Weeks are just wasting away and my projects are growing ever more frustrating as I try and troubleshoot this combo. The connection between the VST and the hardware is SO inconsistent. Power cycle, delete plugin, add plug in, power cycle…and sometimes it finally connects. When I restart my session, forget it, it’s not going to be connected again.
Is this a thing or am I just not doing this right? I’ve added the hardware as every device available in Bitwig but there is no rhyme or reason as to why it will or will not connect or stay connected.
Can you supply details of the platform you are working on: PC/Mac, OS version, DAW version. This would be useful were anyone (including Arturia) attempting to recreate the problem.
Are you using VST2 or VST3?
Is this happening in pre existing projects and have you tried creating a new empty project?
Is the Minifreak hardware on the latest Firmware version?
Is this the latest version of Minifreak V and have you tried clearing its preferences in the ASC and/or uninstalling and reinstalling it?
Does this problem occur when using standalone Minifreak?
Do you get any error messages?
Do you have another DAW you could test in?
Have you tried another USB cable in case of a defect?
Are you connected via a USB hub and is it powered? If so, can you try a direct connection.
Are you booting the Minifreak after opening the plugin and does a reboot of the Minifreak resolve the issue for that session?
Okay! @Funtmaster I went through your questions and started with the one thing I am embarrassed to admit I never thought to try… trying a different DAW. I’ve been using Bitwig Studio as of late and am loving it so I just never thought to deviate.
Here’s what I found out after trying it lots and lots to make sure:
These DAW’s can run multiple instances of MFV. The ‘Link to Minifreak’ toggle shows up on the top like expected in each instance. I can enable one, disable it, and enable the next one. But not both at the same time obviously. Sometimes it takes a second but works as you would expect:
Roland Zenbeats (latest)
Studio One Pro (latest)
Arturia Mixcraft 10 Pro Studio (latest)
However…dun dun dun…
Here is the problem child… Bitwig Studio 5.3.12
Can load up one instance just fine. Link toggle shows as expected. Click it, VST engages. Life is good.
However, add another instance of MFV and the Link to toggle doesn’t show up in the VST. Not even if you disengage it in the other instance. No matter what.
So, Bitwig won’t add 2 or more instances with the ability to toggle to the hardware. Don’t know what would keep it from doin that.
At any rate, I’ll be lookin’ for work arounds. Hopefully Bitwig can patch it or something…who knows. Bummer not to be able to use multiple (linkable) instances…not sure what I’ll end up doing now.
I appreciate you all getting back. Will keep ya updated if anything changes or I missed something else.
Our HW controlled plugins like PolyBrute Connect and MiniFreakV rely on the fact that they are hosted in the same process.
Different DAWs can use different technique for loading VSTs and Bitwig is the strongest of all because it allows you to customize this behavior.
Please be careful that the plugin host mode is not set to “Individually” which could break some multi instance features.
That was it my friends. Switched the setting to “Together,” slapped 3 instances of MFV on there and it hook up and switched back and forth like a charm.
Could not be happier.
Thanks everyone. Great community. Appreciate you all.
I remain a proud Arturia fanboy until the end. Someday I shall own a HW Polybrute!
I’ve been using Bitwig Studio as of late and am loving it so I just never thought to deviate.
