I N T R O D U C T I O N

FAQ

M U L T I C H A N N E L S

CONTROLS

STEREO

CONDITIONS

HOSTS

TUTORIALS

"SURROUND"

OCTOPHONY

16 / 18 2D

17.1 & 22.2

OTHERS

MISCS

O S X

 

 

 

T H E   H O S T S

 

 

les instruments Windows

 

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les instruments (Linux)

 

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les instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 


A plugin is nothing without its host…
In fact, it is a kind of parasite which nourishes its resources, is based on its structure, but also that brings him of what it misses !

The relationship between hosts and plugins is complex. And so that there is harmonious agreement, so that each one at the same time benefits and brings the other, it is necessary that they have common affinities (a whole program !).

The charts below try to recapitulate these relations, so as to help you in your choices.
To consult imperatively before any question and purchase !

Notes:
- information of these charts and the remarks relate ONLY to the integration of the multichannel plugins, that is plugins that have more than 2 inputs/outputs : I don't speak of multiout instruments that can be used as several stereo pairs in every host.
- to know more about the multitrack, modular software and plugins multichannel, consult the corresponding pages on the Multiphonie site (actually in French...)
- obviously, only the hosts that have multiple outputs are listed here …

 
   


 

 W I N D O W S
 
M U L T I T R A C K    S O F T W A R E S
  
   
6 channels
8 to 12 channels
more than 12 channels
MIDI plugins
Instruments
Multichannel Files
Comments
  

AODIX 4.2

yes

yes

32

-

yes
-

a very good software, but a tracker, pity...

  
CUBASE 5
yes
(multi-surround)
(multi-surround)
yes
yes
6
 limited to 6 channels in surround mode  
ENERGY XT 1.4 / 2
yes
yes
32
yes
yes
-
 it lacks the support of multichannel files and the audio-sequencer part must be improve, but NO BUS LIMIT !!!  
  NERO SoundTrax 3
yes
8
-
-
-
8
 multitrack editing, part of Nero 7.5  
  N-TRACK STUDIO 5
yes
8
-
no ?
yes ?
-
 no automation for the multichannel plugins  
NUENDO 4
yes
yes
(multi-surround)
yes
yes
12
 good features, good performances, but expensive and busses limited to 12 channels...  
PODIUM 2.1
yes
yes
32
-
yes
32
 one of the best DAWs for multichannel  
  PREMIERE PRO CS 4
yes
-
-
-
-
6
 video editor  
  PROTOOLS HD 8
yes
8
(with aux ?)
-
yes ?
8
 8 channels with the VST-RTAS wrapper from FX-Pansion  
  PROTOOLS LE / MP 8
(with aux ?)
(with aux ?)
-
-
yes ?
-
 with the VST-RTAS wrapper from FX-Pansion ?  
  PYRAMIX 6
yes
8
-
-
-
8
 not tested  

REAPER 3.0
yes
yes
64 !!
yes
yes
64
 almost perfect...  
  SAMPLITUDE 10
yes
-
-
-
yes
-
 on the groups and the master only  
  SEQUOIA 10
yes
yes
-
-
yes
-
 on the groups and the master only...  
TRACKTION 3
yes
yes
48 !
yes
yes
-
 with the "rack filters", needs some time to operate, but very pleasant to use !  

 

 The best choices for multitrack hosts (features + price) : Reaper, followed by Podium, OR why not, the outsider Usine ???

 

 

 

 

  
 
M O D U L A R    S O F T W A R E S  ,  E D I T O R S  and  PLUGINS HOSTS
  
   
6 channels
8 to 12 channels
more than 12 channels
MIDI plugins
VSTi instruments
Multichannel Files
Comments
  
ACOUSTICA Premium 4
yes
8
-
-
-
8
 nice and cheap audio file editor

 
AUDIOMULCH 1.0 / 2
yes
yes
24 / 256
-
yes
24
 version 2 has now MIDI connections between plugins (but the MetaSurface is GREAT !)  
BIDULE 0.96
yes
yes
(256 ?)
yes
yes
32
 excellent !  
CANTABILE 1. 2 / 2
yes
yes
(256 ?)
yes
yes
32 ?
 rack presentation with Audio / MIDI recorder and player, full multichannel support, available soon...  
  CONSOLE 1.6
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
-
 very good performances, but no multichannel files support  
  CPS 1.50
yes
yes
(2 x 8 ?)
-
yes
-
    
  DIRECT DVD HD 7
yes
yes
17.1
-
-
-
 DVD player  
  ENERGY XT 1.4 / 2
yes
yes
32
yes
yes
-
 fast and powerful, it only lacks the support of multichannel files  

 

LIVE PROFESSOR beta
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
-

interesting free host in beta stage

 
  MAIZE STUDIO 1.0
yes
yes
16
yes
yes
-
    
MAX-MSP 5
yes
yes
(512)
yes
yes
28
 expensive and not really convenient to be a simple host, but otherwise very powerful...  
NERO WaveEditor 4
yes
8
-
-
-
8
 very clever destructive editing, part of Nero 7.5, alas limited to 8 channels files  
  PURE DATA 0.40
yes ?
yes ?
yes ?
yes ?
yes ?
8 ?
 not tested, similar to Max/Msp but free ;-)  
  SAVIHOST 1.27
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
32
 perfect for use the AcousModules as standalone applications  

SOUNDFORGE 9
yes
yes
yes
-
-
32

the best sound editor, from far !

 
  SYNTHEDIT 1.0
yes
yes
-
yes
yes
-
 limited to 12 physical outputs, stereo audio files only  

USINE 4.2
yes
yes
32
yes
yes
16 (read only)
 an extraordinary modular AND mutitrack host ! it lacks only to export multichannel files  
VSTHOST 1.40
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
32
 possibility to chain several plugins  
WAVOSAUR 1.0
yes
yes
16
-
-
16
 audio file editor, the support of 16 channels files and plugins is already remarquable  
  WINAMP 5.1
yes
?
?
-
-
6 ?
 audio player with extra VST plugin support  

 

 The best choices for modular hosts (features + price) :
AudioMulch, with its great integrated modules and the Metasurface
Bidule, with its great basic modules and the HID devices

 
             

   
 
S O F T W A R E S  that  D O   N O T  support multichannel plugins (or badly...)
  
  ABLETON LIVE 7
(auxiliary mode)
(auxiliary mode)
-
-
yes
-
    
  ACID PRO 6
-
-
-
-
yes
-
    
  AUDITION 3
-
-
-
-
?
5.1
    
  FL STUDIO 7
-
-
-
yes
yes
-
    
  LOGIC AUDIO 5.51
(auxiliary mode)
(auxiliary mode)
(auxiliary mode)
-
yes
-
    
  MAVEN 3D PRO
-
-
-
-
-
5.1
 non realtime plugins, no MIDI  
  MUSIC STUDIO INDEPENDENCE 1.22
-
-
-
-
yes
-
    
  SEQCON 1.5
4
-
-
-
?
-
 the 4 channels can be routed to 16 outputs  
  SAWSTUDIO 4
-
-
-
-
?
-
    
  SONAR 8
(auxiliary mode)
(auxiliary mode)
(auxiliary mode)
-
yes
-
    
  VEGAS 8
(auxiliary mode)
(auxiliary mode)
(auxiliary mode)
-
-
-
 a shame...  
  VSTACK 1.2
-
-
-
?
yes
-
 for instruments only  
  WAVELAB 6
(6/6)
(8/8)
-
-
-
-
 on master section only  
                   
Notes :
- the number of channels is the number of OUTPUTS. The number of inputs depends on the software : it can be the same in the modular hosts, but is often limited to TWO in the multitrack hosts.
- "auxiliary mode" means that the software does not support the required number of inputs / outputs, but that you can controle the mono auxiliary busses with a MIDI AcousModule... they are made for this !
- "Multi-surround" is the ability of some multitrack softwares (Steinberg's, Podium and Digital Performer) to use several different surround busses at the same time. Some AcousModules can take profit of it to simulate spatial systems which can support more channels.
The version numbers of the software are the most recent ones, but older versions can work too. Contact me if you have any doubt.

 

 

 

 M A C   O S  X
 
M U L T I T R A C K    S O F T W A R E S
  
   
6 channels
8 to 12 channels
more than 12 channels
Instruments
Multichannel Files
Comments
AU
VST
  
  AMADEUS PRO 1.3
yes
8
-
-
8 (and more)
 not very reliable...
x
x
  
  ARDOUR 2.8
-
-
-
-
?
 ?
-
-
  
CUBASE 5
yes
(multi-surround)
(multi-surround)
yes
6
 6 channels maxi
 
x
  
  DIGITAL PERFORMER 6
not yet
not yet
-
not yet
12
 there is a problem with plugins made with Sonicbirth in DP... (works with others)
x
 
  
  LOGIC PRO 9
(yes)
8
-
yes ?
8
 same problem as with Soundtrack Pro 2

x

    
NUENDO 4
yes
yes
(multi-surround)
yes
12
 very good performances, true multichannel support, bus limited to 12 channels
 
x
  
  PROTOOLS HD 8
yes
8
-
yes ?
8
 with the VST/AU - RTAS wrapper from FX-Pansion
-
-
  
  PROTOOLS LE / MP 8
(with aux ?)
(with aux ?)
-
yes ?
-
 perhaps with the VST/AU - RTAS wrapper ?
-
-
  
REAPER 3.0
yes
yes
64
yes
64
GUI problems in Leopard
x
x
  SOUNDTRACK PRO 2
(yes)
-
-
-
6
 there is a problem with plugins made with Sonicbirth and the AU multichannel specs... (works with NON Acousmodules plugins)

x

    
TRACKTION 3
yes
yes
yes
yes
-
 with the "rack filters", needs some time to operate, but pleasant to use with a few tracks !
 
x
  
 
M O D U L A R    S O F T W A R E S , E D I T O R S  and  PLUGINS HOSTS
  
   
6 channels
8 to 12 channels
more than 12 channels
Instruments
Multichannel Files
Comments
AU
VST
  

AUDIOMULCH 2
yes
yes
(256 ?)
yes
yes

the Metasurface on Macs !

 
x

 
BIDULE 0.96
yes
yes
(256 ?)
yes
32
 very good, and can also work as a plugin !
x
x
  
  CPS 1.45
yes
yes
(2 x 8 ?)
yes
-
 
 
x
  
MAX/MSP 5
yes
yes
(512)
yes
28
 expensive and not really convenient to be used only as a host, but otherwise very powerful...
 
x
  
PURE DATA 0.40
yes ?
yes ?
yes ?
yes ?
8 ?
 like Max/Msp but free, not tested
 
x
  
  SEQ CON 1.1
4
-
-
?
-
 the 4 channels can be routed to 16 outputs
 
x
  

SNDSAMPLER 6

yes

yes

yes ?

-

32

file editor

x

 

 
  VSTACK 1.2
-
-
-
yes
-
 for instruments only
 
x
  
  WAVE EDITOR 1.3
yes
yes
-
yes
12
 file editor with layer capabilities
 x
 
  
           

       
 
S O F T W A R E S  that  D O   N O T  support multichannel plugins
  
  ABLETON LIVE 7
-
-
-
yes (12 channels)
-
 no multichannel bus, no recording of the multiple outputs
x
x
  
  DECK 3.5
 -
 -
-
 -
-
 no multichannel bus
 
x
  
  GARAGEBAND
-
-
-
?
-
 no multichannel bus
x
 
  
  INTUEM RW
-
-
-
?
-
 ???
x
 
  METRO 6
-
-
-
?
 -
 not suitable  
                     

 

 

  

 L I N U X
   
6 channels
8 to 12 channels
more than 12 channels
MIDI
Instruments
Multichannel Files
Comments
formats
  
  (STANDALONE)
yes
yes
yes
?
yes
-
 within Jack in Studio To Go distrib or others (Wine + fts)  
  
  ARDOUR 2
external
external
external
-
-
yes
 with Wine + VST adapter + Jack    
  PURE DATA 0.40
yes ?
yes ?
yes ?
yes ?
yes ?
?
 like Max/Msp, not tested    

 

REAPER 3.0 (Wine)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  REZOUND 0.12
external
external 8
-
-
-
8
 with Wine + VST adapter + Jack    
  ROSEGARDEN
-
-
-
-
external
-
 with Wine + VST adapter + Jack
VST
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is possible to use some VST plugins under Linux with the Wine library (see this page ). The Fervent Studio To Go distrib allows tu use them directly.

 

  

 C O N C L U S I O N S   ?

 
   

If you compose in pentaphony (5.0 or 5.1), the choice of software is now very broad and the use of AcousModules is not essential besides… Logic Pro and Cubase for the multitrack hosts are certainly the most capable of them, full of features and plugins.

But if you don't mind using a "less industry standard software", and if what is really important to you is what you can do with it (remember : in multiphony and as hosts for the AcousModules !), Reaper and Podium are without question the best multitrack hosts, associated with Usine, Audiomulch or Bidule for the modular hosts. Of course each of them has its little qualities and defaults, but they are powerful, the developers are open and inventive, and they are small and cheap.
Personnaly, the couple Reaper + Usine (+ a good PC) is not far from what I dream since thirty years... But it is only one point of view, and a very specialized one !