Modalics’ new Plugin Buddy is a free plugin host that can help with many tasks, such as running a VST3 in Pro Tools, chaining MIDI effects and instruments, and processing plugins together.
In essence, Plugin Buddy is a macOS and Windows tool for VST3 hosting that can run as a plugin in any DAW or as a standalone app.
It’s designed to provide extended cross-platform functionality and make working with plugins easier and faster.
Towards this end, Plugin Buddy can load VST3 plugins in AU and AAX hosts.
Another use case for Plugin Buddy is allowing you to create custom chains of MIDI effects, instruments, and processing plugins and use them without DAW or plugin format restrictions.
Plugin Buddy can load up to four MIDI plugins with any instrument, so you can start getting creative quicker and with less hassle.
The real question is, does this now count as a DAWless jam? :)
The design allows users to skip DAW loading times and load up their instruments on the fly, which offers “zero latency” performance.
Plugin Buddy can even create chains that function like new instruments, opening new possibilities from your plugin collection.
The tool features several free integrated plugins, including several MIDI tools, a synth, a low-pass filter, and a clipper.
The developer has also included a dynamic visualizer for real-time cues on audio and MIDI pitch and velocity.
Modalics has produced a 12-minute YouTube tutorial for Plugin Buddy, showcasing the key features.
Now, this plugin host won’t be for everyone, but for the folks who do need this kind of functionality, getting it all for free in one package is certainly a very welcome development.
You can pick up your copy of Plugin Buddy by smashing the Claim for Free button on the product page.
Modalics will prompt you to create a site login, which requires just a name and email address.
The developer notes on the website that there might be currently delays in producing links for installers.
However, when I went through the process just a moment ago, the macOS and Windows installer links were produced almost instantly.
If you like what Modalics delivered with the Plugin Buddy, you may wish to check out their store. The developer is currently offering deals up to 33% off on individual products and even bigger price reductions on bundles.
Download: Plugin Buddy (FREE – email required)
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5 Comments
joyolababy
oninsteresting
LambdaAndAHalf
onwould’ve been nice if it had a VST2 .dll version, so that it could be used as a bridge for apps that don’t support VST3, but oh well
noblogo
ondon’t you know savihost ?
https://www.hermannseib.com/english/vsthost.htm
Numanoid
onYes, it would be good to compare this to the classic free SAVIhost, that I have used a lot back in the day
Can SAVIhost load VST3 plugins ?
If not, that would be a reason for this new Plugin Buddy to live
Roger
onThis is great! Savihost does not work well on many VST3 instruments, and Plugin Buddy seems to work perfectly. It excluded a few of my Waves instruments, but that’s OK.