Montage ESP 2 plugin not visible in plugin manager

Cubase
1

Hey, guys.

I’ve followed numerous Google threads about VST 3 plugins not showing up in Cubase 13 but haven’t found a solution yet.

It’s installed in C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3, so I know it’s there. Rescanning has no effect. I checked for the presence of VST2 plugins in the VST3 directory, and there are none. There’s only Steinberg, EZ Drummer 3 (which is VST 3), and the Yamaha Montage ESP.

One suggestion I read was trashing the preferences, but I’m unsure of what I might lose if I go that route.

I was able to install ESP on my laptop and it works. The difference between the two machines is that Cubase 13 is the first install on the laptop. The desktop has been upgraded for each version since Cubase 6, so I suspect the problem is environmental.

Additionally, earlier this year I uninstalled all my third party plugs except EZD to go completely native with Cubase stock plugins. The laptop did not experience this because I did the first install after I’d already made that decision, so no third party plugins were installed.

I suspect that this issue is more about a VST 3 problem than the Montage ESP plugin specifically, but I can’t say for certain so I’m calling it out by name.

I’m running Cubase Pro 13 on Windows 10.

If anyone has fought this battle and has suggestions on how to solve the problem I’d be most grateful.

2

First, you should check the blocklist to see if the plug-ins have been blocked by Cubase (Studio > VST Plug-in Manager > Blocklist tab).

1 Like
3

Hi,

Also make sure, you are using the default plug-in collection, please.

4

Thanks, guys. Using the default collection, and it’s not on the blocklist.

5

Because this appears to be environmental, what areas / settings / files / preferences might there be that are known to be associated with VST 3 problems?

6

Hi,

I’m not aware of any.

7

In the VST Plug-in Manager you can create a Plug-in Report (button on the bottom left). This report contains further information on the Cubase VST plug-in setup.

Otherwise, you can actually try renaming the Cubase settings folder (“C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Steinberg\Cubase 13_64”) - without Cubase running - and restart the application. The plug-ins will be completely re-scanned and possibly the missing plug-in will be detected then. If you rename the folder back, you will have your previous settings again.

8

Good idea, I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks, man.

9

Here’s what I’ve tried thus far, with no success:

  1. Updated to 13.0.41 (was on 13.0.20)
  2. Removed everything from VST3 folder but the Yamaha ESP plugin
  3. Deleted the Cubase 13_64 folder
  4. Deleted all previous version Cubase folders, e.g. Cubase_9, etc.
  5. Uninstalled and reinstalled the Esp plugin
  6. Rebooted

So, I have the latest version, I’ve started with a clean VST3 folder and a clean Steinberg config folder to initialize everything, and the plugin still will not scan.

Cubase and all other stock plugins, as well as EZ Drummer (my only third party plugin), all work fine. But Cubase has some kind of problem scanning the Montage Esp plugin. Which is made by Yamaha. Who owns Steinberg.

I’ve done enough Googling to know that there have been VST3 related problems since Cubase 12. Does anyone have thoughts on what else might be confusing the scanning?

10

Do you have any other VST host that you can try?

11

No, but thanks.

12

Hi,

You don’t see the plug-in in the VST Plug-in Manager > VST Instruments window, correct?

Could you attach a screenshot, please?

13

That’s correct. It’s not in effects, it’s not in instruments, and it’s not in the block list.

I also have the laptop where it successfully installed as a reference.

Trust me, it’s not there.

14

I appreciate everyone’s efforts to help. I’ve sent an email to support to see if they can help me resolve the problem.

If I get a fix I’ll post it here for anyone else who may encounter this.

15

Hi,

I trust you, but we could see something, what we don’t see so far.

16

I have the same problem. I asked Yamaha many times. Each time after two emails, I have no more answer from them.

17

I’ve posted on the Yamaha Montage forum and also sent an email to Cubase tech support, so hopefully someone will have an answer. If so I’ll certainly share.

18

It’s been over a week and still no response from Cubase US support.

I don’t know what a normal response time from them is.

19

Perhaps a silly thought, but does the plugin require activation?

1 Like
20

There are no silly thoughts when people are trying to help you.

This plugin does indeed require activation, but it has been activated.