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jcrawford
08-14-2008, 10:31 AM
Hello. I have been working with Sessions for six months or so with very few technical/operational snags along the way. First, here's my technical info:

HP Laptop
Windows Vista 32-bit
959 MB RAM
1.9 GHz Turion 64x2 processor
Session file verson: 1.5
Using: Keystudio, Producer mic, fast-track

Here's a little back-story: A few weeks ago, and for reasons unknown, I could no longer record with the USB Producer. Most issues I have had, up until this point, were correctable with minor effort. But I could not get the Producer to record. Long story short, I backed up my compositions, un-installed, and re-installed the program and all of the device drivers, and everything was working properly again. Except for one detail.
Upon loading any of my dozen or so compositions, I would get an error message saying, "Syntax error: Cannon find or Unable to Locate (insert keystudio instrument name here)," below that I had several options, "Path Info, Locate, etc." No biggie, really, I went to locate and that opened a dialogue box. I clicked Sessions, then Content, then Syntax. There was the list of keystudio instruments. I click the corresponding instrument, and the composition would then load and open. Some compositions would require that I did this multiple times. But to re-iterate, I was able to work around this, but it is, I think the source for the real problem.
The problem: Occasionally, if I were to add a new keyboard track, before the track would appear, I was prompted with the same message, "Unable to locate (instrument name)." And I would have to load the instrument just like I described above. Ok. But a few days ago, I was adding a new track, and the message came up. I should have loaded Drums.fxp, but clicked E-Piano.fxp in error. I didn't think that was a big deal, and in fact, I did no recording on that track, paid attention to other, pre-existing tracks, and some time later, saved and closed as usual. But, I saved with the Drums/E-piano track still in the composition, empty, but in the composition.
Now, when I try to open the composition, I get an error message than Says, "Syntax error: Cannot find E-Piano.fxp." But I don't get the option to load the instrument like before, or any other options for that matter. My computer's arrow does the hour-glass, thinking thing, it says "Loading composition at the bottom of the Sessions screen, and the Syntax error looks as if it is popping up over and over again. Even if I close sessions from Task Manager, the Syntax error continues to pop up.
All of my other compositions open correctly. Is there a way a delete the track if the Sessions program is running? Can I copy and paste the E-Piano.fxp file into the composition, somehow? Could I move the tracks from that composition to a blank composition? Would it assemble correctly? I don't know. I hate to think that I lost this composition, especially since I can open the file folder and see it sitting there. I just can't open it. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading, and I'm sorry about the length.

Regards,
Justin

JA
08-14-2008, 04:27 PM
You can't edit a composition or add/remove tracks without opening the composition.

If you look in the Syntax folder inside of Session's content folder, does the E-piano.fxp file appear there?

Try removing Session's preferences files which are located:

C:\ProgramData\M-Audio\Session\AppSettings.ini

C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Local\M-Audio\Session\UserSettings.ini

AppData is a hidden folder; you can eanble the viewing of hidden files & folders by going to Control Panel>Folder Options>View Tab and selecting Show Hidden Files and Folders; you can also uncheck the box directly below "hide extensions for known files types". Move these files to the desktop, do not permanently delete them. When you launch Session, you will need to locate the Content folder & rescan the content categories (http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.faq&ID=234695db6e8b90c646ccff4971a9a2be).

After doing this, try opening the composition that's giving you problems.

jcrawford
08-14-2008, 05:22 PM
Hey, thanks for getting back to me. Yes, the E-piano.fxp file is in the folder; I forgot to mention that before. But I'm going to try removing the preferences, like you say, and I'll post the results soon. Thanks again . . .

jcrawford
08-14-2008, 05:52 PM
Ok, I just removed the preferences you recommended and it's same deal. The error message is a dialogue box that says Syntax at the top, then "Cannot load E-Piano.fxp . . ." That's all it says. The . . . makes me think that it is trying to load anyway, but it's as if the error message pops up repeatedly ever few seconds.

I tried to open a different composition and it opened just fine. The global browser, instruments and fx are gone, but I expected that. I guess I can put them back by reversing the steps to remove the aforementioned preferences.

The problem, I think, lies in the fact that there is no E-Piano.fxp in the composition. I do have an empty track, that was to be Drums.fxp, but it was "branded" E-Piano.fxp inadvertently. The composition is trying to load an instrument that has neither a track "connected" to it, nor any recorded audio using that instrument.

Please help. There has to be something, I mean, the composition files are intact. I appreciate your time . . .

Thanks,
Justin

jcrawford
08-14-2008, 06:10 PM
And I just put the Usersettings and Appsettings files back in their rightful places, launched Sessions, and I still have no effects or instruments. Not to be rash, but do you recommend an un-install/re-install. Thanks.

JA
08-15-2008, 08:43 AM
I'm going to have to e-mail the developer to see if anything can be done about that composition that is giving you problems.

This FAQ (http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.faq&ID=234695db6e8b90c646ccff4971a9a2be) will walk you through rescanning the content categories, you shouldn't have to reinstall Session.

JA
08-15-2008, 01:52 PM
Can you post a screen shot of the error message?

The developer suggested updating to Session 1.6.3 (http://www.m-audio.com/?do=products.demo&demo_ID=Session163&form=1) as it contains a newer version of Syntax.

jcrawford
08-15-2008, 03:18 PM
Hello. I'll attach a pic of the error message. It's similiar to other one's I get, but they have options, locate path, find, etc. The error message in question, continues to pop up even after Sessions has been closed. Anyway, I do appreciate your help. I'll check this forum again in a few days to see if any other info is available then. I suppose I'll update to 1.63 either way; thanks again.
Jc

JA
08-16-2008, 10:55 AM
Can you please send me a copy of that composition, folder and all? I've sent you a private message w/ the address to send it to.

Let me know if 1.6.3 changes anything.

Were you able to rescan the content categories to get all presets and categories back?