I have been trying to learn about VSTs. I went to the net and it said get your .dll file into your DAW. You guys have said that, too.

So I looked to see if I have any VSTs. When I bought my Scarlet interface, it installed Red 2 and Red 3 on my computer. I found those, went to RB and told it to add a VST plug-in. I highlighted Red 2.dll. I got an error message that said I couldn't do that because Steinberg red 2 is not a valid VST. It also told me I needed jbridge.

I remember buying jbridge so I checked on file explorer. Sure enough, there it is.

Is this some kind of RB quirk or is it something I just don't understand?

2b

Realband is a 32 bit application while the Read 2 and 3 are likely 64 bit VSTs.

What jBridge does is help 32 bit VSTs work in 64 bit applications and 64 bit VSTs work in 32 bit applications so in theory the VSTs should work.

What version of Microsoft Windows is on your computer and is it a 32 or 64 bit version?

Windows likes to keep 32 and 64 stuff separate so what is the directory path for the dlls? It might help to also know the path and version for jBridge too even though that is supposed to be one of those things that "just works".

Last, exactly what step-by-step instructions did you follow to insert the VST? Did you try to install the VST onto an audio track?

The computer is running Win 10, 64 bit.

Directory path is Local Drive C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VSTPlugins\Red 2 EQ.dll

C:\jbridge

To be honest, I am so frustrated with this thing that I don't remember what I did with Red.

However, I also have the free version of Cakewalk which has Studio Instruments. I saw a video about the SI-Bass and decided I could really use that. I tried to install it on a track by going to the VST button. No luck. It says no such file exists.

At this point, I am giving up on doing anything else complicated until I can get some help. I have looked at the BB and RB tutorials. I appreciate them but they are not getting me anywhere. I can't drag the .dll files in. I can't get anything to work. People post about this great plugin and that one. I just sit there and think I would like to have it but I have no hope of being able to use it.

I will gladly pay someone to teach me how to work with VSTs and to get them to work in BB/RB. Without that, it is just too frustrating to try.

As always, thanks for the help. You folks are great people.

2b

Cakewalk's Studio Instruments only work with Cakewalk unless you purchased the standalone Studio Instruments package prior to Cakewalk intellectual property changing ownership.

The paths you provided confirms the dll is 64 bit and that jBridge is installed. I'm not sure where to take it now so I'll stop.

FWIW, I don't have a C:\Jbridge folder
First thing I'd want is to know is whether JBridge works, then (if it does)

On my system the Red plugins seemed to have installed to
C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VSTPlugins
This is a common location for VST installers

You may want to try adding the Red VSTs from that folder, if it exists and is different than your original 'Add VST' folder.

Hi 2bSolo,

If you open the Control Panel and click on Programs and Features, is JBridge listed there? That's a better way to confirm that it's installed than looking for a folder in Explorer.

Thanks
Kent
PG Music

It makes sense it would be that way. Funny thing is that I just watched a video that talked about free VSTs for bass. It showed SI-Bass and the guy brought it into Reaper.

This is all very confusing.

2b

Kent,

I found the path file for jbridge and I remember paying for it. So it should be installed.

I don't have a menu for Programs and Features. Mine says Apps and Features. jbridge does not show up there, but a lot of things don't.

Thanks.

Kent is talking about the Windows control panel where you manage programs by uninstalling the programs you no longer want. I don't have Windows 10 so I'm not sure what it is called in Windows 10 but older Windows product called it control panel.

At one time Cakewalk offered a standalone version of the Studio Instruments suite that could be used by itself or as a VST in other DAWs like Reaper. A lot of people bought it (but regretfully I didn't) during sales where the price dropped to $49 US.

That is one big issue I have with YouTube videos. Too many people make videos using optional stuff without disclosing full details. For instance you'll frequently see videos about "here's how to do something" and will state "I'm using XYZ daw but you can do this with any daw" then use one or more features exclusive to the daw they're using. If you're not using XYZ daw then you've just wasted your time trying to learn something you can't use. Another gripe is you'll watch a midi video and they'll say use the Windows built in midi then they will turn around and use TTS-1, Kontakt or SampleTank. They get so use to using their normal set-up they forget what the defaults are. As you can attest, sometimes the videos are more frustrating than helpful.

One last thought regarding jBridege. The jBridge developer originally created a beta version of jBridge that automatically integrated with Band-in-a-Box (I'm not sure about RealBand). It was some time before the beta was released and the changes became part of the "normal" jBridge. The latest version is v1.75 which has been in beta since 2016. You may want to try downloading and installing it. There is also a VERY detailed step-by-step troubleshooting guide +++ HERE +++

I sincerely hope you will NOT get too frustrated to continue. The ability to add VST effects and instruments is a powerful tool to have in your audio production toolbox.

Hi
In W10
If you have not moved it or pinned it somewhere else
You should find control panel under Windows System at the bottom of your apps list on the left scroll down.
Mike

Hi 2bSolo,

I'm using Windows 10 64-bit, and do have both Programs and Features, and Apps and Features dialogs, I can find either one using the Search box on my Task Bar. JBridge shows up in both lists, so if it isn't showing up in yours, I'd say JBridge likely isn't installed correctly.

Reinstalling it using the installer JBridge emailed to you should solve your problem.

Thanks
Kent
PG Music

Thanks for the info and the kind words, Jim.

I am just about ready to give up on the VST's. My experiences have not been good. I tried to download some free stuff from IK (Sample Tank). I did exactly what they recommended, nothing custom. There were parts of the program all over my hard drive and I couldn't get any of it to work. I just deleted all of it.

I found some things in my VST folder that had the BB logo beside them. They don't work either.

So, I just did it the old fashioned way. I got out my bass, learned the part BB midi had written, got a tone I liked, practiced and put it down. But it took all afternoon. How much easier it would have been to get a bass VST and use the midi track.

This is partially my fault. There are way too many terms that I don't know. When people explain things on the forum, I am still lost. I have not found any place I can learn about this and find out why it isn't working for me. The Berklee course doesn't address it.

I hate to start learning a new DAW but I may have to go through the Reaper videos that Gioia does. They are pretty good. Maybe that will work for me. Although, one of the early lessons has downloading a VST for piano. Guess what? I couldn't get it to work.

My offer stands: If someone is willing to use remote access, figure out what is wrong and teach me, I am willing to pay. Otherwise, I'm stuck, at least for now.

Again, thanks to Jim and all of you. You really are great people. There are about 10 of you that are dedicated to helping the rest of us, and I appreciate you.

2b

this may help


I use both 32bit as well 64 bit VSTs and they are stored in separate locations.

https://helpcenter.steinberg.de/hc/en-us/articles/115000177084-VST-plug-in-locations-on-Windows

Exactly so.

Relevant post with screenshots here: http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=495128#Post495128

Hi, I don’t want to upset anyone. In the words of Kenny Gioia and I quote “ok”.

In the control panel to find the programs you open up the control panel and it will be under Programs and Features. OK to get to the control panel in Win10 go to the search box (assuming you have not put it away) type “Control” select the control panel. If you don’t have a search box right click on the task bar and under the Search option selects “Show search box”.

The nice thing about Win10 is they now use the Settings area. So click on the Windows icon (where you open your icons) click on the Settings cog wheel. In the settings window click on Apps then Apps and Features. It shows the same as the control panel method.

I guess if Jbridge is not there it is not installed.

32 bit apps and VSTs are usually installed in a folder under Program Files (86) on a 64 bit machine. 64 bit apps and VSTs are in a folder under Program Files.

It is possible to have VSTs stored in many folders. The trick is to ensure your DAW or BIAB or RealBand knows where the relevant folders and VSTs are. The reason I mention this is that it has come up several times lately. There is no right place but avoid having too many places if at all possible.

Hope this helps
Tony

Thanks to all who are trying to help.

According to my file directory, I have jbridge. I'm not sure that is the problem but it is, I have to reinstall. I don't seem to have the jbridge installer, so I will have to contact the company.

Recent reading and your posts tell me that VST files can be lots of places. It was IK that said that couldn't happen.

I am going to try again soon. I will document my steps and let you know what happens.

2b

Hi

Yes indeed VSTs can be in many places depending where you download and install to . Generally they will be in:;
On 32 bit windows program files for 32 bit vst
On 64 bit windows program files x86 for 32 bit vst
On 64 bit windows program files for 64 bit vst.
Some time they use or make a Steinberg folder.
To save confusion I always put mine in their own folder, within a folder, called My VSTs in windows Mymusic folder when downloaded
This makes them easy to find when adding in BIAB.
Mike

Just go to the jBridge site. Then over on the right hand side, click on the link for "jBridge 1.74 update". Then on the next screen, just enter your email address you used when you originally got jBridge and click submit. Shortly afterwards, you'll receive a copy of the jBridge installer already customized for your license (so you don't have to enter any license information). You'll need something like 7-zip to unzip the file, and then unzip the resulting file, which will then get you the installer. Run the installer (I would suggest "as administrator") to install the jBridge program.

For BIAB/RealBand, that's all you need to do. They will know from the registry that it is installed and be able to use it. For other DAW's and audio software, you may have to run the jbridger utility, but not for BIAB or RealBand.

What you do NOT want to do is to just download the jBridge demo on the main page, as that is NOT the licensed version and BIAB/RealBand won't work correctly with it.

Hope this helps.

Also, I did a write-up on how I keep all my VST/VSTi's sorted (I copy from their original locations to my common location, separated by 32-bit versus 64-bit) and then point everything there. Takes a little time to do, but well worth it, as once I have most of my stuff installed, it doesn't change unless I get some new VST/VSTi's. And for installers that let me specify where to install them, I point them to that common location and the appropriate subfolder. It has made my VST/VSTi life so much easier.

Here's a link to the write-up I did on how it is set up on my machine. You don't have to do it that way, but it definitely works well for me.

Hi 2bSolo,

We have backups of the emails JBridge sends our customers, and have forwarded the original email to you, which has the JBridge installer attached.

Thanks
Kent
PG Music

Awesome support effort Kent

Thanks, John. You really do a lot to help us. I appreciate it.

Before I start this update, thanks to all who have tried to help. Thanks to Kent for sending me the jbridge info.

So I gave it a try. I downloaded and unzipped the jbridge. Installed it where the old one supposedly is: C:\jbridge.
It also mentions I might have to use the jbridger tool. If so, just go to Start-Programs-jbridge-jbridger. I looked to see if I can find that. I have nothing that says start and there is no jbridger tool evident in what I have.

So I moved on. My directory says I have Amplitube 3. It is installed at C:\Program Files x86\VST Plugins. I tried to add that as a VST. There were two error messages but the second one is the best. It says Amplitube is not a valid VST plugin.

So then I downloaded a free 32 bit bass VST from Ample. I installed it with my other plugins (how I got those I don't know). They are at C:\Program Files x86\Steinberg\VST Plugins. I checked the directory and it is there.

Went to RB and pulled up a project from BB. I had sound on the bass track and it says the sound is from Sample Tank. But it gave me a warning message about needing administrative rights to use it. I tried to add the Ample VST and RB wouldn't. So I gave up and tried to listen to the track with Sample Tank. Now I can't hear a thing.

Seems hopeless to me. Goodnight to all and thanks again for trying to help me.

2b

When you say you downloaded jbridge, where did you download it from? If it's anything other than from your email account (by requesting a new copy) it's not going to work.

Hi John,

I sent him a copy of the original email that JBridge sent him when he ordered. It's the correct installer.

JBridge really should be installed to C:\Program Files\JBridge though, not C:\JBridge.

2bSolo,

Why don't you give me a call tomorrow? The number is 1-866-983-2474, I'll be available 11-5 Pacific Standard Time. If you could also install Teamviewer from www.teamviewer.com first, that would be great. I should be able to get everything working in a few minutes.

Thanks
Kent
PG Music

Will do, Kent. Thanks a lot.

2b

Why are you trying to use jbridge with a 32 bit program and a 32 bit VST?

When you see a message about needing Administrative rights to use something you can often solve that by right-clicking and using Run as Administrator.

In this case you would right-click RB and Run as Administrator.
By right-clicking RB, and then selecting Properties, on one of the tabs you can set RB to always run as administrator.