Just a quick word of caution for those wanting to use more than 8 instances of VE Pro who can use the VST3 version of the plugin (I know this won't apply to the majority of you on this thread who seem to be using Logic).  Obviously using 8 VST2 VEPs are going to chew through more CPU cycles and affect ASIO performance than a single VST3 instance (which can cater for multiple midi ports).  So as a quick test I created 3 new Cubase projects to see how much this was affected;

the first with 8 VST2 VEPs loaded, each with a single empty Kontakt 3.5 instantiated

the second with 8 empty Kontakt 3.5s loaded into Cubases VST Inst rack as per normal

the third with a single VST3 VEP with 8 empty Kontakt 3.5s loaded within

Then I measured the %CPU and %ASIO performance (VST Performance meter within Cubase) and found the following at buffer settings of 32, 64 and 128 samples

(sorry about the table formatting)

I really need a summary for my own use. I've read this thread a few times and I'm getting a bit confused so forgive me for not quite following all this clearly. I'm using VEPro on my sequencing machine at the moment (8-core, 16GB Mac) and I've run out of processing power. I am using a fairly large Bidule set up alongside it (this needs to stay, I don't wish to re-create it's complexity elsewhere at the moment). Bidule is maxed out with about 7 Kontakts, EW Play, VE2 etc. VePro is running standalone on the same machine with about 18 VIs loaded.

I thought this was working great but when it comes down to actual sequencing and recording, the mac is struggling. The Activity monitor CPU's look totally FINE (about a 1/3rd used on each core and the memory often sits with about 4 gigs free. So I don't know why but I get errors in DP6 stating CPU has overloaded, asking me to stop playback. Lots of crashes. LOTS!! (Often after a while of working the memory pie reaches full but this is with 4 gigs in the "blue" inactive sector).

Please note I tried running an extra VEPRo under a SERVER (thus neediong to connect this via PLUG IN in DP. Adding this one plug in version within DP (it's the only plug in inside my entire DP) crashes DP every time. Literally my DP cannot handle one single instance of VEPro as a plug in. The standalone one is operating audio wise with So it appears to me I do need to spread this out over to an extra Mac which I'm considiering purchasing right away. But before I do I want to check:

On a seperate machine, I've read I can have one 64bit and one 32bit server running of VEPro. Inside each of these I'm guessing the number of insstances that can be created is as many as you want. I've read that CONNECTING these instances has limitations (eg EIGHT as mentioned here, though I find it confusing reading through the info here).

I am running DP on what will be the main machine, so my quesion is this before I fork out for the new machine:

Once set up with the external machine, the 64bit server can run VI. Via the ethernet cable it can create midi channels and audio channels. These will appear in DP automatically but to CONNECT I have to open VEPro as a plug in inside DP (correct?) which means it will be limited to 16 channels per instance in DP. Could someone spell out the limitations here, running DP which will be AU? I believe it's 8x16 midi channels. Audio channels and choices will be plentiful or what is the limit there?

In order to run KONTAKT inside VEPRo (Which I will need to do for LASS strings etc), I will need to run an instance of VEPRO (32bit) also. (Kontakt cannot be loaded into the 64bit version, I tried but it makes sense that it can't). This will have the same limitations yes? As well as also being limited to 4 GB maximum loading also. And once that 4GB maximum is reached, I'm out of options as, and this is my big question, EACH SERVER HAS A LIMIT OF 4GB, regardless of number of instances of VEPro loaded, the server itself has a 4GB limit. Is this correct?

Thanks!

@Another User said:

In order to run KONTAKT inside VEPRo (Which I will need to do for LASS strings etc), I will need to run an instance of VEPRO (32bit) also. (Kontakt cannot be loaded into the 64bit version, I tried but it makes sense that it can't). This will have the same limitations yes? As well as also being limited to 4 GB maximum loading also. And once that 4GB maximum is reached, I'm out of options as, and this is my big question, EACH SERVER HAS A LIMIT OF 4GB, regardless of number of instances of VEPro loaded, the server itself has a 4GB limit. Is this correct?

@Rob Kral said:

Adding this one plug in version within DP (it's the only plug in inside my entire DP) crashes DP every time. Literally my DP cannot handle one single instance of VEPro as a plug in.

@Rob Kral said:

Adding this one plug in version within DP (it's the only plug in inside my entire DP) crashes DP every time. Literally my DP cannot handle one single instance of VEPro as a plug in.

Please note as per my post, I'm running it alongside a very large (maxed out) bidule set up on the same machine. Standalone Kontakt (1 instance) is also running. I figure I've just perhaps maxed it out and in no way wish to imply this is normal performance behaviour from VEPro. Thanks for the help guys!

Yes I do know Hal Beckett!!

ORCHETECT: Thanks for your reply, I'll go through carefully and check what you've said. I do have the memory server activated in all instances of Kontakt inside bidule, and also in the standalone instance on this machine. Very handy information though. Just wanted to be sure before purchasing another machine. I really appreciate the clarity here. Where I can get confused is if the server is limited to 4GB, that means 4GB amongst the loaded material inside the server? If the 32bit instance of the server is reserved for Kontakt, and Kontakt is set to handle the memory as you point out, then EFFECTIVELY this 32bit server (running just Kontakt instances) would not have the restriction, which you have clarified very well thanks!

(I know H. Beckett! He conducted & recorded my "Haunting in Connecticut" score).

I read this in another thread, from a poster who has just loaded the new (Snow Leopard) eLicenser: "I wanted to start both 32bit and 64bit Server automatically and then I get a message that no license is found."

As some of this thread revolved around the automatic launching of 32 and 64 bit simultaneously (which was prompted by the eight instance limit), I thought I'd carry on the conversation here. 

If anyone has tried the new (Snow Leopard) eLicenser, perhaps the experience can be shared here. Personally, i don't want to get caught up in the trouble-shooting again until at least a few report that it allows dual, automatic launch. 

Works the same as before (i.e., it doesn't).

I would also like to know the answer to Robert Kral's question:  in the 32 bit server, Kontakt will address

its own memory server and effectively bypass the 4 gig limit?   (although re-reading his post, Steffan seems

clearly to say this is the case.)

Thanks.