MIDI + VSTi + n-Track = ???

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zippyzapp

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Here's a few questions that I'm hoping that someone can answer for me:

1) What's the difference between a VST plug-in and a VST instrument? I'm assuming that the former would be something like an effect (e.g. reverb, et al.) and the latter would be something that actually generates sounds itself. Is this true?

2) I've got a digital piano with a MIDI in and out hooked up to a Santa Cruz card, using n-Track as my sequencer. I've also got an Omni Studio breakout box into a Delta 66 card, but I don't have a MIDI interface for the O/S yet. I've been able to hook up the keyboard/Santa Cruz/n-Track configuration in such a way that I can play stuff on the piano, record it as a MIDI file in n-Track, and then play it back through the keyboard, and that's about the extent of what I know how to do.

I haven't had much luck getting the sound card to play the music itself, and when I do, the sounds are pretty lousy. I'm assuming that that is due to the limitations of the sound synthesizing capabilities built into the sound card.

What I'd really love to do is utilize VST instruments like, say, the Big Tick Cheeze Machine. Am I correct in believing that they generate their own sounds independent of the sound card? I mean, obviously it would have to go through the sound card for me to hear it, but the sound card just plays what the sythesizer creates, right?

I'd like to be able to use my keyboard (the piano, I mean, not the computer keyboard, although that might be nice too!) to record either MIDI or audio tracks with the Cheeze Machine and similar plug-ins. What MIDI settings would I need to use on my computer? Can someone please explain to me if it's possible to use my set-up to do something like this? I'm not completely averse to the idea of splurging for some new software sequencing type things ---especially because I know that n-Track is supposed to be pretty weak when it comes to MIDI, and because it doesn't support VSampler (and I'd LOVE for someone to show me how to get THAT to work!)--- but I feel like I just keep spending my hard-earned coins on computer sh!t that either doesn't work with my set-up or that is impossible to figure out how to use.

Thanks in advance,
ZZ

P.S. I've posted this in two forums (n-Track and MIDI Mania), so I apologize for any overlap.
 
You are correct.

A VST plugin is something that takes incoming audio and modifies it in some way. A VST Instrument plugin is something that generates sound based incoming MIDI commands. A VSTi can be a synth or a sampler or anything in between. Yes, it is purely software based.

The cheese machine is one of my favorites. To use a VSTi in n-Track, you first insert the VST instrument into the project. Then, you add a new MIDI track and in the track properties, route its output to the VSTi instead of the default device (usually the synth on your soundcard).

Now, how to play it with your keyboard is something I'm not too sure of, but it is possible yes. First, though, to test it out, use n-Track's piano roll editor to play a few notes to make sure that everything's working.

Slackmaster 2000
 
Thanks, Mister Master!

Your advice is much appreciated! I'm sure I'll have plenty of other questions for you and the rest of all of yuz, but at least I now know how to begin!

ZZ
 
I have a question to add.
I don't have a MIDI instrument, so, is it still possible to use VSTi? I haven't been able to do so. I've been using step-time entry to make music, and yeah, it's annoying, but that's all I can do for now.
Is there no hope for using VSTi with out a keyboard?
 
Yes, you simply use the piano roll editor to trigger your MIDI events. From the Track Menu, just add a VSTi to your project, then add a MIDI track and set its output to the VSTi.

Slackmaster 2000
 
I tried loading some of my VSTi and nTrack crashed! Apperently it can't handle some of the newer VSTi....
 
Welcome to "Fun With n-Track 101"...hehe.

I had to upgrade to 3.1.7 to get Fruity VSTi to work in n-Track. I've had mixed results with other VST instruments, but with those I have to use n-Track's piano roll which isn't stable on my system.

Slackmaster 2000
 
When I had the Cubasis 3.7 demo, it was able to use those VSTi. I'm trying out Cubase 5.1 now and I guess it can't use those. How do I stop it from trying to load them?
 
Cubase is like the original VST application...odd that a VSTi wouldn't work in Cubase.

Anyhow, the only way to get it to not load those plugs might be to move them out of your VST folder, at least temporarily. You might have to run multiple VST folders if a plugin is crashing an app at load time.

Slackmaster 2000
 
Move them huh? I thought nTrack just scanned the whole computer for them, but I'll try that. I'm saying that cus I have my DX plug-ins all over the place and it picks them up anyway.

Oh, and it does work on Cubase, it's the new plugins that came with it that don't work on nTrack; the old Cubasis one do though.
I just think nTrack is easier to use, so I'm doing that.
 
Oh I see what you mean...yeah you should probably upgrade n-Track :(

As far as VST vs DX....DX plugins are registered (e.g. linked to in the system registry) so they can be located anywhere on the drive. VST plugins on the other hand are not, so you have to specify a VST folder in your application. n-Track scans your VST folder for plugins, not your entire drive.

Slackmaster 2000
 
Ah, I see! Thanks a lot S2K! As always, you've been really helpful. :D
 
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