How do I use my effects plugins "live" on an audio track?

[shinysign]

Difficult to describe in the title, but I play my Synthesizer through my computer using audio only line in (no MIDI). I have plenty of effects plugins that I add to the sound after I record it. But I was wondering if there was a program that would allow me to place the effects "live" on the line in or even the entire stereo mix of the computer so that they would be on while I was playing the synth instead of after.

This way I could play reverbs and delays live and get the feel of them while playing them instead of adding them after, also, there are a few weird VST effects that I have that no effects unit or pedal could reproduce and I'd like to play them "live" in real time instead of just guessing what they would sound like and adding them later (imagine someone playing their guitar dry only and then adding distortion later, would be easier to just play it with the distortion on and would match the feel of the song better while playing it).

Is there a program that allows you to do this - such as place vst's directly on the line in or Stereo Mix? Or are vst's only valid for 'post-production' when using an audio only synth?

[Stab Frenzy]

I'm not aware of any programs that don't do that. All the ones I use (Live, Pro Tools, Logic) let you do that.

[shinysign]

Ha, lol. I use Fruityloops and Acid 4.0, they don't seem to do this.

Are there any cheap or free programs that do? (Protools and Logic are not in my budget right now)

[fierywater]

Reaper is only $50 for non-commercial use and should allow what you're asking about. Someone might know of a better solution, though.

[Stab Frenzy]

Tracktion's also worth a look too, and Live can be had very cheaply if you get an interface that comes with a Live Lite version. Live has a lot of plugins bundled with it too.

[seamonkey]

Another vote for Tracktion, it's very uncluttered and has a very friendly user interface. I still have the old version 2 and it's great for keeping things simple so you can lay your tracks down quickly without going through menu's or overlays.
The Project 3 Bundle is available for $99, you may even find it cheaper on ebay or another online retailer.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/pr ... sku=701816

Also check out the Mackie/Tracktion site, it goes into even more detail.