If Cubase, Nuendo, or WaveLab is freezing or becoming unresponsive with the SoundID Reference VST3 plugin, this guide details the issue and provides a workaround.
In this article:
- Cubase/Nuendo/Wavelab freeze with VST3 plugin
- Collecting minidumps for a frozen app (freeze logs)
- Workarounds
Known issue
Issue reported: Nov 29, 2023
Article updated: Feb 03, 2025
Cubase/Nuendo/Wavelab freeze with VST3 plugin
Starting the SoundID Reference 5.7 update, there have been reports of Cubase, Nuendo, and Wavelab (Steinberg products) freezing and becoming unresponsive in certain scenarios where the sample rate is changed (upon launching DAW, opening a secondary project, or upon rendering, or manually changing sample rate, etc.).
The problem is observed only when the SoundID Reference plugin (specifically the VST3 format) is loaded in the project, and mostly Windows machines are affected. The affected users would have to force-quit the project as a result. The Sonarworks development team is looking into this issue.
Collecting minidumps for a frozen app (freeze logs)
To further our investigation, it would be helpful to send over the Windows Minidump of Cubase in its frozen state. Follow these steps to collect freeze logs: [MAC] Collecting spindumps for frozen apps (freeze dumps)
Workarounds
Using the VST2 format
The first solution is using the regular VST2 format of the plugin instead, while we work on fixing the issue. If VST2 is not an option, follow with the 5.6 Levacy version solution below.
Reverting to the 5.6 Legacy version
If using the VST2 is not a viable option, and you require the VST3 plugin for your workflow, we recommend reverting back to the 5.6 Legacy version the software, if it is unaffected by the issue.
Since only the plugin format is affected, it is possible to update and run the latest version of SoundID Reference, while reverting to version 5.6 for the VST3 plugin only. Follow these steps:
- Update to the latest version of SoundID Reference, download here
- Uninstall or remove the VST3 plugin:
-
macOS: Remove from this location:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\SoundID Reference VST3 Plugin.vst3
-
Windows: Remove the VST3 plugin from the Installed Apps via Add or Remove Programs, or remove manually from this location:
Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/SoundID Reference VST3 Plugin.vst3
-
macOS: Remove from this location:
- Download and install the 5.6 Legacy version of the VST3 plugin, download here:
10 comments
The same problem also happens on Mac OS Monterey.
Hi Deniel Moraes, thanks for your comment, sorry to hear this issue is present for you as well.
We have received reports of the issue being present on Windows as well as macOS systems. I will open up a support request on your behalf, so we can link your case to the development task on our end.
Im having trouble as well and somehow vst2 version didnt show up in cubase.
I have reinstalled and checked the vstplugins folder does have the vst2 plugin in it but somehow cubase didnt detect it.
*Edit
I renamed the vst3 version extension and now cubase can detect the vst2 version.
Any update on the issue?
Hi Ahmad Huzaini Saharuddin, thanks for reaching out, sorry to hear you're encountering this issue. At the moment, we don't yet have an ETA for the fix. I will open up a support request on your behalf, so we can link your ticket to the development task and gather more details.
Just to confirm that the same scenario described in the previous messages is also happening in the new Cubase 14 Pro. Note that as of version 14, Steinberg decided not to support VST2 anymore, they can work when scanning is turned on manually. Why I say this is because still Cubase crashes when selecting the VST3 version of SoundID Reference last installed version, in Control Room and when sample rate change happens, Cubase freezes. It is very strange to me that this problem has existed for almost a year and has not been solved. Why, is a question for Sonarworks developers.
Windows 11 24H2
SoundID version 5.12 build 50
Scarlett Solo 3rd gen driver 4.119.13
Can we get an update on this issue? It was reported in 2023 and we're almost 2025 now.
There is nothing new to add, everything is the same as in 2023. Cubase crashes when changing sample rate, SoundID Reference, VST3 version, is in Control Room. I really have nothing new to add.
Ivan I am not SoundID support, I am a customer with the same issue as you. I am asking support for an update.
Zane, it's 15 months and there's still no fix for this? You will be losing my (once loyal) custom very soon and I would request you put this issue on the Top Priority pile for a fix.
Hi Paul Riley-Gledhill and everyone else looking at this thread! Sorry for the holdup on this one, it has indeed been taking a long time. We are working on it and aiming for a near-future bug fix release for it.
In the meantime, we have updated the instructions above for a solution to run the latest version of SoundID Reference while reverting to the 5.6 Legacy version for the VST3 plugin only.
Thank you again for your patience, it is highly appreciated!