Cubase Rename Track...Missing VST

[JonSolo]

In Cubase, my version is 9, but I am sure this applies to all versions in the last few year, I have a question...here is the scenario:

I have a MIDI track, that is a Track Instrument. When I rename the track, the Track Instrument gets its main name renamed as well. For example- I have Predator 2 loaded in a Track Instrument. The corresponding MIDI track is named Predator 2. When I rename it to say, Lead 1, it renames the Track Instrument to Lead 1, with the subtitle Predator 2.

This is great for quickly identifying what I used.

Recently I pulled up a project that is more than a year old. I wanted to duplicate a specific sound I used. But, apparently, I removed/moved/deleted/sold/something the plugin I had used for the sound. What is worse is that while the MIDI track name is intact, what it was connected to is not. In other words, I have NO IDEA what plugin the track is looking for. So I have no idea what plugin is missing so that I can identify/replace/repair/re-scan/re-buy etc.

Does anyone know how to identify which plugin Cubase is looking for when it is missing and has the track renamed?

[lfm]

You can try search the project xml file. In one with Superior drummer it says

"<string name="Plugin Name" value="Superior Drummer" /> "

[johhnog]

I thought a window would normally pop up saying "Predator could not be found",am sure that is what used to happen with the really old cubase 5 vst so presumed it would still do that,maybe not going off what thejonsolo has posted though?

[Googly Smythe]

I thought a window would normally pop up saying "Predator could not be found",am sure that is what used to happen with the really old cubase 5 vst so presumed it would still do that,maybe not going off what thejonsolo has posted though?

I was going to say this - didn't because it doesn't help.
If I run Cubase (Pro 9) and it can't find a plugin (especially when I open old projects, with plugins no longer installed) Cubase puts up a dialog with a list of what's missing. Additionally, in the mixer, the slots have the name of the plugin.
The only exception I've found is with multi-timbrel synths like HALion and EastWest's Play. I updated Play a few months ago and every project that used Play, old and newer, put up a message saying that the plugin was missing, except that it displayed the name I gave it in the Rack, rather than the name of the plugin. I had to reconstruct the channels from scratch. I started a thread but no one replied.

[SJ_Digriz]

I don't think anyone replied because the only way to do it is read the project file. I don't believe there is a simple way in that particular scenario.

[JonSolo]

There is not a simpler way and there is no XML file to browse. I had to Notepad ++ to read the, rather large, cpr file. It was really hard to find, but I also knew of at least three synths that I was missing. Sadly it meant re-purchasing the one I wanted. I HONESTLY thought I had never used that synth...which will remain anonymous. But considering I have two things to do with it, it was worth it.

I wish that Steinberg would release or connect some sort of "info" tool to Cubase so that we could look at the details without loading the whole project, or even if we had to load it we could get an honest view. The Pool does not show MIDI information which is just weird to me, but oh well.

Jon

[lfm]

There is not a simpler way and there is no XML file to browse. I had to Notepad ++ to read the, rather large, cpr file. It was really hard to find, but I also knew of at least three synths that I was missing. Sadly it meant re-purchasing the one I wanted. I HONESTLY thought I had never used that synth...which will remain anonymous. But considering I have two things to do with it, it was worth it.

Jon

Just make a copy and rename CPR file to extension XML and doubleclick and up comes your browser and it's real easy to read it in that way. You get expandable/collapsable nodes etc. Use normal search etc.