SynthMaster updated to v2.8.4

Dear SynthMaster users,
 
Since our official release of SynthMaster 2.8, we have received very positive feedback from our user base regarding the new features, especially the new filters!
Also, we made a historic achievement: In MusicRadar's 2016 poll, SynthMaster was voted "Best VST AU Synth" of 2016. We'd like to say thank you to those of you who have supported us in this poll!
 
After our official v2.8 release, we had some important fixes, so please do not forget to download SynthMaster / SynthMaster Player v2.8.4. This update has the following fixes:
 
1. NEW: Added new global parameter to turn on/off arpeggiator MIDI Output. By default it's off now.
2. FIX: SynthMaster/SynthMaster Player AAX crashes Protools upon launch due to buffer overflow (Might be happening with other hosts as well, we detected the issue on ProTools 10)
3. FIX: Sustain pedal implementation not working correctly
4. FIX: KeyScaler view doesn't display notes correctly
 
http://www.synthmaster.com/downloadupdates.aspx

Are you sure it should work as a standalone?
This is from their FAQ:
"I installed SynthMaster but it doesn't show on my desktop, or under "Applications" folder

SynthMaster or SynthMaster Player are not standalone applications, they are plug-ins. You can instantiate them under applications known as DAW (digital audio workstation). If you don't have a DAW application, you can download a freeware VST/AU host application off the web, and use SynthMaster inside it."

Edith says to read this (from the 2.8 launch): "Standalone Format: On Windows we bring back the standalone version of SynthMaster, and also SynthMaster Player!" Yeah, sure, no Mac love.

Jeff Evans
It certainly is a stand alone now.  But you don't get any automatic desktop icon in Windows.  You have to navigate right to where the program icon actually is and drag it out onto the desktop.  Then you can double click on it and it will open as a stand alone. (try that on the Mac BTW)
 
Note also when upgrading from say 2.8.3 to 2.8.4 you have to ditch the existing desktop icon and do this all again.  If you don't you end up opening the previous stand alone version.  (eg 2.8.3)  After ditching and dragging out the new one it will open 2.8.4
 
I am still having issues though with the standalone (even 2.8.4).  It is not behaving all that well and freezes up usually pretty quickly.  Everything totally normal though running inside the host DAW.  I am not over worried but I do like the stand alone versions sometimes as it just means you can play them direct from the desktop and not have to boot up your DAW at all. Good for browsing etc and making patches etc..
 

the highlighted part above is incorrect. at least in my case there was no need to discard the old desktop shortcut/icon and create a new one, the old one worked fine and opened up version 2.8.4 i purposely tried this very thing because i have come across similar with other things, but in this case it was fine.
 
i have not had any issues with standalone either under 2.8.3 or 2.8.4, i have put them through extended usage and no issues to report. equally as a plugin, and i use studio one 3 as you do as my main daw, and all is fine.

The desktop icon thing did not work for me until I removed it and put the new one in place.  Interesting to see it worked for you and also you are not having problems with stand alone mode as well.  Might be something that is happening at my end.  I get the feeling it is something to do with midi.
 
No issues at all working within the DAW though here.  It is a great instrument.

Have you gone into the IN/OUT settings of the stand alone and checked the right boxes there indicating the midi source and also the audio output and to your sound card etc..
 
My stand alone crashes the moment I attempt to get into the IN/OUT settings which is a bit weird.  The one time it did behave in stand alone mode I was able to get to that page and the settings were correct in my case.  It only plays the odd midi note too and the notes get stuck followed by a crash.  It feels like some sort of midi issue to me. eg midi signal flow.  I hope Synthmaster does not output midi data.  That might screw up my system.
 
I have got a few Arturia stand alones as well and they all work perfectly too.
 
Inside my DAW Synthmaster is totally perfect.

fwiw, no issues using midi controller in standalone here
 
regarding the i/o setup, if it crashes when accessing that, it seems to imply a driver issue