Newbie Question - Can I run 32bit VSTs on 64bit Ableton?

[Eighth_Wave]

Hey, I bought a Focusrite interface that came with Ableton Lite. I installed the 64bit Windows version. I have a VST (SQ8L) that I'm very fond of, which I believe is 32bit, but my Ableton won't acknowledge its existence. Is there a way around this? Or should I just install 32bit Ableton instead?

THX

[ImNotDedYet]

you need jbridge to run 32-bit VSTs in 64-bit Live. I've heard stories of 32-bit Live running next to 64-bit, but it's not recommended by Ableton.

I personally didn't feel like bothering with jbridge, so I don't use my 32-bit VSTs.

[mikb]

you need jbridge to run 32-bit VSTs in 64-bit Live. I've heard stories of 32-bit Live running next to 64-bit, but it's not recommended by Ableton.

I personally didn't feel like bothering with jbridge, so I don't use my 32-bit VSTs.

There are also other commercial bridging solutions for this. Just do a web search and you'll find them.

[antarktika]

I've heard stories of 32-bit Live running next to 64-bit, but it's not recommended by Ableton.

Pursuant to this, neither is using 64 bit Live unless you actively *need* more than 4gb of addressable ram.
https://www.ableton.com/en/articles/64bit-myths-facts/
and given that you're using the Lite version, I'd be downright impressed if you managed to max out your ram with its 8 track limit!
Tons of people are hopping on the 64bit version because "it's the future", or "I want to be able to access all my ram" arguments from people who aren't even hitting their ram limit, or because they think their program is somehow going to work better in 64 bit. Unless you are *using* more than 4gb ram, it shouldn't make much (if any) difference which you use (except that in 64 bit you'll be denied your 32 bit vst's).

TL;DR: use 32-bit Live

[mikb]

I've heard stories of 32-bit Live running next to 64-bit, but it's not recommended by Ableton.

Pursuant to this, neither is using 64 bit Live unless you actively *need* more than 4gb of addressable ram.

it shouldn't make much (if any) difference which you use (except that in 64 bit you'll be denied your 32 bit vst's).

TL;DR: use 32-bit Live

That's generally a bit misleading. 64bits is not just about addressable memory space. 64-bit programs get to take advantage of the extra sets of CPU registers that x64 exposes, which in practice means it can complete certain math calculations much more quickly. We're talking 30% typically (in theory 100% would be attainable, but there's overhead in all systems). In a CPU intensive application like Live 9 that's a considerable difference. This probably doesn't affect everything, but it's clearly noticeable in certain areas.

In my case, which is on OS X 10.9, 32bit Live 9 forces me because of crackling to use maximum latency at 2048 samples— meaning Live is unusable as I only use software instruments —  while the 64bit Live 9 lets me use down to 64-256 samples (depending on load).

It's possible in practice Live 9 on Windows is a bit different, but the processors are the same as are the general advantages of 64bits.
HowToGeek Explains: What’s the Difference Between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows?

[H20nly]

it doesn't matter.... yet. he's using the Lite version.

switch to 32 bit version for now.

once you decide if you want to move up to a more robust version of Live, then assess how much RAM you have vs. how large your projects are and if losing 32 bit plug support is worth it and/or needed for making your music.