FruityLoops as a VSTi

FruityLoops can be loaded and used as a VSTi instrument in a compatible VSTi host. In this mode the output is sent to the host; the play/stop events and tempo are synchronised as well. Controlling FruityLoops channels and parameters using MIDI messages is supported. You can also send each effects track to a separate output, if the host supports VSTi plugins with multiple outputs.

Installing the VSTi connection plugin

Normally FruityLoops asks where to copy the VSTi connection during the installation. However, if you didn't install the plugin at that time, or you want to install it on more that one host, in the Windows Start Menu, select Programs>FruityLoops 3>Advanced>Install Plugin Version. You will see a dialog where you can set the plugin folder of the host where you want the connection installed.

Basic usage of the VSTi connection

Add an instance of the FruityLoops VSTi plugin or the Multi FruityLoops VSTi plugin. Open the editor of the plugin (for more information on how to work with VSTi plugins, check the manual that comes with your host application). Click the Fruity button to bring up the interface of FruityLoops. Now you can work as usual - load projects, edit instruments and melodies. However the audio output of FruityLoops is sent to the host application. Also, when you play in the host application, FruityLoops plays synchronized as well. You can select whether FruityLoops should follow its own tempo or the host tempo with the Slave tempo option in the Audio Settings.

The Time Offset setting in the plugin editor sets how many bars earlier FruityLoops should start playing compared to the host. With negative values, FruityLoops starts later than the host. Because of a VSTi plugin issue (not FruityLoops related), it's always better to leave one bar time empty in the start of the song. You can do that with this setting or leave empty bar in both the FruityLoops Playlist and the host sequence.

NOTE: When you want to hide the FruityLoops interface and work in the host, don't use the minimize button, this will hide the host window as well. Use the close button. FruityLoops will stay active.

Using multiple outputs

The FruityLoops VSTi connection has two versions - single and multiple outputs. The single output version sends the whole audio output of FruityLoops as single channels pair (left and right channel). The multiple outputs allows you to link each effects track in FruityLoops to one of 16 possible stereo outputs. You can then mix each stereo output separately in the host. To select output for the specific track, in FruityLoops, open the Effects tracks window. The combo box in the bottom left side of the window lets you select the output for the current FX track.

NOTE: Not every host may support VSTi plugins with multiple outputs. Then just use the single output version of the plugin.

Controlling FruityLoops channels from the host

All FruityLoops channels can be controlled with MIDI messages from the host. To do so, create a MIDI channel in the host, select the FruityLoops VSTi as output and check the instruments list. If the host supports properly custom instrument names, all FruityLoops channels will be listed. Just select the name of the channel to control. Also, don't forget to give the track a unique MIDI channel number.

You can control any automatable FruityLoops parameter from the host as well. This feature works exactly like using MIDI remote control with external MIDI device. Just link the parameters as usual to the corresponding MIDI controller number and MIDI channel. You can select whether to record MIDI messages from the host application during recording sessions from the Audio Settings.

Issues with the VSTi connection

Slide notes, per note shift, pan, cutoff and resonance are not supported by the MIDI standard, you have to use FruityLoops for sequencing to have these features available.

When running the VSTi connection from Cubase, drag and drop operations in the Browser do not work.