VSTs on Windows

[Bodie]

Hopefully I'm not off topic or being lazy. In due course I want a small outline PC to run VSTs. I've seen ready made boxes but they tend to come with restrictions, I also need to know how to cut down say Win 7/64bit just to run VSTs. I like the Crumar Mojo concept, I'd get the VB3 and few other VSTs and just have that computer run them. I have a Viscount organ that has all the touchy controllers we need (two sets of drawbars, perc buttons, vib/chorus knob) and it sends them all over midi!

So maybe a little touch screen (no mouse, don't need big monitor/screen) a self booting opening screen that goes to the various instrument types and Presets etc. it could be like a kit of modules. It needs time and effort in looking at what kind of processing power/PC is needed and how to cut out all the stuff not needed. I'd hate to be gigging with it and it grinds to a halt saying.. bong! "windows needs to update". Maybe a linux box is good, I suspect this is exactly what customising a distro is all about, for those that know how.
I propose this concept as I suspect we all have different needs and desires based around the organ instrument.

[jbird604]

Don't be afraid of using Windows 10. There are so many false notions floating around about it updating in the middle of a gig and such. That's nonsense. It takes a few minutes, but you can run through the settings options and turn off all the automatic updating, sleep modes, power saving, and all the other junk that might cause it to stop working unexpectedly.

And you should NOT have it connected to the internet after you get it set up. Let it do the initial upgrading to the most recent build of the OS, then just pull the plug and live with that version until you find some good reason to update again. I got a refurbished Dell PC for about $150 to build my VPO, and once I spent a half hour seeking out all that stuff in the menus, it hasn't had a single hiccup in many hours of practice over the past several months. My office computer seems to shut down once or twice a month for updating, but my VPO is under my complete control because it is not connected to the internet.

[Silken Path]

As Roland's "Cloud" is hazily indicating, the future of performance may involve server based (online) instruments...

[toodles]

I concur with JBird about Windows 10--I did the upgrade from 7 just as MS was withdrawing support for 7 and it isn't that much different. A few functionalities are a little different, but I Google the issue and I find the answer right away if it isn't obvious. Look is a little different, but not much.

[abacus]

If you have a computer running Win7 then it is still a free update to Win10. (Just choose the update option on the Microsoft site)

There is a boatload of tutorials online (Including on YouTube) on how to set up Windows for VSTs. (As mentioned just disable the features that are not needed)

You can buy dedicated PCs that are setup specifically for use as a Music Workstation (Good ones aren't cheap though) so that you do not have to worry about setting things up.

Linux is an option, but you will need to use 3^rd party VSTs as most of the common ones (Including VB3, Hauptwerk, and Steinberg etc.) will not work properly on any Linux Distro. (Even with emulation)

Also consider a 2 in 1 computer which will allow you a nice big touch screen to operate everything, and a keyboard to set everything up and do in depth editing.

If buying a new computer don't forget to also take a look at a Mac.

Designed for use with older Wersi OAS instruments but the implementations are applicable to most instruments that have decent Midi Control systems, http://www.wersiorganshowcase.com/hdseries.html so may help.

Bill