Thanks everyone for all the input. I've had my head buried in this trying to come up with a solution and have found exactly what I wanted to accomplish. Yes, my main goal was to process program control changes to my VSTi (namely Guitar rig 4) so it would change programs in a a "live" situation so I wouldn't have the distraction of stomping pedals. Really did not care if I accomplished this through the VSTi as an insert or external. Got hold of NI tech support and found the perfect solution.(I guess GR4 is a little teste with what one wouold call "normal" MIDI input) They suggested a little MIDI program called LOOPBe. (free on the net). It creates a virtual MIDI connection between programs. Works like a charm. I assign a MIDI track in Realband, routed to LOOPBe out, use my GR4 as a standalone, using LOOPBe as the MIDI input. I can now change presets at will. I've been using the event editor to enter the program changes I want when I want them. Much joy.
So this for me is working great- I can now cotrol my DMX lighting, Guitar rack, and I've just aquired the new Digitech VL3D vocalist, which is completley controllable through MIDI. So now, after programming everything, I have absolutely NO pedals or settings to change during performance-lights, guitar sounds (keyboard is a no brainer), vocal harmonies, all done through MIDI control-now a robot to actually do the gig, but that would take ALL the fun out of it.
I really do appreciate the help and wanted to share my findings with all.
SOOOO-is it possible to turn the internal effects on and off during plyback through MIDI commands? I would think one couild use CC commands, but there is no indication of this in the help files. Gues one could just use mixer automation in a pinch (?)