@ItsMeTho

Hi

Trial versions of Magix products usually have some restrictions/limitations which are unlocked when purchased and activated with a full product serial number.

The behaviour you are seeing suggests this is may be one of those restrictions.

John EB
Forum Moderator

Ok thank you. That's good news. I'm hoping this isn't a bug that will carry into the paid version.

Never heard of SoundForge until recently I've needed a batch processor. It's pretty sick actually. It will replace five other programs that can do a few things but SF can do all of them, and has an onboard file manager; which is a no brainer, don't know why other companies don't understand this. Audacity, Gold Wave, Aimp, Edison, are all bye bye. I might keep Resonic though, because SF takes way too long to boot up. I'm not sure what the problem is. Can I disable plugin scan or something to speed up the load time?

Undecided if I need the suite plugins, but the main program is for sure good. Is it standalone only or does it come with a vst version of itself?

...

You guys are killing me with that context menu. 😅 It doesn't need to be an entire sentence.

It doubles the width of my right click menu. Compare its length with its two neighboring options.
It just needs to read: SoundForge18 > User , Factory > (Preset List)

@ItsMeTho I'm not sure if this is a trial problem. Maybe some of your settings are leading to a crash?

For the context menu, I think there should be RemoveSFContextMenus.reg and RemoveCustomContextMenu.reg files to remove Sound Forge entries from the Windows registry to disable the context menu entries. If you open the reg files in a text Editor, you can find the location, where the entries are stored in the registry and edit them manually.

Context menu entries are usually stored in the Windows registry under paths like HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\NameOfApplication\shell\ or HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Applications\NameOfApplication\shell\ or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\shell\ etc. If you know what you do, you can add, edit or remove them. But be careful not to damage the registry.

There are also tools to edit them like https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shell_menu_view.html I'm not sure if this is compatible with Windows 11.

@ItsMeTho I'm not sure if this is a trial problem. Maybe some of your settings are leading to a crash?

For the context menu, I think there should be RemoveSFContextMenus.reg and RemoveCustomContextMenu.reg files to remove Sound Forge entries from the Windows registry to disable the context menu entries. If you open the reg files in a text Editor, you can find the location, where the entries are stored in the registry and edit them manually.

Context menu entries are usually stored in the Windows registry under paths like HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\NameOfApplication\shell\ or HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Applications\NameOfApplication\shell\ or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Directory\shell\ etc. If you know what you do, you can add, edit or remove them. But be careful not to damage the registry.

There are also tools to edit them like https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shell_menu_view.html I'm not sure if this is compatible with Windows 11.

Hi, thanks for the help.

I'm not sure how my settings would lead to a crash. There are three other batch processors I used recently that have worked fine. SF creates a trial dialogue pop up for every file that is selected (5 files = five pop ups) so that leads me to agree with the first response, that it has to do with the trial version only.

Which is no good, since using it without batch processing would be a deal breaker for the purchase, and so how am I supposed to test out if it works when it only proves to me that it doesn't. The term "trial" means to test. If I can't test it what is the point of providing a trial version.

...

I'm running Windows 10. The SF18 context menu doesn't show up with NirSoft's ShellMenuView or ShellExView or ShellMenuNew. Doesn't show up in Directory Opus's context menu options. I looked at those registry places and didn't find anything named "shell". The entry has an icon but I'm not finding it doing an icon search. It's probably embedded in a dll library.

What's with this program trolling me with an entire essay it put on my menu, that I can't change (or remove) because its handler is invisible for some reason? What, is it some kind of top secret national security missile codes or something? And then the menu it put on there leads to only crashing. Why does a fully featured program add a context menu without our permission but not allow us to configure it in the settings?

If I could rename it, this is what I would do:

SoundForge18 >
  User
  Factory >
  Trim Silence
  Normalize
  Etc.

...

Not sure how many questions I should put on one thread. I also have the issue with long load times. It's about ten seconds (which includes annoying flashes of unstyled content); compare that with Resonic Pro that loads in about 0.2 seconds flat. I'm wondering if you strip down your default view to a skeleton crew, or no plugin scan or something, that would speed up the SF18 boot time? Or is there like a mini sample player version just with basic controls?

@ItsMeTho

SF creates a trial dialogue pop up for every file that is selected (5 files = five pop ups) so that leads me to agree with the first response, that it has to do with the trial version only.

Maybe this is caused by opening a new instance of Sound Forge for each batch process because a trial version will always force this pop-up window on each start of the software.

You can try to change that behavior in the hidden internal preferences menu as described here:

- go to the 'Options' menu

- hold 'Shift' key and select 'Preferences'

- select the 'Internal' tab

- find "Force Single Instance behavior" (bottom of list or use search)

- change value from 'FALSE' to "TRUE"

- click 'Apply' and 'OK'

- Exit or restart SF

https://www.magix.info/us/forum/sound-forge-opening-multiple-instances-instead-of-multiple-windows--1252594/#ca1576421

Then simply keep Sound Forge open while you try your batch processes. I hope that helps.

I looked at those registry places and didn't find anything named "shell". The entry has an icon but I'm not finding it doing an icon search. It's probably embedded in a dll library.

Did you check this with regedit?

You can try to change that behavior in the hidden internal preferences menu

Oh cool. Lots of options in there. 'Single instance' did force a single dialogue but it still wouldn't work. Same issues. I didn't get the crash pop up until later when opening the program.

I'm just doing a walk around to see how I like the features. I'll take their word for it that the context menu batch process will work when it's out of trial. SpectraLayers videos look pretty sweet. Weird it isn't in with the other plugins, even though melodyne is, so I can't test it out.

Did you check this with regedit?

Ya, regedit what I used to look. Can't find anything in there named shell or that looks like a context menu.
The problem with using the batch process in when the program is already running, is it loads every file into the GUI for some reason, then you have to manually save. I don't see a way to not have that happen. How would you do that with a thousand samples at a time?

@ItsMeTho

Here are some screenshots that show where to find the context menu entries:

I also installed the trial version. Which steps are you doing to crash the software?

I am also not sure if the 'trial' mode has any affect on the Batch Converter. I tested the BC in SFP-18 (Win 10 - 32GB RAM) and did not encounter any behavior issues, Files can be added quickly, batch parameters set, saved and the process initiated (I do prefer the more intuitive legacy BC version though).

I am not sure about the context menu in this case, but I do use a number of the 'Nirsoft' utilities though. They do not seem be limited to certain Win OS and I have been them since Win XP.

The VST grovel can be disabled but the Fx menu will not be available until initiated which takes about 5 or 6 seconds on my PC.. and I do have a lot plug-ins.

@ItsMeTho

Here are some screenshots that show where to find the context menu entries:

 

I also installed the trial version. Which steps are you doing to crash the software?

Ok thanks, I modified 'MUIVerb'. Haven't restarted yet; guessing that is the string to modify the name.
I have more testimonies that batch processing works in the paid version so I will leave the issue alone unless it keeps happening after I buy it.

I am also not sure if the 'trial' mode has any affect on the Batch Converter. I tested the BC in SFP-18 (Win 10 - 32GB RAM) and did not encounter any behavior issues, Files can be added quickly, batch parameters set, saved and the process initiated (I do prefer the more intuitive legacy BC version though).

I am not sure about the context menu in this case, but I do use a number of the 'Nirsoft' utilities though. They do not seem be limited to certain Win OS and I have been them since Win XP.

The VST grovel can be disabled but the Fx menu will not be available until initiated which takes about 5 or 6 seconds on my PC.. and I do have a lot plug-ins.

What would be nice is some way of choosing if you want to run the preset or arm the selected files into the preset and load up that preset settings to modify it for this one instance. I'm thinking its best if the whole program launches to modify the presets, but what's with it loading the samples in the GUI when it runs?

You have a five second boot up? That's half of ten, I'll take it! 🙂

Ok the right click on folders is looking handsome. 🤵

But right click on files is still bad. And I'm all out of registry locations to rename.
Do you got any more hidden pirate treasure locations where one may find some of these tasty registry keys?

@ItsMeTho File types should be listed in the third screenshot in my last comment. On the screenshot you can only see *.264 file settings, but you probably need to edit also all other file types.

@ItsMeTho File types should be listed in the third screenshot in my last comment. On the screenshot you can only see *.264 file settings, but you probably need to edit also all other file types.

Oh that's dirty.

Alright got the factory side. Now one more.

An elusive files-only custom area.
I looked and I looked and I didn't find.

@ItsMeTho

The Custom Actions entries are here for folders:

And here for files (screenshot only shows settings for *.aif files):

You can find other locations with the search function. Just search for Custom Actions.

@ItsMeTho

The Custom Actions entries are here for folders:

And here for files (screenshot only shows settings for *.aif files):

You can find other locations with the search function. Just search for Custom Actions.

Amazing. Thank you. 😊❤

There's a couple other unhinged entries from other programs, maybe I'll try to shorten up those too.

@johnebaker
@SP.

Hello again. I bought the SF18 Pro Studio. The batch processor still isn't working. I'm pretty sure kaspersky antivirus is the culprit. I've been asking AI chatbots tech support questions and they concluded my antivirus is interferring with the SF18 batch process.

The main reason they think this is after the batch process is "done" its process is stuck running. I can see all the batch processes that I did still running in Process Explorer (but not visible in Task Manager). I can manually kill the processes, except one of them I can't: "Access denied".

So the issues happening:

- In the main SF18 program the batch processor doesn't affect files at all.
- With the right click context menu, the "overwrite and don't show again" dialogue pops up for every file, not just the first one.
- The last file in a selected list doesn't process.
- When I enable the "hide temp files" and "delete temp files on close" in the SF18 settings, it doesn't actually do these things.

I've already reinstalled SF18 and that didn't help. Reinstalling also reset my context menu that I had renamed, to the factory names (MUI Verb in the reg edit, as per the conversation in this thread). I could see SF18 not being able to find the scripts with the wrong menu name but now that the names have been reset it should be working again.

I've asked the Kaspersky forum too.

Me and kaspersky tech support ran through some scenarios. The SF18 batch process doesn't work whether kaspersky is running or not.

This is not normal. I just bought your product and it isn't working.
Hello? Earth to Magix. I just bought your program and it isn't working! Where IS MY TECH SUPPORT?!

@ItsMeTho

Please remember these are user to user forums, there are no Magix staff present here.

If you wish to raise a Support Ticket please click on the Support header of any forum page and follow carefully through each succeeding page, always choosing the option to "Ask Support" or "Email Support".

Jeff
Forum Moderator

@ItsMeTho

Hi

. . . . Where IS MY TECH SUPPORT? . . . .

It is at the top of this page proceed as follows:

1. Click the Support link, on the next page select Audio, Sound Forge scroll down to the bottom of the page and select Contact Support
    
2. Select Send email
    
3. Complete the form and click Submit Support Request.

You will get an automatic response by email, in the email there will suggestions to Support articles, if none apply there is a link which should open a dialogue, ensure all options are unchecked.

If the email is blank, this sometimes happens - reason unknown, click reply in your email program/browser, and respond telling Magix the email is blank and issue is not resolved.

HTH

John EB
Forum Moderator

My audio interface is a Roland Rubix 24. It's ASIO, multiclient (I have it set on the SF18 audio settings). Running 24 bit .wav 48kHz samples, not converting, just normalize. Windows 10 PC latest update.

Have you tried something other than the above interface. If your PC had an integrated soundcard, try that. Otherwise, I do not recall reports of Batch Converter issues similar to yours.

Ok, sorry for the delay in reply.

I've been working back and forth with Gemini for days on this problem. Yes, that's days with a D.
I've done many things to my computer (combination benefits because they probably needed to be done anyway) and gone through many variables and tests to get to the cause of this issue. Including clean reinstalls, antivirus whitelisting, audio interface options, metadata info, channel (mono to stereo etc.) issues, background tasks, repairing windows, etc. etc.

And even Gemini doesn't know what TF Sound Forge's problem is. She can express a sphere mathematically in eleven dimensions but neither of us can figure out why SF adamantly refuses to do the most basic ass wav conversions. The log files just say "wav to wav conversion aborted" every time. And has "serious" issues like hanging processes after using the batch processor and not deleting its .sfk temp files even when the option is set to delete them.

Even if it did work, it doesn't seem to have a child folder recursive batch process. Which makes it not a batch processor, but a kind of a couple files at a time sort of processor. I'll be spending even more money for a proper batch processor elsewhere. Just disappointed that I spent so much money on this program that doesn't even work.

I'll report this to the Magix tech support. After I just did their job for free.

@ItsMeTho What is Gemini? Google Gemini? Depending on their training data, LLM are more or less "stochastic parrots". I don't think it can produce a solution to niche topics which were never discussed on the Internet. In my personal experience modern LLM hallucinate a lot of incorrect stuff.

Maybe try the Microsoft Sound Mapper as the audio device driver in the program settings so it uses the standard audio chipsets of your computer instead the audio interface as @rraud suggested.

For more complex batch processes for different folders and handling metadata etc. we could write a script, which can basically do "everything".

@ItsMeTho What is Gemini? Google Gemini? Depending on their training data, LLM are more or less "stochastic parrots". I don't think it can produce a solution to niche topics which were never discussed on the Internet. In my personal experience modern LLM hallucinate a lot of incorrect stuff.

Maybe try the Microsoft Sound Mapper as the audio device driver in the program settings so it uses the standard audio chipsets of your computer instead the audio interface as @rraud suggested.

For more complex batch processes for different folders and handling metadata etc. we could write a script, which can basically do "everything".

Not be rude to someone trying to help me but it isn't 2022, friend. You might be surprised at the answers that come back to you, as surprised as I was.

Let's compare Gemini with the Magix tech support I got. After eight hours of waiting their system auto generated a reply email that included some kind of sorta looks like your problem knowledge base articles. Libellous content removed by Moderator.

So in miliseconds of asking Gemini the same questions she has already scraped those knowledge articles and included that data in her reasoning of solving my problem. Not to mention every single forum post ever made on the subject. She was referencing back to me parts of the SF user guide, tech details, windows 10 details and on and on, with links to the source material. And with my persistent barrage of questions has had the side effect of clearing up years of technical confusions about music and other things. Every time my problem wasn't solved she would go back to the drawing board, elevate the priority and try something else. You know, like tech support.

Compare that with Magix, who just took my money based on a promise to deliver a working product and now proceeds to not give a flying F that they sold me something that isn't working. I got two mods that didn't help at all, another user that's trying to help but isn't, and a "tech support" that is sending me articles, while lying to me that they're at max capacity. While the AI system won't rest, won't leave a stone unturned, until my problem is solved or I stop asking for help.

...

I've tried the default "Microsoft Sound Mapper". And the Steinberg ASIO and ASIO4ALL every other one in my list. I've tried so many things that it isn't a driver issue. I've also never had this problem with any conversion or audio things like this before. I was actually using GoldWave and AIMP for conversions, before I was told Sound Forge uses iZotope for its conversions, which is better. Guess who didn't have a single problem batch converting with other free and trial software?

I've done a clean reinstall of SF 18. Reset all settings and cache reset. Reinstalled audio interface drivers. Deleted out icon cache's to force rebuild. Ran chkdsk, dism, scannow. Whitelisted SF18 in windows antimalware. Went through every antivirus setting to make sure SF18 can do whatever it pleases (cause nothing says malware like needing to phone home because someone is converting an audio file). I even turned off my antivirus for most of my tests to make sure it isn't molesting the SF18 processes (cause nothing says malware like antivirus refusing to let your program do what it wants to do). Went through windows error reporting, process monitor, event monitor, looked at event errors. Double checked security permissions. Made sure SF isn't inheriting problem permissions from my file manager. Tried different SF18 advanced settings. Disabled every single background task and other apps to catch any interference.

Nope. It just won't work. It can normalize, trim, rename, do all that. It just refuses to convert 16bit 44.1kHz to 24bit 48kHz. And the deep mind, that has access to all the world's information, that can improve the most complex supercomputers the world has ever known, has no idea why.

Not to put you down, but my experience about this problem is no good.
I don't think that I even want a user script. I want the thing I bought to work as intended. I'm looking at an entire windows 10 reinstall at this point, and that's not happening, to accomodate a bug in SF18 that shouldn't exist anyway. Not a chance.

Libellous content removed by Moderator.

Guess who's correcting my spelling mistakes right now? It sure isn't Magix tech support!

This is why all these jobs are going to be purged. Cause the AI systems are actually interested in solving problems, as per what they get paid to do.

@ItsMeTho What are the error descriptions in the Windows Reliability Monitor or Event Viewer are saying about the crashes? Crashes in ntdll.dll are likely a driver issue. Is your audiointerface always connected to your computer?

Instead of reinstalling Windows you can also create an empty Windows Sandbox, install Sound Forge there and copy some WAV files into it and batch process them. A sandbox is like a new, clean Windows installation without any additional software that might cause compatibility issues. Would be worth a try, in my opinion.