Hi Guys

I'm trying Hexachord Orb Producer Suite 3 for testing purposes, but cannot have the "secondary" plugins to work.
Orb Melody, Orb Bass and Orb Arpeggio always give the same message:
"You need to have at least one instance of Orb Chords"
Obviously, I load Orb Chords first.
I've also tried different MIDI routing from one to the other in both sense ...

I tried with Reaper and Cakewalk, same problem...
I've searched YT and Hexachords for manual or explanation, nothing.

Any one with experience, please tell me how to do this.

 

I have tried with FLARE version, v2.0.3 in Studio One and Reaper. No problem here.
I only add Orb Chords to a track, then others on the same one or new tracks.
You got sound when you load Orb Chords, right? Is it working normally?

 

I remember when there was a release of an earlier version of Hexachord on sister site. People were getting the same message about needing an instance of Orb chords, and no answer as to where you find it. Sounded like some additional software you need to get from Hexachord. I tried it, got the same thing, never figured it out, gave up on it. I'm crappy with reading manuals nowadays, so maybe there's something in there that explains it. Wish I had an answer for you, best I can tell you is that I had the exact same experience.

 

Thank you for your answer.
Yes I have sound with orb chords. I was able to edit the synth and chords.

 

Thank you for your answer.
Crazy thing: there is no manual at developer's page...

 

You probably did but just in case, shot in the dark... did you you install the BomeMIDIUtil.exe (or some shit like that) that comes with Hexachords?
It's what it uses to interchange MIDI data. It's a like a "virtual-midi-ports-on crack and steroids" tool/driver but internal, invisible to the user.

 

No freakin' way

 

Nice info.
Also, my previous post is outdated. The version I tried wasn't even remotely close to this complexity.

Every time I see a plugin or any kind of software using network protocols only to communicate inside the same computer makes me lose faith in programming.
They might as well install a freakin Apache server while they're at it.

 

Last edited: Jan 12, 2023

I don't know about version three, but in version two you load Orb Chords onto one midi track, and then load the secondary plugins on separate midi tracks, from there they should all be linked across each instance for progressions/chords/etc. I know the Sync To DAW settings gave me some headache at first before I realized when it's not active you have to hit play inside the instruments. Idk if this helps, I hope you manage to get this figured out! The old v2 from the sister site pretty much immediately became one of my most used plugins, it's absolute magic for breaking out of writers block

 

Last edited: Jan 13, 2023

Thank you very much for your answer.
That's probably the problem. For obvious reasons, my DAW is 100% locked by my firewall.
What a stupid way to program things, while all DAWs allow internal midi and audio routing...
I'll test and get back.

EDIT, yes, that was the problem. Once I disabled my firewall, all worked correctly.
But that makes this software unusable for me...

EDIT 2: It is possible to let your DAW connect for 2 seconds and lock it back, it will work from there. Soi it's yet worst on programing point of view, ORB melody and so, just check that ORB Chord is there once, then they continue working even when disconnected ...

 

Last edited: Jan 13, 2023

It's been awhile since I tried Orb Producer.. is there a standalone with the installation? If there is maybe you can download whatever it is they're up to on this, then re-block it in your firewall and see if it will continue to work like that. No way I'd try running it in my DAW with the web opened up though. That's got to stay locked down.

Excellent info @thomas78, much appreciated~

 

Well, you don't have, actually you should create a rule for this sw like "loopback" or "lan" where you allow 127.0.0.1 or 129.168.x.x and block all the rest (wan blocked, no homecalling).
I had to do this for Kontakt because if not it crashes.
I had to do also a little more complex rule for a graphics network renderer.
I'll test this sw and tell if it works.

 

If anyone needs Step-by-Step instructions on how to safely enable this or any other plugins that require local access through Windows Firewall:
https://audiosex.pro/threads/sonible-smart-eq3-group-function-not-working.59512/page-3#post-658921

 

Yes that's exactly what i tried to do, but I failed. lol.
I didn't had time to try hard.

 

Last edited: Jan 14, 2023

Despite the (uncommented) disagree mark, it works:
orb test
Still connected to wan, but not for daw.
I don't have a clue how it works the plugin, I loaded it (chord, melody, arp) and bang!

 

Last edited: Jan 14, 2023

Yes, I understand the concept and have no doubt that it works, but have no time to do it.
As I use a 3rd party firewall, it's on click for me to, disable firewall, ORB connects, and re-able firewall, as once it connected, it works even with firewall on.

 

My firewall has a "lan only" setting for individual files. Pretty much what I keep all music stuff on including my DAW (S1). Installed Hexachords using the lan only setting for the executable. Opened it up in S1, also lan only, and all the features of the Orbs are working just fine! No problem at all as far as I can tell so far. What's puzzling me is why, with the same firewall settings, I couldn't get the last version of Hexachords working awhile back. That one couldn't find Chords no matter what and wouldn't work at all without it. Anyhow, big thumbs up for MOCHA, this one is looking good, hopefully it stays that way.

 

I use a 3rd party firewall that warns me on out/in connections, but here I created a customized simple rule that works for daws or any exe and basically does this:
- the allowed network 192.168.x.x (my lan) only can talk to loopback 127.0.0.1;
- anything else is denied.

Optionally you could add broadcast (255.255.255.0) but it's rarely used.

 

Last edited: Jan 14, 2023

Well, I may be wrong, but I think it's not a proper way, you leak connections on the network.