Helpful ReplyPluging Folder Management!

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BassRocket
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2017/06/14 02:56:09 (permalink)

Pluging Folder Management!

Hey everyone,
I've always wondered why I have so many different VST folders.
In my Sonar Platinum installation I have several different paths leading to the plugins. Some in c:/Program Files, some in C:\Program Files(x86), some in Steinberg, some in C:\Cakewalk... There's VST folders everywhere! lol.  I understand that all the paths and folders are identified within Sonar's VST Settings, it's just always seemed odd that they were not put all together.
 
Now that I've gotten that out...
Are there any performance benefits or "rules" to organizing WHERE the plugins should be stored at? Or, does it simply not matter and you just point to all the different places in the VST Settings in Preferences?
 
Thanks again!

"War is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate"
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    Cactus Music
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    Re: Pluging Folder Management! 2017/06/14 04:26:07 (permalink)
    I agree they do get scattered all over the map. If you only have Sonar's collection and only 64 bit it I think there is only 2 folders.
    Steinberg  is a default location for a lot of 3rd party stuff. I always assumed it was there because I have Wave Lab and Cubase. But I see I have a Steinberg VST folder on my Laptop that has no Steinberg software installed at all so something must create that one. I always use it when installing 3rd party stuff because Sonar seems to include it automatically.  
     
    There is no advantage to location of VST's and Plug ins. Only the content library's can sometimes benefit from a fast 3rd hard drive.  

    Johnny V  
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    chuckebaby
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    Re: Pluging Folder Management! 2017/06/14 10:12:24 (permalink)
    over the years Sonar has had a lot of different changes. These folders are kept there because of these legacy changes.

    Windows 8.1 X64 Sonar Platinum x64
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    robert_e_bone
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    Re: Pluging Folder Management! 2017/06/15 07:02:31 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby glennstanton 2017/06/16 16:25:29
    Whenever presented a choice, I always have placed plugins in either C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\VST Plugins for x64 plugs, or C:\Program Files (x86)\Cakewalk\VST Plugins for x32 plugs.
     
    All VST3 plugins go to C:\Common Files\VST3, and within Common Files there are also a small number of VST2 plugins in the VST2 folder.
     
    I place collections of 3rd-party plugins into one of the 2 Cakewalk\VST Plugins folders, in a sub-folder for that collections, so within both of the Cakewalk\VST Plugins folders there would be a folder for Arturia, and one for Native Instruments, etc....
     
    Anyways, the above is MY approach, and it works for me.  Just make sure the ones you want present for Sonar are present in the search paths in Sonar for VST plugins.
     
    One more note, I happen to also have JBridge, for a small number of 32-bit plugins that just do not exist in a 64-bit format, that I want to continue to use.  THOSE plugins are within the 32-bit Cakewalk\VST Plugins folder, in a sub-folder called Bridged, so ONLY that set of 32-bit plugins has been added to my 64-bit Sonar's VST plugin search paths, so that I am not accidentally pulling in ANY random 32-bit plugin without knowing I am doing it.  Any additional 32-bit plugins that I want to try using get loaded into that Bridged sub-folder and removed if I find them problematic in 64-bit Sonar.  
     
    By using ONLY 64-bit plugins whenever possible, and ONLY a small number of tested and contained in a separate folder of 32-bit bridged plugins, I really NEVER see any Sonar problems caused by plugins (before completely switching over to 64-bit plugins some years back, there were lots of problems from 32-bit plugins, specially the freeware ones.  Now - no problems for me - if any were to show up, from some new 32-bit plugin I was trying out - it would simply get removed from the Bridged sub-folder and that would be that.
     
    Bob Bone
     

    Wisdom is a giant accumulation of "DOH!"
     
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    BassRocket
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    Re: Pluging Folder Management! 2017/06/20 14:28:44 (permalink)
    Thanks everyone!
    I think I totally have a grip on the concept now. Which is pretty much what i thought.
    The program doesn't "care" where the plugins are. As long as the path is defined.
    And like Bob said, I just need to organize them for my own sake, not Sonar's.
    Thanks again! You guys rock!

    "War is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate"
    -Marvin Gaye
    New System:
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    Samsung EVO 850 250GB SSD (storage)
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    Focusrite 18i8 Scarlett audio interface
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    Sonar Platinum, Bitwig Studio, Cubase Artist 9.5
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