Is there a vst shell for windows that will allow you to load and play a vst instrument without having to load it into a program like tracktion (maybe one does not exist but i thought I'd ask)?

http://www.kvraudio.com

Search for the VST shell. I got an email recently saying they'd updated it to make it Reaktor and ReWire friendly.

Oooohh, thanks DSE. I have a lot of VST stuff and could really use a shell. I've been to the website you referenced but wasn't looking for a shell app, just plug-ins.

-gb-

Is there a windows version? I found the MAC versions at the site (and online). In the alternative, is there another similar program for windows?

chainer is brilliant. not free tho. it's a virtual vst stack -- pile on multiple instruments and/or effects.

http://www.xlutop.com/

Danke Schon