Disabled - No Cubase, No EZ Drummer

[Mark Kaufman]

Man is this frustrating. My Cubase SX3 has ceased to function...it will not give any sound output, although everything appears to be functioning. My Firebox audio interface works fine with everything else, including Cubase LE (which won't read my files created in the SX version...that's normal, but a drag anyway) and Reaper, which I just downloaded. But all my songs I've been working on, including the half-finished one that's obsessing me, are irretrievable.Then, in the process of troubleshooting, I foolishly uninstalled EZ Drummer. Now it wont reinstall...nothing but error messages. So I'm also drumless.I can't express how angry and frustrated this makes me, but I suppose we've all been there in one way or another. We're never in the mood for setbacks.Does anyone know if Cubase Studio 4 (Not Cubase 4, but Cubase Studio 4) can read files created in Cubase SX3?Guess I'll be out of commission for awhile. Damn!

[crs7string]

Mark,We have all been there, and back.I don't know anything about Reaper, but according to your post, it was the last variable you added. I would start by uninstalling Reaper. Do you have any registry cleaning software? I use a program called RegEdit (there are several programs like this available, they cost $29 or so) It has been a very helpful tool to clean out duplicate files and fix corrupt files etc.)To reinstall EZ Drummer you need to make sure you've uninstalled all the files(with the possible exception of the sound libraries) In Windows you can go to the add or delete program tab. After doing that, do a search of files named EZ Drummer and/or Toontrack to make sure everything is gone.There is never one approach or answer to fixing this type of mess, but some of this may point you in the right direction.I know there has been discussion about Reaper here. I don't know anything about it but do feel that if you are on the path to learning and working in any of the major DAWS, IMO I would stay on that path unless you want to completely start over with the learning process.I read Sound On Sound regularly and there are regular columns on the major packages. I use Sonar 7, but read the Logic and Ableton etc columns and I've come to the conclusion that , due to the competetive nature of business, they all continue to keep neck to neck with features.Usually, the software from the same manufacturer with read files from other versions. Have you googled Cubase forums?Good luck with your current mess.Chuck

[Mark Kaufman]

Thank you so much Chuck for this detailed response.Reaper was downloaded after all the problems.RegEdit is an excellent idea, I'll try that.I am very suspicious of my Presonus Firebox...I may swap it out for one of these: YamahaGO46 and get Cubase Studio 4 in the bargain. I am not the original owner of the SX3 and it's time I rectified that poor judgment call... As far as that EZ Drummer reinstall, I have done exactly that, can't think of where else any vestige of the program might still be, even in the back up drive. I've removed the program properly and then deleted all files and folders...still stymied.Cubase programs will not read others that were created in the "higher" versions...so my Cubase LE cannot open SX3 files. I am fairly sure that if I get that other interface with Cubase Studio 4, CS4 will STILL not read those SX3 files...but I will at least have a good version of Cubase as well as Reaper, and what appears to be an equal quality interface...and I will be rid of some Presonus firewire chipset compatibility issues that cause me problems with MIDI controllers.So maybe this is meant to be. One thing I learned very quickly--yesterday, actually--is that once you learn a DAW like Cubase, the others are a piece of cake.Thanks again, Chuck, I very much appreciate your help. -Mark

[ibanez468]

Aug 3, 2008, 8:19am, lyle wrote:One thing I learned very quickly--yesterday, actually--is that once you learn a DAW like Cubase, the others are a piece of cake.Exactly! That's what the emphasis has been, regarding these DAWs. Same thing with Sonar, once you get past the degree of difficulty, you can pretty much tackle any of the others. With Cubase & Sonar (I'm going to assume Logic as well), the level of difficulty is so high (if you're not use to it), anything after those 3, seems ta' be that much easier ta' handle. That's been my observation anyhow. So in a sense, sometimes it's a good thing ta' hafta' take on the more difficult DAW in order to appreciate the less difficult one.I-468

[Mark Kaufman]

Yeah, instead of "OMG, where am I?" it's more like going into someone else's kitchen to cook a meal...a little more lookin' around for the pots, pans and spices, but you're still gonna eat dinner tonight.

[ibanez468]

You got it!!