Start up problem

When I try to start Dorico I get “Audio Engine waiting for connection” followed by “audio engine timeout”.
I installed and registered it and it worked for a few minutes. Then when I started a new session I got the above problems.
Any ideas?

I have a somewhat similar issue, though with a twist.

I have Waves plugins installed on my computer (as well as on a second computer which I use to run Pro Tools). Waves plugin require a hardware dongle which must be inserted into the computer USB port. Usually this dongle is in my Pro Tools computer, not the computer that runs Dorico.

I find that when the Waves dongle is not inserted, upon startup Dorico freezes after the “Audio engine waiting for connection” message. When I force shut down Dorico and start it a second time, it starts up without problems.

Normally when a DAW program such as Pro Tools, Reaper etc. (or Sibelius) detects that one or more VST plugins aren’t working or aren’t authorized, after an error message it takes note of those plugins and puts them on a “bypass” list (I am paraphrasing the process in simple terms). It seems that inasfar as Waves plugins are concerned, Dorico cannot make that step.

Once Dorico is running, the issue doesn’t come back, when starting a new project.

If you have Waves plugins installed, then these can cause a timeout because they frequently present a dialog on startup (which prevents the audio engine from responding). Try alt-tab/command-tab to see if there are any windows in the background.

Thanks Paul, that is helpful.

This problem seems to re-occur with my setup. I did demo some Waves plug-ins a while ago, but deleted them from my computer along with any software related to their download /install…but I’ve just downloaded and been working with the new 2.1 version and this crops up every time I start Dorico. There is no Waves window in the background. I have to use Windows ‘Task Manager’ to close Dorico, then after re-starting it the Waves ‘licence’ message comes up and I can check the ‘skip licence’ box. There must be some kind of Waves reference hanging about in the VST list. Can it be edited? It’s now starting to get annoying.

Look for folders called VSTPlugins on your computer, and see whether there are any unwanted Waves DLLs lurking around inside them.

Thanks for that Daniel. I couldn’t find any Waves VSTs in any VST folders, but after removing three files from:

C:\Program Files\Steinberg\Dorico2\VSTAudioEngine\Components …namely,

vstscanner.exe
vstscannermaster.exe
vst2scanner.exe

and copying them to the desktop, Dorico started up but reported it couldn’t find Halion…and that I should re-install it.

I simply copied the 3 files back to the folder and its now starting up. Whether this will have cured it after a power off, I’ll wait and see.

I have another issue with a project where I can’t delete final pages. I’ve had a good read through a few threads concerning master pages and limitations of over-ridden pages /text pages etc. and I think the project has become corrupt in some way. Is there a way of uploading the file so folks can have a look at it?

In answer to your final question: yes. Either zip it or just add .zip to the end of the filename, and the forum will accept it.

Thanks pianoleo…it’s actually an extension of your thread so I’ll upload it into that thread…

BTW, I went to start Dorico (2.1) this morning, and it started up without the hesitation…don’t know why the moving of files did the trick, but it seems to have done?

I’ve had this problem re-occur with installing Dorico 3.1.10.
When starting up it hangs at ‘audio engine, waiting for conncetion’
Eventually it respond with ‘Do you want to close the program / or keep waiting’ . I can’t see the window behind using Alt + TAB untl I close the progam. Then the waves License error shows.
'WavesLicenseEngine is missing.
C:\ ProgramData\WavesAudio\Modules\WavesLicenseEngine.bundle

-Restore it and then click ‘Rescan Licences’
-To continue without Waves products, click ‘Skip’.

When I click ‘Skip’ it then allows Dorico to be started as normal.

I have hunted high and low for any .dll in VST files and I can’t find them. I heard mention of whitelist /blacklist? Is there a way I can stop looking for any Waves products. I demoed one Waves plug-in once and have had this damn problem on and off since Dorico 1. Is there a nuke I can take to any Waves products to rid them once and for all from my setup?

Cheers, Al

Hi Al, please do ‘Help > Create Diagnostics Report’ which creates silently a zip file on your desktop. Please attach here. The data might give me a hint.

Thanks Ulf,
here it is
Dorico Diagnostics.zip (1.5 MB)

Thanks Al, unfortunately the logs and accompanying files do not indicate to me that Dorico is loading or trying to load any Waves plug-in.
I’d suggest that you open the Windows’ Control Panel and und Apps & Features have a look if there is still something installed from WavesAudio.

Or is there anything among the following list that you recognize as a Wave plug-in?

2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Absynth 5 FX Surround.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Absynth 5 FX.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Absynth 5 Stereo.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Absynth 5.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Battery 4.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: BT Phobos (64-bit).dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Driver.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Enhanced EQ.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: FM8 FX.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: FM8.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Guitar Rig 5.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Komplete Kontrol.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: LABS (64 Bit).dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Massive.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Padshop.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Passive EQ.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: RC 24.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: RC 48.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Reaktor 6 FX.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Reaktor 6.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Replika XT.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Replika.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Retrologue.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Solid Bus Comp.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Solid Dynamics.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Solid EQ.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Supercharger GT.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Transient Master.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Vari Comp.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: VC 160.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: VC 2A.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: VC 76.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Melodyne.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRChorus_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRDistortion_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRDynamicDelay_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIREnhancer_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIREnsemble_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRFilterGate_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRFlanger_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRFrequencyShifter_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRFuzz-Wah_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRKillEQ_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRLo-Fi_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRMulti-Chorus_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRMulti-Delay_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRNon-LinearReverb_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRPhaser_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRReverb_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRSpringReverb_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRStereoWidth_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRTalkbox_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: AIRVintageFilter_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: DB-33FX_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: DB-33_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Hybrid_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: iZOzoneSBImager.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Loom_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Ozone Imager.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Symphonic Orchestra.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: theRiser_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: VacuumPro_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Velvet_x64.dll
2020-04-25 11:49:23 : Plugin refused: Xpand!2_x64.dll

Thanks for looking at this Ulf. I don’t recognise most of those as they are all stuff that have been installed with either Cubase, Dorico or Notion or Studio One. I have never bought actual plug-ins, which is the annoying thing. I haven’t bought a new computer in quite some years, but have cloned the drive numerous times as I’ve chnaged to SSD. If I un-install Dorico 3.1.10, can I do it without having to download massive files? I had up until yesterday still got Dorico 2 installed so I uninstalled that.
I’ve been contemplating a new computer, but I wanted to have a play with Dorico 3 and how it plays with expression maps, Kontakt and NI Symphonic Series. I even downloaded the Waves Central software and it does mention in my account the ‘demo’ plug-in. I see by searching this is probably a ‘Waves’ problem as people using VSL and Reaper have also had the same problem. When I look at Waves Central the mention to the ‘demo licence’ lists a Samsung drive. My hard drive at the moment is a Crucial SSD, although I think I repurposed the Samsung SSD for data within a multi SSD enclosure I now have for samples and data. I’ve just unplugged the enclosure and re-booted just to see if Dorico on opening was looking at the external enclosure and it’s booted up fine. My understanding from this must be that there is a licence reference most likely somewhere on the external Samsung SSD.
I feel like I’m getting somewhere…

Only 2 of the plug-ins from the list do get installed with Cubase, the rest…I’ve no idea where you maybe got it from.
Uninstalling Dorico is easy and does not require any additional downloads. Just go to Windows’ Control Panel and choose ‘Apps & Features’. Then look for Dorico in the list of installed programs and click the uninstall button, that’s it. You can also uninstall Dorico 2 or 3 separately.
And yes, looks like there is a reference on your external drive. Did you do a search on that one for Waves already?

Yes Ulf, I deleted a file on the other drive. I’m going to send an email to Waves about this because they obviously have seen this before with other users. Hopefully they can direct me to where I should be looking for these references. Thanks for your help.