Windows VST vs Native Linux plugins in Carla

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bence1971387
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Windows VST vs Native Linux plugins in Carla

Post by bence1971387 »

I changed my main OS to Linux but i had many cool plugins on Windows for guitar amping such as LePou amp sims and Nick Crow Lab amps. I found that Guitarix is not for me especially Rakarrack (i can't get realistic sound from these) but i didn't digged in it deep enough instead i searched for a way i can use my old vsts on linux, so i found Carla.

I would like to ask is there a significant difference between native Linux plugins and Windows vsts (when i only use dll files with Carla) in latency or in stability.
Maybe i should use Guitarix or Rakarrack?
nils
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Re: Windows VST vs Native Linux plugins in Carla

Post by nils »

Well, the windows VSTs are windows programs and the native ones are Linux programs. They only run on their own operating system.

This is the the mindset one must have to understand the next statement: WINE exists and it creates a micro-environment for windows programs to run, while actually being in Linux. That is a miracle in itself because these two are different operating systems. As you can imagine, getting 100% performance and stability from this conversion is difficult to achieve and will likely not happen.

If you windows vsts run fine, with WINE e.g. through Carla, use them. But don't be disappointed if they have problems or don't run. They should not be able to run on Linux *at all* in the first place.
tavasti
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Re: Windows VST vs Native Linux plugins in Carla

Post by tavasti »

bence1971387 wrote:I would like to ask is there a significant difference between native Linux plugins and Windows vsts (when i only use dll files with Carla) in latency or in stability.
I personally don't think there is much difference in latency, but don't know really. In stability and usability there most likely is some difference, but I've seen native linux vst's also crashing daw, so it totally depends.

And note that if some particular vst does not work with some bridge, it can work with some other. So test it with carla, linvst and airwave. And then there is also 32 bit vs 64 bit version of vst.
bence1971387 wrote:Maybe i should use Guitarix or Rakarrack?
I would expect that be easier. Guitarix has nice set of features, so with it you can create most likely sounds you need, but sure it takes some time to find sounds that are your thing. Just like it takes with actual hardware amps and effects.

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Taika-Kim
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Re: Windows VST vs Native Linux plugins in Carla

Post by Taika-Kim »

There is some additional CPU cost, on my Phenom II about 10% per instance. But unless you run a load of VSTs on an older machine, that would not matter really.
glowrak guy
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Re: Windows VST vs Native Linux plugins in Carla

Post by glowrak guy »

bence1971387 wrote: Maybe i should use Guitarix or Rakarrack?
Starting with an excellent modeled amp, followed by
sensible gain-staging (or the lack of it) appropriate to a genre
is the first order of business. You should know what modeled amps
your guitar pickups will work best with, and expect troubles if you use one
guitar for a wide range of genres. The more you know, the easier it
will be to overcome gaps in your gear collection.
BlueCat released a plugin with 3 amps inside, called 'Freeamps',
it will run in wine, or by wrapping with linvst, and may be among
the most playable amp-simse, regardless of price. I like rakarrack for custom
effects after a strong sound is made available. I'll guess 95% of LePou,
TSE, Ignite, and Voxengo plugins will play OK in wine,
or wrap ok with linvst. Still sounding fine these days. Even if the
old half-deaf rocker-chair rockers insist x,y and z sound vastly superior.
I've heard Guitarix demos that are brilliant, so a lot of mix-n-match
excellence is available within it's boundaries, and also when blended with
competeing softwares/hardwares
Cheers
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