84. Why do I get a "cannot make connection" error when I try to choose a plugin in the DirectX window?

That error means that Band-in-a-Box® was able to find the plugin listed on the system, but when it tried to 'make a connection' to the plugin, an error occurred.

There are a few possible reasons why this could occur.

  • If it is a VST plugin, make sure you are selecting the native version of the plugin. You need to add the VST plugin manually by using the 'Add VST plugin' item in the pull-down menu. Once you have added it, it will appear with angled brackets at the bottom of your list of plugins. If you see a VST plugin that does not show up with angled brackets, ignore that one.

  • A few (but not all) of the third-party-written plugins were coded as copy-protected and bundled with specific software (not PG Music Inc. software). Band-in-a-Box® can find them from Windows, since they are the right kind of plugin and they exist in the registry. But since Band-in-a-Box® doesn't know the 'secret handshake', the plugin declines an attempt to connect. You should check with the manufacturer that you obtained the plugin from to find out about this.

  • The plugin may have been installed/registered at some time in the past, but was later either deleted or moved on your hard drive. Windows thinks a plugin exists if there are proper entries in the registry. If the registry entry doesn't point to the real location of the plugin (because it was deleted or moved), an attempt to connect will fail. You should try uninstalling and reinstalling the plugin.

  • The DXi configuration file could have an error in it. With Band-in-a-Box® closed, delete the file DXiPluginList.ini from your Band-in-a-Box® folder (usually C:\bb). If that doesn't help, try reinstalling Band-in-a-Box®. To make sure that your new installation is a fresh install, rename your \bb folder to \bb_old, and then reinstall Band-in-a-Box® to the \bb folder.

  • There may be something wrong/corrupted with the plugin, or for some reason it is compatible with some host the plugin writer tested with, but doesn't happen to be compatible with Band-in-a-Box®. Please contact us to let us know about plugins that do not seem to be compatible with Band-in-a-Box®.


Alyssa - PG Music