Troubleshooting and FAQ
Something not working? Start here. Most problems are a setting away from fixed. If yours isn't covered, use Help > Send Feedback or email hello@trancetools.com.
I can't hear anything
- Is it playing? Press Space, or Play. In the plugin, press play in your DAW.
- Is the built-in sound on? With no DAW linked, turn on the speaker in the top bar.
- Is it playing on the right output? Right-click the speaker and choose Audio Output… (app). The speaker's tooltip names the output in use.
- Are parts muted, or one soloed? Check the lanes' mute and solo buttons (Pro).
- Is the part playing on a DAW track? Then the sound comes from that track's synth. Check the track has an instrument and isn't muted, or set the part's track (under its name in the lane) to No DAW track (built-in).
The app isn't linked to my DAW
The status bar's dot is amber and it says Not linked to a DAW yet.
- Ableton Live: open TranceTools first, then restart Live. In Live's Settings > Tempo & MIDI, TranceTools must be chosen as a Control Surface with its Input and Output set to TranceTools. If the script is missing, choose Help > Install Ableton Live Script and restart Live.
- Bitwig Studio: open TranceTools first, then Bitwig. If the controller isn't there, add it in Settings > Controllers > Add Controller > TranceTools, with both ports set to TranceTools. Help > Install Bitwig Script reinstalls it.
- Any other DAW: there's no link, but you can still play its synths through the TranceTools MIDI port. See Other DAWs.
Full steps: Plugin, app and DAW set-up.
Linked to Live, but no preview
The status bar says Linked to Live, but it can't play the preview yet. In Live's Settings > Tempo & MIDI, find the TranceTools input in the Input Ports list and turn on Track.
The plugin doesn't show up in my DAW
- In the TranceTools app, choose Help > Install Plugin (VST3 and AU).
- In your DAW, rescan plugins (or restart it). Look for TranceTools as an instrument, not an effect.
- Logic and GarageBand use the AU; most other DAWs use the VST3.
Help > Show Plugins in Finder shows where it's installed.
I can't drag (it says Activate to drag)
Dragging and exporting need activation. Click ACTIVATE and paste your product key. See Activation.
If you're activated but the panel says Re-check your licence, TranceTools hasn't reached trancetools.com for over 30 days. Connect to the internet and click CHECK AGAIN.
If your key says it's already on two computers, deactivate one of them first: open the licence panel on that Mac and click DEACTIVATE THIS COMPUTER.
The Sound chips don't change anything
They only change the built-in sound. If a part plays on a DAW track, or the built-in sound is off, the chips are dimmed and say why. Set the part's track (under its name in the lane) to No DAW track (built-in) and turn on the speaker to hear them.
My synth ignores the filter sweeps or pump
Filter sweeps are MIDI CC 74 and the pump is CC 11. Many synths respond to these by default; if yours doesn't, map CC 74 to its filter cutoff and CC 11 to its volume or expression. Or turn the sweeps off in Idea > Filter Sweeps in Breakdown and Build (CC 74), and Pump off in the part's Feel.
The drums play the wrong sounds
TranceTools writes drums as General MIDI notes (kick on 36, snare 38, closed hat 42 and so on). If your drum machine uses a different layout, remap the notes, or load a General MIDI kit. In Bitwig, the drums preview on the script's reference 909 kit for this reason. See Drums.
I can't re-roll a bar or delete a note
Editing works on the loop. If you're hearing a section or the Song, switch back to LOOP (or Section > Loop) first. In Song, use Re-roll on a section for a new take instead.
Install Vital Presets says Vital wasn't found
Install Vital from vital.audio, open it once so it makes its presets folder, then choose File > Install Vital Presets… again. If copying still fails, the presets are also in the TranceTools disk image, in Extras/Vital Presets.
The sound moved to my speakers
If the audio device TranceTools was using is unplugged or switched off, it moves to your Mac's default output and says Audio output changed to…. Plug the device back in and choose it again in View > Audio Output….
A saved idea won't open
Saved ideas that can't be read are listed under the Open Idea card, and the files are left untouched, so nothing is lost. If the app's own settings can't be read, it keeps a copy called TranceTools (unreadable).settings, starts fresh and tells you. If a plugin's saved state can't be read, the plugin keeps its settings, starts a new idea and says so once.
When something goes wrong
Every problem message says what happened and what to do next, in the status bar (it can take two lines). If you need help, use Help > Send Feedback… and include the message.
Questions
Does TranceTools work on Windows?
Not yet. TranceTools 1.0 is for Mac only: macOS 11 or later, on Apple silicon or Intel.
Which DAWs does it work with?
TranceTools is a standard VST3 and AU instrument plugin. We test it in Ableton Live and Bitwig Studio, and the app links directly to both, so each part plays the synth on its own track. Other DAWs that load VST3 or AU plugins, such as Logic Pro, FL Studio and GarageBand, add it the same way. If something doesn't work in yours, please tell us.
Do I need a DAW?
TranceTools is made to play the synths in your DAW, so that's where it's at its best. Without one, the built-in sound plays every part as a reference, and Export Song as WAV gives you an audio file to listen back to.
Can I edit notes in TranceTools?
There's no note editor, on purpose: your DAW's piano roll does that better. You can re-roll a part, a bar or a range, delete notes, choose the lead's peak, and change chords. Then drag the part into your DAW to edit it.
Can I use what TranceTools writes in my releases?
Yes. Anything you make with TranceTools is yours to use however you like, including in commercial releases.
How many computers can I use it on?
Two per key. Deactivate one in the licence panel to move to another.
Does it need the internet?
Only to activate, and to re-check the licence about every two weeks. It keeps working offline for 30 days.
Where are my saved ideas?
In ~/Library/TranceTools/Ideas, shared by the app and the plugin. See Where your files live.
Will my ideas from the beta still be there?
Yes. Your favourites come across as saved ideas, tagged "favourite", with their names and dates.
Does it send any data?
Only what you allow: licence checks with trancetools.com, update checks, and crash reports if you choose to send them. Crash reports have personal details removed first.