Minihost Modular by Image Line.
Image Line has released a public beta version of Minihost Modular, a forthcoming freeware modular VST/AU plugin host for Windows and Mac.
Minihost Modular is a modular environment for hosting/interconnecting VST/AU plugins based on a custom modular engine especially developed for this purpose. As a standalone, Minihost Modular can be used as an advanced VST or AU host with modular routing with some sequencing recording/playback capabilities.
Minihost Modular is available for free download via Image Line (17.62 MB download size, ZIP archive, available as standalone + 32-bit & 64-bit VST plugin format for Windows).
The Mac beta version of Minihost Modular has not been released yet, however it is planned for release in the future.
Please note that you’ll need to be logged in to your Image Line user account in order to download your copy of Minihost Modular. The registration process is completely free and only requires a working email address.
Available both in standalone and VST/AU plugin formats, this is a rather unique host application on the freeware scene. Even though Minihost Modular is still in beta, the introductory video embedded below shows that this is already a very powerful piece of software.
Minihost Modular is somewhat similar to the Patcher modular plugin which is available in FL Studio. Owners of Image Line’s flagship DAW will notice that Minihost Modular shares most of the features with Patcher, however it can also be used as an independent standalone VST/AU plugin host.
The current version of the beta is stable and completely functional. It loaded all the plugins in my VST plugin folder without issues. I’ve noticed that the CPU hit is a bit high, but this is probably something that Image Line will fix in the final version.
At the moment, the application offers chaining of different 3rd party instruments and effects using virtual cables, basic sequencing and mixing, as well as automation. The most amazing thing, though, is that Minihost Modular will remain free even after the final version is released!
Minihost Modular has now been added to our HUGE round-up of the best freeware VST host programs. Do you like the idea of having a modular VST plugin host at your disposal? Is it something you’d be using in your studio or on stage?
Video Demo
Check out the Minihost Modular demo video:
Links
Download Minihost Modular: click here
21 Comments
nerdz
oncool info i just downloaded it, thx, btw i am a frequent reader keep up the good job.
Bedroom Producers Blog
onthanks for reading and have fun with Minihost Modular!
Mr T
onThis looks like a useful tool in Windows and OSX. Perhaps it’s just me but I find it amusing that Windows and OSX is trying to find ways of being more modular. Linux audio is the complete opposite where modular has always been the common way and they are trying to find ways of merging everything together. If you’re interested, the new Libre Music Production website has some interesting articles and you can see how far Linux Audio has evolved to date. In the future I’d like to go the Linux route as the modular way of connecting instruments interests me and I like Linux as it performs well and can be customized. I also like the Open Source model but that’s a another story …
However, at the moment I’m still using Windows at home so I’ll check this program out!
Happy New Year!
Tj Ponds
ondoes this allow windows vst to run in mac?
Bedroom Producers Blog
onAs far as I know, that is not possible.
Steisler
onJust about to download this, looks great… any more updates or an official release yet? Im only needing this as a host to run XPAND!2 VST plugin for live shows .. will it run it? Thanks