Cubase - Abnormally slow project load times

[Will_m]

My projects in Cubase 11 (latest update) are taking over 30 minutes to load when previously they would only take a few minutes max. I've had this issue in the past and thought I fixed it by updating and resyncing the ilok manager software and/or my elicensor key but that doesn't seem to work this time.

I have noticed that as the project loads Cubase will appear as 'not responding' in windows task manager.

Is there anything else I can try?

[Wonks]

It's often a plug-in that's not responding. So disable all the plugins on the project and see if it then loads quickly. if it does, then it's a matter of trial and error to find out which one is the culprit.

[The Elf]

Very often a plug-in, as already said. You could try temporarily re-naming your VST2/VST3 plug-in folder to see what effect that has.

If that cures it, I'd then use a binary chop method, re-instating half (then half of half, etc) of your plug-ins to see where it begins to go wrong and narrow it down.

[RichardT]

I would open the project with all 3rd party plugins disabled, as per this:

https://steinberg.help/cubase_pro/v11/ ... log_r.html

If that’s quick, it’s a plugin.

Then Elf’s binary chop approach is good. I would implement it by disabling /enabling tracks because then you won’t have to worry about individual plugin statuses.

[Drew Stephenson]

Assuming you keep previous versions filed as well, try working back until you find a version that opens at normal speed, that should give you a pointer about what's changed.

[OneWorld]

My projects in Cubase 11 (latest update) are taking over 30 minutes to load when previously they would only take a few minutes max. I've had this issue in the past and thought I fixed it by updating and resyncing the ilok manager software and/or my elicensor key but that doesn't seem to work this time.

I have noticed that as the project loads Cubase will appear as 'not responding' in windows task manager.

Is there anything else I can try?

I agree with other posters and say it's almost a cert that it's a wayward plugin.

I have found on some occasions, it might be a sample from the sound library that for some reason has gone missing. A pop window will advise with words to effect of "Cannot find path......etc etc"

However that pop-up window might be obscured by another window, the Cubase load up window and at the bottom that will show the files being loaded, however you don't know it's stuck, sometimes it gives up trying and moves onto other files, though of course takes eons

It's a case of a process of elimination to identify the wayward plug-in

[Will_m]

Thanks for all the wise words guys, I believe I've found the culprit. The slate digital virtual mix rack. This is rather annoying as its one of my most used plug-ins and also being a rack plugin it houses multiple effects at once.

If I remove it from my plugin folder the project loads in 1-3 minutes, which is more normal. It is a pretty big project.

I've contacted Slate support to see what can be done.

[Will_m]

After speaking to Slate support they have said its an issue caused by PACE (ilok). A new version of the ilok manager was just made available to fix the issue, which it has for me.

I really loathe it when copy protection causes issues like this, feels like I'm paying extra to have plugins I've paid for come with extra bugs.