Probably a dumb question....

[wockachucka]

Can I use a VSTi or a DXi in FL4PE if I don't have a MIDI controller?

If so, how?

TIA.

[wockachucka]

Well, I found this:

http://www.flstudio.com/help/html/basics_externalplugins.htm

But it doesn't really get into whether you can use them without a MIDI controller or not. Maybe this is all too obvious for me :eek: :mad: :confused:

[wockachucka]

As usual, things with FL4 are much easier that I thought. I guess I'm trying to overcomplicate things.

[Goodfella]

Sorry if I don't understand exactly your question but there could be any of these:

If you refer to adjusting note volume, pan, duration, etc. you can always use the piano roll. It even has a slide function but not all plugins are compatible with all of this functions including velocity (or volume).

But if you refer to controlling your vsti or dxi for live performing, you need one or you could use your typing keybord but I wouln't recommend it.

Again, sorry if I missunderstood or maybe I have a wrong idea of what a midi controller is. For me it's a keyboard that you plug to your computer to control and play the vst and dx instruments. If not, correct me. Better to know now than never.

[wockachucka]

Originally posted by Goodfella
Sorry if I don't understand exactly your question but there could be any of these:

If you refer to adjusting note volume, pan, duration, etc. you can always use the piano roll. It even has a slide function but not all plugins are compatible with all of this functions including velocity (or volume).

But if you refer to controlling your vsti or dxi for live performing, you need one or you could use your typing keybord but I wouln't recommend it.

Again, sorry if I missunderstood or maybe I have a wrong idea of what a midi controller is. For me it's a keyboard that you plug to your computer to control and play the vst and dx instruments. If not, correct me. Better to know now than never.

No, we're all on the same page. A MIDI controller, as far as I know, is just what you're describing. My question just shows how green I am to VSTi. :D I thought you needed a MIDI controller to use a VSTi, I was under the impression that a VSTi was nothing more than an effects bank for a MIDI controller.

Now that I've got it, check out the Plug-Ins section, I've found ridiculos amounts of free VSTi's and I intend to post a bunch of kinks over there soon.......stay tuned......

[Goodfella]

I saw your post on the plugins section. Very nice and usefull; I'll be downloading some of them to try them for myself.
But then, your post raises a question to me. All those plugins you mentioned are not vsti's. For example, reverb, delay, compression, etc. There is a difference between Vsti and Vst, and between Dxi and Dx.
Both VST and Dx are platforms for plugins but the difference is that a VSTi or a Dxi are not effects but sound generators either by sampling, Sound Fonts, synthesis, or any other creative means programers use.
Those are the kind of plugins that you need a MIDI controller to play live, except those effects (reverb, delay, etc.) that are compatible with dedicated hardware controllers.
Beware of some free vst's, vsti's, dx's and dxi's. They may sound good but sometimes they consume loads of resources, specially those vsti's made with Synth Edit.
By the way, check out kvr-vst.com (don't forget the - ). They have probably every commercial and free plugin in the most popular platforms. Their search engine even filters if you want only to show free plugins and each has a link to download them. For the commercial ones, you may find a link for a demo version or to their website for purchasing info. It is plugin heaven and almost every plugin has its review.

[wockachucka]

Hehehe...you've beat me to it.

I've only posted effects over there so far, no instruments yet. You are indeed correct.

I'm trying to get them a bit more organized before I post them over there.

In the meantime, check out this thread I put over on G-Net:

http://www.guitarists.net/forum/view.php/10,32091/free!_free!_free!.html

You may have to copy and paste the link....

Loads and loads of free VSTi's there....unorganized, but hey......gimmie a little time.

[wockachucka]

One more question about VSTis in Fruity.....

I see how to scroll through the presets (with the < and > arrows in the URHC of the window), but I'm wondering if there's a way to display the name of the preset? Some VSTis put the name of the preset in the instrument's GUI but most don't.

Any advice? TIA.

[Goodfella]

I checked out your post at guitarist ... great job!!! Kvr will have to pay you for all that advertising hehehe.
For the other question: there are a lot of Vst's and i's that don't show the preset name on their GUI. At least for me, I don't think there's a way to show the name if it's not on the GUI but if you only want to know the name of the preset for future recall (for example if you liked the preset a lot and want to use it again without having to guess), you can hit the plugin options button located at the ULHC of the window and represented with a red plug. Then a drop down menu will appear with some options like Presets. Go there and you will find the name of the presets if there's any and a Randomize and Hibrydize option that it's sometimes handy but at some other instances it's messy.

[wockachucka]

Very cool. Thanks GF, will try this tonight!