Rampant Preset Confusion

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Quick question with a lengthy explanation. Hopefully this will be clear. I realize this problem is based on my current (and complete) lack of understanding the concept(s) regarding preset folder placement. I'm trying to negotiate the various changes in preset file placement that have occurred in Zebra2 (and perhaps the other U-he products). I'm obviously way off course so let my try to explain and hopefully some patient soul can walk me back to where I want to be. Here goes:

First off, Zebra. I now have the following three preset files on my Windows box...c:\program files\u-he\presets\zebra2 (the "presets" sub-folder that contains presets for all the u-he products - c:\program files\vstplugins\u-he\zebra2\u-he data\presets AND -wait there's more c:\program files\vstplugins\u-he\zebra2.data\presets\zebra2.

In sum, three preset files for zebra2. The latter two preset directories both have the same date of installation - 11/12/07. I realize that there was a sea-change in how and where zebra looks for presets but I'm not sure which are the current redundant files...and I don't want to nuke the commercial presets and other downloads that I've gleaned.

The second problem is MFM2 presets...They are in c:\program files\u-he\presets\MFM2 - When I boot up the MFM2 program, I see 9 or 10 individual .h2p presets but I can't figure out how to access four other sub-directories containing presets from contributors that contain a mother-load of amazing patches.

In sum...confusion is rampant and I know that I've jumped track somewhere. I was hoping that a kind zebra lover can guide me back to the light. Thanks so much in advance. Sorry for my densitude.

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Urs will probably need to chime in here, but it looks you may have installed Zebra 2.2 with the box checked for "Everthing in VST plugins".

Your best bet is probably to back up all of the presets, remove all your u-he plugins and folders, and do clean reinstalls. Then you should have a well-ordered preset folder situation, into which you can copy your additional presets.
"Enough Spyro Gyra and you're hoping you'll be killed in a knife fight."
-- Chris in the morning

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thanks, tboulette...that's helpful for zebra. I'll do that. I'm still not sure what I'm doing wrong with MFM2 that is causing it not to recognize the preset sub-folders so I'm not sure that reinstallation will helpt that. I'll give it a whirl, though.

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Hi,

I'm sorry for not being clear enough on things...

All releases for Windows from November 2007 on will allow for putting all relevant files (presets, graphics, preferences) into the Vstplugins folder, alongside with the .dll - this is because many people asked for something like that and it provides for Receptor compatibility. That means, as soon as i.e. Zebra2.dll detects a folder called Zebra2.data next to it, it will not search any other location for any other files.

This may sound like a tempting and clean thing, but it has certain disadvantages: For instance some hosts scan the plugins folder with each start, so having many files in there may slow down launching the daw considerably.

Thus, the general location for things should still remain C:\Program Files\u-he\ unless you have a good reason not to.

Unfortunately the installer wasn't made up so that "Everything into Vstplugins" is exclusive to the other options. It's supposed to be either/or. Thus many people have installed both. Which was rather confusing because the registration info and old presets remain in the old location and have become "invisible".

Commonly taking Zebra2.data out of the Vstplugins directory solves the trick. If the outcome of that surgery is positive (no presets or registrations missing), Zebra2.data can be deleted.

Cheers,

;) Urs

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mayan wrote:c:\program files\vstplugins\u-he\zebra2\u-he data\presets
The "u-he data" directory is a relic from before Zebra 2.1 - that was from before I knew how to build installers and find the Program Files directory on Windows... (Uhm, I'm still learning on the Win side...) :oops:

Just delete "u-he data" (but not for Filterscape or anything that's not been updated in 2007)

;) Urs

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Thanks for taking the time to respond, Urs...everything has been reinstalled and -basically- figured out. One last question...If this has been asked and answered several time, I apologize in advance. Installing from scratch, the "new" preset bank contains nine subfolders - Bassics through Clowns - which look to be entirely HS sounds (Howard's). They are exceptional. My confusion is what happened to presets from the other contributors? I know that you restructured and minimized the presets for this install. I'm just confused as to whether these banks are solely HS sounds, whether they incorporate the other contributors as well, or whether I'm missing a step in the process. I can easily reinstall other backed-up banks...I'm just trying to avoid redundancy, repetition and duplication. Again...thanks for your patience.

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Yo,

Glad you got it sorted :)

The download of Version 2.2 comes with only the Howard Scarr sounds because it puts them into a more prominent position for those who download the demo version and it makes updating easier, as you don't have to install over the old patches (which some have reorganized or thinned out).

The old patches are still available:

http://www.zebrasynth.com/download/ZebraFactory2.1.zip

(.fxp and .aupreset also on Zebra's downloads page)

;) Urs

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Gotcha...thanks. All's well that ends well!

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