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Hello,

Due to severe problems after updating my long grown BB installation to BB2025 I did a fresh reinstallation. Besides some content missing the problems have disappeared.

But now I have a problem using Halion Sonic 3 as default midi synth.

I found an older thread from 2022 about this topic but did not find anything new or helpfull.

I can select it as default synth, switch to GM mode under options, but it does not load any GM sounds, the slots are and stay empty. Playing back any song does not produce sound.

Whe I search for the [GM ….] sounds they do not show up. The GM content file „FCP_SMT_078_HSSE_GM_Presets_01.vstsound“ for Halion is installed, though, and there is another one with number 075 (I habe Cubase and Halion 6 as well).

I can load sounds manually to slots and play the song but that is not as it should work.

Do I miss somethimg after the BIAB reinstallaion?

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Is the plugin VST2 (dll) or VST3? If it's VST3, Steinberg changed how Program Change messages work which broke compatibility with many programs - we suggest using VST2 in this case.


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It‘s VST2. Halion Sonic 3 is older and not available as VST3.

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#1 Sonic 3 has both VST2 and VST3 formats
#2 currently VST3 Sonic3 or new Sonic7 (and Halion 7) do not respond to GM/Program changes in BIAB.

"If it's VST3, Steinberg changed how Program Change messages work which broke compatibility with many programs - we suggest using VST2 in this case."

Steinberg IS VST3 If you are using their technology, you have to follow their protocols for the plugin to work properly.

I find it absurd suggesting discontinued technology because somebody don't want to look into the matter.


Do you intend to fix this any time soon? Halion/Sonic is my second most used VST in BIAB. There other people here too that use that plugin, specifically because it does GM / program changes.

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BIAB midi song played through same VST3 (Sonic 3) in BIAB vs Cakewalk.


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I am definitely using the VST2 dll file.

What I don‘t understand is, VST3 works if chosen for tracks but it does not as default VSTl. That‘s strange. To get this sorted out should not be rocket sience.

Last edited by stoennes; 01/10/25 01:59 AM.
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Originally Posted by Rustyspoon#
Steinberg IS VST3 If you are using their technology, you have to follow their protocols for the plugin to work properly.
Reaper, Digital Performer, and Bitwig all do not support GM program changes over VST3.

Originally Posted by Rustyspoon#
I find it absurd suggesting discontinued technology because somebody don't want to look into the matter.
We are working on it. As I understand, and given that three other major DAWs don't support it, it's apparently not trivial.


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MoultiPass,
If you decide to upgrade hard drive or move to another computer after May, you will "move with times". Your Sonic SE is not a part of new Steinberg licensing, so unless your license is on their USB dongle, you will no longer be able to activate it on new installation after May.
https://www.steinberg.net/licensing/elicenser-end-of-service/

Simon, those developers who wanted to figure out Program Changes for VST3, did. I find excuse that you gave a bit distasteful. PGM has a much greater responsibility to users concerning Program Changes than any other developer, because nearly all (all!?) available MIDI styles depend on Program Changes. Will this be done??

Last edited by Rustyspoon#; 01/17/25 06:54 AM.
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