Do you use 3rd party VSTs when performing live?

[agent314]

I'm planning on playing live at a couple of small places in town in the near future, so I'm converting a bunch of my songs from VST/MIDI device tracks to audio for stability/CPU reasons.

I'm paranoid about using 3rd party stuff because I don't want a VST to bring down my set while I'm performing. The exception will be Guitar Rig 4, which I'm going to be running a guitar through.

Right now, pretty much the only time I get crashes/stability issues is when dragging non-Ableton plugins in from the browser or when moving tracks around.

I'm considering using Stylus RMX as a live groovebox to augment my songs and allow for some improvisation, but I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons of introducing potentially volatile elements into my set.

Basically, I'm curious if people use third party plugins/VSTs/effects while they're doing their stuff in front of an audience, or if they keep it simple and straightforward (audio+Live's effects).

What do you do?

How big of a worry should I have when using non-native devices in a live context?

[LoopStationZebra]

heh. The only way to be certain any 3rd party plugs will work is by rehearsing the shit out of your set. Shit, the only way to make certain ANYTHING will work is by rehearsing as much as possible.

[BBR]

yeah, you just have to test it out. The conditions won't really change on your computer depending on if you're in front of a crowd or not. I use a number of vst's now. My current project has isotope alloy on all the tracks, I have nexus and reason 5 synths playing, and then have about 3 different effects plugins on different instruments. I never get any crashes or stability problem whenever I play the set, so I'm not worried about playing it in front of people.

[Rabalder]

I use Live with Reaktor, M4L, Ohmicide, Bomes and Numerology..
Ive have 2 crashes so far. Both occured while modifying the setup. Routing tracks, deleting tracks, inserting effects, deleting effects, etc..
Works perfect when preforming.

[EnjoyRC]

I use Omnisphere in Live Mode. Very well behaved in Ableton Live.
I also use HALion Sonic from time to time.

[3phase]

live is crashing with and without 3rd party plugs.. so when you get a sporadic crash when doing things like a routing change while running dont blame the plug ins for it..


the safes way to perform life withe live is to dont force the computer too much. so not too much tracks.. not too much clips.. not too much operation on the screen.. not too much external controlers.. actually the safesr is to use an older version of live or another host..

[agent314]

live is crashing with and without 3rd party plugs.. so when you get a sporadic crash when doing things like a routing change while running dont blame the plug ins for it..

For me, my only crashes have involved 3rd party stuff. Running native, Live is stable for me for what I'm doing with it.

I'm thinking my audio interface may be partly to blame for some of my crashes, though. Debating looking around at some new ones to compare.

[ollyb303]

Do it all the time. Never a problem.

[Tagor]

Crashes appear while arrangement - for example when i tweak sounds or change patches - while adding new instruments & effects.

if it is done and i dont open all the groups and bring all the gui's online - it work pretty
and i`ve never got a bluescreen or crash while performing live.

80 % are 3rd party stuff and running Xp.

[djwack]

I've always used third party FX plugins with live, never had any probs onstage. Last time I also had two 3rd party VIs during a live set - all worked without problems (I used D16 drumboxes and Zebra 2.5)