Cannot import external VST's

Graham-Hawker wrote on 10/27/2020, 2:15 AM

In the latest versions it's just called VST Support.

johnebaker wrote on 10/27/2020, 4:53 AM

Hi

What is the version number as found under Help, About in Music Maker and variant ie Free, Plus or Premium?

John EB

Duane wrote on 10/27/2020, 7:16 AM

Hi John, I bought Music Maker 2020 premium, then updated to 2021, although the update wasn't premium, just the main 2021 programme. I have VST Support loaded, but there's no button anywhere allowing me to add VST's

browj2 wrote on 10/27/2020, 8:54 AM

@Duane

The button for adding VST's is in Program Settings, Folders tab, at the bottom.

John CB

Duane wrote on 10/28/2020, 7:07 AM

Hi Brow. Thanks... The whole set up was: File - Settings - Program Settings - Folders - Add VST Plugin Path. However, when I entered a path to where my external VST's were located, there was a flurry of computer HDD action, but I coudn't find anything in the Instruments folder, or anywhere else in Music Maker.

Best Regards,

Duane

browj2 wrote on 10/28/2020, 8:27 AM

@Duane

Hi Duane,

Program settings can be accessed directly by clicking on the gear-shaped button in the top toolbar immediately left of File.

VST's are usually effects that will be under effects. VSTi's are instruments - the "i" being for instruments.

Do you have VSTi's? Are they 32 or 64 bits? If 32 bits, do you have the 32 bit bridge which does not come with older versions of Premium?

If so, do they not show up near the end of the list when you open the VSTi menu using the "+" button in the track header?

John CB

Duane wrote on 10/28/2020, 9:12 AM

Hi John, Many thanks for your advice. I have a whole load of VST instruments, Effects and Loops(Samples), which I've put into separate sub-folders for each within the VST Plugins main folder. Using your guide, I've been able to add some of the instruments, which are now accessible via the track loading plus sign, but going by what you said, I'll need to download the 32 bit bridge for those that aren't 64 bit instruments. However, should I bring the "Loops" and "Effects" into the same VST path as the instruments ? If not, how should these be added to Magic Music Maker 2021 ? Many thanks for your kind patience. (There don't seem to be any detailed guides for adding external stuff in Magix's own manuals.)

browj2 wrote on 10/28/2020, 10:26 AM

@Duane

Hi Duane,

It is usually less expensive to purchase Plus or Premium upgrades than buying the parts individually. Look at the price and also check if there is not a further discount coupon that shows up for Halloween.

Loops that conform to Music Maker Soundpool structures should be placed in folders under:

C:\Users\Public\Documents\MAGIX\Common\Soundpools

I also have songs that were purchased from Magix there and they actually show up under Loops.

Any other loops, like ACID loops or third party loops can be put in the same folder for expediency or somewhere else, but definitely not under Program Files. I suggest keeping them together. I have a main folder of other Loops and Music (including sound FX) and I access this using the File Manager. Otherwise, I would have loops, sound FX, etc., scattered all over the place. I also access these from Video Pro X, so file management is important.

If you look at the structure of Soundpools, you can probably transform, with a bit of work, ACID loops and third party loops to the same structure, Add them to Loops, and they'll show up in Music Maker under Loops.

For VST's and VSTi's, it's best to limit these to folders under:

For 64 bits: C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins

For 32 bits: C:\Program Files (x86)\VSTPlugins

I have some under C:\Program Files\Steinberg as well, so I have added these to the VST paths.

John CB

Duane wrote on 10/28/2020, 11:49 AM

Hi John, Many thanks again for your advice. I'd already made separate folders for the three groups, as you suggested in the C:\Programs\VSTplugins folder, but other than the instruments, I'd no idea how to centralise effects and/or samples(Loops) within MMM 2021, but your guide looks very practical. As some are 32 bit, I bought the 32 bit VST bridge from MMM effects, so am hoping I can use 32 and 64 bit stuff now, even if they're stored in different programme areas. Like you, I had loads of software stored in my CM folder,(Computer Music Magazine) that I'd like to use inside MMM.

Thanks for your help again, regards,

@Duane

Hi Duane,

It is usually less expensive to purchase Plus or Premium upgrades than buying the parts individually. Look at the price and also check if there is not a further discount coupon that shows up for Halloween.

Loops that conform to Music Maker Soundpool structures should be placed in folders under:

C:\Users\Public\Documents\MAGIX\Common\Soundpools

I also have songs that were purchased from Magix there and they actually show up under Loops.

Any other loops, like ACID loops or third party loops can be put in the same folder for expediency or somewhere else, but definitely not under Program Files. I suggest keeping them together. I have a main folder of other Loops and Music (including sound FX) and I access this using the File Manager. Otherwise, I would have loops, sound FX, etc., scattered all over the place. I also access these from Video Pro X, so file management is important.

If you look at the structure of Soundpools, you can probably transform, with a bit of work, ACID loops and third party loops to the same structure, Add them to Loops, and they'll show up in Music Maker under Loops.

For VST's and VSTi's, it's best to limit these to folders under:

For 64 bits: C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins

For 32 bits: C:\Program Files (x86)\VSTPlugins

I have some under C:\Program Files\Steinberg as well, so I have added these to the VST paths.

John CB

Duane