Problem
Dorico cannot access installed VST plug-ins on Windows on Arm (WoA).
Background
As there is no WoA version available yet, Dorico 6 can only be run on WoA systems under emulation. However, emulated software does not have access to native WoA software.
Plug-ins that run natively on WoA are therefore not available in Dorico 6. Only VST plug-ins whose x64 version is installed can be used in Dorico under WoA.
Example: Groove Agent SE 5 and HALion Sonic 7
When you install the WoA version of Cubase or Nuendo, the WoA versions of Groove Agent SE 5 and HALion Sonic 7 are also installed. However, these cannot be used by Dorico 6 in emulation.
Solution
To enable Dorico 6 to access a VST plug-in under WoA, the x64 version of the plug-in must be installed. Whether an already installed WoA version needs to be removed before installing the x64 version depends on the respective VST plug-in.
Example: Groove Agent SE 5 and HALion Sonic 7
For Groove Agent SE 5 and HALion Sonic 7, it is required to uninstall WoA versions first. Then the x64 versions must be installed.
Don't worry: The WoA versions of Cubase and Nuendo can still access the x64 versions of the plug-ins. In this direction, the exchange between native and emulated software works. This is ensured by Arm64EC, a software interface integrated into Windows 11 on Arm.
The necessary steps in detail:
- Close all programs.
- Uninstall Groove Agent SE 5 and HALion Sonic 7 in Windows via Start > All Apps or Start > Settings > Installed Apps.
- Sound content that has already been installed does not need to be uninstalled or reinstalled.
- Download the x64 version of the “Application Installer” from the respective download page:
- Unpack the downloaded zip files.
- Do not use the "Setup.exe" to start the installations.
Instead, start the installations by double-clicking the msi installers "GrooveAgentSE_64bit.msi" and "HALionSonic7.msi". - Complete the installations.
- The next time you start Dorico 6, both plug-ins should be available.