There are a few different error/warning messages associated with the Fantom VS Editor and ARX Editor should things not be configured correctly. The information in this article should help you to resolve the behavior you are experiencing.

NOTE: Before proceeding with any troubleshooting steps, you should install the latest Fantom VS Editor and/or ARX Editor component(s). This update is recommended for everyone, but is required for 64-bit SONAR. The latest installer is available here . Please read the Installation Instructions carefully or you may install extra components and be met with error messages.

If the update above does not correct your issue, please select which behavior you If the update above does not correct your issue, please select which behavior you are experiencing from the list below:

• Error 1: "MIDI Devices aren't set up correctly" when scanning/inserting the Fantom VS Editor
• Error 2: "Unable to read/write data" when scanning/inserting the Fantom VS Editor
• Error 3: "Unable to load ARX contents due to a version..." when scanning/inserting the ARX Editor
• Error 4: "Cannot open ARX MIDI ports, Please ensure ARX..." when scanning/inserting the ARX Editor
• I do not get an error message but I do hear any output from the Fantom VS Editor or ARX Editor

Error 1: MIDI Devices aren't set up correctly when scanning/inserting the Fantom VS Editor

When inserting the Fantom VS into SONAR, you may receive the error message:

MIDI devices aren't set up correctly.

Make sure the settings in the Set Up MIDI Devices dialog box are correct.

You are most likely receiving this message because you are running a 64-bit version of SONAR.

If you are running the 64-bit version of SONAR, you will need to install the latest Fantom VS Editor component. This update is recommended for everyone, but is required for 64-bit SONAR. The latest installer is available here.

This installer will bring you up to date with the latest build for the Fantom VS Editor and is compatible with both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions of SONAR. After running this installer, attempt to insert the Fantom VS Editor again.

Error 2: "Unable to read/write data" when scanning/inserting the Fantom VS Editor

When inserting hte Fantom VS Editor into SONAR, you may receive the following error message:

Unable to read/write data

Choose Help - Fantom VS Editor Manual, and refer to 7. If the

display indicates 'Unable to read/write data'.

This message is most likely related to configuration settings. The error message refers to page 7 in the Fantom VS help document that discusses "Initial MIDI device settings in SONAR".
 
To resolve this error message, please check the following settings very carefully:

1. Make sure the VS-700R is connected and powered on before starting SONAR and trying to insert the Fantom VS Editor. If SONAR cannot detect the Fantom VS hardware, then you will receive this message.
2. Make sure that in SONAR's VST Scan options, you are not scanning more Fantom VS components then you have the physical hardware for. Depending on the choices you selected when installing, you may have installed "Fantom VS.dll" and "Fantom VS (2).dll" into the following locations on your computer. If you have done this, you will want to remove the extra components from those locations or exclude them from your VST Scan options.
   • If you are running 64-bit SONAR with one VS-700R, you should only have one "Fantom VS.dll" in C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins\Fantom VS
   • If you are running 64-bit SONAR with two VS-700Rs, you should have both "Fantom VS.dll" and "Fantom VS(2).dll" in C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins\Fantom VS
   • If you are running 32-bit SONAR with one VS-700R, you should only have one "Fantom VS.dll" in C:\Program Files (x86)\Cakewalk\Vstplugins\Fantom VS
   • If you are running 32-bit SONAR with two VS-700Rs, you should have both "Fantom VS.dll" and "Fantom VS(2).dll" in C:\Program Files (x86)\Cakewalk\Vstplugins\Fantom VS
3. Make sure that Fantom VS Editor itself has its MIDI ports assigned properly. Failure to configure this will result in the above error message. To set this up properly do the following:
   • Insert the Fantom VS Editor by going to Insert > Soft Synth > Fantom VS
   • In the Insert Soft Synth Options menu place a check mark next to "MIDI Source", "First Synth Audio Output" and "Synth Property Page". Click [OK].
   • In the Fantom VS Editor go to Setup > Setup MIDI Devices...
   • Assign the Fantom VS Input and Output ports to "FANTOM VS (VS-700)" and click [OK]
   • If you have two VS-700Rs, insert a second instance by going to Insert > Soft Synth > Fantom VS (2)
   • In the Insert Soft Synth Options menu place a check mark next to "MIDI Source", "First Synth Audio Output" and "Synth Property Page". Click [OK].
   • In the second Fantom VS Editor go to Setup > Setup MIDI Devices...
   • Assign the Fantom VS Input and Output ports to "FANTOM VS (2-VS-700)" and click [OK].
4. In SONAR's MIDI Devices menu, make sure you have enabled "FANTOM VS (VS-700)" under both Inputs and Outputs. If you have a second VS-700R you will also want to enable "FANTOM VS (2-VS-700)".
   • In SONAR 8.5 and earlier this is found under Options > MIDI Devices
   • In SONAR X1 this is found under Edit > Preferences > MIDI > Devices
5. Make sure that you do not have a Control Surface Plug-in set to send or receive MIDI data to the "FANTOM VS (VS-700)" MIDI ports. If a Control Surface Plug-in has its "In Port" or "Out Port" set to these ports, it could be filtering out the MIDI data that is meant to be sent between SONAR and the Fantom VS hardware. This could result in unwanted behavior such as hearing notes from the Fantom VS when pressing a button on the VS-700C or your keyboard.
   • In SONAR 8.5 and earlier this is found under Options > Controllers/Surfaces
   • In SONAR X1 this is found under Edit > Preferences > MIDI > Control Surfaces

Error 3: "Unable to load ARX contents due to a version..." when scanning/inserting the ARX Editor

When running SONAR's VST scanner, you may receive the message

"Unable to load ARX contents due to a version mismatch between the editor and ARX boards.  Please update to the latest version to continue."

If you do not own the ARX expansion board and do not have it physically installed in the VS-700R, then you are receiving this message because you have installed the ARX Editor component. Without the hardware, the ARX Editor will not function so it is normal to receive this message if you have installed the Editor.

If you would like to not see this message anymore, you can delete the ARX folder located in the following location on your computer:

C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins\ARX
Or
C:\Program Files (x86)\Cakewalk\Vstplugins\ARX

Error 4: "Cannot open ARX MIDI ports, Please ensure ARX..." when scanning/inserting the ARX Editor

When inserting the ARX editor into SONAR, you may receive the following three error messages:

• ARX MIDI Port Error - "Cannot open ARX MIDI ports. Please ensure ARX is connected and that the MIDI ports are not selected in the host."
• VST Plug-In Error - "The following VST plug-in failed to load: c:\program files\cakewalk\vstplugins\ARX\ARX.dll"
• SONAR 8 Producer Edition - "Failed to insert soft synth. The synth may not be properly installed."

You will receive these error messages if you have enabled the ARX MIDI ports in SONAR's MIDI Devices menu. This is normal behavior as the ARX Editor requires that the ARX MIDI ports are not enabled by your host when inserting.

To resolve all three messages, do the following:

1. In SONAR X1 go to Edit > Preferences > MIDI > Devices
2. In SONAR 8.5 or earlier go to Options > MIDI Devices. .
3. Remove the check marks next to "ARX (VS-700)" under both Inputs and Outputs
4. Click Apply then OK

I do not get an error message but I do hear any output from the Fantom VS Editor or ARX Editor

If you are not getting any error messages but are unable to get output from the Fantom VS Editor, there may be two causes:

1) You may not have the audio driver for the Fantom VS

• In SONAR 8.5 and earlier go to Options > Audio > Drivers and make sure under Input Drivers you have selected "VS-700 FANTOM VS". (If you have a second VS-700R you will also want to select "VS-700 (2) FANTOM VS").
• In SONAR X1 go to Edit > Preferences > Audio > Devices and make sure under Input Drivers you have selected "VS-700 FANTOM VS". (If you have a second VS-700R you will also want to select "VS-700 (2) FANTOM VS").

2) You may need to have SONAR personalize some settings behind the scenes. To force this to happen, do the following:

1. Launch SONAR and go to your VST Plug-ins menu
   • In SONAR 8.5 and earlier this is under Options > Global > VST Plug-ins
   • In SONAR X1 this is under Edit > Preferences > File > VST Settings
2. Make sure your VST Scan Folder(s) are set properly to scan where you have installed your Fantom VS plug-in
   • For SONAR x86, the default location is C:\Program Files (x86)\Cakewalk\Vstplugins
   • For SONAR x64, the default location is C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins
3. Place a check mark next to both "Re-scan Failed Plug-ins" and "Re-scan Existing Plug-ins"
4. Click the [Scan VST Folders] button and let the scan complete
5. Afterwards, close SONAR completely and wait a few moments
6. While holding down the SHIFT key on your keyboard, open SONAR
7. When prompted with the message "SONAR will now personalize your user settings", make sure to click [OK]. If you do not get this message try closing SONAR and repeating the step above.
8. Create a new project and insert the Fantom VS by going to Insert > Soft Synth > Fantom VS
9. Test out playback from the Fantom VS and see if you can hear it

If you are still unable to get playback at this point, please contact Technical Support.