EXS24 Samples (Still) Missing - Third-Party Instruments

Hi all.

 

The EXS24 is not finding most of the samples for most of my third-party instruments. These are sounds that I have incorporated into Logic over many years, such as the Useful Noise instruments, Piano Attack and Dark Skies etc. All of these are commercial libraries that included EXS24 patches.

 

I've successfully migrated several generations of Mac Pros and versions of Logic, but now with Logic Pro 10 (all versions), I find that many of these instrument presets have problems finding the actual samples.  (Not all instruments, but most.)

 

I have tried all the possible solutions I could find here and elsewhere (e.g., re-indexing Spotlight, making sure to put user instruments in the ~/Music/Audio Music Apps/Sampler Instruments folder. I've put the aliases of the instruments and samples folders in there, I've put the original folders in there, I've put just the Instruments presets in there and left the samples in their original location on an external drive. No luck. 

 

Apple's own documentation gives conflicting info about the file hierarchy for user samples.

 

If I let Spotlight fully re-index, some of the instruments will then find their samples, but not all of them. And often when I run into a patch that can't find its samples, all the subsequent patches I try to load have the same problem. It's as if Spotlight is being buggy (I'm assuming it's Spotlight related, since it is what the EXS uses to find/reference sample locations.)

 

Does anyone have a solution? If I can't get this to work, EXS24 is essentially useless as a sampler for third-party/user sounds.

 

Thanks for any help!

Any EXS24 power users out there with a solution?

Hav you trashed your spotlight indexes and reindexed from scratch? (Google for how to do this if not sure.)

 

Try searching for some example samples in Spotlight - if Spotlight can't find them, then likely neither will Logic...

Thanks, yes, I have forced Spotlight to re-index. It is able to find some of the samples, but not all of them, even though they are inside some of the same folders with samples that Spotlight is able to find.

Hmm, sounds like some corruption issue with Spotlight, but i would have thought that if you have properly trashed and re-indexed, it would fix it, and you'd be able to find those samples. The fact that Spotlight searches don't turn them up indicates that's the problem (and not with Logic as such), so that's what you'll need to try to troubleshoot...

Have you updated to the latest version of Logic.

10.3.2 apparently fixed an Alias bug in relation to the EXS.

Have you updated to the latest version of Logic.

10.3.2 apparently fixed an Alias bug in relation to the EXS.

If his samples aren't being found in a Spotlight search, that has nothing to do with Logic and indicate a general problem.

However, it might mean that if the OP manually aliases some of this problematic sample content, Logic might then load it without using Spotlight, perhaps - worth a try, anyway, although reading the first post suggests he might have already tried this...

It's worth a shot but I'm totally with you on the reasoning behind it.

Might be a good thing to check if the sample drive is set to "Ignore ownership" if it is a permission related issue.

Another thing I might try is to find a location you know Logic can find samples in, and restructure your content there, with aliases if necessary (don't do it all at once, do it bit by bit and verify it works first.)

 

If you have tools to relink your EXS files, so much the better, as Logic will (afaik) only use Spotlight to find missing samples when the samples actually aren't at the location stored in the instrument files - ie, if they are linking to the direct sample location, searching for them won't even have to happen.

 

And make sure once the samples can be found, so the instrument files can be updated with the new sample locations, that Logic (or whatever) has write permissions to them, otherwise it won't be able to update the instruments with the new location, and you'll keep having to do the same sample search every time you load one...

Thanks for all the suggestions. I moved some of the sample content to a different drive, made sure it was the only version (i.e., no other copies on any other HDs), re-indexed Spotlight and tried again. It seemed like EXS24 was going to find everything, but then I got the "missing audio file" error message with certain Instruments.

 

However, Spotlight is able to find all the samples that the EXS24 says it can't find, so the plot thickens. Apparently not a Spotlight issue, but an EXS24 issue. 

 

Unfortunately, I don't have any third-party tools to re-link my samples. I tried the free version of Instrument Manager, but that didn't fix the problem, either.

The problem I'd guess is that the Sampler Instrument files (xxx.exs) are not linked to the sample files. 

When an .exs file is created, it contains references to the paths for the sample files. So, if you move your sample files on your drive, or rename a folder in the path, or rename the drive, then the .exs instrument can't access the samples because the links/references are broken.

 

Years ago, Logic had a facility to fix this, called Project Manager. It would take hours, but it worked. For some unknown reason, Project Manager was later scrapped.

 

Also, Redmatica had a great app called EXSManager which would re-link sample files and it worked very fast and was very efficient. Sadly Apple bought Redmatica and this functionality still hasn't appeared in Logic Pro. (Maybe in Logic 11....?)

 

Your options now....open the EXS24 edit window and manually select the correct samples, one by one.

Or...you could (hopefully) remember the old path to your samples and recreate that folder hierarchy. Then there's a good chance that EXS24 will load all your samples as before (if the references are once again correct).

 

What you should definitely do is send feedback to Apple, asking for a sample re-linking function in Logic. The more people that ask, the quicker it will/might appear.

The problem I'd guess is that the Sampler Instrument files (xxx.exs) are not linked to the sample files. 

When an .exs file is created, it contains references to the paths for the sample files. So, if you move your sample files on your drive, or rename a folder in the path, or rename the drive, then the .exs instrument can't access the samples because the links/references are broken.

 

Years ago, Logic had a facility to fix this, called Project Manager. It would take hours, but it worked. For some unknown reason, Project Manager was later scrapped.

 

Also, Redmatica had a great app called EXSManager which would re-link sample files and it worked very fast and was very efficient. Sadly Apple bought Redmatica and this functionality still hasn't appeared in Logic Pro. (Maybe in Logic 11....?)

 

Your options now....open the EXS24 edit window and manually select the correct samples, one by one.

Or...you could (hopefully) remember the old path to your samples and recreate that folder hierarchy. Then there's a good chance that EXS24 will load all your samples as before (if the references are once again correct).

 

What you should definitely do is send feedback to Apple, asking for a sample re-linking function in Logic. The more people that ask, the quicker it will/might appear.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think as soon as you link one of the samples, it automatically syncs all the other ones on the same folder. I think it happened to me in the past where I had an .exs file not finding the samples and (I guess) once I linked one of the samples, all the other samples were found.

I am having the same issue, posted bout it just a few days ago....

I started "remapping" everything cause there seems to be the only way to get things up and running again.

Same issue here. I just upgraded today and exs24 can’t find my instruments. I need this issue fixed ASAP. I’m not much aware of the technical stuff about computers.

The problem I'd guess is that the Sampler Instrument files (xxx.exs) are not linked to the sample files. 

When an .exs file is created, it contains references to the paths for the sample files. So, if you move your sample files on your drive, or rename a folder in the path, or rename the drive, then the .exs instrument can't access the samples because the links/references are broken.

 

Years ago, Logic had a facility to fix this, called Project Manager. It would take hours, but it worked. For some unknown reason, Project Manager was later scrapped.

 

Also, Redmatica had a great app called EXSManager which would re-link sample files and it worked very fast and was very efficient. Sadly Apple bought Redmatica and this functionality still hasn't appeared in Logic Pro. (Maybe in Logic 11....?)

 

Your options now....open the EXS24 edit window and manually select the correct samples, one by one.

Or...you could (hopefully) remember the old path to your samples and recreate that folder hierarchy. Then there's a good chance that EXS24 will load all your samples as before (if the references are once again correct).

 

What you should definitely do is send feedback to Apple, asking for a sample re-linking function in Logic. The more people that ask, the quicker it will/might appear.

I'm not 100% sure, but I think as soon as you link one of the samples, it automatically syncs all the other ones on the same folder. I think it happened to me in the past where I had an .exs file not finding the samples and (I guess) once I linked one of the samples, all the other samples were found.

 

I tried that, did not work for me, only the sample I clicked on locate file was found....

I really wish that Logic would have had a better solution for this.

I started mapping all my samples and it is tideous to say the least☹️

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=135545

As I wrote above, everyone should send feedback to Apple requesting a sample re-linking function. The more requests the better....maybe it will appear in Logic 10.5 ?

Well, given that the already had it, and took it out, suggests they don't think it should be there.

 

What *should* happen is the EXS should find, and relink, samples seamlessly on loading, and if it's no doing this, it would be good to find out why, maybe by inspecting and comparing the sample reference in the instrument to the sample on disk..?

Well, given that the already had it, and took it out, suggests they don't think it should be there.

Well......

Logic had Project Manager a long time ago, which they took out.

However, Apple bought Redmatica some years ago which means they own EXSManager which was 10 times faster and more efficient than Project Managaer.

 

Apple needs to include EXSManager, plus also features from Keymap, which was an amazing EXS24 tool.

So, my suggestion still stands: ask Apple to bring these features to EXS24.

Logic had Project Manager a long time ago, which they took out.

 

Yes, that's what I was referring to.

 

However, Apple bought Redmatica some years ago which means they own EXSManager which was 10 times faster and more efficient than Project Managaer.

Apple needs to include EXSManager, plus also features from Keymap, which was an amazing EXS24 tool.

So, my suggestion still stands: ask Apple to bring these features to EXS24.

 

Yes, I own all the Redmatica apps, and Keymap Pro is the main thing preventing me from upgrading to Sierra.

 

While in principle I agree with you, there is no way Logic is going to include all the features of Keymap Pro, it's too deep and specialised an app, and doesn't fit into the Logic userbase demographic at large.

 

At best, they might include a simplified range of redesigned features using that technology (see the Autosampler in Mainstage for an example of this) into a better integrated sampler/editor, and I'm willing to bet that is probably happening, and has been ongoing for some time.

 

The thing is, to some degree, having a batch tool for "fix" instruments is an admission there is a problem with loading instruments in general, that you'd need to fix. What they *really* need to do is make sure the EXS will seamlessly load instruments, and if the samples are not at the location specified in the instrument, seamlessly search for them (using spotlight), and once found, update the references so the instrument now points to the samples in the new location. Which is what the EXS24 *does* already.

 

Which is why I'm interested to find out exactly *what* is causing the non-loading problem, and if it's a clear bug, reporting it, might be a better course of action...

Edited February 5, 2018 by des99

Not sure if you've tried this, but I had a similar problem a few years ago and was able to finally solve it by refreshing the Library in the Library section of Logic (bottom left). This re-indexed in a different manner than spotlight or refreshing the EXS library through the EXS menu. Also, can't remember if it matters whether you're viewing the EXS menu (via the Library), or the main Library patch menu when you select "Refresh Library", but I would try both.

 

Good luck.

Not sure if you've tried this, but I had a similar problem a few years ago and was able to finally solve it by refreshing the Library in the Library section of Logic (bottom left). This re-indexed in a different manner than spotlight or refreshing the EXS library through the EXS menu. Also, can't remember if it matters whether you're viewing the EXS menu (via the Library), or the main Library patch menu when you select "Refresh Library", but I would try both.

 

Good luck.

 

Hey, Tried that, did nothing for me unfortunetely.... but thanks for the tip.

I got it working! Go to ESX 24 in Logic Pro X. When the plug in is open, click on the options button near the right side of the (+) sign, click preferences and turn (search samples on) to ALL VOLUMES. After doing that, go directly above the cutoff where the ESX24 instruments load. Click on that black space between the (-) & (+) sign and click refresh menu. Quit logic and open a old project. It will ask you to save to a duplicate, hit save. Now it will show the project file in which you will also hit save. It will show you that your instruments are not found. You will immediately quit. Now right below your old project should be your project with ex.(your project.logicx) click on the logic x project and all shall be well!!!

OMG, really!?

 

Please, is there any possibility to get a couple of screen-saves to illustrate the procedure?

 

I don’t really understand the opening an old project part?

I actually already did that and I got no such alert, what happened instead was just that since I already ”remapped” a chunk of my samples at that point the wrong samples where played due to the fact that I for some reason mapped them differently then prevoiusly...

 

So if it’s not to much trouble, some screen-saves?

Give me a couple days for the pics, I have to go over the road. As far as old projects, I’m referring to where ever you saved the projects from Logic Pro 9. Click on the Logic 9 project and it will automatically have you save to convert it into a Logic Pro x folder. It will still open as a Logic 9 project, but when you close out of that project, directly under that folder that your project is saved, where all your info for the project is. You will find a new project with the same project name but it should have (.logicx) at the end of the project name. Click on that.

Ok thanks!

I’ll give it a go

Don't know how much to make of this, but I just checked the LinkedIn page for Andrea Gozzi, the founder of Redmatica, and it turns out he left Apple last June.

That's interesting...

He's: "Working on what's next after what's next"

EXS24 not loading samples!

 

Imac with MacOS 10.13.3 (high sierra)

Logic X 10.4

 

I’m having exatly the same problem here. I’m experiencing difficulties loading samples into Logic’ EXS24.

And it goes randomly. Sometimes certain ’Sampler Instruments/Sample Library’ were loaded without any problem in one project but not in another project. It even may differs in new (empty) projects. I’ve searched on many fora for solutions but without satisfying results.

I think I tried everything I could find (see list below).

 

 

Before I updated to 10.4 I sometimes I had the same problem but then I could easily locate my samples even on locations where I had my EXS24 samples saved within another project. I’m not getting this option anymore. Now, a pop-up window appears saying Audio file XXX.wav not found! If I go to the EXS24 edit menu it even tells me the sapmle does not exist. Although all my samples are in the correct library without any missing (checked). This message keeps popping up. The ‘search again’ option does nothing at all. Like I said before. In one project the samples are loaded are in another they’re not.

 

Would ‘Diskwarrior’ be a solution?

 

Overview

 

This is where my alias folders are located.

 

Macintosh HD/Users/Myname/Music/Audio Music Apps/ ‘Sample Instruments’ (alias)

 

This is where my original folders are located

 

External HD/Logic Pro X/‘Sample Instruments and Sample Files’/Sample Library-Sampler Instruments

 

 

What I already tried

 

-I re-indexed my HD (sampler instruments and samples).

-From within EXS 24 all my Sampler instruments are there.

-deleting aliases and making new ones (without the word alias as folder name)

-EXS24 menu refreshed

-EXS24 preferences: search samples on all volumes.

-Disc Utility First Aid on Sample HD

 

Someone experiencing the same problem? Please let me know if you found a solution.

 

What’s the link to send my complaint to? (Apple).

What’s the link to send my complaint to? (Apple).

 

https://www.apple.com/feedback/logic-pro.html