GUIdHost

The GUidHost is a Vst instrument host that allows you to load 4 virtual instruments at the time which can be set on 4 different midi channels.

This tool can be useful if you have a sequencer that does not support vst instruments such as Protools, DigitalPerformer or the discontinued but still exellent StudioVisionPro.

It could be also useful if you want to use a additional mac to run a few virtual instruments or in a live context if you need a computer to be like a midi-expander.

By default the GuidHost uses Soundmanager for its audio output but supports ASIO drivers and also can be directly linked to protools via DirectConnect or to other programs like DigitalPerformer using the Rewire protocol (Rewire has not been tested).

To be able to use the GuidHost you need OMS available from www.opcode.com

Check out this screenshot of GuidHost working with StudioVisionPro via the IAC bus.

MASTER SECTION

First of all you need to switch on the GuidHost with the AudioSwitch and select the Driver. If you a audiodriver other then soundmanager you can also select the sample rate using SR.

The CPU will indicate the actual cpu engagement.

The peak meter will show the master level.

VST INSERT

Before lauching the GuidHost you need to copy the Vst instruments in the VstPlugIns folder located in the GuidHost ƒ.

Now you can load any Vst instruments from the scrolldown menu at the top.To open the plugin window press Edit Plug. To load user presets press Load Presets and to save them press Save Presets.

The box just below allows you to flick through the presets although I have found that it does not work with all instruments.

The Mute button mutes and totally disable the instrument.

When you launch the program Mute is on. Remember to unmute the track!

The other scrolldown menu is the OMS midi bus. Depending on your OMS settings you will be able to set an IAC bus like in the picture (to use with a sequencer on the same macintosh) or you can set it directly to a midikeyboard to play it without the need of a midisequencer.

Then you can set the Midi channel.

The vertical red fader is the volume while the orizonal smaller one is the pan.

RECORDER

The recorder is useful if you need to create audio files of what you are doing.

First of all you need to set the file path using the open button. After you have named the file, to start recording press the little grey box. To stop recording press it again.

Remember that everytime you start/stop record you will need to create a new audio file path otherwise it will not record!

SETTINGS RECALL

Use this section to store and recall the window settings. To store Shift+Click on the boxes; to recall just click on the boxes.

This settings are for this window only and will disappear when you quit the program.

To Save them use write and to reload them use read.

ADVANCED AUDIO SETTINGS

Double Clicking on this box will open this window.

The Clock Source is important if you are using ASIO and need to set if the digital clock is internal or external.

The I/O Vector Size and The Signal Vector Size are useful to improve the latency. The smaller these settings are , the smaller the latency will be. Just remember that small buffer settings are quite demanding for the CPU and the computer may get overloaded.

If you use a multimple output driver like ASIO you can select which phisival output you want the GuidHost to be with Output Channel 1 and 2.

You can limit the CPU engagement using Optimize and setting a CPU limit, but I found that it works best you leave that parameter OFF.

ENJOY!

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

It seems to work on any mac with G3 or G4 processor running mac OS9 although the fastest the better.

It doesn’t need a lot of RAM but it all depends on what kind of instruments you load into memory.

It also requires OMS downloadable at www.opcode.com

THIS PROGRAM IS SHAREWARE. IF YOU LIKE IT AND WISH TO SUPPORT NEWER VERSIONS COMPATIBLE WITH OSX AND WINDOWS PLEASE MAKE A DONATION OF $9.99 USING PAYPAL PAYABLE TO donnaqueebo@yahoo.co.uk

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