| Software | Description | OS | License | File Date | Comments | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic Visualiser 2.5 | View and analyse the contents of music audio files. [Hosts VST Plugins] | Mac | Free | 2015-10-28 | 1 | 75db |
| Automap 4.9 | Offers an instant controlling solution for your MIDI Hardware controllers to work with all your plug-ins. | Mac | Freeware | 2015-07-09 | 0 | 70db |
| Renoise v3.1 | Professional music tracker and composing tool. [Hosts VST Plugins] | Mac | Demo | 2016-01-26 | 2 | 65db |
| HostX v1.0.7 | Free standing VSTi Host Application | Mac | Freeware | 2006-11-15 | 1 | 65db |
| Reaper 5.03 | Record, arrange, edit, mix and render audio. [Hosts VST Plugins] | Mac | Demo | 2015-10-05 | 2 | 65db |
| Audacity v2.1.2 | Audacity is a Cross-platform full featured multi-track sound editor. | Mac | Free | 2016-05-02 | 7 | 60db |
| Metro 7.2.4 | High-powered sequencer for the design of professional audio projects. [Hosts VST/AU Plugins] | Mac | Demo | 2014-04-15 | 0 | 60db |
| Studio One v3.2.2 | Music creation and production application that makes audio recording, MIDI sequencing, and audio mastering simple right out of the box, yet provides a wealth of professional features. [Hosts VST Plugins] | Mac | Demo | 2016-06-06 | 2 | 60db |
| Ableton Live v9.6.2b5 | Compose, record, remix, improvise and edit your musical ideas. Works with the Ableton Push Controller [Hosts VST Plugins] | Mac | Demo | 2016-07-04 | 0 | 60db |
| Audio Evolution v5.3.1 | Easy to understand software for recording, editing and mixing audio and MIDI. Ideal for the beginner, but powerful enough for more advanced users. [Hosts AU/VST] | Mac | Demo | 2012-06-05 | 0 | 60db |
| Translator v5.9.0.94 | Sample file format converter. | Mac | Demo | 2010-07-07 | 0 | 60db |
| Wavosaur for Mac 1.1.0.0 | Free audio sample editor now available for Mac. Supports VST plug-ins.[VST] | Mac | Freeware | 2014-04-28 | 0 | 60db |
| Audio Hijack Pro 3.2.0 | Add professional-quality DSP effects to audio output from any application as well as record. Hosts VST/AU/LADSPA plugins. | Mac | Demo | 2015-07-29 | 0 | 60db |
| MultitrackStudio 8.3 | MultitrackStudio is an multitrack mixer/recorder that can host VST plugins. [Host] | Mac | Demo | 2016-07-04 | 0 | 60db |
| jVSTwRapper v1.0 Beta | Java Wrapper for the Steinberg VST interface. [Hosts VST/AU Plugins] | Mac | Free | 2009-01-05 | 0 | 55db |
| Ugly VSTi Interface v0.3 | Freeware VSTi Host. | Mac | Freeware | 2005-09-01 | 0 | 55db |
| VSTi Host v3.13 | Standalone host for VST and VSTi plugins. | Mac | Demo | 2006-08-23 | 1 | 55db |
| Mixbus v2.5 | Digital Audio Workstation with 'True Analog Mixing' [Hosts AU] | Mac | Demo | 2014-05-01 | 0 | 55db |
| n-Track Studio for Mac v8.0 | Multi-track recording software with support for realtime effects. [Hosts AU/VST Plugins] | Mac | Demo | 2014-04-28 | 1 | 55db |
| Bidule 0.9743 | Realtime modular creation studio. [Hosts VST/AU plugins] | Mac | Demo | 2014-10-20 | 0 | 55db |
| MainStage 3.2.2 | Take your Mac on stage and use it as a live performance full screen interface with a collection of plug-ins, sounds and hardware control. [Host] | Mac | Paid | 2015-10-23 | 0 | 55db |
| Ableton Suite 8.4.1 | Gives you all of the features in Live 8 plus SOUND, with a new Library packed with beautiful new sounds and a wealth of useful resources. [Hosts VST Plugins] | Mac | Demo | 2013-04-22 | 0 | 55db |
| Bitwig Studio 1.3.11 | Cross-platform music production software tweaked for live performance. | Mac | Demo | 2016-07-04 | 0 | 55db |
| RapidComposer v2.82 | Rapidcomposer is a software designed to help songwriters as they write in various music styles | Mac | Demo | 2015-02-02 | 0 | 55db |
| Ardour v4 | Record, edit and mix multitrack audio. [Hosts VST Plugins] | Mac | Shareware | 2015-04-16 | 2 | 55db |
| Amadeus II v3.8.7 | Direct-to-disk sound editor and analyzer with MP3 support. | Mac | Shareware | 2006-05-22 | 40 | 55db |
| Image Line Deckadance v2.42 | DJ mixing application. [VSTi/Standalone] | Mac | Demo | 2015-02-02 | 0 | 55db |
| FutureDecks DJ Pro v3.6.4 | FutureDecks Pro DJ setup with 2 or 4 decks, pro mixer and playlists. [VST/AU Host] | Mac | Demo | 2013-10-21 | 0 | 55db |
| Tracktion T7 | Clean, clutter-free audio/MIDI workstation. | Mac | Demo | 2016-03-07 | 0 | 55db |
| EnergyXT 3 Beta2 | Modular MIDI and audio environment. [Hosts VST Plugins]. | Mac | Demo | 2016-04-04 | 0 | 55db |
Free download Minihost Modular Minihost Modular for Mac OS X. Minihost Modular is a modular environment for hosting/interconnecting VST/AU plugins based on a custom modular engine especially developed for this purpose. Search results showing free plugin host VST Plugins, VST3 Plugins, Audio Units Plugins (AU), AAX Plugins and Rack Extension Plugins for Windows and MacOS. The results are sorted by most popular.
VSTs revolutionized mixing music.
- Free VST VSTi plugins instruments download. Download Free VST instruments. By Victor Castilla hostinet hosting.
- Free Open Source Mac Windows Linux BSD. Blue Cat's PatchWork is a universal plug-ins patchbay that can host up to 64 VST, VST3, Audio Unit or built-in plug-ins.
Instruments and effects that used to cost thousands became accessible to every musician with a computer.
If you produce music in a DAW, VSTs are probably a key part of your workflow.
But sometimes you want to use your plugins without launching a full fledged DAW. Maybe you just want your jam with your virtual synths, or play live with a VST rig on stage.
To run VSTs without the extra functionality of a DAW you’ll need a VST host.
In this article I’ll go through the 8 best VST host apps available today.
What is a VST host?
A VST host is a software program that can load VST instruments or effects plugins. A VST host can be a DAW or a dedicated software program just for running VSTs.
While a traditional DAW can be used for live performance, many musicians prefer the stability and ease of use that comes with dedicated VST hosts.
While a traditional DAW can be used for live performance, many musicians prefer the stability and ease of use that comes with dedicated VST hosts.
These purpose-built software programs don’t need the extra features and functionality of full recording apps.
That makes them simpler and more efficient for your computer to run.
Even if you’re just playing through a handful of instruments or effects, a VST host can help when a standalone version of the plugin doesn’t exist.
The 10 best VST hosts
With the basics out of the way, here are the 10 best VST hosts available today.
1. Apple Mainstage
Apple’s Mainstage is one of the most well-known VST hosts for live performance.
It includes many of the respected plugins, presets and effects from Apple’s flagship DAW app Logic Pro X.
Built specifically with live shows in mind, Mainstage has many impressive features for performers.
Guitarists will love the virtual pedalboards and amp rigs that come complete with tuner, tap tempo and spillover features.
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And keyboardists can take advantage of the excellent built-in emulations of classics the Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes, Hohner Pianet and more.
Unfortunately, like all Apple software, Mainstage is only available on Mac OS X. But if you’re a Mac user looking to play VSTs live, Mainstage is probably your first option to try.
2. Topten Cantabile
Topten Cantabile is a high performance VST host that’s tailor-made for live playing.
With robust MIDI routing and impressive real-time features, Cantabile is an excellent choice for using VSTs on stage.
Cantabile was purpose-built for the stage, so it’s among the most stable and efficient hosts you can find.
If you’re a keyboard player looking to ditch a heavy hardware rig for simple laptop setup, Cantabile could be your best choice.
It comes in three editions, including a free tier with Cantabile Lite.
Unfortunately, Cantabile is Windows-only, so you’ll have to choose another option if you want to turn your MacBook into the ultimate plug-in based synthesizer.
3. Your DAW
Any application that can run VSTs is a VST host.
That means your DAW is a perfectly good option for playing VSTs live.
Any application that can run VSTs is a VST host. That means your DAW is a perfectly good option for playing VSTs live.
DAWs are more complex than basic VST hosts, so your system will naturally have to do a bit more to keep the gig running.
But there are some upsides to using a DAW as a live VST host. You won’t have to learn a new program to be able to build your stage setup.
And you can easily translate your projects from tracking and mixing to live performance.
Some DAWs are lightweight enough that they’re well suited for live performance. For example, Ableton…Live is often used as a performance DAW.
4. Audiostrom LiveProfessor 2
Audiostrom LiveProfessor 2 is another feature-rich option for live VST use.
It features impressive preset capabilities, performance-oriented cue lists, flexible signal chains and impressive hardware control.
LiveProfessor 2 was developed in collaboration with industry professionals to create an app rugged enough for live use.
It’s popular among front-of-house engineers for mixing live sets with VST plugins.
5. Niall Moody Pedalboard 2
Niall Moody Pedalboard 2 is a simple and effective VST host that’s designed to work just like a guitarist’s pedalboard.
Set your I/O, load your VSTs and patch between them to create a pedalboard-style signal flow.
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The best part? Pedalboard 2 is free, lightweight and easy to use.
If you’re looking to chain together a few virtual stompboxes and amp simulators in a digital guitar rig, Pedalboard 2 is a great choice.
6. Hermann Seib VSTHost
VSTHost is a simple but effective hosting app created by independent developer Hermann Seib.
The project started as a plugin testing platform but became popular among keyboardists for playing live in the early days of VSTs.
It’s still a great choice for a simple and effective VST host.
VSTHost lets you load plugins, edit them, send MIDI and save your setups to recall later.
7. Kushview Element
Kushview Element is a modular plugin host that can run VST and AU instruments in flexible configuration.
Its unique matrix style patchbay and graphical editor lets you draw in complex effects racks and signal chains with ease.
If you’ve ever tried to use your plugins in a live performance, you’ll know the challenges that can arise.
Element features easy integration with hardware controllers and easy external sync to MIDI clock sources.
It’s also free and open-source for you to experiment with and shape to your needs.
8. Tone2 NanoHost
Tone2 NanoHost is the most lightweight VST host on this list—in fact it’s barely a host at all.
NanoHost acts as a wrapper to turn a VST plugin into a standalone application.
If your favourite VST instrument doesn’t come bundled with a standalone app, NanoHost will do the job—for Windows users only.
It’s perfect for those who just want to boot up a single VST without the hassle of a complicated program.
Play VSTs live
VST hosts may seem like an extremely specific type of software, but they fulfill an important purpose.
Free Mac Vst Plugins
If you’ve ever tried to use your plugins in a live performance, you’ll know the challenges that can arise.
Free Vst Host For Mac Pro
VST hosts can help, and if you’ve made it through this article you’ll have a handle on some of the best options available today.