
MIDI VST by KILLIHU
VST PLUGINS AND INSTRUMENTS ON THE SAME TRACK?
In Ableton Live, when using VST plugins that send MIDI data, it is necessary to use two tracks. One to place the VST plugin and another where the MIDI data sent by the VST plugin is received. This is often inconvenient as it requires switching from one track to another while working. With MIDI VST it is possible to use VST plugins and instruments on the same track. It works within an Instrument Rack, where it automatically sends the MIDI data from the VST plugin loaded in the first chain to the other chains in the rack.MIDI VST by KILLIHU
VST PLUGINS AND INSTRUMENTS ON THE SAME TRACK?
In Ableton Live, when using VST plugins that send MIDI data, it is necessary to use two tracks. One to place the VST plugin and another where the MIDI data sent by the VST plugin is received. This is often inconvenient as it requires switching from one track to another while working. With MIDI VST it is possible to use VST plugins and instruments on the same track. It works within an Instrument Rack, where it automatically sends the MIDI data from the VST plugin loaded in the first chain to the other chains in the rack.Additional information
| MaxforLive | MIDI Devices |
|---|---|
| Ableton Live Compatibility | Ableton Live 11 Standard with MaxforLive, Ableton Live 11 Suite, Ableton Live 12 Standard with MaxforLive, Ableton Live 12 Suite |
| Min. Requirements | Ableton Live 11 Standard with MaxforLive Installed or Ableton Live 11 Suite |
| OS | Mac, Windows |
Product reviews
Extremely useful
Wow, what a great midi utility! Really helped me organize and create some interesting racks without need for adding tracks. AS usual Killihu plugins are well thought out and executed!
Real time saver
None
Very useful
Very useful and quite easy to set up.
Great time saver and workflow improver, MIDI VST is one of those little utils that you wonder how you got along without for so long.
MIDI VST by KILLIHU
In Ableton Live, when using VST plugins that send MIDI data, it is necessary to use two tracks. One to place the VST plugin and another where the MIDI data sent by the VST plugin is received. This is often inconvenient as it requires switching from one track to another while working.
With MIDI VST it is possible to use VST plugins and instruments on the same track. It works within an Instrument Rack, where it automatically sends the MIDI data from the VST plugin loaded in the first chain to the other chains in the rack.
To use it, insert an Instrument Rack into the track. In the first chain insert the VST plugin and then MIDI VST Sender. You must select the output of the VST plugin in the input menus of MIDI VST Sender.

Then create one more chains and insert MIDI VST Receiver into it. That’s it, the chains receive the MIDI data sent by the VST plugin. If at any point you want to use the track’s MIDI input to play the instrument, activate the Bypass button in MIDI VST Receiver.

You can save an Instrument Rack preset for future use, the selected input in MIDI VST Sender will be retained correctly. But if you copy/paste the Instrument Rack to another track in the project, you will need to adjust the MIDI VST Sender input to point to the new instance.
This plugin is free. Consider making a contribution if it is useful for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Normally, VST plugins that output MIDI data require two separate tracks in Ableton Live: one to host the plugin and another to receive its MIDI. MIDI VST eliminates this by allowing the VST plugin and your instruments to coexist on the same track.
It operates inside an Instrument Rack. You place your VST plugin and the MIDI VST Sender device in the first chain, then add one or more additional chains containing the MIDI VST Receiver. The Sender captures the MIDI output from the VST plugin and routes it directly to the Receiver chains within the same rack.
MIDI VST is a Max for Live device, so it requires Ableton Live Suite or a Live Standard licence with Max for Live added. Check the product listing for the minimum supported version of Ableton Live.
Yes, as a Max for Live device you will need Max for Live running alongside Ableton Live. This is included with Live Suite or available as a separate add-on for Live Standard.
Any VST plugin that outputs MIDI data should work. You simply select the plugin’s MIDI output from within the MIDI VST Sender input menus, so compatibility is broad as long as the plugin exposes a MIDI output.
Yes, you can add multiple chains to the Instrument Rack and place a MIDI VST Receiver in each one, allowing you to trigger several instruments simultaneously from a single VST plugin’s MIDI output.
The device includes the MIDI VST Sender and MIDI VST Receiver Max for Live devices, which together handle the routing of MIDI data within an Instrument Rack on a single track.
Important Information
v1.1 New features and improvements:
– Modified GUI to adapt to the new rack design in Live version 12.2, does not change the operation of the device.
Initial Release – February 2025
Our Products are generally provided as Zip file downloads which in all cases will need to be extracted and saved to your hard drive prior to installation. Details on the different file type provided and what to do with them are below.
.alp Files – These are Ableton Live Packs and will either install directly into the Packs Section of the browser of Ableton Live or ask you to save them to your hard drive. For packs that install to the library, when you double click on them you will see a pop up window asking you to confirm that installation is ok as the files are described as “Legacy”. This is fine and you are ok to proceed, the packs are created using the format for an earlier version of Live and so remain compatible with the current version.
.amxd files – These are individual MaxforLive Devices and can be stored anywhere on your hard drive. We’d advise creating a folder for them and then adding that folder as a location within the Places section of Lives Browser.
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