Sweetwater reinstalled my PC, V-Studio, Sonar X1, plugins, VIs, etc.  Fantom VS still does not work.

1-Any time I try to select a patch I get a message that says "Unable to read/write data."  The message says to open the Fantom manual and refer to #7.  I have no idea what's wrong or what #7 they mean.

2-When I start Sonar I get a message that the Fantom MIDI channels are not set-up correctly, then I get the read/write message above.  Then when I open a file I get the MIDI device error message twice more.  I have checked the MIDI set-up repeatedly in the Fantom and there does not seem to be anything wrong.

NOTE: I changed Fantom from Device 17 to 20 because I already had a Roland device 17; HOWEVER, the errors were the same before and after this.

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...

You must not have it set up right Konradh. The "7" message is bogus there is no section in the manual. Usually you get that message when you don't have the midi setup right in the Fantom editor, or you have devices checked in Midi Devices that you don't have such as V-Link, Midi in/out etc. Go into Midi Devices and uncheck everything but the Fantom VS and the Console. Change your Device ID back to 17. What  Midi controllers are you using other than the Console? When you start your system-DAW up, turn on the V-700-R first, this make windows recognize it as your soundcard. Turn on the V-700-C next, this will give the Console priority in Windows as your Midi Control surface. Boot the DAW next, go to the desk top screen and then turn on your other midi controllers. Open Sonar and check all your settings in Midi devices inputs and outputs, Controllers and Surfaces, Instruments before you open a project. Next open a project and check your Midi setup in the Fantom Editor. This turn on procedure is neccesary because Windows grabs the first driver it sees when it boots basically and your input/output assignments can get changed. Try that.

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.

konradh


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.

Hi konradh,

Can you try following the instructions found here: http://www.cakewalk.com/S...reader.aspx/2007013247

This should hopefully cover all of the bases and get you up and running. If you are still having problems despite following the steps, please give us a call so we can help you troubleshoot it further.

Let us know how you make out.

Best,

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.

So you're running in 64 bit mode. You have the 64 bit fix in place? Stupid question <-- your DAW and windows is 64 bit? List your DAW specs. Then there's the bit-bridge thing. I run mine in 32 bit and it never breaks a sweat. If the fixs I've told you and Ryan has told you don't work you'll have to get with support and sort out your setup. 'Cause it's definitely a setup problem.

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.

Ah, there it is, the Magic word Vienna. Which one? And Virtual Instruments that won't run in 64 bit. And of course the Fantom which wants to be 32 bit. I'm suprised Creation Station couldn't sort it out, they're pretty good. Of course you want the increased mem for Vienna hence 64bit. What other plugins are you refering to? You've got some compatibility conflicts with your plugins and your bit resolution so you're going to have to sort some things out. At this point I'd say you need to compute what your project sizes and emphasis on a particular plugin-synth used is going to be. I'm sure I'll get flamed for this, but if you're using the big Version of Vienna you almost need to build it it's own DAW. Some plugins like to rule the DAW. When two different plugins ask for the same processor scheduling and memory assignment problems occur. This is something that might happen in the future when you try to use multiple plugins. I know you want to just make music but things aren't as etched in stone in the DAW realm as we'd like them to be.

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,