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

Strange, new behaviour. Vienna Ensemble Pro (latest version) will not quit on its own and must be "Force Quit" each time on my MacBook Pro (new) running Catalina. Is this just happening on my system? Any advice?

Paul R

Found it. Arranger is Chris Dedrick. Written for the Canadian Brass.
So expertly rendered ! Gorgeous.

Jay Bacal’s rendering of Make Our Garden grow is, as usual just terrific. I would love to know whose arrangement that is. Also I would love to study a demo of this one. Anyone who might have contact with Jay, please pass along.

Thank you for that info. Very helpful. Doesn’t come up often, but good to know.

A follow- up question. I am in the habit of putting a MIR Pro in every channel so that the whole ensemble is on stage, where I want them. You said I would not likely want to add MIR Pro to every channel. Could you tell me more about this?
My thanks.

Paul R

I know you can automatically had MIR Pro to each instrument as it is added, but if you have a large and older file with MIR Pro needing to be assigned to many channels at once is there a way to add to multiple channels at once or do you have to add one at a time?

Paul R

Hi. I have Vienna Imperial, as well as the Synchron Yamaha and Steinway. I have always liked the Vienna Imperial and used it in quite a few projects. But now that I took the step to acquire the Synchron pianos I find I use it (the Imperial) less and less. My favourite sound (personal preference) is the Steinway and have actually gone back and loaded all three pianos in my DAW and then use duplicate tracking with different routing so I can compare all three in a musical situtation. Frankly, I feel completely spoiled!

Now, a small comment regarding the diverse options we now have in the VSL instrument world. I learned to use the old (no longer in use) VI Sample Player and never liked it. The newer sample player is a big improvement and takes a lot of work and time (in my case) to learn. No shortage of complexity, but it allows a great sense of control over performances of the samples. I’m now learning the Synchron Player and find this ‘new’ player has some real advantages. But it is very time consuming to learn and re-learn the intricacies of each.

So I’m wondering if VSL is headed towards a Synchron Player model (maybe called something else) that will be a ‘universal ‘ player for all the libraries. I think that would be terrific in some sense, although maybe impossible.

I often feel there is me (performer, composer, orchestrator) and then there is this cumbersome giant wall of TECH that I must deal with before getting to the results on the other side. Slows down the process in my case, although I’ve really worked at it.

All this to say that choice of instrument (in this case piano) is also a choice of sample player and your comfort level with each workflow. Of course, the bottom line is sound, but I wanted to comment on the multiple choices we now have working with VSL/Synchron libraries.

Finally, after all these years, I am still astonished at the agility and speed of some users with the libraries (Jay Bacal and Guy Bacos come to mind).
Paul R

That makes sense. I don’t think any preferences triggered the deletion of the cache.. But a third party clearout, could have happened. Maybe CleanMyMac ...In any case, no big deal. Just wondered if it was something to expect now. Seemed random. Thanks for the explanation.

I just booted VEP7 as usual, but was surprised that it went through a scan of all my plug-ins. I thought that only happened the first time it was booted. Is this a periodic rescan?