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#355555 06/28/16 08:06 AM
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Hello, due to a recent forced upgrade from windows 7 to 10 (which did not go smooth) I had to do a fresh install of windows 10. I will be reinstalling both BIAB 16 everything Pak and Sonar on my laptop which is mainly used for these two programs. Since I'm starting fresh I have a question regarding file locations and installation of vst/plugins. My operating system is 64 bit windows 10 and sonar is 64 bit as well. Do you suggest loading both 32 and 64 bit versions of plugins like pianoteq, true pianos,etc. so that both BIAB and Sonar can use. Second option would be to install 64 bit only and purchase Jbridge for BIAB. Not sure the best way to go. Also do most members use custom folders for your VSTs, or just install to default locations. In the past I'm not always sure where to place 32 and 64 bit VSTs. Thought this time I would ask for some advice to keep things neat and easier for future updates. Thanks for any reply.

bluzkeez1 #355559 06/28/16 08:52 AM
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I'm sure others do it very differently, but here's what I do for VST plugins. If offered to specify a location, it is in one of several places under my d:\AppsData\VST folder. The VST folder contains both VST effects and VSTi instruments. When offered, I install both 32-bit and 64-bit plugins.

  • d:\AppsData\VST\32-bit
  • d:\AppsData\VST\32-bit only
  • d:\AppsData\VST\64-bit
  • d:\AppsData\VST\64-bit only


So if the product has both 32-bit and 64-bit VST's, I install 32-bit VST's into the "32-bit" folder and the 64-bit VST's into the "64-bit" folder.

If a product has only a 32-bit version, then I install into "32-bit only" and if it only has a 64-bit version, then I install into "64-bit only".

If a product doesn't let me specify, I make note of where the VST is placed and then move it to the appropriate folder.

I also have jBridge installed. You don't have to do anything for DAW's that automatically sense jbridge is installed, but for DAW's that don't automatically "bridge" VST's, I run the jbridger.exe utility. For this, I set up two folders called:

  • d:\AppsData\VST\jbridge\32-bit VST for 64-bit DAW
  • d:\AppsData\VST\jbridge\64-bit VST for 32-bit DAW


I then run the jbridger utility and select the "d:\AppsData\VST\32-bit only" folder as the source for "32-bit VST for 64-bit DAW" destination.

I run the jbridger utility again and select the "d:\AppsData\VST\64-bit only" folder as the source for "64-bit VST for 32-bit DAW" destination.

I don't need to run jbridger on the other folders, since there is already a corresponding VST.

For apps such as Sonar which automatically scan VST's and perform automatic bridging, in the 64-bit version, I select the following folders to scan:

  • d:\AppsData\VST\32-bit only
  • d:\AppsData\VST\64-bit
  • d:\AppsData\VST\64-bit only


In the 32-bit version of Sonar, I select the following folders to scan:

  • d:\AppsData\VST\32-bit
  • d:\AppsData\VST\32-bit only
  • d:\AppsData\VST\64-bit only


In a DAW that automatically scan's VST's, but does not perform automatic bridging, in the 64-bit DAW version, I select the following folders to scan:

  • d:\AppsData\VST\64-bit
  • d:\AppsData\VST\64-bit only
  • d:\AppsData\VST\jbridge\32-bit VST for 64-bit DAW


In a DAW that automatically scan's VST's, but does not perform automatic bridging, in the 32-bit DAW version, I select the following folders to scan:

  • d:\AppsData\VST\32-bit
  • d:\AppsData\VST\32-bit only
  • d:\AppsData\VST\jbridge\64-bit VST for 32-bit DAW


For such 32-bit apps as BIAB or RealBand, which do not automatically scan VST's, but do automatic bridging, I just select the individual VST's from the following folders, being careful not to load both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions concurrently (because you have to unload one to load the other properly). I don't need to select the jbridge folder, since BIAB/RealBand automatically bridge the VST's.

  • d:\AppsData\VST\32-bit
  • d:\AppsData\VST\32-bit only
  • d:\AppsData\VST\64-bit
  • d:\AppsData\VST\64-bit only


For any apps don't automatically scan and don't automatically bridge, I select individual VST's from the following folders for 64-bit apps:

  • d:\AppsData\VST\64-bit
  • d:\AppsData\VST\64-bit only
  • d:\AppsData\VST\jbridge\32-bit VST for 64-bit DAW


and individual VST's from the following folders for 32-bit apps:

  • d:\AppsData\VST\32-bit
  • d:\AppsData\VST\32-bit only
  • d:\AppsData\VST\jbridge\64-bit VST for 32-bit DAW


Clear as mud?!? Yep, I know it's pretty anal, but it keeps things straight.


Last edited by jford; 06/28/16 08:56 AM.

John

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bluzkeez1 #355574 06/28/16 11:32 AM
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Damn, John. Great answer you should put this into the Tips & Tricks forum too.

bob


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bluzkeez1 #355580 06/28/16 12:27 PM
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Yeah, that was a GREAT answer! Should go into the user guide!!!

jazzmammal #355592 06/28/16 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted By: jazzmammal
Damn, John. Great answer you should put this into the Tips & Tricks forum too.

bob
Could not agree more. Hopefully you'll repost in Tips & Tricks and PG Music will post in the manual.

Excellent answer for an excellent question.


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Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
jford #355614 06/28/16 11:25 PM
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John thanks for your reply...much appreciated

jford #355620 06/29/16 01:50 AM
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Great approach John. I have VST's scattered everywhere!

Jeff


Win11, Intel i7 7700K 4.2Ghz, 32Gb RAM, 2x1Tb HD, 500Gb NVMe, BIAB/RB 2026, MOTU 828MK3 audio, MOTU Midi Express, Yamaha Montage 7, DX7II, TX802, Motif XS Rack, Roland Fantom XR Rack, Oberheim Matrix 1000, VoiceLive3 Extreme, Kontakt 6, SampleTank 4.3
bluzkeez1 #355637 06/29/16 04:29 AM
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Done! Posted --> here <--.


John

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Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA

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