VI within Pro Tools HELP!

[NathanMDavid]

I apologize if this topic now seems redundant, but any type of clarification would be great.

I recently purchased a few of the Vienna Instruments to be used in my studio. I currently run an apple Dual Core G5 with Pro Tools as my main recording environment.

I understand the problem of VI currently only available as VST and AU, and not in RTAS. I spoke with a representative from ilio as well as a couple of VSL representatives at licensed dealers in the area--and they assured me that if i purchased Fxpansion's VST-RTAS Adapater 2.0, I would be able to use the VIs within Pro Tools as 'wrapped' RTAS after conversion. I was still a bit skeptical as I contemplated 'well, I have a Mac, so how will I be able to access the VST files?'. However, I trusted the information given to me as I did give each person I spoke to, the details of my set up.

So I installed the Solo Strings VIs onto my system last night. Installation went well. Then, I ran the adapter program. Obviously, it was unable to read and wrap the files that were on my system.

This makes sense right? Or has anyone else tried the Fxpansion route on a mac? Any suggestions? Am I missing a step?

What other creative solutions are there to enable VI within Pro Tools?

Do I really have to purchase Logic to use the VI?

Thanks for your help.

-Nathan

[Livitican]

I have the same problem! Help!

[golem]

Hi,

basically we experienced quite unsatisfactory results with our
RTAS - we are at the moment writing on v1.1 which will eventually adress
some of the issues we encountered with digi.
Strange enough that tho the VST performs well on OSX any wrapped
version suffers from the very same performance degradation: a clear hint that there are some issues with RTAS in general.

Pls note that ProTools was designed as a audio workstation ie recording& mixing environment and as such it is _very_ envious about time a 3rd party plugin might need for its purpose. So RTAS has quite low priority compared to other processes going on. As to my experience plugins in general perform better on a hybrid midi&audio sequencer such as Logic.

As for your other question: try standolone and check out from there.

Thanks

Christian Teuscher
Development

[Vagn Luv]

Cant wait for you to fix the RTAS issues, as it is very much keeping me from using my Cube in any satisfactory way.

On the upside I have full confidence in you guys to do what's needed, as you have done many times before. [:D]

[johan]

I got FXpansion VST to RTAS to work on my G5 but it wasn't a smooth experience. First I ran the wrapper tool which the first time around didn't wrap my VI. I deleted all my wraps and then went through the process again. This time it worked. I've got VI running on my Pro Tools TDM system but it's seems a bit unstable (sometimes the VI hangs and makes a "looping glitch sound" and I often ose my MIDI feed into the VI). Unfortunatly I really need the power of my TDM system since I'm doing large-scale orchestral works. I was using Logic but my cutting-edge dual-CPU G5 can't handle the load I put on the CPU and the ESBTDM brige is pointless with only 4 stereo channels into the TDM mixer. Apple really needs to change this so we can insert an Audio Unit instrument plugin in the TDM mixer. I want to use my TDM power to process the output of the VI. That's why I spent the big bucks on the TDM system in the first place! [:'(]

Anyhow, we really need an RTAS version of the VI for seemless integration into Pro Tools TDM and then I can finally dump Logic. I'm so sick of CPU overload messages. [:@]

On a positive note, Vienna Instruments are simply amazing. You guys really nailed it this time.

Johan

[tomhartman]

@johan said:

Anyhow, we really need an RTAS version of the VI for seemless integration into Pro Tools TDM and then I can finally dump Logic. I'm so sick of CPU overload messages. [:@]

On a positive note, Vienna Instruments are simply amazing. You guys really nailed it this time.

Johan

Get ready for some serious CPU overload messages if you are going to use PT in any kind of native fashion. Digidesign is more stringent than any other manufacturer regarding this, sometimes their alerts come up and you can just keep working. Digi sets the "alert threshold" tighter than anyone else, to the point where they get requests to make the threshold user adjustable.

Nuendo has been the best for me on the Mac, Logic was OK but all freezes resulted in audio artifacts (confirmed by many other members on the Logic forum) and Nuendo seems to be very tolerant, though VI can slow anything down. I'm on a G5 Dual 2 gig and usually run about 6 VIs, then freeze them, then run about six more, freeze, etc. Has been more stable than anything else I've used.

I think we are at a point where a second computer is a must if you want to work at all quickly and without overtaxing a single CPU. Especially for those guys who want to hear everything in real time.

TH

[golem]

some personal remarks.

i have protools since the days it was called soundtools.

i always considered it as a very comfortable replacement for the huge multitrack machines with all the benefits of punchin/out and bounce2disk.

i watched digis efforts to include MIDI to an extent where it is usable, but, let's be honest they never came close to anything resembling the functionality of, say, Logic, Cubase or Nuendo.

a protools system is almost indispensable in a recording studio but i would not strain my recording mixing DAW with preparation tasks as recording MIDI tracks. a couple of my buddies here running a recording facility indeed have integrated a full blown protools system BUT they run heavy MIDI tasks, ie virtual instruments plugins, on a separate _XP_ system. why? because protools has to be free to do what it is best at: recording! don't try to strain a protools system with plugins which use todays computing powers to its full extent, because it is possible (well and users demand the power, however)

todays machines are quite powerful indeed and we haven't reached the plafond of what is technically feasable yet, but there _is_ a limit for the machine at hand. so handle CPU resources with care.

you will be rewarded with an overall system which just soars.


thanks
christian teuscher
development

[pianoman]

You remember "SoundTools"? You must be old.....hehe

[hermitage59]

And before Soundtools, it was Hand tools......... [[:|]]

Which certainly didn't do Ludwig or Wolfgang any harm at all!

Alex.