That is so kind of you. I always suggest dropping a note to the developer to let them know you are enjoying the channel, that sometimes gives us a nice boost. Thanks so much for watching.
THANK YOU for explaining the whole process in one video. That company uses way too many pieces of software and activation steps... It was driving me NUTS!
Thanks, this is very helpful. A very unnecessarily complicated system by VSL though - without this video I'd have never known to download all these things.
I am so glad the video was helpful. Yes, it can be a little daunting at first but once you get things in place things should go smoother from there. Thanks so much for watching. You
this is perhaps the most user unfriendly process I have ever come across. I did everything right and yet there are still steps to take to install then to activate and then do this and that. VSL has great professional sounds but bad software designers.
Ziad, yes it can be a little frustrating and it seems each company now has their own download and licensing managers (Native Access, Spitfire, Steinberg, and many others). If you compare the way you had to download and manage VSL products previously, this is definitely moving in the right direction, it’s not perfect but a start and one I am sure they will continue to work on. My goal was just trying to offer some assistance. Thanks for watching.
yes Ziad,they could have gone one step better,like what many other companies are doing,linking the license to their manager,that way,you can have all the instruments on your different computers where the manager is installed,with Ilok however you are again restricted to 1 computer,a key (wich you have to move from computer to another computer) or a cloud session,wich very few instruments/effects have a license for,as for installing,its just a matter of following the stream 😁 when you add the free instrument to the basket and close the deal,then go to the Ilok manager,the license will be there,drag it to your preferred option (PC,Key,cloud) close,start VSL manager,download and install,done,when you start your player,it will be there ready to use
Thank you so much Simeon! Omg In June after downloading & installing their free vsts I gave up. They've been useless...just sitting in my PC. Now they work and sound great! Thx again
It is my pleasure! I am so glad that this helped. This is at the heart of what brings me joy, to be able to help solve problems so you can make music, not spend so much time troubleshooting. Joyfully yours!🎹
It is my pleasure. Things can get dicey at times but I think VSL has started off in the right direction. I am glad the video was helpful. Thanks so much for watching.
I watched this video a few times and it is incredibly frustrating. Downloaded Vienna for windows. With the folders under general, it will not let you put anything in steinberg for downloads so I picked Native instruments as a folder and it allowed me to but I cannot find it in Kontakt. On top of all of this, they want you to download synchron player which I do not understand either. All my stuff is setup in Ilok and have an acct but still cannot find anything in ilok with stuff I downloaded from vienna I do not have anything in a vs2 folder. all my stuff is just under steinberg or just vst.
Chris, so sorry you have gone through so much trouble. These are not Kontakt instruments, like so many developers VSL has their own player which is the Synchron Player VST that hosts these instruments. VST LOCATIONS: There are both VST2 and VST3 versions that are installed, the preferences allow you to select where your VST2 plugins are installed. The VST3 will be installed in the default location as your other VST3 plugins. CONTENT: For the actual sound content, you can point the Assistant to the drive or folder the content should be stored in. I have all of my VSL libraries on a separate drive but you can create a folder or location that works best for you and designate it in Vienna Assistant. * NOTE: Similar toNative Access you also have the choice to select a separate location for the actual downloads to take place, separate from where the sound content will actually wind up. All of this is setup in the Vienna Assistant preferences. *iLOK - If you are not seeing the particular free VSL instrument in your available licenses in the iLOK manager, check your MY VSL page to see if those licenses were deposited into your iLOK account, which you designated when setting up your VSL Account. Once you find the license in the iLOK manager, you can activate it to your USB iLOK device or to your Computer as a machine activation. I hope this adds a little more information that might be helpful.
Some follow up. VST: Most plugins are VST2 so that is what is installed in your VST and Steinberg folder. VST3 plugins are typically in Windows are stored in C:\\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
great explanation Simeon,with all the different companies manners of downloading and activating it can be a confusing world 😁 however,there is a third way,a cloud session,but for that to work the little cloud icon in the ilok manager must be visible (not greyed out) some instruments wont have this option,with a cloud session you can use the instrument/effect on any computer while you are connected to the internet and started that ilok cloud session on that specific computer,wanted to let you know about this third option,cheers Simeon
Dear Simeon , I really appreciate the video you made and I have done all the steps as you said . I tried to open the big bang orchestra from tracktion waveform free version ( it opened correctly )but there was no sound even though I could see the piano keyboard as I was playing on midi keyboard. Did I missed something???
Elini, did you remember to ACTIVATE Big bang Orchestra inside of the iLOK Manager? That was one of the things that I overlooked initially. Let me know how things go. Joyfully!
It can also work using the iLOK Cloud, so you would not have to purchase a physical key. You would select iLOK Cloud when activating the license in the iLOK Manager App. Thanks for the kind words and all the best to you.
Hi and thank you for your video. Unfortunately I spent 8 hours to try to install Solo Strings in my DAW. Then I found your video but it doesn't work. I regret to buy this product .........
So sorry you ran into problems. At what point did you run into things not working? It was difficult for me to try and explain things and I might need to revisit the video myself to see if there is a way I can present a clearer explanation of how to go through the steps. You should also contact Vienna support and VSL also has their 15 day return policy in the event things do not work out. As always let me know how I might be able to help. Joyfully yours.
Thank you for your quick answer. Just after my message I was able to let it work. How did I do ? Hmm … 😀 Actually the Solo Strings I bought work with Vienna Instruments Pro and not with Synchron Player. It is the old version of Solo Strings and the price is only 129 $. So when I opened my Daw (Digital Performer on Mac) and Vienna Instruments Pro, I did like you in your video : oh ! it works !! 🤣 …. after 8 hours !!! I think that VSL are not good at all to explain to people who know nothing about softwares. They are only sellers. When I watch your video, you look like a good teacher who knows that people understand nothing, so your try to explain with details. That’s great ! Thank you again and sorry for my bad english François
Ahhh, yes! I have not worked with any of the original VI Pro libraries, only the Synchron ones. Your issue might be a good reason to do a short video on that. So sorry for the confusion but you are now in the door. Blessings and as always let me know how I can be of assistance. Joyfully!
6String, yeah, it can be a learning curve at first, and this video was taken from doing this process live so that didn't help matters ;^). Unfortunately copy protection has been around for many, many years. VSL recently made the change to iLOK due to bumping into limitations and mounting problems with the previous eLicenser system (Steinberg is also moving away from it as well). Most Kontakt player libraries rely on Native Access, and some companies use it exclusively, while others use their own download managers (Heavyocity, Soundiron, 8DIO, and others). The point of the video was to try and help walk through the process. Once you get past the initial gatekeepers there is a wonderful world of music to be made. Thanks so much for watching.
@@PraiseTracks Thank You for posting the video. It is much appreciated. Have a great weekend and be safe out there! Looking forward to watching more videos.
You can download it here: www.vsl.info/en/manuals/vienna-assistant/introduction Make sure you have signed up for a VSL account as well as an iLok account and installed the iLok manager. It seems like a lot of steps but once you have it subsequent installs should be a lot easier. Thanks for watching.
I guess I just don't understand the need to copy-protect a FREE instrument. iLock is a better solution as my USB ports are full, but still.... With so many hoops to jump through It makes me not want to use them. I understand using some sort of protection on a paid product, but a free one? I was a LONG time Sonar/Cakewalk user (my customer number was in the 50s; I still have Cakewalk 1.1d in a Zip file. LOL). After they shut down I looked at many PC-based DAWs, and I removed Cubase from consideration because of the dongle. I am glad to hear that they moved to iLock, but it's too late for me as I am now heavily invested in Studio One.
So sorry, what are you running into? Also, always reach out to VSL support, they will help get things moving in the right direction. Thanks so much for watching.
if Simeon's answer failed,then you have to re-install the synchron player,once done then in the player point to where your VSL libraries (samples) are,they will then show up in the players browser,cheers Jeremiah
Jeremiah, I just ran into this when installing the Big Bang Orchestra FREE Basics ;^) I had already launched the Synchron Player inside of my DAW in a session when I downloaded, Installed, and Activated the new title. When I pulled up the Synchron Player in my DAW, it WAS NOT listed. I launched the Standalone Synchron Player, and THERE IT WAS. It seems that when you have the Synchron Player loaded in an active DAW session, it needs to be refreshed, so I closed the current project I was working on and loaded it again fresh, this provided a refreshed instance of the Synchron Player. When I opened it up in the newly opened session Big Bang Orchestra Free Basics was there as well. BTW, what DAW are you working with? Thanks as always for the support. Please let me know how you are getting along with this. Joyfully!
@@PraiseTracks The VSL pluging shows but when opened I get a dialog box telling me that it's not connected. I sent a screenshot to Austria so they can tell me what to do. The BBO works fine in the stand alone though.
Um... you skipped installing the Synchron Player... how does that work? I've got everything downloaded via Vienna assistant and activated in iLok, but nothing shows up in my DAW. I've rescanned all my VST library locations too. I guess I need to install the Synchron Player?? Why doesn't anyone say this anywhere? Well that was a nightmare. Installed Synchron and rescanned plugin library from DAW. You used to just drop VST files into your VST folder and be done with it. Now everyone wants their own store, proprietary players AND... stupid DRM control scheme for free plugins, AND... VST file locations all over the place. AND... the player, assistant and iLok force themselves onto my C: drive with NO option to install to another drive. It just filled my boot drive. Nuts.
VSL should reward you for this video
That is so kind of you. I always suggest dropping a note to the developer to let them know you are enjoying the channel, that sometimes gives us a nice boost. Thanks so much for watching.
Vienna should have you on payroll or send you free keys at least. This solved my exact problem. Thank you X a million!
THANK YOU for explaining the whole process in one video. That company uses way too many pieces of software and activation steps... It was driving me NUTS!
Glad I was able to help. Once you get the initial workflow then things should go much smoother for you in the future. Joyfully yours!
ME TOO!!! It was driving me nuts!
Thanks, this is very helpful. A very unnecessarily complicated system by VSL though - without this video I'd have never known to download all these things.
I am so glad the video was helpful. Yes, it can be a little daunting at first but once you get things in place things should go smoother from there. Thanks so much for watching. You
this is perhaps the most user unfriendly process I have ever come across. I did everything right and yet there are still steps to take to install then to activate and then do this and that. VSL has great professional sounds but bad software designers.
Ziad, yes it can be a little frustrating and it seems each company now has their own download and licensing managers (Native Access, Spitfire, Steinberg, and many others). If you compare the way you had to download and manage VSL products previously, this is definitely moving in the right direction, it’s not perfect but a start and one I am sure they will continue to work on.
My goal was just trying to offer some assistance. Thanks for watching.
yes Ziad,they could have gone one step better,like what many other companies are doing,linking the license to their manager,that way,you can have all the instruments on your different computers where the manager is installed,with Ilok however you are again restricted to 1 computer,a key (wich you have to move from computer to another computer) or a cloud session,wich very few instruments/effects have a license for,as for installing,its just a matter of following the stream 😁 when you add the free instrument to the basket and close the deal,then go to the Ilok manager,the license will be there,drag it to your preferred option (PC,Key,cloud) close,start VSL manager,download and install,done,when you start your player,it will be there ready to use
So True
That's really helpful! This stuff can be so puzzling first time around. A video like this should help a lot folks.
I hope so. And B F, you were such a help during the livestream, it can get really crazy out there and having that support is greatly appreciated.
@@PraiseTracks I was not only glad I could help, I was amazed!
Why does a company make downloading so difficult?
Especially when the product is free! I mean, why license a free product anyway?
Thank you so much Simeon! Omg In June after downloading & installing their free vsts I gave up. They've been useless...just sitting in my PC. Now they work and sound great! Thx again
It is my pleasure! I am so glad that this helped. This is at the heart of what brings me joy, to be able to help solve problems so you can make music, not spend so much time troubleshooting. Joyfully yours!🎹
Спасибо за подробное объяснение и за Вашу доброту!)) Так приятно видеть Вашу радость от запуска инструмента!))
Thank you so much for this! You were very informative with a step by step process. Love your videos!
Thank you, Simeon, for this great step by step video! Very helpful!
It is my pleasure. Things can get dicey at times but I think VSL has started off in the right direction. I am glad the video was helpful. Thanks so much for watching.
I watched this video a few times and it is incredibly frustrating. Downloaded Vienna for windows. With the folders under general, it will not let you put anything in steinberg for downloads so I picked Native instruments as a folder and it allowed me to but I cannot find it in Kontakt. On top of all of this, they want you to download synchron player which I do not understand either. All my stuff is setup in Ilok and have an acct but still cannot find anything in ilok with stuff I downloaded from vienna I do not have anything in a vs2 folder. all my stuff is just under steinberg or just vst.
Chris, so sorry you have gone through so much trouble. These are not Kontakt instruments, like so many developers VSL has their own player which is the Synchron Player VST that hosts these instruments.
VST LOCATIONS: There are both VST2 and VST3 versions that are installed, the preferences allow you to select where your VST2 plugins are installed. The VST3 will be installed in the default location as your other VST3 plugins.
CONTENT: For the actual sound content, you can point the Assistant to the drive or folder the content should be stored in. I have all of my VSL libraries on a separate drive but you can create a folder or location that works best for you and designate it in Vienna Assistant.
* NOTE: Similar toNative Access you also have the choice to select a separate location for the actual downloads to take place, separate from where the sound content will actually wind up. All of this is setup in the Vienna Assistant preferences.
*iLOK - If you are not seeing the particular free VSL instrument in your available licenses in the iLOK manager, check your MY VSL page to see if those licenses were deposited into your iLOK account, which you designated when setting up your VSL Account.
Once you find the license in the iLOK manager, you can activate it to your USB iLOK device or to your Computer as a machine activation.
I hope this adds a little more information that might be helpful.
Some follow up.
VST: Most plugins are VST2 so that is what is installed in your VST and Steinberg folder.
VST3 plugins are typically in Windows are stored in C:\\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
@@PraiseTracks Thanks Simeon for all the advice. I will play with it over the weekend and see what I can do.
great explanation Simeon,with all the different companies manners of downloading and activating it can be a confusing world 😁
however,there is a third way,a cloud session,but for that to work the little cloud icon in the ilok manager must be visible (not greyed out)
some instruments wont have this option,with a cloud session you can use the instrument/effect on any computer while you are connected to the internet and started that ilok cloud session on that specific computer,wanted to let you know about this third option,cheers Simeon
Merci beaucoup c'est brillant clair NICKEL 👍🙏
Thanks Simeon! 🙂
My pleasure.
good instructions
Thanks Kris.
Dear Simeon , I really appreciate the video you made and I have done all the steps as you said . I tried to open the big bang orchestra from tracktion waveform free version ( it opened correctly )but there was no sound even though I could see the piano keyboard as I was playing on midi keyboard. Did I missed something???
Elini, did you remember to ACTIVATE Big bang Orchestra inside of the iLOK Manager? That was one of the things that I overlooked initially. Let me know how things go. Joyfully!
How can I do this without a ILog-Usb? Do I really need to buy one to activate the license? Thanks for a reply! Great Video!
It can also work using the iLOK Cloud, so you would not have to purchase a physical key. You would select iLOK Cloud when activating the license in the iLOK Manager App. Thanks for the kind words and all the best to you.
@@PraiseTracks wow! Thanks for the Fast reply! Thats great
Hi and thank you for your video. Unfortunately I spent 8 hours to try to install Solo Strings in my DAW. Then I found your video but it doesn't work. I regret to buy this product .........
So sorry you ran into problems. At what point did you run into things not working? It was difficult for me to try and explain things and I might need to revisit the video myself to see if there is a way I can present a clearer explanation of how to go through the steps.
You should also contact Vienna support and VSL also has their 15 day return policy in the event things do not work out. As always let me know how I might be able to help. Joyfully yours.
Thank you for your quick answer.
Just after my message I was able to let it work.
How did I do ? Hmm … 😀
Actually the Solo Strings I bought work with Vienna Instruments Pro and not with Synchron Player. It is the old version of Solo Strings and the price is only 129 $.
So when I opened my Daw (Digital Performer on Mac) and Vienna Instruments Pro, I did like you in your video : oh ! it works !! 🤣 …. after 8 hours !!!
I think that VSL are not good at all to explain to people who know nothing about softwares. They are only sellers.
When I watch your video, you look like a good teacher who knows that people understand nothing, so your try to explain with details. That’s great !
Thank you again and sorry for my bad english
François
Ahhh, yes! I have not worked with any of the original VI Pro libraries, only the Synchron ones. Your issue might be a good reason to do a short video on that. So sorry for the confusion but you are now in the door. Blessings and as always let me know how I can be of assistance. Joyfully!
I'm ONLY 1 minute into this video and I'm already overwhelmed!
Are ALL VST add-on companies the same? With the iLock and such?
6String, yeah, it can be a learning curve at first, and this video was taken from doing this process live so that didn't help matters ;^).
Unfortunately copy protection has been around for many, many years. VSL recently made the change to iLOK due to bumping into limitations and mounting problems with the previous eLicenser system (Steinberg is also moving away from it as well).
Most Kontakt player libraries rely on Native Access, and some companies use it exclusively, while others use their own download managers (Heavyocity, Soundiron, 8DIO, and others).
The point of the video was to try and help walk through the process. Once you get past the initial gatekeepers there is a wonderful world of music to be made.
Thanks so much for watching.
@@PraiseTracks
Thank You for posting the video.
It is much appreciated.
Have a great weekend and be safe out there! Looking forward to watching more videos.
How do you get the Vienna Assistant?
You can download it here:
www.vsl.info/en/manuals/vienna-assistant/introduction
Make sure you have signed up for a VSL account as well as an iLok account and installed the iLok manager.
It seems like a lot of steps but once you have it subsequent installs should be a lot easier. Thanks for watching.
merci
Avec plaisir (My pleasure) 🤓
I went to activate the product but i could not able to click the product name. Im getting copy cursor instead of click cursor ??
Is this in Vienna Assistant or iLOK Manager?
@@PraiseTracks I think it is ilok account. It is asking me to enter serial number.
@@PraiseTracks I'm in MyDownloads page in Vienna synchron library website. It shows downloads 0 results.
I guess I just don't understand the need to copy-protect a FREE instrument. iLock is a better solution as my USB ports are full, but still....
With so many hoops to jump through It makes me not want to use them. I understand using some sort of protection on a paid product, but a free one?
I was a LONG time Sonar/Cakewalk user (my customer number was in the 50s; I still have Cakewalk 1.1d in a Zip file. LOL). After they shut down I looked at many PC-based DAWs, and I removed Cubase from consideration because of the dongle. I am glad to hear that they moved to iLock, but it's too late for me as I am now heavily invested in Studio One.
i am getting problem login into vienna assistant
So sorry, what are you running into? Also, always reach out to VSL support, they will help get things moving in the right direction. Thanks so much for watching.
Thanks Simeon！ this helped me a lot.
My pleasure. Once you get things set up initially, the process is fairly seamless from that point on. Thanks for watching.
I cannot get the instrument into the timeline.
It plays in the sychron player but not inside the DAW
You need to rescan your VST folder so the DAW can see it. Let me know how it goes.
if Simeon's answer failed,then you have to re-install the synchron player,once done then in the player point to where your VSL libraries (samples) are,they will then show up in the players browser,cheers Jeremiah
Jeremiah, I just ran into this when installing the Big Bang Orchestra FREE Basics ;^)
I had already launched the Synchron Player inside of my DAW in a session when I downloaded, Installed, and Activated the new title. When I pulled up the Synchron Player in my DAW, it WAS NOT listed. I launched the Standalone Synchron Player, and THERE IT WAS.
It seems that when you have the Synchron Player loaded in an active DAW session, it needs to be refreshed, so I closed the current project I was working on and loaded it again fresh, this provided a refreshed instance of the Synchron Player.
When I opened it up in the newly opened session Big Bang Orchestra Free Basics was there as well.
BTW, what DAW are you working with?
Thanks as always for the support. Please let me know how you are getting along with this.
Joyfully!
@@PraiseTracks The VSL pluging shows but when opened I get a dialog box telling me that it's not connected. I sent a screenshot to Austria so they can tell me what to do.
The BBO works fine in the stand alone though.
@@ronnyb5890 I contacted VSL but I'll try your suggestion as well.
Um... you skipped installing the Synchron Player... how does that work? I've got everything downloaded via Vienna assistant and activated in iLok, but nothing shows up in my DAW. I've rescanned all my VST library locations too. I guess I need to install the Synchron Player?? Why doesn't anyone say this anywhere?
Well that was a nightmare. Installed Synchron and rescanned plugin library from DAW. You used to just drop VST files into your VST folder and be done with it. Now everyone wants their own store, proprietary players AND... stupid DRM control scheme for free plugins, AND... VST file locations all over the place. AND... the player, assistant and iLok force themselves onto my C: drive with NO option to install to another drive. It just filled my boot drive. Nuts.
It won’t work with Vepro 6 you need vepro7 if you choose to work with it in that environment