@ Jazzmammal

Your points are well taken (as well as Mac's re hardware!). However, my point is still true: it is possible to use multiple softsyths with BIAB.

If a song has a patch change at a styles part marker ... and I have no idea how many do ... one can always change the patch so that the same instrument is used through out the song. It would take something away ... but also add something if you had some great sound that you believe could work well in each part ... like a string ensemble from Garritan PO, for example..

However, you mention samplers with agreeably (or disagreeably!) long load times. I was discussing Hypersonic2 and Luxonix Purity ... VSTis that have dedicates GM banks ... as well as other banks. See this Sound on Sound article for an idea of how quickly Hypersonic2 changes patches. http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar06/articles/hypersonic2.htm

So far I have not experienced the 'freezing' you mention with Hypersonic2. But maybe I've just not come across a style that really pushes things. Give me an example of a patch changing style and I'll give it a go.

It is true that my computers ... laptop and desktop ... are pretty potent, so maybe that has somethng to do with my experience.

I'd also add that in Chainer you could use your VSC VSTi on the channel that had the patch changes and some other softsynth patch on the other channels.

Finally, don't forget that each 'channel' in Chainer permits it's own VST inserts ... so you can effect on an instrument by instrument basis as opposed to what you now do with a single insert chain in BIAB ... the latter which you could still do if you like to tweak your 'master bus.'

Regards.

Prado

So

Prado