Subject:VST Unavailable

Posted by: alexg

Date:11/19/2008 5:27:10 AM

I've been trying to get the RealGuitar VST to work (www.musiclab.com). In the Plug-In Manager it was inserted in the "Failed" folder. I double clicked it and it loaded. Thereafter it loaded ok each time I started Acid.

Although the VST worked, there was some missing functionality in comparison with the standalone version of the plugin. To try and solve this problem, I reinstalled the VST and then uninstalled and reinstalled Acid. Now the VST is loaded into the "Unavailable" folder and nothing can be done with it. I re-scanned the VST folder from within Acid but the plugin is still unavailable.

What is the criteria that determines whether a VST is Failed, Ignored or Unavailable?

Who typically is responsible for fixing these types of VST loading problems (Sony or MusicLab)?

Note that the VST is fully functional when loaded into another host such as Sonar.

Any light shed on this problem would be greatly appreciated.

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: JohnnyRoy

Date:11/19/2008 6:01:58 AM

"Unavailable" means that ACID thinks it's uninstalled. If scanning doesn't fix it maybe it's a bug. I would contact Sony tech support.

~jr

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: alexg

Date:11/20/2008 4:12:51 AM

I received confirmation from MusicLab that their RealGuitar plugin works fine within Acid Pro 7a.

In my case, I've uninstalled Acid, uninstalled the plugin, ran RegistryMechanic (PCTools), reinstalled everything with a restart between every stage.

The result of all this is that the plugin is still in the unavailable folder and I can't get it to do anything.

One thing I did (which maybe I shouldn't have) is uninstall my antivirus (Trend Micro). This is when the plugin became unavailable.

I've sent this problem off to tech support. If I don't get an answer I'm going to rebuild my computer from scratch in a dual boot configuration. This will hopefully knock the problem on the head once and for all.

Ironically, since I've moved to the DAW world my creativity level has gone down as quickly as the current economic meltdown. I wish I could be a musician again rather than a computer technician!

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:11/20/2008 11:35:52 AM

Making music is the goal here. The rest should just work for you.

Where is the RealGuitar plug-in installed at?

Is it located in x:\program files\vstplugins where x: is the drive where your system is installed at?

Peter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: alexg

Date:11/20/2008 1:48:43 PM

Hi Peter,

It was initially installed in c:\program files\cakewalk\vstplugins. This is where all the plugins are loaded by default ever since I installed Sonar.

I tried moving the plugin to c:\program files\vstplugins but this didn't work.

The interesting thing is that Acid is loading the RealGuitar.dll for at least 5 secs when Acid starts (if there was a change in plugin configuration) or from forcing a scan.

The plugin is now stuck in the unavailable folder and it doesn't matter how many times I go through various uninstall/install sequences of both Acid and RealGuitar, it remains unavailable.

Alex

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:11/20/2008 6:27:21 PM

Where are you telling ACID to look for VST plugins?

You access this from the Plug-in Manger View.

Also, in regedit, what does

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VST

point to?

Peter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: alexg

Date:11/21/2008 5:24:34 AM

The registry is pointing to c:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins. The Plug-in Manager is also pointing to this.

I removed this link in the Plug-in Manager, rescanned, and naturally all my plugins became unavailable. I put back this link back and all became available except RealGuitar which remained unavailable.

I decided to uninstall RealGuitar then I rebooted, started Acid and the RealGuitar plugin is still listed as unavailable! I then went into the registry and searched for all items that had the string "musiclab" or "realguitar". I deleted them all, rebooted but Acid is still listing the plugin as unavailable.

I then installed RealGuitar (initial release) and it now loaded ok (however it still had the PatternMaker functionality missing (eventhough I purchased a license and it works in other hosts such as Sonar).

I then installed the RealGuitar update (5557L) and the plugin once again become unavailable in Acid - back to the drawing board.

Alex

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: alexg

Date:11/24/2008 2:27:01 PM

I completely rebuilt my PC (WinXP3) over the weekend and the first program I loaded was Acid Pro7a followed by the RealGuitar plugin. No other VSTs were installed on my system.

To cut a long strory short, I got it to partially work with the initial release of the plugin. The plugin became "unavailable" once I unstalled an update to it.

I think the issue resides predominantly with the RealGuitar plugin eventhough the manufacturer MusicLab claim that they got it working in Acid without problems.

However, I think that there is also a problem with Acid in that once a plugin is deemed "unavailable" (at least in my case) you can't do anything with it.

For instance, I uninstalled RealGuitar, checked the registry for any remaining reference to RealGuitar or MusicLab and removed them (with Revo Uninstaller).

I then restarted Acid (holding CTRL+SHIFT) and cleared its buffer cache. Why then is there still a reference to the RealGuitar plugin being unavailable? Where is Acid looking to come to the conclusion that the plugin is still on my system.

I have noticed some other posts on this forum where softsynths have suddenly become "unavailable" for some and not for others. Perhaps answering will question will help iron out future softsynth bugs.

Alex

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:11/24/2008 2:57:37 PM

Please fill out your system specs in your user profile.

The plug-in cache is never destroyed.

Unavailable means that at one time it was installed on your system. Currently there is no way to remove an unavailable plug-in. This will be addressed.

This however does not explain why RealGuitar is not working or shown in the list of active and available plug-ins.

We will contact Music Lab and see if we can solve this.

Peter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: alexg

Date:11/26/2008 4:00:54 AM

I just did a test of RealGuitar with Reaper - there were no problems.

I tested another VST called Eckel that is an algorithmic midi generator (http://www.shuriken.se/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=38). This was not even recognized by Acid i.e. it did not appear anywhere in the plug-in manager. In Reaper it installed with no problem.

I've updated my system specs in my user profile. Basically I'm running:

HP 8710W workstation notebook
Core2 Duo T7700 @2.4GHz
4GB RAM (3GB recognized by Windows)
Nvidia Quadro 1600M 512B Graphics
WinXP service pack 3
Edirol UA-700 audio adapter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:11/26/2008 10:11:34 PM

I have been trying to reproduce the problem here. This is my experiance.

I downloaded the demo version of RealGuitar. Install was uneventful.

I started ACID Pro 7.0a. It found RealGuitar. However, RealGuitar demo took a very long time to start up and ACID gave up. ACID will wait upto 20 seconds before it figures something must be wrong.

Once ACID is up and running, I opened the Plug-In Manager View and looked for RealGuitar. I found it in Soft Synths\Failed.

I right clicked on it and selected "Rescan" and it was correctly intialized and now appeared in my Soft Synths/All folder.

I dragged it to the time line and it was added to the project - along with a track - to the empty project.

It played and everything was fine.

I then located the demo MIDI files that came with RealGuitar and told ACID to load it as a new project. I then swapped out the Default DLS synth with RealGuitar. Told RealGuitar it was not in Pattern mode and hit play. Worked very well.

So, I reproduce that RealGuitar intially is marked as failed, but once I rescan for it, it works as expected.

FWIW: This is a really cool Guitar soft synth. I am looking forward to the RealStrat as well.

I also added the Twang Combo plug-in to the Soft-synth bus. Some really nice sounds there.

Peter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:11/26/2008 10:13:50 PM

I tested another VST called Eckel that is an algorithmic midi generator (http://www.shuriken.se/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=38). This was not even recognized by Acid i.e. it did not appear anywhere in the plug-in manager. In Reaper it installed with no problem.

It shows up as an Audio FX in ACID, which is what it is.

A VST that generates MIDI. ACID does not support plug-ins like this. That is, Audio FX plug-ins cannot output MIDI to ACID.

Peter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: alexg

Date:11/27/2008 3:06:44 PM

Hi Peter,

Just to clarify a few points:

1. Did you see a square PM button in your install on the RealGuitar GUI? This button launches the pattern manager where you can choose hundreds of accompaniment styles.

If you press the little round "pattern" button (immediately above the square PM button) this allows the midi pattens to play each time you hit a key on the piano keyboard. This is the part that I can't get to work in Acid (and that I really want).

2. Did you install the RealGuitar 2.2.1_5557L update? This has MIDI OUT functionality so that you can record the pattern manager (and free playing) and then have it play other sample libraries. This is a huge feature.

It is when I install this update that the plugin becomes unavailable and nothing works. You mentioned that Acid does not support MIDI OUT plugins (like Eckel). Would the updated RealGuitar with MIDI OUT fall into this category? This could be the root of the problems I've been having.

Regards,
Alex

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:11/27/2008 7:24:48 PM

1. Did you see a square PM button in your install on the RealGuitar GUI? This button launches the pattern manager where you can choose hundreds of accompaniment styles.

If you press the little round "pattern" button (immediately above the square PM button) this allows the midi pattens to play each time you hit a key on the piano keyboard. This is the part that I can't get to work in Acid (and that I really want).

I do not see this in the version I have. It shows up in the stand alone version, but not in the VSTi version for me. It may be a limitation of the Demo version I have.

2. Did you install the RealGuitar 2.2.1_5557L update? This has MIDI OUT functionality so that you can record the pattern manager (and free playing) and then have it play other sample libraries. This is a huge feature.

It is when I install this update that the plugin becomes unavailable and nothing works. You mentioned that Acid does not support MIDI OUT plugins (like Eckel). Would the updated RealGuitar with MIDI OUT fall into this category? This could be the root of the problems I've been having.

Again, I don't have the full license, but the demo. I am in contact with Music Lab to arrange for a full license.

RealGuitar is a VSTi soft synth.

Eckel is a VST FX.

ACID can send and recieve MIDI output from a VST Soft-synth.

We cannot send or recieve MIDI to an VST FX.

So, no, RealGuitar with MIDI out would NOT fall into this category.

To be 100% clear: ACID will recieve MIDI from a VST Instrument, like RealGuitar, if it follows the VST standard for sending MIDI to a host.

My tests shows that ACID does recieve MIDI from RealGuitar VSTi. You have to configure RealGuitar to send MIDI to make this work.

As soon as I get more information and a full license I will let you know more specifics.

Please fill out your system specs in your user profile.

Peter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: alexg

Date:12/3/2008 5:24:44 AM

While playing around with some demo VSTs I noticed that my licensed StylusRMX plugin is now moved to the unavailable folder and RealGuitar mysteriously appears in the All folder (and continues to remain in the unavailable folder as before).

Thinking that somehow one of the demo VSTs unlocked my unavailable RealGuitar plugin, I inserted it on a midi track and guess what - StylusRMX is loaded instead!

What is going on?

Acid is obviously confused. Re-scanning the Vstplugins folder doesn't help.

Alex

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:12/3/2008 10:03:44 AM

I cannot explain what you are seeing.

Let's try and clear things out and start from scratch.

Locate this folder on your system:

C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Local Settings\Application Data\Sony\ACID Pro\7.0

In this folder is a file

acidpro.plugincache.xml

Either delete or move this file to a new location on your drive.

Start ACID.

ACID will then rescan everything from scratch.

Peter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: alexg

Date:12/3/2008 2:25:55 PM

Deleting the XML file fixed everything. In fact, my RealGuitar plugin is now available although the PM button is still missing. We are progressing!

This little tip will probably help a lot of people that are having trouble with their VSTs.

By the way, in addition to folders "ACID Pro\7.0" I had "ACID Pro 7.0\5.0". The latter had nothing in it. Maybe its an installation script bug.

Alex

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:12/3/2008 7:34:19 PM

Good to hear this. Something really got messed up.

Did you save the original file by chance? I'd like to have a look at it to see what was messed up.

I am working with Music Labs on the PM problem. Should have it worked out soon.

Peter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:12/4/2008 9:01:54 AM

By the way, in addition to folders "ACID Pro\7.0" I had "ACID Pro 7.0\5.0". The latter had nothing in it. Maybe its an installation script bug.

I don't know what that is for. I will investigate.

Thanks
Peter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: alexg

Date:12/4/2008 2:28:09 PM

Peter,

I've forwarded a good and bad XML file through the tech support system for forwarding to you. Incident number: 081204-000130.

Alex

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: kitekrazee

Date:12/4/2008 7:12:07 PM

I'm curious as to why the the VST configuration was removed from the preferences in Acid 7?

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:12/4/2008 8:07:32 PM

The functionality was moved to the Plug-in Manager View.

Is there something you want to do that you cannot do?

Peter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: alexg

Date:12/9/2008 1:49:39 AM

Any update on the RealGuitar plugin testing? I noticed that MusicLab had another update (5558) on their web. I installed it but still not PM button showing. My guess the problem has to do with MusicLab's registration system not working properly in Acid so that even though I purchased the Pattern Manager functionality for some reason only the base product is being loaded.

Alex

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: aeg

Date:12/9/2008 4:27:54 AM

I have the same problem with this free VST Width Stereo Enhancer 'width.dll' from Fat-Ass. I have acidPro 6 and I have placed it in the folder Vstplugins in the Programfiles and in other Sony folders. I have mailed Lee Stacey at Fat-Ass who also mean I have done as I should. How can I make this VST to work in AcidPro6.

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:12/9/2008 6:50:58 AM

I have been working with MusicLab on this. They have not been able to reproduce the issue. MusicLab's response:

Hi Peter,

Unfortunately, we were unable to recreate this issue. We downloaded Acid 7.0a build 536 and checked several different versions of RealGuitar (both full and demo versions). Windows XP SP2 and SP3 were used for tests. PM button is always accessible. We have no idea why there is a problem with PM button on your side.

Konstantin.


We are still investigating this on our side.

Peter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: alexg

Date:3/18/2009 6:27:52 PM

Any news on the status of this? I just loaded 7.0b and this did not fix the PM button not showing in RealGuitar. It's only been 4 months since I reported this problem. I don't think MusicLab or Sony has done much work investigating this. Probably just a lot of "passing the buck". I'm still one unhappy customer.

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:3/18/2009 11:05:47 PM

I assure you we are not passing the buck. I am not blaming Music Lab. It works in other hosts. It does not in ACID. There is a problem.

We repro the problem. We do not know why it is happening. It is an open issue in our tracking system.

Music Labs says they cannot reproduce your problem.

I will email Music Labs again on this issue.

Peter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: alexg

Date:3/19/2009 2:52:57 PM

The interesting thing is that MusicLab indicated that they had tested it on a bunch of ACID based systems (XP, XP2, XP3, demo, pro) and they couldn't reproduce the problem. Then on Jan 9 in response to another user having the same problem they responded on the MusicLab forum "We know the RealGuitar/RealStrat (RG/RS) problem in Acid7. Working on that"!

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: ppaul

Date:4/12/2009 5:49:29 PM

I share your frustration. Sony rates an F as far as I'm concerned. While some tech supp. folks have helped, many showed they didn't care. It's a darn shame that these people don't care more.

One thing that would be great is a complete tutorial - written for stupid people in layman's terms. There is Sudosonic, but they only say what procedures are, not how, or what can be done with them. No examples

I need to be positive, so I'll say Sony has been helpful w/ their loop stuff. However, I find their lack of understanding of their probles with VST recognition and midi recording astounding. After three years making this program available, they didn't even know that when you tell the metronome to play on recording only, it also plays for playback. There are many simple things they should have addressed but the list is long.

Mostly, I'm unhappy that they have not showed me sympathy for very serious problems. When they were unable to fix midi record and track assign problems with soft synths, they didn't offer to assist further. Just stated they didn't know how to fix the problem and would pass on the info.

Now my plan has run out.

Booo to Sony for product support.

paul

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:4/13/2009 2:19:15 PM

paul,

I would like to understand what your problems are. Prior to this post, your last posts were in 2003. Did you post your issues here under a different alias/account?

What version of ACID Pro are you using today?

Have you upgraded since 2003?

Have you tried the demo of ACID Pro 7?

Please present the problems you are having on the forums. The more details the better.

Thanks
Peter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: raquii

Date:4/25/2009 11:26:01 AM

I have just recently switched from acid pro 6 to acid pro 7.
It is saying that my Antares Auto Tune VST is not installed.
I have read this whole thread and non of it seems to apply to me or help me.
Can anyone help?

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: Rockitglider

Date:5/17/2009 8:30:44 PM

Hello Peter,

Long time since I've been around the forums. I've just upgraded to version 7 today and I was able to get Real Guitar working as well the same way you did by right clicking the plug-in and rescanning. I also see the square and round pattern buttons, and I am able to load patterns for RG. The problem I have is after closing Acid and reopenning Acid the RG plug-in goes back into the unavailable status and I have to rescan it again. I noticed another thing though after closing Acid the process is not killed in task manager. this may have something to do with it. I will continue to test and let you know what I find out. I have the full version of RG and also have Real Guitar Toolbox app. installed.

See ya, Rockitglider

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: Rockitglider

Date:5/17/2009 9:30:30 PM

OK Peter,

I did a windows update and the was a SQL update in there, don't know if that helped or not, but after right clicking again on the Real Guitar plug-in in the unavailable folder it put it in the All folder but I noticed that it was not named correctly, it was named Real Guitar so I right clicked it again and selected rename the plug-in and the name changed to Real Guitar 2, now it seems to stay put now in the all folder and the Acid process is being killed now when I close and restart the Acid program. I'll do more testing after work on Monday and get back to you all.

See ya, Rockitglider

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:5/18/2009 8:00:02 AM

ACID not closing correctly is the cause.

It appears that you are using an M-Audio interface. We have many reports of the M-Audio MIDI ports not releasing correctly on exit. This can prevent ACID from ending cleanly.

We have been unable to determine the cause, and M-Audio has not been responsive to our requests for information.

I will ping M-Audio again to see if they have looked into the problem.

Peter

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: Rockitglider

Date:5/20/2009 4:49:17 AM

Hello again Peter,

Do you think that a Line 6 KB37 keyboard/audio interface will work OK with Acid 7? I'm thinking of replacing my M-Audio Ozonic keyboard with this one. Sorry for hijacking the thread.

See ya, Rockitglider

Subject:RE: VST Unavailable

Reply by: pwppch

Date:5/20/2009 6:22:50 AM

Do you think that a Line 6 KB37 keyboard/audio interface will work OK with Acid 7?

I have the KB37. It works fine. We also have a great relationship with Line 6.

It's simple transport controls can be configured to use with ACID's Generic surface control driver. You wont get the functionality of a Mackie Control, but it will get you the basics. You may want to review the KB37 docs and see if it offers what you want/need and plan to do.

Peter