I am back up and running after downloading a pre-iLok VEP7. Incidentally the “rollback” option in Vienna Assistant didn’t work from me, but a manual uninstall followed by an install using the link below worked. (This is from an email I received from VSL support and it solved my problem.)

Please manually(!) uninstall VE Pro with the provided Uninstaller from your VE Pro application folder, then manually(!) re-install VE Pro 7.1.1263 from the direct link below. And of course please make sure that MAS is checked in the Installer:

https://beta.vsl.co.at/user/ViennaEnsemblePro-macOS-7.1.1263-iLok.zip

Thanks, Terry

This is astounding and sad news for me. I have downloaded and REPLACED all my old versions with iLok versions without realizing the problem with MAS. I have a very large number of libraries that are now erased to make room for the iLok versions which I presumed had been thoroughly tested. There were no warnings from VSL that I saw regarding the MAS versions. Did they post that somewhere that I should have seen.

Not sure what my next steps are.

Paul Read

After downloading my iLok encrypted versions of my libraries, VEP crashes every time I initiate playback of a project in my DAW (Digital Performer 11). I have double checked to be sure all the correct libraries are in place and that all settings are as they should be. I must be missing something, but I can't figure that out. 

There were no problems working with the project in question before the download of the iLok versions of the libraries.

I'm pretty much out of ideas as to what to try next. (I've contacted VSL support, but haven't got a reply yet). Anyone else with this problem? Anyone suggest next steps?

Thanks

I'd suggest checking the buffer size in DP11. See p. 247 in the manual. I usually have mine set to 512 or 256. But you can experiment with higher values to see if that solves the latency problems you are experiencing.

From the manual: "You also have a third option: turn off your audio hardware’s “hardware-based” monitoring andlower the Buffer Size setting. The default settings is 1024 samples. Try lowering it to 512, 256 or even 128 samples. This gives you the best of both worlds: very low monitoring latency (3-6 ms) with effects processing. The trade-off in this scenario is that the lower buffer settings put more strain on your computer."

Paul Read

I have just read through this entire thread hoping to see how this problem has been solved (as it says in the header to the thread). But, I can’t see a solution.

I’m on a MacBook Pro running Big Sur after having had to downgrade from Monterey 12.3 with Apple’s help. Why? don’t get me started. But Big Sur is stable and working for me at the present time.

Now, having used Vienna Assistant to transition to iLok, (many more hours to go) my Vienna Ensemble Pro 7 software crashes as soon as I run a project in Digital Performer 11. The crash report is 151 pages of impenetrable code. The project uses 4 instances within VEP7. I’m wondering if the problem might be new locations for some of the libraries used. I had to be creative to free up enough space for the réinstallation of the now iLok encrypted files and some libraries are in new locations. I thought that was taken care of by Vienna Assistant after I changed the location before installing, but maybe I’m wrong.

Any ideas would be welcome.

Sigh…

After multiple, lengthy calls to Apple Support at the senior tech support level, the only current solution for me was to downgrade to Big Sur. Apple's 12.3 release is causing problems with a lot of significant applications. In my case there were two notable ones: Digital Performer and Adobe products. Monterey 12.3 disrupted access to external drives, complaining that there were insufficient permissions or the drives were READ-ONLY. When that was not the case.

Downgrading to Big Sur turned out to be complicated, but so far it seems to have worked. But its early days.

Saving both vesp and vep projects is obviously an important part of workflow. With VEP7 this can be confusing because of nomenclature. VEP7 refers to the saving of both as "save project". It would be clearer to me if VEP referred to saving an instance as Save Instance instead of Save Project. Just sayin'

Also when I am working I occasionally save the vesp project (for safety's sake). Instead of simply saving, VEP7 asks me to name the project all over again...almost all of the time. Occasionally it will simply save. But only occasionally. After I save - and rename again - when I quit VEP7, it asks me to name the project (YET AGAIN). This is cumbersome, although of course doable.

I know the autosave feature is there, but I am still nervous about trusting a large project will be saved properly all the time. Maybe I'm worrying needlessly. So I could use a little clarity on this issue.

Thanks, 

Paul R

I just moved from my iMac to my MacBook Pro. Both running Monterey. The updated VEP7 on the MacBook takes *forever* scanning plugins every time I start up. Also, something called "crashpad" pops up (with a VEP7 icon) and reports VEP has crashed while scanning. If I force quit this annoying "crashpad" VEP will continue scanning (for a very long time) until I hit skip. 

I don't think any of the plugins are VST3.

There are VST2 and AU plugins that do not pass the VEP scan. 3 examples: East West Opus, Antares Harmony Engine 4.1 and UVI Workstation. The only one of these 3 that I currently need is OPUS.

These all were not a problem with the previous release of VEP7.

Any ideas?

Paul R

I'm not sure what 'reproduction information' to provide to help solve this issue. Hence I have been living with this problem, despite the annoying behaviour that interrupts the creative process frequently. I'll be working in Digital Performer or Finale (see versions listed in my profile below) and suddenly a VEP instance will pop to the foreground. I have tried different preference settings in VEP 7 but to no avail.

What can I do to solve this? It is driving my crazy... (Not that I'm not halfway there already :))

Paul R

Excellent. Lots for me to try here. I really appreciate your time and help.

Paul

Thanks for your post. My VEP MAS plugins are already in a V-Rack within the project I'm asking about. There actually separate VEP plugins for each instrument family. (One per instance). The V-Rack is shared by 7 'chunks' or sequences.

In his response (below/above) Dietz suggested automating the VEP mixing console from within DP. He says this works in Cubase, but he isn't sure about DP. I see no way to control VEP faders from the DP mixer. But there is plenty I don't know...of course.

I do an overall mix in VEP already (shared among the DP chunks). But each sequence in the DAW needs its own mix based on the musical demands of each composition. I can't do this because VEP blocks out any mix automation in DP. The mixer does nothing.

Is there a way to set VEP so that I can mix there and then do sub-mixes in DP (one for each chunk?).

I may pose this question in the MOTU forum. Perhaps someone over there has some similar experiences. In the meantime if you have further comment or if anyone else can chime in, that would be appreciated.

Paul R

PS. I need to learn the automation function in VEP. Since it was added years back, I have never used it. I guess I'm guilty of being a creature of old habits. :)

Thank you. Potentially helpful.

I say potentially as I don't know how to set up remote control of VEP's faders (other than the iPad remote controller). Is that set up from within VEP or is that set up in Cubase? I think I'm getting close to figuring this out. I'm glad to refer to the manual on this, but so far haven't got it nailed.

BTW, Digital Performer is perhaps closest to ProTools in its design, although of course it is unique. I'm surprised it is left out of many DAW discussions, but that is hardly important. I use it simply because I'm so familiar with it after decades of using it (since version 2!!!)

Thanks Dietz,

Paul

I would love to hear advice on best practices re mixing in the following scenario.

I have a project in my DAW (Digital Performer 10) involving various reeds, brass, and percussion playing several different sequences (or 'chunks' as they are called in DP land. In Digital Performer there is a mixing board. All the sample libraries are in VEP7 arranged in 3 different instances organized by instrument family. Instruments are distributed to MIR Pro stages in their respective instances. Within MIR Pro and VEP7 I can mix 'easily'. (Mixing is never that easy, is it?). But the mixing board in Digital Performer seems to be disabled in favour of the mixing environment in VEP.

OK, fine. BUT. In DP I have multiple sequences. Each uses the same instrumentation but I need to mix each composition separately (of course). 

I have a feeling I've made my life more complicated by trying to be efficient. If I had access to the DP mixer I could deal with each sequence or 'chunk' on its own terms after getting all instruments nicely EQ'd and placed spatially in MIR Pro. That would require I was able to use the mixer in DP independent of VEP/MIR Pro..

All of this to say....

HELP.

I need advice.

Thank you.

Paul R

This problem is ongoing. East West answered my questions about the PLAY sample player and sent me a link to download a fresh copy. No change. VEP will not validate the VST version. Also applies to the Best Service plugin.

Further, I'd love to know why VEP is scanning my plugins so often. It happens nearly every day now. That is new behaviour. I can't find anything in the preferences pane that would affect this.

Paul Read

I'd like to figure out how to gain control of VEP's windows opening without my wishing them to. In VEP prefs I have already deselected the "Activate window on MIDI activity" option, but that doesn't prevent VEP from opening a window without provocation while I'm working. To make matters more irksome, it is very difficult and confusing trying to dock a window that has come 'unglued'.

I notice that VEP has not been updated in quite a long time and so that might be a clue. I suspect that COVID has limited the support for some VSL products, but that is only a suspicion. Can't recall going this long without a VEP update.

Anyone else with similar issues or know of solutions?

I've had the same issue from time to time. Seems intermittent but definitely irksome. 

On my Mac (Catalina), VEP seems to scan my plugins more frequently these days. Two plugins fail: PLAY sample player VST (not just VST 3) and Best Service. The latter happened for the first time today. Any help with the frequency of scans or the plugin compatibility is appreciated.

As an example, if I have four instances in VEP7, each for a separate section of an orchestra, how do I send them all to the same MIR Pro stage?

Thanks, Paul

Of course, there is no way that VEP can do everything for the vast number of plugins that it manages. I’m thinking about how to troubleshoot this without a LOT of guesswork. (I have a large collection of libraries from other companies as well). Are plugins stored in the Mac OS systems in such a way that I can look to see which were added most recently? I’m thinking ~/Library/Application support/ etc. And then sort by date? Does this seem to make sense?

Your help, as always, is appreciated.

Paul R

Thanks, Paul

Makes sense of course, and thanks for identifying it as part of VE Pro. Maybe the program could be renamed to show it is part of the VE Pro system or program. I will begin to troubleshoot this, but it has been happening for a few weeks. 

It would be helpful if VSL programmers might have the error message identify it as a VEP error. And, of course, if it could reference the specific plugin that would be an enormous time saver. Saying, “Please be sure ‘the product’ is properly installed” is not conducive to efficient troubleshooting. I’m sure You might agree.

Plug ins are not always simply added. Sometimes they are updated by third parties as part of their on going maintenance. Given the number of plugins on some systems (like mine). Narrowing this down can be quite time consuming.

Also, if AVID products are present, VE Pro will have difficulty quitting. I’ve had to remove their product to avoid having to “Force Quit” each time.

Trying to be helpful here.

Paul R

I have been using a ‘legacy’ Yamaha S90 and want to update to the best controller I can afford that works with my hardware and software. I use VSL extensively with a significant number of 3rd part librairies, but always using Vienna Ensemble Pro 7 to keep things organized.

I use the most recent releases of Finale (Mac) v 26 and Digital Performer 10. 

The S90 was fine for note entry, but very limited in almost every other way. So I bought (2 days ago) a Komplete Kontakt S88 MK2. So far some things work well, but it really feels like the wrong keyboard. Right away,,you realize that there is an expectation that you will fully embrace the Northern Sounds, Native Instrument instruments and library. Some are fine, But there are just too many things I don’t think I will every use.

I’m asking for recommendations for a musician like me who uses VSL libraries (more than others) but also plenty of other 3rd party libraries as well. What is the controller you would recommend. I have a few weeks to take the Komplete Kontrol back, but during that time I’d like to research other, perhaps most suitable controllers for my circumstances.

I want to be able to enter notes, of course, and then be able to shape them with some assignable (learnable) knobs and sliders. I don’t think I need a lot. But advice on that account will be appreciated as well. I do have a very good breath controller that works well. 

And, of course USB hook up.

I thank you for reading the post and writing a short reply. Just tell me what is working really well for you. THANK YOU.....

Paul R

While booting VEP7 a new scan of plugins was initiated. During the scan an error is reported. "Registry Error , be sure your product is properly installed". No product is specifically referenced. So that's not helpful. 

This is new behaviour as of late. I've had it happen several times and my guess it has to do with some plug-in. But which one? And how to narrow that down? It appears the error is in a subroutine or program called plugin scan. Is that a Vienna program? No idea why it has emerged and is reporting this error.. Again, what error?

I have just made a bold move to upgrade my controller from a legacy Yamaha S90 to a Komplete S88. Could it be involved?

Makes sense. Thanks, Bill. I'll take that approach.

No response after a few days. I'm wondering if that means I asked a question that was confusing, or maybe no one else ever needs this woodwind 'doubling'. Any guidance appreciated.

HI

Somewhere along the way, I thought I learned how to use slots to allow a clarinet player to switch to bass clarinet for a few phrases and then back. I thought this was done through using the slots, but I've forgotten the details. To switch instruments do you use slot cross fade, or is it possible to assign a keyswitch to move the player to a different slot within the one VIP instance?

thanks

Paul R