Can't Get Fantom to Work

I found an older thread on this forum that may address this issue.  This seems to be a known problem with a procedure and download to address it.  I will try the recommendation and see if it resolves things.  A bit frustrating...

Hey, Craig, thanks.  I will try to work through this.  Some notes:
• Not sure how Fantom was set up or was supposed to be: Sweetwater did the configuration and there have been many issues (including shipping everything back and starting over).
• MIDI devices: M-Audio 4x4 USB MIDI interface for three external sample players, a mini Akai USB keyboard (LPK25) for note entry, the Fantom, and several VIs that use MIDI, if they count: Vienna, EastWest Fab Four, RealGuitar, RealStrat, Vir2 Ac Legends (Kontakt), and the built-in Sonar stuff.
• Never was sure which V-Studio stuff was supposed to be enabled in MIDI devices: there seem to be several redundant choices.

Ryan, Thanks, but when I installed the update at the link, and then started Sonar, I got a slew of error messages (3 copies of Fantom MIDI Devices not set up correctly, ARX not set up right,  3 copies of Unable to read/write data).  I cannot select a patch on the Fantom: it appears to let me select, but then I get the read/write message again, and Fantom defaults to an Elec Piano sound.

Now I see Fantom VS and Fantom VS (2) when I go to Insert | Soft Synth.  Both give the error messages.  Neither will allow patch selection.

I am running Sonar in 64-bit mode on a Creation Station from Sweetwater.  Sweetwater has installed/configured the system twice now.  They also claim to have installed all the latest fixes.

For the record, I have spent over a month just trying to get Sonar and V-Studio to work: dozens and dozens of emails, many hours on forums, several all-afternoon sessions with Sweetwater taking remote control of my system, and a complete disassembly of my studio to ship components back to Sweetwater.

I am beyond frustration.  Please tell me how to get this Fantom working.  That and a nagging MIDI device error in the Preferences box are the two outstanding issues (that I know of) but they are really in the way.

UPDATE:  Worse instead of better now.  When I start Sonar I get two ARX error messages.  I tried to capture them but was unable to as they did not stay on screen long enough.

Thanks.

Yep, Craig, 64-bit PC running Sonar in 64 bit (Windows 7).  Some of the virtual instruments are 32-bit because Sweetwater could not get the 64-bit versions to run, even using the vendors' 64-bit updaters.

I wanted to go 64-bit in Sonar so I could take advantage of more memory to run a number of VIs simultaneously.  Which, by the way, is kinda sorta related to why I want to use the Fantom: to offload the CPU for basic sounds when possible so I can use the cycles for Vienna, plugins, etc.

I must say, this has been a journey.  Thanks for your help.

konradh


Ryan, Thanks, but when I installed the update at the link, and then started Sonar, I got a slew of error messages (3 copies of Fantom MIDI Devices not set up correctly, ARX not set up right,  3 copies of Unable to read/write data).  I cannot select a patch on the Fantom: it appears to let me select, but then I get the read/write message again, and Fantom defaults to an Elec Piano sound.

Now I see Fantom VS and Fantom VS (2) when I go to Insert | Soft Synth.  Both give the error messages.  Neither will allow patch selection.
 

Hi konradh,

I'm not sure if you checked out the link I posted in my last response. It wasn't a link to the installer, it was a link to new instructions I posted yesterday. See here.

It sounds like you are getting so many error messages when running the VST Scanner because you installed extra Fantom VS and ARX Editors for hardware you do not have.

If you are on a 64-bit operating system, the installer gives a 32-bit option and a 64-bit option. You should be selecting 32-bit or 64-bit depending on which version of SONAR you are running. The ARX and Fantom VS Editors are only 32-bit plug-ins, but if you are running 64-bit SONAR it is important that you are choosing this option in the installer.

The installer also gives you the option to install:

1) VS-700 Fantom Synth Editor
2) VS-700 ARX Editor
3) VS-700 Fantom Synth Editor for 2nd VS-700r
4) VS-700 ARX Editor for 2nd VS-700R

If you do not own an ARX Expansion card (purchased seperately), then you should not choose to install the ARX Editor. It will not operating without the hardware and will give you error messages if you try to insert it.

Likewise, if you do not own a second VS-700R, you should not install any of the option for a 2nd VS-700R.

It's important to remember that these plug-ins require hardware to be present and connected. You will always get an error message if you let the VST Scanner run and the hardware isn't connected.

I'm not sure which hardware you own, but make sure you're following the above logic for what you're installing.

Here's what I recommend you do:

1) Close SONAR and all apps on your computer
2) Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Cakewalk\Vstplugins
3) If they're present, delete both the "ARX" and "Fantom VS" folders contained within
4) Navigate to C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins
5) If they're present, delete both the "ARX" and "Fantom VS" folders contained within
6) Run the stand-alone Fantom VS and ARX Editor installer again. I added installation instructions to the article. Please follow them and make sure you are only installing what is necessary. If you install more editors than you have hardware you will continue to get errors. You can find this here.
7) If you're running SONAR 8.5 or earlier, go to Options > Global > VST Plugins
8) If you're running SONAR X1 go to Edit > Preferences > File > VST Settings
9) Make sure the VST Scan Folders(s) are set to scan properly and click [Scan VST Folders]. Also note that you don't have to have "Scan for VST Plug-ins On Startup" selected.

At this point, try creating a project and then going to Insert > Soft Synths and inserting the Fantom VS Editor.

If you're still getting error messages at that point, it's related to settings. Click here for instructions on troubleshooting this.

Also I know that Sweetwater installed and configured your setup, so you're probably not aware of the initial setup process... but a lot of the settings you mentioned you are confused about are explained in the "Initial Settings" section of the VS-700 Getting Started Guide. If you don't have the printed manuals, you can find them in .pdf form on our website here.

If this information doesn't get you up and running then you definitely need to call in so we can walk you through the steps live.

Best,

konradh


Ryan, I appreciate the help, but that did not resolve the issues and I am flooded with error messages.  When I try to select a patch on the Fantom I get the famous "unable to read/write data" message and the patch is not selected.

Sweetwater tells me that Cakewalk reports that the Fantom is not ready for use in a 64-bit system.  What's the straight dope on that?  I bought the V-Studio fully expecting the Fantom to work and using that as one justification for the price.

Current status:
- Cannot select a Fantom patch
- Multiple "MIDI devices not set up correctly" messages for Fantom
- "Unable to read/write data" when Sonar starts-up, when adding Fantom to a project, and when trying to select a patch
- At least two ARX Editor error messages when Sonar starts up

I also have the same problem and I am running Windows 7 64bit.  I will be interested to hear if there is an answer as well.

I've been using Fantom VS for about a year without any problems, but no I get this "Unable to read/write data."- message too.

I use X1b with the latest hotfix (246).
XP 32 SPIII
Roland Octa Capture

I have not changed any settings since SONAR v8.5.
I also have gone through all the things mentioned above.
Any suggestions...?

Regards,
KeJ

I got this resolved today--thanks

Well, I just changed my DAW computer and OS. Win 7 64 bit and 64 bit Sonar 8.5.3 PE Now I'm having the problems with the Fantom VS.
I did all the firmware updates to the VS700, Installed the new VS Fantom Synth Editor for 64 bit. It helped some but now the top controls in the Editor, ( Patch drop down menu, save button, etc., are blanked out with a blued out banner like strip across the whole top.
I wondering if my old project file that I loaded has 32 bit information in the Editor portion and the computer is trying to load the 64 bit Fantom editor when it loads. They are different graphically.
I also have no Xray capability.
I need the pros on this one, where are they?

It worked with X-ray and the T-bar in Win 7 Home Premium and 32 bit Sonar 8.5.3 PE. Possibly, X-ray hasn't been working with the Fantom VS since X1. Something I'm really going to miss when building and adjusting custom voices in the Fantom Editor.
 Please make it work Roland.

Since Roland handles VS 700 tech support I don't know if a problem report on the Cakewalk side is going to get anywhere. Is it a sortware issue or a hardware issue? Who handles what? I'll put one in anyway, as well as call Roland support again. I've since found that by just clicking on the Sonar icon in the task bar I can get sound back while the Fantom Editor open, allowing editing with playback. I'm still working on getting rid of the ARX error messages.

FreeFlyBertl


VST interface ought to be Roland but xray sounds like a cake thing ... I'd drop the bomb in both places for maximum impact

Stupid question: have you got an ARX card in there? Need to ask because install instructions of IO Editor thingy explicitly say only to install software that you got matching hardware for ... excuse me if I just bring up things you already know

I will consult both Roland and Cakewalk. Cakewalk by Roland... hmmm, X-ray is both hardware and software. It's a 64 bit issue I think.
I only installed the Fantom VS Editor, no ARX, no second unit etc.
 

Could be the problem Dyonight. I don't know why they couldn't make that function work in 64 bit.