SF Pro 18 Annoyances, Fixes?

GoneToMaui wrote on 4/12/2025, 9:56 PM

Hey there. Long time user of several builds of SFP and I recently moved up from 12 to 18, although I had 16 and never used it. So, I'm asking these questions in hopes I can find some easy solutions or tips on workarounds. SOS. Help!?

Ok, here they are, numbered:

1) OVERVIEW DATA WINDOW - This thing is like a vampire. You kill it, and ask it to be gone as the default and yet it just keeps coming back. WTF is the issue with this? I don't want to see it ever again, yet when I restart, oftentimes this and other preferences I've set are lost. Why are saved preferences ignored, and why does the pgm default back to ones I don't want? Especially the overview data window!

2) SAVING FILES AS ONE CHANNEL? Again, a major WTF? SF has always saved files as two-channel stereo, but someone or something decided that with 18 we'll just default to a one-channel file? Who exactly asked for this, and how do I get it to DEFAULT as a two-channel stereo save without having to go into Process, Channel Coverter to do what I shouldn't need to do? Please tell me how to make it the default (as I hold my breath that the default holds)!

3) SIZE OF MENU BAR ICONS AND THE BAR ITSELF. Seriously, there is no simple way to just scale these to the size you want? This is basic. I don't enjoy squinting at tiny icons that I can't make bigger. Please give me an easy way to fix this ridiculous omission.

4) GENERAL INTERFACE. In SFP 12 it's a clean, white background and workspace. In 18 someone has decided to make it all cool and dark as the default and yes I see the options to change it, but it's not the same clear white like in 12. It doesn't seem to be offered any longer. So it's worse. Same with highlighting segments of files. Transparent is an ok idea but another harder-to-read devolution. Let's just make things worse. Shaking my head with so much of this.

Comments

GoneToMaui wrote on 4/13/2025, 4:20 AM

Re: 2) above. Ok, I see that saving a file as one channel or mono is in the settings when you save a file but why would the opening default be mono? Very strange.

rraud wrote on 4/13/2025, 10:55 AM

OVERVIEW DATA WINDOW -

Hi @GoneToMaui, If your are referring to"Options> Data Window> Overview".. When disabled, it stays that way on my Win 10 PC.

SIZE OF MENU BAR ICONS AND THE BAR ITSELF

Changing the "High DPI scaling" helps in some cases. Right-click the SF shortcut and go to Properties> Compatibility. Click 'Change high DPI settings'. Check-mark the Override high DPI scaling, and choose "System (Enhanced)" in the context menu. My peeve is that the 'new' inferior meters cannot be scaled down as much as they used to which take up valuable real estate (especially on a small display screen on a laptop).

why would the opening default be mono?

I am not totally sure what you are stating or what file type.. but single-channel mono files always open in mono and playback equally through the L/R output bus) Stereo files always open both L/R channels (stereo).

Generally, 'improvements' and changes since SF-16 have been for the worse, It is frustrating fo'sure.

xmancharl wrote on 4/13/2025, 3:19 PM

my menu bar...

flotating junk to dock... disable it!!!

 

my 2 cents

 

 

GoneToMaui wrote on 4/19/2025, 5:58 AM

What is the last version of SFP to not have the new OVERVIEW data window version that never goes away? I love 12, which doesn't have it. I want to use the newest version closest to 12 that I can find. Also, how can I use my Izotope plugins from 18 on 12? Thanks.

Also how do I get my Izotope serial numbers for 12? I never got them previously. Thanks!

SP. wrote on 4/19/2025, 6:19 AM

@GoneToMaui Check your order confirmation email of Sound Forge 12 for iZotope serial numbers.

To use plugins on 12 simply check the VST paths settings and scan for the iZotope plugins.

rraud wrote on 4/19/2025, 10:19 AM

What is the last version of SFP to not have the new OVERVIEW data window version that never goes away?

I have never experienced or read reports of reoccurring 'Overview' window when it is disabled, Try the reset procedure (File menu) and disable 'Overview' in "Options> Data Window",

I want to use the newest version closest to 12 that I can find.

I frequently use Sound Forge Pro 15. SFP 16, 17 and 18 have problems and other issues that are annoying to me, Not with the reoccurring 'Overview' though.

GoneToMaui wrote on 4/19/2025, 3:03 PM

@GoneToMaui Check your order confirmation email of Sound Forge 12 for iZotope serial numbers.

To use plugins on 12 simply check the VST paths settings and scan for the iZotope plugins.

Never received it. All I got was the SFP 12 Serial. Have written to support. More importantly, how to use the SFP 18 plugins with 12?

GoneToMaui wrote on 4/19/2025, 3:06 PM

What is the last version of SFP to not have the new OVERVIEW data window version that never goes away?

I have never experienced or read reports of reoccurring 'Overview' window when it is disabled, Try the reset procedure (File menu) and disable 'Overview' in "Options> Data Window",

I want to use the newest version closest to 12 that I can find.

I frequently use Sound Forge Pro 15. SFP 16, 17 and 18 have problems and other issues that are annoying to me, Not with the reoccurring 'Overview' though.

But does 15 also have the Overview window? I set it to stay off but 18 usually crashes and ALL my preferences, including the Overview off one, are lost, which in itself is an issue. Whenever 12 crashes, the preferences I set are still in place.

rraud wrote on 4/19/2025, 3:57 PM

AFAIK, all Magix versions of Sound Forge Pro have the 'Overview' waveform window. SF Audio Studio 12 may not have it because AS-12 was a unique one-off build.. SF Pro 12 had the legacy UI with the 'Overview' option. Earlier versions of Sound Forge had the 'Data Window' Overview' option, but it did not display the secondary waveform,

SP. wrote on 4/19/2025, 4:21 PM

@GoneToMaui Did you buy Sound Forge 12 as it's own software or did it came as a bonus for another software like Samplitude? If it came as a bonus it will usually not include software like iZotope plugins.

 

More importantly, how to use the SFP 18 plugins with 12?

Like I wrote, check the VST paths in the preferences, scan it again if necessary. They work like all other plugins.

rraud wrote on 4/19/2025, 6:43 PM

I am not sure if SF-12 (Pro or AS) supports the VST-3 format,,, otherwise, 32 and 64 bit VST-2 plugs should work in SF-12 providing the search folder path is set (as @SP. stated).
If you are referring to the ARA plugs that come with the SFP-18 Suite, they would not work in SF-12, OTOH, SpectraLayers Pro run can be run as a stand-alone.