Session View Mode: The Missing Piece in VST Live

VST Live
1

Hello Steinberg Team and Community,

I’ve been enjoying VST Live and its focus on structured live performance. However, I believe it could become even more powerful if it offered a workflow similar to Ableton Live’s Session View.

Why this matters:

  • Session View is widely used by DJs, producers, and hybrid performers for its flexibility and improvisation.

  • It allows performers to trigger clips, loops, and scenes on the fly, making live sets more dynamic.

  • Adding this concept to VST Live would bridge the gap between traditional live performance setups and modern electronic/DJ workflows.

Suggested Features:

  • Clip Launcher: A grid-based view for audio/MIDI clips that can be triggered independently.

  • Scene Launching: Group clips into “scenes” for instant transitions between song sections.

  • Loop & One-Shot Modes: Choose whether clips loop continuously or play once.

  • Quantization Options: Control when clips launch (on beat, bar, or free).

  • Controller Integration: Easy mapping for MIDI controllers, pads, and DJ gear.

  • Visual Feedback: Clear clip states (playing, stopped, queued) for live confidence.

Future Vision: Cubase Integration

Since Cubase and VST Live are part of the same Steinberg ecosystem, it would be amazing if a future update allowed deeper integration between the two:

  • Seamless Project Transfer: Move clips/scenes from Cubase directly into VST Live.

  • Shared Libraries: Use Cubase instruments/effects inside VST Live without extra setup.

  • Real-Time Sync: Link Cubase and VST Live for hybrid performances (studio + stage).

If VST Live could evolve toward a Session View–style workflow, with future Cubase integration, it would unlock huge creative potential for DJs, producers, and hybrid performers.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas from the community!

1 Like
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You know FlexLoops, do you?

3

Appreciate the reply, @musicullum. I do know FlexLoops, and while they’re a nice feature, they don’t really capture what makes Ableton’s Session View so powerful. FlexLoops feel more like a looping tool inside a linear setup, whereas Session View is a full performance grid — clips, scenes, quantization, controller mapping, the whole improvisation workflow.

What I’m suggesting is a proper clip launcher/scene view that lets performers reshape sets live, not just loop sections. That’s the gap I think VST Live could fill.

Curious if Steinberg sees FlexLoops evolving toward that, or if a dedicated “Session View” style workflow might be on the roadmap. Would love to hear how others imagine this.

4

Yes and no. As such they are unique. Inside one Song, there isn’t so much of a difference.