Zoom Gear & Home Recording Forum

I tried to install the Zoom MS plugin that I downloaded from the Zoom site. I found the Steinberg directory in both Program Files for X86, and my 64 bit program files. So when I didn't get it to work with one, I tried the other. It only says to put the file in the Plugin directory, but I also tried the Options in WaveLab LE to tell it to search for new VST files, and I also gave the software the path to the plugins. The point is that I tried everything, and no matter how many times I opened WaveLab, the MS VST was not listed. Has anyone else had a similar problem, and also have the solution? I did load the 7.2 update the other day, but I doubt that had anything to do with my problem.

Joe

I don't have Wavelab LE installed on my machine since I already use two other DAWs (Adobe Audition and Reaper) which give me all the facilities I need. However I do have the H2n, and the ZOOM MS plug-in is installed and operational in both DAWs!

I think the key to being able to access the plug-in in whichever DAW you use is to ensure that the "ZOOM MS Decoder.dll" is installed in whatever is your "default" plug-in folder. My own installation location is "personalised" since I don't have any Steinberg folders but I think the default is C:\ Program Files\Steinberg\...\VST Plug-Ins.

Does Wavelab include any other VST plugs? Are they listed/visible to the program? Is the ZOOM *.dll file in the same directory as them?

HTH.

Jeff

Are eiether of those DAW's freeware? The plugin was offered by Zoom in the downloads section for the H2n. I also installed the firware update I found there. It had no major improvments, but at least the recorder is up to date. I don't remember seeing any VST Pluins on the WaveLab site.

Can you, or anyone else give any insight on good open source audio editing, or mastering software?

Thanks for the reply.

No, neither DAW is freeware! Adobe Audition is very expensive, but Reaper (for the personal/small business user) is, I think $60, and that price includes numerous updates. (e.g. I started to use it at version 2.xx, it's now at 4.2 and I've only ever paid the one licence fee, so highly recommended.)

The only freeware audio recording/editing software I know of is Audacity. I tried it once but didn't find it particularly user-friendly.

Jeff

EDIT: I've just looked at the Wavelab LE web page, where there is mention of some nine or ten plug-in VSTs being included with the basic program, so you should have them installed; the ZOOM decoder should be installed in the same directory as those other VSTs. I note they are said to be VST3, which is the latest version of the plug-in protocol, and the ZOOM is almost certainly VST2; however, that should not make any significant difference to your ability to use it in Wavelab.

Thanks for the info on Reaper. yes, there is a VST3 directory in both the 64 bit, and 32 bit program files group. As I said in the original message, I put the plugin in both folders per the instructions. They give the Plugin as a .dll, and that confused me a bit, but I put the file where they wanted it anyway. I then told the software, through the Options tab, to look for new VST's. It does do that when you open it, and it never pulls the plugin into the system.
Also, yes, there are a number of plugins that come with WaveLap LE, and the folder is called VST3. Even though their example shows that the system they took the snap shots of has two folders, VST, and VST3, my system only has the one.
I don't feel comfortable with the way some software in laid out, or operated. I tend to think logically. Maybe the logic would work out better with a greater education into the editing process. That would tend to define the logic in how I would expect the software to work.
I am familiar with Audacity, and even Sony has a very nice DAW that starts out as Freeware, and has an upgrade to a pro version. It was one of the more complicated, and refined programs I installed. I actually didn't understand why a loaded audio file would not play until I swiped my mouse along the time line to make the file appear. It only appeared where I swiped my mouse, nowhere else. I was puzzled by that. In any case, it had a lot to it, and looked very good. I may find the documentation that goes with it and see if it makes more sense to me. I'm not afraid to pay for good software, I just don't want to put my money into mistakes. I have a lot of licened mistakes in other technologies already. Thanks for the reply. Joe

Interesting fact you mention: "their example shows... two folders, VST and VST3"

Why not try something? Create a new folder "VST" in the same directory as your VST3 folder. Move the ZOOM .dll into it. Run Wavelab and ask it to search for VSTs (I wonder whether you may need to "point it" to your new folder.) With any luck the ZOOM will be picked up by that search and so become available.

(I'm not sure why this might work but if Steinberg themselves use those two folders for VSTs, suggesting that the program differentiates between VST1 or 2 and VST3, maybe there is some compatibility issue.)

Jeff

Good idea Jeff. I will give it a try tonight, and try to update you on the results..

Joe

Jeff, I did one better and paid the $60 for the use of Reaper. The plugin worked with no effort at all, I just pointed at the file, and then I had the plugin working in 2 seconds.

It will be a big learning curve, but I like the interface better than WaveLab LE.

Now I have to get some media to play with.

Thanks for the info, Joe

Hi Joe.

Good to hear it's all sorted! I don't think you'll regret in any way the $60 you spent on Reaper.

Jeff

Hello technojunky!

I had one or two problems with plugins being located by wavelab too.

However, this worked for me:

using windows explorer, I dragged the relevant plugin file to the following
open up Steinberg (in windows explorer)
Wavelab opens
go down to System
within this folder is plugin folder
and I dragged my MS decoder plugin here.

Other plugin folders elsewhere simply did not work!

Hope this helps and forgive me if you tried this already.