Hi Jay Lane, thanks for your reply. I’m on Windows, and apart from the piano VST, I like adding Omnisphere strings or pads. You’re right about the buffer – I might just need to increase it to reduce the crackling, but it could compromise the playability of the piano.
My computer is over 5 years old, and I think this could be the issue. I sometimes resort to using Blackhole Immersive Reverb because it seems to use less CPU compared to AIR Studios Reverb, even though I like the natural reverb of AIR Studios.
I did use a work laptop for VST previously for a short period, and it seemed to resolve the crackling. So, I ordered a new laptop for my VST with much better CPU, and I think it will arrive this weekend (fingers crossed). Hopefully, this will resolve all my crackling issues and reduce the buffer size to make the piano more playable. I wish more VSTs, like strings and pads, could utilise the GPU in the future, similar to VSL Vienna MIR 3D (although I haven’t tried, I only watch the YouTube).
