Steinberg and Windows

[Guest]

I would appreciate it havng a candid discussion of a decision I must make and I have found this forum incredible regarding great helpful information with an incredibly fast turn around response time.

I am probably giving out way too much information here but want to accurately portray the environment from which I need to make a decision.

I am getting into creating music on my computer. A year ago I purchased a gaming computer that seemed to have the specs I'd need to edit photographs and create music. It's an Acer A717 72G with an intel i7-8750H CPU @ 2.20GHz, 2208 Mhz 6 core processor, 16 GB RAM and an SSD. I have no issues with the computer.

I will not be earning income from my music production. I may create some backtracks for clients (I teach guitar) but that isn't really why I want to jump into computer music. The type of music I will create is probably best described as film score style. I may play around with electronic music in the style of EDM but it's not my main focus. When I researched the software available, Cubase was the most appealing. I like the way it looks and the music writing tools available in the Artist edition look great.

Early last month I was going to purchase a license for the mid-level version, Artist 10.5 but ran into some e-licenser issues and decided to get the basic Elements version with the intention of upgrading when I got the licensing issues resolved. The Yamaha tech support in the USA got the licensing issue resolved. Then Windows dropped a large update and my license is no longer valid. I will contact the tech people this coming week and get the issue resolved, I hope.

The initial issue when I first downloaded the e-licenser software and plugged in the dongle was something to do with the Windows DCOM:

DCOM connection to program 'Synsopos.exe' failed.

I will work with Steinberg on resolving this. I did check Windows services and DCOM is running. I reinstalled the new (2 July) e-licenser software. Still not working.

I need to know why I'm having this issue. Is this common to ALL Windows users? If not, what in my computer causes this issue? Will this likely happen again? I read somewhere that the e-licenser software is outdated and if that's true, why wouldn't the Cubase people fix it?

Cubase offered to refund my money. I have to decide whether to go forward with Steinberg as they are having a fantastic deal right now where I can upgrade to the version I want at 40% off.

I'm working with Reaper right now and it works fine. But I would rather be using Cubase.

I know I have been a pest here. If and when I finally get settled in with the software I want to be using I will be more of an observer here. This is an incredible forum. Thanks.

[The Red Bladder]

Have you completely uninstalled the Soft-eLicenser and emptied the recycle bin? It could be that there are some bits left in there that prevent the proper installation of the update, so you are going to have to root-about in Explorer looking for DLLs and other bits that should be gone.

The update is here (but you probably know that already) https://www.steinberg.net/en/company/te ... enser.html

In theory, a bog-standard uninstall should solve the problem - but that's just theory! According to Steinberg, you can also start the existing eLicenser Control Center installation as an administrator by right-clicking the 'eLCC.exe' file in 'C:\Program Files (x86)\eLicenser\eLCC' and choosing 'Run as administrator' from the contextual menu. After that, running the 'Maintenance' in the eLicenser Control Center is supposed to fix the deactivated Soft-eLicenser.

(If it was me, I'd take the refund and stick with Reaper!)

[The Elf]

Good though Reaper is, I wouldn't want to use it as my main DAW, so I would persevere.

Presumably you've looked here: https://helpcenter.steinberg.de/hc/en-us/articles/207332910-Error-message-DCOM-connection-to-program-Synsopos-exe-failed

I've never had the problem you're describing with the eLicenser, but I have had problems with the eLicenser from time to time. Usually it throws an error with a new version of Cubase and I have to go find the latest version of the software, install, re-run and let it do its update thing (I've no idea what it does, but it needs to do it).

Make sure you do a FULL uninstallation of the eLicenser software (use Revo uninstaller and be thorough) and take another run at installing it from scratch. Red Bladder has detailed how to approach a possible resolution.

One thing to consider... 'gaming' PCs are often NOT a good idea for audio, but I'll let others explain why, because my knowledge is basic. This isn't relevant to your current position, but I've heard this myth many times and it's worth pointing out.

[The Elf]

Other threads to follow:

https://www.steinberg.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15683
A few more: https://www.startpage.com/do/dsearch?query=%22DCOM+connection+to+program+%27Synsopos.exe%27+failed%22&cat=web&pl=ext-ff&language=english&extVersion=1.3.0

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=95&v=iBFad9SHH04&feature=emb_logo

[Guest]

As I stated in my initial post, I will contact Steinberg and let them resolve this issue. I am NOT a techie and I'd rather not. I was in touch with them before, did a remote computer link and he ran 3 or 4 programs in just a matter of a minute or two and fixed it.

I did not request HOW to fix it. I want to know more about WHY this might have happened, if it's common to Windows and why not other Windows machines? I'm assuming I have the same Windows OS as others. I am not wealthy and am about to invest more money into the software - and have the opportunity for a refund if I so choose. That is the decision.

This problem began as soon as I downloaded the e-licenser center software and then plugged in the dongle. My computer did not recognize the USB device but when I unplugged it, I got that Windows sound when one unplugs something without first verifying that it is safe to unplug.

As for the gaming computer - I don't play video games but I got it because the basic requirements for powering a DAW seemed covered (i.e. processing power and RAM and an SSD.)

Thanks.

[Guest]

is the DONGLE really the problem?

[The Elf]

As for the gaming computer - I don't play video games but I got it because the basic requirements for powering a DAW seemed covered (i.e. processing power and RAM and an SSD.)

Understandable, but there's more to it. Having a hefty graphics card, for instance, is actually not helpful for audio and can drain resources. As I said, I'm not an expert, but this idea of a 'gaming' PC being inherently good for audio is a bit of a myth.

Anyway... not relevant to your troubles. As you were!

[muzines]

I want to know more about WHY this might have happened

I am NOT a techie

I suspect the answer is *way* more technical than you'd want to go.

if it's common to Windows and why not other Windows machines? I'm assuming I have the same Windows OS as others.

Don't assume that because you've had an issue, everyone else should be having the same issue as well. No two machines' operating environments are the same (it's one of the reasons PC's are (traditionally) burdened with way more incompatibility issues than machines that are more standard (eg Macs).

The best you can do is uninstall, reinstall, and if you're still having copy protection issues, work with the vendor's support as you are doing to get it resolved. They are not really going to go into the fundamentals of the guts of a fairly complicated protection system, they're are just going to help you to hopefully get it working.

[CS70]

DCOM connection to program 'Synsopos.exe' failed.

I will work with Steinberg on resolving this. I did check Windows services and DCOM is running. I reinstalled the new (2 July) e-licenser software. Still not working

With "DCOM is running" I suppose you refer to the service? Or what does it mean?

However, DCOM issues most often are due to the corruption of user rights.
Are you logged in as administrator?

[OneWorld]

I would appreciate it havng a candid discussion of a decision I must make and I have found this forum incredible regarding great helpful information with an incredibly fast turn around response time.

I am probably giving out way too much information here but want to accurately portray the environment from which I need to make a decision.

I am getting into creating music on my computer. A year ago I purchased a gaming computer that seemed to have the specs I'd need to edit photographs and create music. It's an Acer A717 72G with an intel i7-8750H CPU @ 2.20GHz, 2208 Mhz 6 core processor, 16 GB RAM and an SSD. I have no issues with the computer.

I will not be earning income from my music production. I may create some backtracks for clients (I teach guitar) but that isn't really why I want to jump into computer music. The type of music I will create is probably best described as film score style. I may play around with electronic music in the style of EDM but it's not my main focus. When I researched the software available, Cubase was the most appealing. I like the way it looks and the music writing tools available in the Artist edition look great.

Early last month I was going to purchase a license for the mid-level version, Artist 10.5 but ran into some e-licenser issues and decided to get the basic Elements version with the intention of upgrading when I got the licensing issues resolved. The Yamaha tech support in the USA got the licensing issue resolved. Then Windows dropped a large update and my license is no longer valid. I will contact the tech people this coming week and get the issue resolved, I hope.

The initial issue when I first downloaded the e-licenser software and plugged in the dongle was something to do with the Windows DCOM:

DCOM connection to program 'Synsopos.exe' failed.

I will work with Steinberg on resolving this. I did check Windows services and DCOM is running. I reinstalled the new (2 July) e-licenser software. Still not working.

I need to know why I'm having this issue. Is this common to ALL Windows users? If not, what in my computer causes this issue? Will this likely happen again? I read somewhere that the e-licenser software is outdated and if that's true, why wouldn't the Cubase people fix it?

Cubase offered to refund my money. I have to decide whether to go forward with Steinberg as they are having a fantastic deal right now where I can upgrade to the version I want at 40% off.

I'm working with Reaper right now and it works fine. But I would rather be using Cubase.

I know I have been a pest here. If and when I finally get settled in with the software I want to be using I will be more of an observer here. This is an incredible forum. Thanks.

This may or may not work but often times I get similar sorts of problems with eLicenser/Cubase/Updates and I was told by Steinberg "delete the *.sel file" I can't remember the location but it's on C:drive most likely in the eLicenser folder.

At one stage I had trawled the web for solutons when eLicenser wernt doolally after an update, I almost got to the point of re-installing Windows 10 , I did all sorts of 'fixes' nothing worked. After 2 weeks I got a reply from Cubase and the fix worked. Best of luck

[Pete Kaine]

https://helpcenter.steinberg.de/hc/en-u ... exe-failed

Did you see that and follow the elicencer uninstall routine that it links to when doing the client upgrade? It's possible that something in that large update broke the elicencer and whilst you might have reinstalled it with a fixed version of the software, the older settings might still remain in a corrupted state somewhere in those undeleted files.

I also saw comments in a thread that running the elicencer client as admin when installing/starting helps. I'm not saying it will, but I can see why it might and it's not going to hurt to try it.

[Guest]

Thanks. I have a call in to Steinberg USA right now. Did you read the part where my dongle failed before I even tried to set it up? My computer never recognized it which I suspect has to do with the DCOM service. I don't need anymore suggestions (I hope) as I will be talking with a tech soon (I hope.)

Thanks!

[Guest]

I just spoke with the Cubase tech people and want to post an update in case others have this same problem.

My issue cannot be resolved until Steinberg rewrites the e-licenser program due to an issue with Microsoft. They are working on it and do not have a guestamate of when that fix will be ready.

[The Elf]

I just spoke with the Cubase tech people and want to post an update in case others have this same problem.

My issue cannot be resolved until Steinberg rewrites the e-licenser program due to an issue with Microsoft. They are working on it and do not have a guestamate of when that fix will be ready.

Ouch!

If you have another PC where you could set up the dongle, maybe that's an option. I'm on the latest Windows version and both the dongle and eLicenser software work fine for me (I just checked).

[Guest]

My other computer probably doesn't satisfy the basic requirements for Cubase. The tech was not at all encouraging and mentioned getting a refund a few times. I asked him if the dongle was the problem and he said no, but that some windows machines have been having this problem. He told me that I would probably have this issue again, occasionally. If I can't use Cubase, I don't know what I will do. I tried Reaper and it's good but I think they might give the user too much control over the program. I looked at Presonus but something concerned me - that I can't use external plugins. I'm not sure what those are, but suspect they are like Analog Lab and Aria Player and a collection of instruments I have that require Kontrol Player. If that's true then Presonus is out. FL Studios and Ableton are too geared to EDM. I'm really at a loss here...

[Eddy Deegan]

I looked at Presonus but something concerned me - that I can't use external plugins. I'm not sure what those are, but suspect they are like Analog Lab and Aria Player and a collection of instruments I have that require Kontrol Player. If that's true then Presonus is out.

You are correct - external plugins include those things you mention. However I wouldn't rule out Presonus Studio One just yet because you can choose from three versions. The most basic is Studio One Prime, which does not support 3rd part plugins. The mid-range version is Studio One Artist, which you can buy an add-on for which does allow you to use 3rd party plugins, and the most advanced version is Studio One Professional which allows you to use 3rd party plugins as standard.

There is a comparison chart of the versions here: https://www.presonus.com/products/Studi ... e-versions

I moved to Studio One Pro relatively recently (prior to that I used Reaper) and it's working happily with all my 3rd party plugins and virtual instruments.

[innerchord]

I would also recommend a look at Studio One.

As regards pricing, here in Canada Cubase Artist is $500.
PreSonus Studio One Artist is $140, and the VST add-on $110.

So that's $250 cheaper than the equivalent Cubase version! It's excellent software, and can be installed on 5 computers, and no USB keys!

Oh, and Studio One Pro is only $50 more than Steinberg Artist! (Canadian prices again).
Sales for 30-50% off also come up at times (as I believe they have done for Cubase).

[The Elf]

My other computer probably doesn't satisfy the basic requirements for Cubase.

You misunderstand me - I mean only to install the eLicenser software on another PC and get your dongle activated. Then you can plug the dongle into your music PC and maybe bypass the problem.

[Guest]

I think it's time I got realistic here and give up on Cubase and move on. I'm not young and I can see the finish line and just want to make music before I break that ribbon.

And a special thanks to you, Elf, as you are so incredibly helpful in bringing things into focus for me.

[Drew Stephenson]

I'd just suggest that this isn't really an either/or choice. There's nothing stopping you downloading something like CakeWalk (free) or Reaper (free trial with very reasonable pricing afterwards and no practical limit on the trial length) so that you can continue to make music in the meantime whilst Steinberg sort out their problems.
Although DAWs have their own individual foibles and idiosyncrasies a huge amount of what you learn on one will translate to another.

[The Red Bladder]

My issue cannot be resolved until Steinberg rewrites the e-licenser program due to an issue with Microsoft. They are working on it and do not have a guestamate of when that fix will be ready.

That's code for "Not enough people have this problem for it to be worth our time and money to fix it."

Thee is nothing wrong with CuBase and there is nothing wrong with the people working there. There is however something very wrong with the parent company (IMO - I've dealt with them many times.) Yamaha are very, very arrogant and high-handed.

[adrian_k]

I'd just suggest that this isn't really an either/or choice. There's nothing stopping you downloading something like CakeWalk (free) or Reaper (free trial with very reasonable pricing afterwards .....)

Just to underline this - I get your statement along the lines of ‘not that young any more and just want to make music’, me too. If it’s any help, Cakewalk, Reaper and Studio One are all very capable DAWs and not too hard to get into. Cakewalk has no licensing issues at all since it’s free. I use it and find it very stable on my ‘ok’ W10 laptop. I know people using Studio One and Reaper very happily.

The important thing is get going on the music, don’t let the technical side of all this get in the way. If necessary ditch the PC and get a multitracker. You can always engage an engineer or studio later to help you get your stuff to production quality.

[Guest]

Isn't it often the case that the corporation itself, not the workers, who are the cause of problems? I really like the look and feel (I actually had it running for a few days) of Cubase and still think it is what I really want. I am not good with technical things and the tech warned me that even if the problems is resolved with the e-licenser, that it could be an issue again in the future.

As for waiting for Steinberg to resolve the issue...I am in a very high risk category for the covid 19 virus. Donald Trump is president. The USA is leading the world in infections (and deaths.) Do I really have time for Steinberg to find a solution?

I have used Mixcraft. It's decent but it just doesn't 'feel' right to me. I don't mean to ditz anybody who likes it. It works fine. I tried Reaper and think it goes too far in giving the user control. As I said I am not a technical person and even in setting it up I had to Google a few things that pop up that didn't in set up with Mixcraft, Cubase, Ableton Live. If that works for you, no problem. I'm looking for what makes me feel comfortable.

I'm really looking at Presonus now. They just released a new version yesterday. That has nothing to do with my interest in their software as I was checking them out before the announcement. I have one issue to resolve and if that works out I am going to give it a try.

I'm firm on this so there's no point in recommending other DAWs. I want to make music before the virus comes and takes me away!

[CS70]

As I said I am not a technical person

Nothing to say about that, but I think there's a misunderstanding here.

Recording and mixing music by yourself is in great part a technical endeavor. The creative/artistic part is inventing and playing the music, but the production part requires technical skills. There's a number of independent devices and mechanisms that need to work together, do not necessarily do so by themselves, and need to be understood well enough to manipulate them so to reach the final result.

The moment you decide to record by yourself, outside a studio with a crew, you need to know you will need to become, to a degree, a "technical person". This is simply unavoidable.

On the other hand, nowadays is not as difficult as it was.

[Guest]

CS70. That's not what I'm talking about...I get along fine with software...it's tinkering with Windows, jumping into the registry, that sort of thing.