VST Synth Not Detected

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 11:50 AM

I've recently installed Sonicbits' Exakt Lite synth, but despite repeated tries, I can't get Reaper to detect it. I've contacted the developer, who's given me some advice to try getting it to work, but to no avail.

I'm working with Reaper V6.13 on 64-bit Windows 8.1. Anybody else having trouble with the most recent version not recognizing VSTs?

www.sonicbits.com/exakt-lite.html

Fex · 08-07-2020, 12:00 PM

Welcome to the forums.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

I'm working with Reaper V6.13 on 64-bit Windows 8.1. Anybody else having trouble with the most recent version not recognizing VSTs?

No problems here at all. Are other VSTs being recognized? Have you checked your plugin folder to make sure that Exakt Lite is actually there?

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

Welcome to the forums.No problems here at all. Are other VSTs being recognized? Have you checked your plugin folder to make sure that Exakt Lite is actually there?

Yes, all of my other instruments are showing up with no issues. And thanks for the welcome.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 12:32 PM

And have you checked your plugin folder to make sure that Exakt Lite is actually there? Did you put it there yourself, or was it placed there by a .exe installer?

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

And have you checked your plugin folder to make sure that Exakt Lite is actually there? Did you put it there yourself, or was it placed there by a .exe installer?

Yes, the .dll file is in my plugin folder and was automatically put there by the installer. Apologies for not answering that earlier.

Thank you for stepping up to help me with this.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 01:15 PM

No problem. I'm just hoping I don't end up downloading the synth.

Ok, next let's try....

Options > Preferences > Plug-ins > VST

Re-scan

.... and if that doesn't catch it....

Clear cache/re-scan

If you've already done this and it didn't work, please do it again anyway. Humour me.

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 01:36 PM

Done, done, and done. Still not working. The .dll file shows up during the cache re-scan, but it still isn't appearing on the list of recognized VSTs. I've no idea what I'm doing wrong.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 01:55 PM

Those images are a bit unclear, but I think I get the idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

The .dll file shows up during the cache re-scan, but it still isn't appearing on the list of recognized VSTs.

That is very useful information, however.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

I've no idea what I'm doing wrong.

I think, probably, nothing. I'm going to have to think about this one.

I'm clutching at straws here....in the pic, in the Add FX window, you have "Instruments" selected on the menu. Have you tried "All plugins?" Maybe it doesn't know it's an instrument.

What was the advice you mentioned from the dev, BTW?

I'm downloading Exakt Lite now. This will not defeat we.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 02:12 PM

Windows tried maybe a little harder than usual to block it, but otherwise, I had no difficulties installing Exakt Lite 64 bit VSTi and VST3i.

This is one of those installers that installs program files, not just the VSTi dll & VST3i files....
Did you download everything to the default locations (for VSTs, this shouldn't matter)?

Did you check that the program itself is at
C:\Program Files\ExaktLite?

EDIT: ^ Doesn't matter. It's only a pdf manual, an installer log and 2 uninstaller files anyway.

Have you tried running the installer again?

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

Those images are a bit unclear

Apologies for the small size of the images. The forum won't allow anything bigger than 64 KB.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

I'm clutching at straws here....in the pic, in the Add FX window, you have "Instruments" selected on the menu. Have you tried "All plugins?" Maybe it doesn't know it's an instrument.

I've checked "all plugins" and every one of the sub-folders and it's not showing up in any of them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

What was the advice you mentioned from the dev, BTW?

The developer advised to install the .exe file as an administrator and to make sure the .dll file isn't locked. Done and done, but it's still not showing up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

I'm downloading Exakt Lite now. This will not defeat we.

I appreciate the effort. Thank you again.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

I appreciate the effort. Thank you again.

It's okay. I ain't doing it for you....

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

Windows tried maybe a little harder than usual to block it, but otherwise, I had no difficulties installing Exakt Lite 64 bit VSTi and VST3i.

Yes, Windows gave me a warning about the file, too. I went ahead and installed it anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

This is one of those installers that installs program files, not just the VSTi dll & VST3i files....
Did you download everything to the default locations (for VSTs, this shouldn't matter)?

Did you check that the program itself is at C:\Program Files\ExaktLite

EDIT: ^ Doesn't matter. It's only a pdf manual, an installer log and 2 uninstaller files anyway.

Yes and yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

Have you tried running the installer again?

No, not yet, but I'll give it a try.

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 02:30 PM

I've run the installer again. Still nothing.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 02:42 PM

Have you ever done this?

Quote:

Explorer > Desktop.

Open the Control Panel.

Choose Folder Options under Appearance and Personalization.

Click the Options icon on the right of the ribbon.

In the Folder Options dialog box, select the View tab.

Select Show hidden files, folders, and drives.

Deselect Hide extensions for known file types and click OK.

If not, perhaps you would be so kind?

Fex · 08-07-2020, 02:46 PM

I'll understand if you want to give up, BTW. I mean, how good is this synth anyway?

Me, I'm not ready to give up just yet.

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 02:49 PM

Done. Still nothing.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 02:51 PM

If you're still in this game, let's get serious. Intelligence op:

Go to

C:\Users\*Your Name*\AppData\Roaming\REAPER

Locate reaper-vstplugins64.ini

Open it in notepad.

Find ExaktLite (probably at the bottom)

I've got....

ExaktLite.vst3=005A746E365FD601,385997997,ExaktLit e (Sonicbits)!!!VSTi
ExaktLite_x64.dll=00D3E06A365FD601,1349337720,Exak tLite (Sonicbits)!!!VSTi

....what you got?

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

I'll understand if you want to give up, BTW. I mean, how good is this synth anyway?

Me, I'm not ready to give up just yet.

No, I'm not going to give up.

I've been looking for a software equivalent to my Yamaha TX81Z for the longest time so I'm eager to try this one out.

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

I've got....

ExaktLite.vst3=005A746E365FD601,385997997,ExaktLit e (Sonicbits)!!!VSTi
ExaktLite_x64.dll=00D3E06A365FD601,1349337720,Exak tLite (Sonicbits)!!!VSTi

....what you got?

Here's what's showing up:

ExaktLite.vst3=00624A57605FD601
ExaktLite_x64.dll=00DBB653605FD601

Aye, THERE'S the rub!

Fex · 08-07-2020, 03:03 PM

Yup. Reaper's blacklisted that sucker. Now we have to trick Reaper.

If you want to unshow hidden files and folders again, go ahead and do that now. Windows hides those things for a good reason - to stop idiots like me from messing around with stuff like this that we don't understand.

I prefer to keep them showing, because it's not Micro$ofts computer, dammit!

Okay, it's not mine either, but that's not important right now.

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

Yup. Reaper's blacklisted that sucker. Now we have to trick Reaper.

So how do we do that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

I prefer to keep them showing, because it's not Micro$ofts computer, dammit!.

Same.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

So how do we do that?

We'll try the slightly less stupid and dangerous way first, shall we?

I believe you said that you had the installer place the VST files in the default locations. You know where they are, right?

Go find

ExaktLite_x64.dll

Copy.

Paste.

This should create a new file:

ExaktLite_x64 - Copy.dll

Reaper > Scan for new plugins.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 03:44 PM

The silence is a bit unnerving. I hope I didn't just kill a computer....

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

The silence is a bit unnerving. I hope I didn't just kill a computer....

No, just taking a break for my evening meal. (In Canada here, five hours behind you.)

Unfortunately, the less dangerous way didn't work. Looks like we'll need to take a greater risk.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 04:22 PM

Oh, thank $Deity. I was so worried. Should we tidy up a bit first?

Delete ExaktLite_x64 - Copy.dll from your plugins folder.

I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

Go back to

C:\Users\*Your Name*\AppData\Roaming\REAPER

Locate reaper-vstplugins64.ini again.

Open it in notepad again.

Find ExaktLite again.

If you have any lines of code that you didn't have before (because of the copy you made), then remove them. I really don't know if you will. I'm getting slightly out of my depth now.

Replace these lines....

Code:

ExaktLite.vst3=00624A57605FD601
ExaktLite_x64.dll=00DBB653605FD601

with these lines....

Code:

ExaktLite.vst3=00624A57605FD601,385997997,ExaktLite (Sonicbits)!!!VSTi
ExaktLite_x64.dll=00DBB653605FD601,1349337720,ExaktLite (Sonicbits)!!!VSTi

EDIT: Save. I probably should have said save.

TBH, if this is going to work, I think you could replace that part of the string with random numbers, and the manufacturers name with anything you like. This has been known to work.

Reaper > Options > Preferences > Plug-ins > VST

Clear cache/re-scan

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 04:57 PM

I've followed every instruction to the letter and it's still not happening.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 05:01 PM

I found some stuff....

C:\Users\*myname*\AppData\Roaming\Sonicbits ExaktLite

Banks, presets, manual, settings.

You got all that stuff?

Two more things to try, BTW.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 05:09 PM

Close Reaper.

Go back to

C:\Users\*Your Name*\AppData\Roaming\REAPER again

Locate reaper-vstplugins64.ini again again.

Deleting that file probably won't break Reaper, but lets keep it around to be on the safe side.

Rename it to, say,

xxxxreaper-vstplugins64.ini

Start Reaper.

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

I found some stuff....

C:\Users\*myname*\AppData\Roaming\Sonicbits ExaktLite

Banks, presets, manual, settings.

You got all that stuff?

Two more things to try, BTW.

Yes, it's all there.

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

Close Reaper.

Go back to

C:\Users\*Your Name*\AppData\Roaming\REAPER again

Locate reaper-vstplugins64.ini again again.

Deleting that file probably won't break Reaper, but lets keep it around to be on the safe side.

Rename it to, say,

xxxxreaper-vstplugins64.ini

Start Reaper.

No success.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 05:18 PM

Did Reaper load?

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

Did Reaper load?

Yes it did, and I saw it scan all the VSTs in my file, including Exakt Lite. The synth still won't appear when I try to arm a track with it. All the others do, though.

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 05:24 PM

After all this, I can only conclude that I should try reverting back to an earlier version of Reaper and see what happens, or there's an issue with my laptop that won't allow this particular .dll file to function.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 05:33 PM

Ok, not like it's a big file, but let's not litter....

Delete

xxxxreaper-vstplugins64.ini

(I guess Reaper made a new reaper-vstplugins64.ini file. I thought it would.)

I'm going to kick myself if this works.

Unless you have a whole bunch of customisations that you're very attached to, let's reset Reaper to factory defaults.

This will wipe out your VST paths at....

Options > Preferences > Plugins > VST

.... so copy them to clipboard and paste into notepad to save yourself some time later.

In your Windows Start menu, under Reaper, you'll find the option....

Reaper (x64) Reset configuration to factory defaults

... do that.

When Reaper opens, paste those VST paths back in from notepad.

Rescan.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

After all this, I can only conclude that I should try reverting back to an earlier version of Reaper and see what happens, or there's an issue with my laptop that won't allow this particular .dll file to function.

An earlier version probably wouldn't help, whereas the reset will cure all sorts of ills.

I'm curious about those warnings we got from over-enthusiastic anti-malware - maybe yours is interfering.

I'm also curious about what's in your ExaktLite installation log.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed here, cos I gotta tell you.... I'm all out of ideas now.

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

I'm also curious about what's in your ExaktLite installation log.

Here's an example of one of the events in my event viewer. This is the "friendly view" under the details tab:

reaper.exe
6.1.3.0
5f189d53
ExaktLite.vst3
0.0.1.0
5f1694f1
c000001d
000000000041b2e1
360
01d66d18cdbe19eb
C:\Program Files\REAPER (x64)\reaper.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\ExaktLite.vst3\Contents\x86_64-win\ExaktLite.vst3
598f3a8d-d90c-11ea-83cd-28e34714f2cb

And here's what shows up under the general tab:

Faulting application name: reaper.exe, version: 6.1.3.0, time stamp: 0x5f189d53
Faulting module name: ExaktLite.vst3, version: 0.0.1.0, time stamp: 0x5f1694f1
Exception code: 0xc000001d
Fault offset: 0x000000000041b2e1
Faulting process id: 0x360
Faulting application start time: 0x01d66d18cdbe19eb
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files\REAPER (x64)\reaper.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\ExaktLite.vst3\Contents\x86_64-win\ExaktLite.vst3
Report Id: 598f3a8d-d90c-11ea-83cd-28e34714f2cb
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:

To quote Shakespeare again, it's all Greek to me.

Schroeder · 08-07-2020, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

I'm curious about those warnings we got from over-enthusiastic anti-malware - maybe yours is interfering.

I've run anti-virus and anti-malware scans on all of my Reaper files and no threats were detected.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fex

I'm keeping my fingers crossed here, cos I gotta tell you.... I'm all out of ideas now.

Thank you for your patience.

Fex · 08-07-2020, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

To quote Shakespeare again, it's all Greek to me.

Me too. Someone might be able to make sense of it, when they've finished laughing at our fumbling attempts thus far....

Can I take it that you tried the factory reset to no avail?

The log I was referring to is

InstallationLogFile.log

at

C:\Program Files\ExaktLite -

Mine ends with

Quote:

2020-08-07 22:01:49.905 Writing uninstall key values.
2020-08-07 22:01:49.909 Detected previous non administrative install? No
2020-08-07 22:01:49.909 Detected previous administrative 32-bit install? No
2020-08-07 22:01:50.091 Installation process succeeded.
2020-08-07 22:01:50.095 Need to restart Windows? No
2020-08-07 22:01:52.587 Deinitializing Setup.

It might be useful to know whether yours indicates a successful installation or a mess of error messages.

03.00 here. Bedtime.