Please help me complete the X3 installation.

When you run X3, be sure to run as administrator (right click, run as administrator, and can also be set permanently by right clicking then properties and at the bottom of the "Compatibility" tab)
 
Launch X3 and under "Edit->Preferences->File->VST Settings" In that center section check "Rescan Failed Plug-ins" and "Rescan Existing Plug-ins" and do a manual scan. Can Also "Reset" before the scan, if the scan does not find them if needed.
 
Did you have them in X3a?

I can confirm the following:
 
1.  Dim Pro is a separate install
2.  Installation of Sonar needs to EXPLICITLY be done using the 'Run As Administrator' option, NOT just launching the installer from a user account that has administrative privileges.  TO properly launch the Sonar installer, you can either right-click on the installer and click on Run As Administrator, or you can permanently alter the properties of the installer program to always be Run As Administrator - by going into the Advanced tab in the properties for the installer, and setting the option for it to always Run As Administrator.
3.  It is also VERY important to temporarily turn off or suspend all antivirus software while downloading the Sonar installation files, AND during installation.
4.  If trying to uninstall and install a given release of Sonar again, it is very important to not only run the uninstaller for Sonar, but to also delete that Sonar release's registry keys and delete any hidden folder data for that Sonar release.  If you need assistance with that, please post back and I will provide details on the steps to completely remove all traces of a particular release of Sonar.
5,  Once Dim Pro is installed, you must get it registered, and the interactive registration process REQUIRES Dim Pro to have been launched with Run As Administrator option.  (if launching Dim Pro in stand-alone mode to register, right-click on its icon and click Run As Administrator, or if launching Dim Pro to register it from within Sonar, you must launch Sonar with Run As Administrator, to get the correct privileges to complete the registration process).
 
I will keep an eye on this thread, and will try to assist you as best I can, with getting your Sonar installation stabilized.
 
Bob Bone
 
 

There are a few things to note here.
 
1.  Here is the link to the download/install instructions for X3:  http://cakewalk.com/support/kb/pages/x3_download_installation_instructions.aspx
 
2.  When the above page loads, there is a link that will expand the page to include an explanation of what the downloaded files contain.  Click on the link for the version of X3 you have, and it will add that expanded text to the page for you to read.  This will help you understand what runs what in the installation process.
 
3.  During normal installation, once the Read This First installer finishes, it will have put some read me doc out there for you, and some other files.  I believe the installation documentation says that the install will automatically start after you run the Read This First, but I do not believe it actually does kick off the Part 1.  I seem to recall kicking off the Part 1 installer manually, and it automatically does its thing and then auto-runs the Part 2 and the Part 3 installers.
 
4.  The Loops And One Shots first installer will install part of that set of things, then it will auto-launch the other Loops And One Shots installers (2 and 3).
 
5.  Dim Pro is its own installer.  Please note that if you had Sonar 8.5.3 or later installed already, then you are most likely already running Dim Pro 1.5, which has not changed, so if Dim Pro 1.5 is already installed, then there is no need to run this installer, as nothing has changed.  NOTE that if you DO run the Dim Pro installer, then when it runs for the first time after installation, it will require registration to complete, and the registration process REQUIRES that Dim Pro be running either as a plugin in Sonar where Sonar was launched EXPLICITLY with the Run As Administrator option, or you can run Dim Pro in stand-alone fashion, but here also you MUST launch it with the Run As Administrator option set (right-click the icon for Dim Pro and either just click on Run As Administrator, or if you want to permanently set it to Run As Administrator you can right-click on the icon to open the properties window, then click on the Advanced tab, then check the box for Run As Administrator, then click Apply and all that then you can back out of properties and run Dim Pro to complete the registration process.
 
6.  IF you already had Dim Pro 1.5 installed, you also do not need to run the installer for the Dim Pro expansion packs.  If you did not have Dim Pro previously installed, and installed it as part of your X3 installation process, then you should run the Dim Pro expansion packs installer.  I always run all of these installers with the Run As Administrator option set.
 
7.  I believe the Melodyne installation kicked off during the X3 install, and required the creation of an online account with them - just follow the prompts for all of that.
 
8.  I have not yet installed the Addictive Drums.  It has its own installation process - I cannot guide you on this, until I do it for myself.
 
There are additional freebies available for you to download and install.  Here is the link for a free audio effect Audio FX 1: http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=35-CWF11.02-10E
 
Here is the link to download the free Audio FX 2:  http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=35-CWF21.01-10E
 
Here is the link to download the free Audio FX 3:  http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=35-CWF31.01-10E
 
Here is a link to a page that explains the free VKFX VST and Pro Channel effect you get through November 30, for picking up X3 Producer - this page also explains how to get the promo code and redeem it to download it: http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=30-ODVD1.00-20E
 
Here is the link to download the free Square 1 synth:  http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=35-CWSQ1.40-20E
 
Here is the link to download the free SFZ+ Professional Sound Font Player:  http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2ceuro/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=35-CWSZ1.40-20E
 
I think that's all the freebies, and pretty much all I know about the installs.
 
I hope some of the above is helpful, 
 
Bob Bone
 
 
 
 
 

yes.. no need to install every single one,
just these, those will install the others.
(right click/run as administrator/install the software)
 
02_SONAR_X3_Producer.part1.exe: (this includes rapture and Melodyne)
03_Loops_And_One_Shots.part1.exe: (extra content, not necessary but good to have0
04_Dimension_Pro_1_5_Setup.exe: (to register this, right click/run as administrator: From desktop)
04_Dimension_Pro_1.5_Expansion_Packs.zip:
05_XLN_Audio_Addictive_Drums_Download_Instructions.rtf: (downloads from XLN audio's site)
SONAR_X3c_Producer_Update: (not necessary but should be installed)

Vas
Ok, I now follow the run as administrator advice on installs.
Q: Do I need to open Sonar as run as administrator?
Answer: Yes, always run X3 as administrator (this can also be set permanently by right clicking then properties, and at the bottom of the "Compatibility" tab)
 
Melodyne I did not install as I have the full version and I had it seems it is working properly.
 
Addictive Drums it seems is a 32 bit program. It is working as a standalone. I entered both the product key and registration code. I just cannot find it in the VSTi list. I also pointed the path to the Addictive drums but that did not help. I misplace the Registration Code. I have all the other codes in a safe place but forgot to save the AD.
Q: how do I get the AD to show in the VSTi list.
Q: How do I find the Registration Code? I have the Product key.
 
Follow the link to XLN Audio, you actually make an account with them to claim your product (via their online installer)
XLN Audio Addictive Drums Installation Instructions:
A full license for XLN Audio Addictive Drums is included with your SONAR X3 Producer purchase. The installer, however, is not hosted by Cakewalk and is available as a separate download from XLN Audio. The computer you are installing Addictive Drums on must be connected to the internet in order to install.
To download XLN Audio Addictive Drums please go to: http://www.xlnaudio.com/install and enter your Product Key. You will find the product key you need to provide XLN Audio from your Cakewalk Store account listed under “My Registered Products”.
 
 
Ok Dimension Pro is installed and working as a SA and VSTi. The Multisamples got installed.
and the 1.5 Expansion Packs. Does not ask where to save it. Most of the installs do not ask where to install.
 
Q: If I get the OK from you I will update to X3c.
I would recommend this, many issues with X3c are minor, and do not affect the plug-ins that came with X3.
 
Q: Delete all the installation files?
I recommend storing them "just in case." This will save you having to download them again.
 
Lots more work to get the freebies, but the price is right so do not want to pass them up. Also will download the Reference and Users Guide.
 
Lucky for me I did not need the MD5 hash whatever that is. Yes it is explained but still do not know.
As long as it installed, no worries, can blow this one off.
 
Again I am very grateful for the accurate, fast and friendly advice. I cannot ask for more from this forum.

As far as preferences, I think the defaults will suffice for starting easily. The only suggestions to that are these:
 
1) Disable the 64-bit Double Precision Engine (Preferences->Audio->Driver Settings)
2) Set the VST Scan to "Scan at Startup" (Edit->Preferences->File->VST Settings)
3) Optimize your system to stream audio (also recommended whenever you do system changes). The X3 Demo Project is good for this (mute the last mix down track instead of soloing it, so the rest are being played)
 
Latency Monitor - There is a free utility (home version) which will allow you to verify your system can process real-time audio data. http://www.resplendence.com/latencymon (then "Free Downloads" on the left, and "LatencyMon" in the "System Monitoring Tools" section)
 
Tailoring DAW buffers:
There is some tailoring that needs to be done between the audio buffer and the I/O buffers. I had my ASIO buffer too high the other day and FastBikerBoy sent me back a nice PM on this:
 
   Start with the ASIO buffer at 128 (Preferences->Audio->Driver Settings->ASIO Panel...), and I/O buffers at 512 (Advanced Mode: Preferences->Audio->Synch and Caching)

1. Set preferred audio buffer.
2. Start playback.
3. If it drops out or other issues adjust I/O buffers. Try 512 for both as a starting point.
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3. Try adjusting buffers both up and down until happy. 256 jumps should do.
5. If after trying all sizes up to 1024 you still have issues go back to step 1 and increase audio buffer.
6. Repeat as necessary until you find the "magic" combination for your setup.

   I was having a repeatable dropout and this was because the I/O buffers were way too high. The 128 audio and 512 for I/O was the "magic" combo for me (then). I just shifted to a nicer audio interface, so redid this and now 48 audio and 512 for I/O is the new "happy medium" for this test.