VST3 folder has vanished HELP!!

[kgbeat]

When I opened an existing project using EZdrummer, Reaper tells me that EZdrummer cannot be accessed. On further investigation I find that my VST3 plugin folder has disappeared from the list along with everything in it! I have looked in preferences and Options but cannot find any reference to folders in this respect. So re installed Reaper but the VST3 folder still missing. Tried opening a new project but it's the same. HELP!!

[sisaso]

AFAIK Toontrack products are VST2 and not VST3.

[kgbeat]

Well I must accept your answer re EZDrummer2 being only VST2. But that almost increases the mystery as to why and where it has gone as I don't believe that I ever had a VST2 folder. I definitely had a VST3 folder which had quite a lot of other plugins in it and it has definitely disappeared.

I am perplexed!

[kgbeat]

Still hoping for an answer as to where my VST3 folder and it's contents have gone from the Reaper plugin folder string...

[DarkStar]

What happens when you search for "VST3" in Explorer /Finder?

[kgbeat]

Sorry DarkStar but is that an Explorer/finder within Reaper or the general Windows file Explorer? I can only find a 'Media Explorer' in Reaper.

[kgbeat]

Originally Posted by kgbeat

Sorry DarkStar but is that an Explorer/finder within Reaper or the general Windows file Explorer? I can only find a 'Media Explorer' in Reaper.

The VST3 folder is there in Windows i.e. C/Programme files/Common files/ VST3
but it does not show up in Reaper.

[domzy]

are you saying your "VST 3" folder group has disappeared from the list in the left hand side of the FX choosing dialogue?
If so, have you checked "Options / show in left hand pane" to see if it is ticked to be displayed?

[kgbeat]

Originally Posted by domzy

are you saying your "VST 3" folder group has disappeared from the list in the left hand side of the FX choosing dialogue?
If so, have you checked "Options / show in left hand pane" to see if it is ticked to be displayed?

Yes I have just checked in Options and both VST3 and VST3i are checked but don't show in main folder list (see pic)

[domzy]

Originally Posted by kgbeat

The VST3 folder is there in Windows i.e. C/Programme files/Common files/ VST3
but it does not show up in Reaper.

if you aren't sure whether you installed VST3 or VST2 versions of plug-ins (re post 3) you can look in this folder and see if the file extensions are .vst3 or .dll

[kgbeat]

Originally Posted by domzy

if you aren't sure whether you installed VST3 or VST2 versions of plug-ins (re post 3) you can look in this folder and see if the file extensions are .vst3 or .dll

Not too sure about any VST2 but I certainly have 15 VST3 files in that folder. However looking closely I think they may just be duplicates of other VST's. But there has always been a VST3 folder in the main FX string. Plus I have just bought a Waves plugin that I now understand is a VST3 plugin and I have yet to get Reaper to see it.

[Stella645]

Originally Posted by kgbeat

The VST3 folder is there in Windows i.e. C/Programme files/Common files/ VST3
but it does not show up in Reaper.

In preferences/VST there is a list of plugin paths. Click on edit and if the vst3 path isn't there add it.

[woogish]

just for the heck of it, check your recycle bin.................

[kgbeat]

Originally Posted by Stella645

In preferences/VST there is a list of plugin paths. Click on edit and if the vst3 path isn't there add it.

The Vst3 plugin path is there.

[kgbeat]

Originally Posted by woogish

just for the heck of it, check your recycle bin.................

I checked the bin and while there was one VST3 version of a plugin which I restored, it hasn't made any difference - but thanks - good thought!

[kgbeat]

Originally Posted by kgbeat

When I opened an existing project using EZdrummer, Reaper tells me that EZdrummer cannot be accessed. On further investigation I find that my VST3 plugin folder has disappeared from the list along with everything in it! I have looked in preferences and Options but cannot find any reference to folders in this respect. So re installed Reaper but the VST3 folder still missing. Tried opening a new project but it's the same. HELP!!

So just to recap on the problem and the solutions put forward:
Problem: Vst3 folder has disappeared from the main Plugin access string.

Checks and solutions tried:
1) The correct Vst3 plugin path is in place
2) The VST3 folder is present in Windows i.e. C/Programme files/Common files/ VST3.
3) When searching for Vst3 in Reaper's Search/Finder there are no results
4) It is not in the recycle bin
5) Both Vst3 and Vst3i are checked in the 'show in left hand pane option'.

I said in my first post that I had tried re installing Reaper but I did not Uninstall existing version first. Is this necessary for a clean re install?
Thanks everyone for your input but still frustrated as I have just bought a Waves Vst3 plugin and cannot use it!

[DarkStar]

I meant Windows Explorer (or OSX Finder). ANd there is no need to uninstall Reaper when installing a different version.

Anyway
-- what files are there is C/Program Files/Common files/ VST3?
-- and in C/Program Files (x86)/Common files/ VST3?
-- are you running Reaper 64-bit? Or 32-bit?
-- is this Wave plug-in your first VST3 plug-in?
-- can you tell us all the paths listed, in order, in Reaper's Preferences / Plug-ins / VST?

[Stella645]

Originally Posted by kgbeat

The Vst3 plugin path is there.

2) The VST3 folder is present in Windows i.e. C/Programme files/Common files/ VST3.

Programme? Or program?

[kgbeat]

Originally Posted by Stella645

Programme? Or program?

Not sure Mr Pedant! (>:

[kgbeat]

Originally Posted by DarkStar

I meant Windows Explorer (or OSX Finder). ANd there is no need to uninstall Reaper when installing a different version.

Anyway
-- what files are there is C/Program Files/Common files/ VST
15 folders,
16 Vst3 files (probably Vst3 duplicates of other Vst's)
20 Application Extensions
Various other Reaper related files/ installation packages etc

-- and in C/Program Files (x86)/Common files/ VST3?
No VST3 folder

-- are you running Reaper 64-bit? Or 32-bit?
64-bit

-- can you tell us all the paths listed, in order, in Reaper's Preferences / Plug-ins / VST?

My paths: C:\Program Files (x86)\VstPlugIns;C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VstPlugins;C:\Program Files\Common Files\Vst3Plugins

-- is this Wave plug-in your first VST3 plug-in?
Not sure to be truthful, all the one ones I had in there (as listed above) could just have been duplicates of other versions. When I first started download freebies I wasn't sure where they were going! But this is the first one that I have actually purchased and I didn't realise that it was a Vst3.

I am now getting the attached message when I open an existing project

Hope that helps.
Many Thanks

[DarkStar]

As you have 16 VST files then that Waves VST3 is not your first one. I do not know what those "application extension" files would be - iZotope "helper" files, perhaps?

And Reaper does not, as far as I know, put anything in the VST3 folders.

Your screenshot has a scroll bar, so I guess there are more plug-ins listed.

In the VST path list C:\Program Files\Common Files\Vst3Plugins
is not a valid path; change it to C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 so that it is that exact name of the path.

And, as that VST3 path is the last in the list, any VST3 files will take precedence over any same-named VSTs.

[kgbeat]

Originally Posted by DarkStar

As you have 16 VST files then that Waves VST3 is not your first one. I do not know what those "application extension" files would be - iZotope "helper" files, perhaps?

And Reaper does not, as far as I know, put anything in the VST3 folders.

Your screenshot has a scroll bar, so I guess there are more plug-ins listed.

In the VST path list C:\Program Files\Common Files\Vst3Plugins
is not a valid path; change it to C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 so that it is that exact name of the path.

And, as that VST3 path is the last in the list, any VST3 files will take precedence over any same-named VSTs.

Thank you Dark star. I'll change the path and take note of the position aspect. I think that as to why the folder was there one minute and then vanished will have to remain a mystery. I'm pretty sure now that the plugins that were in there were only duplicates as I said. The GOOD NEWS is that (after 3rd installation) the new Waves plugin has finally showed up in the NEW VST folder so it must have download different types - although I only saw Vst3. Thanks again for your help with this. I will avoid anything Vst3 from now on!

[Stella645]

Originally Posted by kgbeat

Not sure Mr Pedant! (>:

So checking you had the path entered correctly is pedantry....though the issue was that you had the path entered incorrectly...lol.

[kgbeat]

Ah Stella645...you see it hadn't dawned on my simple mind that there are two spellings of the word....however to be fair, it was not spelt wrongly in the path, merely in my general blurb... but thanks for being on the case anyway (>:

[woogish]

Originally Posted by Stella645

Programme? Or program?

Any fool knows that it's "prograham"......

[richie43]

Have you clicked the "clear cache/rescan" option in the preferences?

[kgbeat]

Originally Posted by woogish

Any fool knows that it's "prograham"......

Ha ha - very clever....

[kgbeat]

Originally Posted by richie43

Have you clicked the "clear cache/rescan" option in the preferences?

Yes I did do that several times thank you...

[kgbeat]

Since the VST3 plugin folder disappeared from the list of plugins, I've had a problem with EZdrummer. I am now in contact with Toontrack support and they have given me instructions which I have carried out. There bottom line is ' the correct path (as can be found in the standalone version) must be the only path that Reaper users. That path is C:\Program Files\Common Files\Vst3\Toontrack\EZdrummer.dll

So I have done everything they instructed but Reaper is not seeing it. Done the restart, cleared the cache etc but no sign of EZdrummer. Is that because I have no VST3 folder? Or what is the answer please?

[Stella645]

Ezdrummer.dll is the vst2 version. Not vst3.

[DarkStar]

What is the full path name to the EZDrummer.dll file?
Here, it is: C:\VST_64 Plugins\Drum Samplers
and I have C:\VST_64 Plugins in Reapers' path list.

That advice from Toontrack does not sound correct to me.

As for no VST3 plug-ins appearing, I thought that we had solved that above. The path you had in Reaper's path list was "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Vst3Plugins" which is (probably) invalid.

Exactly what paths do you have now in the list?

[ivansc]

O.K. I beta test for Toontrack, so hopefully between us all we can get you up and running.

On MY system, I do have multiple locations for Toontrack files.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\Toontrack is specifically for VST3 plugins.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST2 is specifically for VST2 plugins.


C:\Program Files\Toontrack is specifically for the stand-alone versions of all Toontrack programs.
This one does not have to be entered into Reapers plugin location window, obviously, but needs to be in place for the standalone programs to work.

So assuming that Toontrack Product Manager has used the standard install locations, the first two locations are where your stuff should be located and should definitely get found by Reaper, assuming you are really using the "clear/rescan" option as you say, rather than just "rescan".

One other item on the checklist at this stage: Open Toontrack Product manager
and click on the Show Details tab for EZdrummer. When the window opens, click on the second tab, Installation Info. Here you should find details of what is actually installed on your system., including your Serial Number what components are installed including the version number.
In my case, I have 2.1.8 of the 64bit software, version 1.12.1 of sound libraries and version 1.0.1 of the MIDI library installed. Software 32bit is marked as Not installed, because I don tuse 32 bit anything on my studio computer.
Make sure yours shows something similar, so we know you are starting from a known point.

[DarkStar]

Ivan, can you clear up one thing: which Toontrack plug-ins come in the VST3 format?

[kgbeat]

Originally Posted by DarkStar

What is the full path name to the EZDrummer.dll file?
Here, it is: C:\VST_64 Plugins\Drum Samplers
and I have C:\VST_64 Plugins in Reapers' path list.

That advice from Toontrack does not sound correct to me.

As for no VST3 plug-ins appearing, I thought that we had solved that above. The path you had in Reaper's path list was "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Vst3Plugins" which is (probably) invalid.

Exactly what paths do you have now in the list?

HI, These are the 3 paths currently in Reaper...

C:\Program Files (x86)\VSTPlugIns;
C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VstPlugins;
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Vst3\Toontrack\EZdrummer.dll


Also I've attached a pic of the FX Browser Options which indicates to me that Reaper thinks it has a VST3 and VST3i folder - which it did before they vanished!


And this is the quote from the Toontrack Tech Support "Please note that the plug-in file (ezdrummer.dll) should not be copied anywhere or moved anywhere manually. Using the plug-in path from the 64-bit standalone "Show plugin" menu is the only path that should be added for EZD2 in Reaper".

[kgbeat]

Originally Posted by ivansc

O.K. I beta test for Toontrack, so hopefully between us all we can get you up and running.

On MY system, I do have multiple locations for Toontrack files.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\Toontrack is specifically for VST3 plugins.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST2 is specifically for VST2 plugins.


C:\Program Files\Toontrack is specifically for the stand-alone versions of all Toontrack programs.
This one does not have to be entered into Reapers plugin location window, obviously, but needs to be in place for the standalone programs to work.

So assuming that Toontrack Product Manager has used the standard install locations, the first two locations are where your stuff should be located and should definitely get found by Reaper, assuming you are really using the "clear/rescan" option as you say, rather than just "rescan".

One other item on the checklist at this stage: Open Toontrack Product manager
and click on the Show Details tab for EZdrummer. When the window opens, click on the second tab, Installation Info. Here you should find details of what is actually installed on your system., including your Serial Number what components are installed including the version number.
In my case, I have 2.1.8 of the 64bit software, version 1.12.1 of sound libraries and version 1.0.1 of the MIDI library installed. Software 32bit is marked as Not installed, because I don tuse 32 bit anything on my studio computer.
Make sure yours shows something similar, so we know you are starting from a known point.

Hi and thanks for your help. Ok, so since I followed the instructions from TT Tech Support today and deleted all versions of ezd.dll files and reinstalled the latest 64b version, my numbers are as follows: EZD version is 64bit 2.1.8. Library is 1.1.1 and Midi is 1.0.0.

When I reinstalled this version, I do not know why it went into that VST3 folder in Windows. You don't seem to be given an option to change the path.
Please also see Toontrack's comment I've included in my reply to Darkstar...

[Stella645]

You have 2 issues.

1. You keep changing the path to vst3 folder in Reaper to something that isn't going to work. So yes your vst3 will be missing. Use ONLY the path Darkstar told you.

2. It seems there is no VST3 version of EZdrummer2 but the installer defaults to putting the vst2 dll in the VST3 folder for some odd reason.

The VST2 should still run from that folder if you add the correct path but it would be better if you could work out how to install it into a different folder.

[Sari]

Open your FX Browser
Right click on 'All Plugins'
Select 'Show in left pane list'
Make sure VST3 and VST3i are selected

[kgbeat]

Originally Posted by Sari

Open your FX Browser
Right click on 'All Plugins'
Select 'Show in left pane list'
Make sure VST3 and VST3i are selected

Thank you Sari but I have done that and both VST3 and VST3i are present and selected.

[peter5992]

Originally Posted by kgbeat

Thank you Sari but I have done that and both VST3 and VST3i are present and selected.

Are you still having issues?

1. Make sure that you exactly where all your VSTs plugins are installed on your computer. For VST2 that could be anywhere, for VST3 this should be the location:

C:\Program Files\VSTplugins

2. Then, go into your Reaper preferences and look where Reaper is searching for VSTs. Match up the directories with where the VSTs are actually installed.

3. Create a spreadsheet (free from OpenOffice) with a complete overview where everything is and where Reaper and other programs look for them, and keep it updated.

See example below. This will save you hours and hours of headaches searching for "why doesn't this work" or "my VSTs have gone!" and other related issues.

[DarkStar]

Again "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Vst3\Toontrack\EZdrummer.dll" is not a valid path.

Is that really where your EZDrummer.dll files was installed. (I did not use the Toontrack Product Manager, I just ran the installer.)

Could it be that if Reaper finds a VST2 plug-in in the VST3 folder it ignores it.

Also, can you look in your repear-vstplugins.ini file (I cannot recall the exact name) and tell us what it shows in there for EZDrummer?