with an extremely high frame-rate (120 Hz). That’s why you will experience smoother animations and graphics than with other hosts.

NanoHost itself requires nearly no space on the screen. As a result there is more space available for the interface of the VST-plugins.

The software is very small. It requires (nearly) no hard-disc space and is loading extremely fast.

Unlike conventional hosts the soundcard settings can be configured individually for every single plugin. This allows you to achieve the best possible performance for your VSTs.

NanoHost is very easy to use and offers context-sensitive help.

Features

It can convert a VST-synth into a standalone-application. You just need to rename NanoHost.exe to the name of the plugin.dll and copy it to the same directory. When you start plugin.exe, the VST-synth is wrapped and loaded automatically.

The output of a plugin can be recorded to a wav-file in high quality.

NanoHost can create random patches.

It offers a soft-clipping algorithm with low distortion and tube-sound.

Scrollbars allow you to work also with plugins larger than your screen resolution. It is possible to display also only a part of the plugin’s interface.

Midi-notes can be transposed and Midi-channels can be filtered. There are several Midi-velocity curves available.

Your current sound-bank can be stored and loaded automatically.

It is also compatible with very old 32-bit plugins.

It does work also with older computers.

Technical data

Supported operating systems: Windows XP / Vista / 7 / 8 / 8.1 / 10 (32-bit or 64-bit), Linux with Wine.

Supported plugin formats: VST 2.x (32-bit or 64-bit).

Supported soundcard-drivers: ASIO, MME, Direct Sound.

Supported samplerates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88 kHz, 96 kHz, 176 kHz, 192 kHz.

Supported patch formats: *.fxp and *.fxb.

Supported format for recordings: 32-bit WAV in stereo.

http://www.tone2.com/

Live Performer

Live Performer is a free host and wrapper application developed by Solaria SRL. Compatible OS(s): macOS.

Live Performer is a new Audio Unit Host for macOS designed for capture your music inspiration.

It offers an always recording mode so you can improvise with your keyboards and all your MIDI events will be always recorded.

Live Performer is also meant for play live, with a rack of 4 Audio Units and Low Latency support.

Full features:

MIDI.

– Input by Keyboard, Mouse/trackpad or MIDI Keyboard
– Auto MIDI Recording
– Live Chords Detector
– Live Keys hi-lighter
– MIDI Monitoring
– MIDI Instrument Out
– Host Tempo Sync
– Transpose
– Velocity Override.

Audio.

– AU Instruments
– 4 Effect Inserts
– Sample Rate
– Low Latency Buffer
– Independent volume control for Input and Output.

Mac App Store
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/live-performer/id1230212898?ls=1&mt=12

Beta – Not Snadboxed
https://rink.hockeyapp.net/apps/ea32e44ec1014ecebb9304328fdd92ba

http://liveperformerapp.com

Linux MultiMedia Studio (LMMS)

Linux MultiMedia Studio (LMMS) is a free DAW developed by LMMS. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS, Linux.

LMMS is a free cross-platform alternative to commercial programs like FL Studio, which allow you to produce music with your computer. This includes the creation of melodies and beats, the synthesis and mixing of sounds, and arranging of samples. You can have fun with your MIDI-keyboard and much more; all in a user-friendly and modern interface.

Features:

Song-Editor for composing songs.

A Beat+Bassline-Editor for creating beats and basslines.

An easy-to-use Piano-Roll for editing patterns and melodies.

An FX mixer with 64 FX channels and arbitrary number of effects allow unlimited mixing possibilities.

Many powerful instrument and effect-plugins out of the box.

Full user-defined track-based automation and computer-controlled automation sources.

Compatible with many standards such as SoundFont2, VST (i), LADSPA, GUS Patches and full MIDI support.

Import of MIDI and FLP (Fruityloops Project) files.

http://lmms.sourceforge.net/

inTone 2

inTone 2 is a free multi fx and mixer and host Stand Alone plugin developed by Audified. Compatible OS(s): Windows, macOS.

inTone 2 is a multichannel FX processor, software mixing console, virtual instruments host and a flexible multitrack zonal player.

inTone can be anything. It is a simple jamming tool as well as sophisticated playback machine. It is a live production mixer that processes multiple audio inputs with studio plug-ins.

inTone plays files and allows you to play virtual instruments, with ability to change a track, effect or instrument configuration in no time! It is also a multitrack recorder, but you can make it be something completely different.

Use inTone2 to perform, train, record, play multiple tracks…

It’s a host for amp simulating software, that spares you from lifting heavy gear. It’s a truck loaded with equipment that will meet any band’s raider. inTone 2 is a universal tool, that finds its place on stage, club or pub, in band’s rehearsal rooms, at music schools, in home studios, in a touring bus, at a park bench, at a party… Just about anywhere, where you desire to make music.

inTone for free

Last, but not least – inTone has its free version too. It is called inTone 2 Solo. inTone 2 Solo limits are not in functionality, only in track numbers. inTone 2 Solo features almost 40 FX plugins, one track player, one audio track one instrument track, one AUX and one master chain.

Pedals

Both versions of inTone are equipped with FX bundle called Pedals, which are also sold separately to use with DAW systems.

http://www.audified.com/

Hosting AU

Hosting AU is a free host application developed by Ju-X. Compatible OS(s): macOS.

Hosting AU microDAW is a micro-sized Digital Audio Workstation for Mac OS X that hosts Audio Unit synth and effect plugins, comes with 4ch+1 mixer with ext-audio input, 32-bit recorder, Music-Typing kind of feature called “LazyKey”.

You can think it like using a 4ch MTR that is expandable with plugins without experiencing any “slow” motion.

Visit www.ju-x.com for more information, completely free download without any limitation.

http://ju-x.com