HALionOne won't work with Cubase Essential 4

[geoffmoss]

I can't get HALionOne to work. Please help. I'm using Windows XP SP2

I've just bought Cubase Essential 4 (Upgrade) November 2008. I have been using an LE version that came bundled with an EMU X-Board keyboard. The old version that I'm upgrading from only has 2 VST Instrument slots.

I read the installation instructions in the Cubase Essential 4 Getting Started printed manual carefully.
I quote “The installation procedure puts all files in the right places automatically”
So I double-clicked the file called CubaseEssential4.msi on the DVD and followed the instructions.

Cubase Essential installed fine, I authorised my key successfully and the software works a treat. However I could not find HALionOne anywhere. It was not available to select in a VST Instruments slot.

I revisited the DVD and found this folder
D:\Cubase Essential 4 for Windows\Additional Content\SoundFrame\HALionOne SoundBanks
In this folder are 3 .msi files (GM_Drum_Set.msi, GM_Set.msi, HALionOne.msi). As it was an .msi file that installed Cubase Essential I used these 3 files to install the HalionOne components (also resident in this folder).

Afterwards I opened Cubase Essential and found that HalionOne now appeared in the VST Instrument list and could be selected. However when I opened the instrument in an existing project to try the sounds there were none in the Search and Viewer. I couldn't load a preset either. The controls could not be rotated. However the 'Efficiency' slider could be moved. I right clicked and chose 'locate contents' to see if that was the problem but having pointed the software at the folder containing the .hsb files there was no change.

So I tried File/New Project/CE4 – Cubase Synths On Instrument Tracks. This loaded HALionOne and now all the knobs were operational but still no sounds in the Search and Viewer and no joy loading presets.

I've been through this HALionOne Overview article with no joy.
http://knowledgebase.steinberg.net/263_1.html
I have tried throwing away the preferences folder

I updated CubaseEssential 4 to version 4.5.2 to no avail.

Finally I uninstalled all the HALion components using the Windows Add/Remove programs restarted the computer and installed them all again. No change.

At no point in this painful process did I receive any error messages. The right files and folders seem to be in the right places but HALionOne doesn't work.

Dear Steinberg and forum members, my will to live is at an all time low, all help gratefully received.

I've listed what's where on my computer below.

In this HalionOne SoundBanks folder
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Steinberg\Content\HALionOne SoundBanks
are these files
GM_Drum_Content.hsb
GM_Drum_Set_1.hsb
GM_Sound_Content.hsb
GM_Sound_Set_1.hsb

In this VST2 folder
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Steinberg\VST2
are these files
convif.opt
HALionOne.dll
HALionOne.srf
Launch_Uninstall_HALionOne.exe
Uninstall_HALionOne.exe

In this VST3 presets folder
C:\Program Files\Steinberg\Cubase Essential 4\VST3 Presets\Steinberg Media Technologies\HALionOne
are two folders called
GM Content
GM Drum Content
These two folders are full of .vstpreset files.

In this HalionOne preferences folder
C:\Documents and Settings\Geoff\Application Data\Steinberg\HALionOne
are two folders called 'Images' and 'Patch Categories'
and four files
Content Archives.xml
controllers.ini
Defaults.xml
Key Commands.xml

Geoff

[geoffmoss]

I phoned them and 'Support' know that some systems install without the sounds being 'seen' by HalionOne.

I can't remember the exact process but the solution was very simple. It involved unticking then reticking the HALionOne parent folder in the presets Browser and filter. I can't remember which button you press after unticking it (remove or keep) but then you go back to the browser and retick the halionOne box. The halion folder gets rescanned and the sounds appear, Hurrah.

Could've saved myself a few frustating hours with a quick call earlier in proceedings.

Geoff

[SparcoMarco]

Hey Geoff,

My problem is Identical. I have Cubase 4, and all my file paths are the same.

Do you recall any other steps for the solution? This is frustrating as all hell!

-Sparco

[pquinn]

[tushingham]

Hey Geoff

Thanks for tip.

I too had same problem, could not select any instrument in Halion. Like you, I tried reloading all software, very frustrating, only to find such a simple solution. As I recall, Just deselect(un-tick) route folder and you are asked if you would like to remove, answer yes then reselect(tick in parent folder box) and away you go, all reloads up.


Thanks

Tush

[paul190453]

Hi,
I have Cubase Essentials 5, and the same issue with HalionOne. I tried the "fix" mentioined above but it doesn't work for me. I've been in phone contact with Steinberg technical help here in Australia, but they can't solve it...they are going to email Steinberg and seek a solution. Only Prologue synth shows up in the instrument list. However (on my win 7 64bit PC) clicking project>add track>instrument>browse presets shows HalionOne and Prologue. The HalionOne presets are: Drum & percussion (category) Beats (sub cat) electronica/dance, pop, urban and world (style). Under "Search & Viewer areb listed 16 items such as "Afrique Latino H1 133bpm. Hopefully "one day" I'll be able to use Halion!

Paul

[paul190453]

Problem solved:)

[mikegrainger]

How?