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EN Guide CrossGridder 1.5

This document provides instructions for using CrossGridder 1.5 to run Windows VST plugins on MacOS using Crossover. It includes setup instructions for the AudioGridder server and plugin. Multiple servers can be run simultaneously by assigning each a unique ID. Common issues that may occur and their solutions are also outlined. Reading the full guide is recommended for proper setup and use of CrossGridder.

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726 views

EN Guide CrossGridder 1.5

This document provides instructions for using CrossGridder 1.5 to run Windows VST plugins on MacOS using Crossover. It includes setup instructions for the AudioGridder server and plugin. Multiple servers can be run simultaneously by assigning each a unique ID. Common issues that may occur and their solutions are also outlined. Reading the full guide is recommended for proper setup and use of CrossGridder.

Uploaded by

tototechytb
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

CROSSGRIDDER 1.

5
Windows VSTs on MacOS

. This guide is based on CrossOver 22. Steps described here can


slightly differ depending on your CrossOver version.

. No technical skills are required, only the time to read this guide
and watch the videos on the CrossGridder YouTube channel.

NATIVE DAW FOR MACOS CROSSOVER FOR MACOS

Server and plugin connect through localhost 127.0.0.1


or MacOS IP Address
***************************************************************************

DISCLAIMER
*****************************************************************************

. CrossGridder 1.5 is provided as it is. I would not answer


for any damage caused by its use.

. It was tested on different machines and OS; CG 1.5 works


from Mojave to Ventura. Linux support is on hiatus.

. There is a version specifc to High Sierra and Crossover


20, but it's still the old one with AG server 1.2.0 beta 6.
Update it yourself to the latest version. MacOS Plugin and
Windows server (CG bottle) versions must match.

. It's virus-free and built with free and open-source


software. Don't be surprised if you fnd malicious stuff
when getting it from a source different than me.

. It's free, but you must subscribe to my YouTube channel


and send an email to [email protected] to get it.
I'll not include you in any mailing list and I'll never ask
money to have it.
Donations are highly appreciated.

. Reading this guide is mandatory, even in the case of


previous experience with CrossGridder.

. AG and CG versions are not dependent and I do not


develop AG, it is made by Andreas Pohl/e47.

. I will answer your questions and doubts only after you


digest the available documentation. TAKE YOUR TIME!!!

. Don't ask me for support if a plugin or any other Windows


app exists for MacOS. BUY IT!!!
GUIDE'S CONTENT

01. What is CrossGridder?

02. General Bottle Settings

03. AudioGridder General Settings

04. CrossGridder First Run

05. Multiple Servers Setup

06. Run 32 bits Windows VST plugins

07. Solving Common Issues

08. Credits

01. What is CrossGridder?

. CROSSGRIDDER is a bottle for CrossOver 20 to 22, which


permits to run most Windows VSTs on MacOS and is possibly the
best solution available at the moment.
Version 1.5 contains AudioGridderServer.exe 1.2.0 stable release.

. A bottle is a Windows system reduced to the minimum, which


requires less CPU, RAM and Disk Space than a virtual machine.
It's not an emulation; VSTs become quite like MacOS natives.

. It connects to AudioGridder plugin for MacOS via LocalHost


(127.0.0.1) or your MacOS IP address.
02. General Bottle Settings
. I recommend to not delete previous CG versions, all plugins
already installed will be lost. Use multiple servers setup instead to
run multiple bottles alongside.

. Use a light desktop theme to prevent disappearing of AG server


icon in MacOS Menu bar.

. Don't change AG plugin settings or buffer while playback.


Always stop the song to prevent crashes or freezing.

. Its predefned settings are intended for Local Setups:


a DAW and CrossGridder run on the same computer.

. Predefned Bottle settings

. DXVK: Off
. It doesn't give you any advantage to have it On.

. CSMT: Off
. It doesn't give you any advantage to have it On.

. ESync: Off
. It doesn't give you any advantage to have it On.

. High Resolution Mode: Off


. Keep it off to maximize plugins compatibility.
. If a plugin crashes, check if it's on.
. It can be turned on to change AG server settings on low
resolution monitors (1366x768).
. However, most plugins should work when it's On.
03. AudioGridder Settings

. Default server settings * Don't change unless stated otherwise *

NOTE 1: Click AG server icon in the MacOS Menu bar and fast
move the cursor down to stop AG server menu fickering.

NOTE 2: Some update after AG server 1.2.0 beta 6, changing or


typing server settings apparently has no effect. Change or blindly
type the required setting, click Save, reopen Server settings,
check settings have updated.

. Server name: CrossGridder


. It can be changed to any other name.

. Server ID: 0
. Change it if and when necessary as described in chapter 5.

. Sandboxe Mode: Disabled


. Leave it disabled on a Local Setup to prevent plugins crash.

. Screen Capturing: Disabled (Local Mode)

. Keep Plugin Windows on Top: Off


. Can be turned On (plugin window remains in front of the DAW).

. Diagnostic settings: Off


. Turn On only for reproducible issues.

. AudioGridder Plugin settings

. Generic Editor
. Turn it Off the frst time the AG plugin is used.

. Buffersize
. Never leave it at 0 blocks, set it al least to 2.
CPU usage improves dramatically and doesn't affect latency badly.

. Logging
. Turn it Off. Turn On for reproducible issues.
04. CrossGridder First Run

. Server Setup
. High Sierra: CrossOver 20
. Mojave: CrossOver 20 to 22
. Catalina to Ventura: CrossOver 21 or 22
. CrossOver Menu>Bottle>Import>CrossGridder_1.5.cxarchive
. Assign alias folders (Documents, etc.) from Wine Confguration.
. Select CrossGridder from Crossover SideBar
. Drag AudioGridderServer from Program List to Dock.
. Launch it.

. Plugin setup
. Install AudioGridderPlugin 1.2.0 Stable for Intel or
AudioGridderPlugin 1.2.0 Stable Universal for Apple Silicon
. Open your DAW.
. Insert AG plugin on a Midi or Audio track.
. Click Net icon to see “Reload”, “Buffer Size” and “Servers”.

. Go to Buffer Size and set it to 2 or more blocks


. Go to Servers and click Add
. Type 127.0.0.1 and click “Add”.

. Click “+” to insert Windows VSTs.


05. Multiple Servers Setup
. Use it to run different CrossGridder bottles alongside.
Save the hassle of reinstalling in CG 1.5 those VSTs working in a
previous release.

Remember to update the server inside the previous version to


match the version installed in CG 1.5, which now is
AudioGridderServer_1.2.0.exe and to match the AG plugin too.

.Don't run servers at the same time until they have a unique ID to
prevent server port 55056 error.

1. Go to Users/<username>/Applications/CrossOver.
2. Rename AudioGridderServer apps to include their ID:
AGS0, AGS1, AGS2 and so on.
3. Drag them into the Dock.
4. Launch AGS1 (or AGS2 and so on) from the Dock. (AGS0 will be
launched later).
5. Open AG server settings from AG server menu.
6. Autostart servers with Ids > enter 1 (or 2 etc. after increasing).
7. Save
8. Quit the server and restart it to check Server ID is correct.
9. Launch next AGS*.
10. Go back to step 4, but this time at step 6 Increase Server ID,
until all AGS* have their unique ID.
11. When all AGS* (starting from AGS1) have their unique ID,
launch AGS0 too.
12. Open DAW and create a new project.
13. Create one or more Midi or Audio track
14. Load AG plugins, at least one for each AGS*
15. Open all AG plugins UI.
16. Click Net icon to see “Reload”, “Buffer Size” and “Servers”.
17. Go to Servers and click Add
18. Type 127.0.0.1 in the frst AG plugin (connects to AGS0)
19. Type 127.0.0.1:1 in the second AG plugin (connects to AGS1)
20. Type 127.0.0.1:2 in the third AG plugin (connects to AGS2)
21. If you have more servers, I guess you have understood how it
works.
22. Start adding Windows VSTs.

Now all servers are ready with their own unique IDs.
For new projects it's not necessary to connect all servers and
plugins at once, do it when required.
06. Run 32 bits Windows VST plugins

. Install and confgure jBridge for Windows inside CG bottle.

07. Solving Common Issues

01. AudioGridder Server freezes forever


Server restarts while playback could freeze AG server.
Solution: force quit its wine64-preload, simulate windows reboot
for the bottle containing the frozen server.

02. Windows installer can't create a folder and installation fails


Solution: Assign alias folders to Wine Confguration > Desktop
Integration.

03.Windows VST UI goes behind the DAW's UI


Solution: Turn on Keep plugin windows always on top in server
settings.

04.Server is stuck on plugins scan and freezes


A) You are using CrossOver 23 and you turned on DXVK 12
Solution: Use CrossOver 22, 23 gives you no advantage,
unless you are a gamer. Rename one to use both.

B) VST3 version of a plugin was installed.


Solution: Quit All Applications from the CrossOver side panel.
(Crossover Force Quit may be required).
Open C: Drive from the CrossOver side panel, go to
Program Files/Common Files/VST3 to remove VST3 plugin.
Restart AG server and the problem should be gone.

05. Windows VST UI is black when using CrossOver 23

Solution: Use CrossOver 20 to 22 depending on your OS version.


Crossover 23 gives you no real advantage, unless you are a gamer.
Rename one to use both.
06. Error: AudioGridder failed to bind to the server port 55056!

A) Server was quit and restarted but some process is still running.
Solution: Click No on the error splash screen. Use CrossOver
sidebar to
Quit All Applications (CrossOver Force quit may be required).

B) Multiple servers have been launched without assigning them a


unique ID.
Solution: Go to chapter 5.

07. Server icon is not responsive and doesn't close

Solution: Log Out from your MacOS account as it will terminate


any wine process.
Killing processes manually from Activity Monitor could also work,
but it's time consuming and sometimes not effective.

08. Server menu fickering

Solution: fast move down the mouse after clicking AG server icon.

09. CrossGridder bottle doesn't work

It seems to depend on the disk format used for your OS.


CrossOver opens but any Windows app installed will not run and
the CrossOver control panel is not accessible.
Before saying that CrossGridder is not working at all, create a
Windows 10 64 bits bottle, install an exe that is known to work
and check if it runs.
Solution: If this is the case convert or format your disk to APFS.

10. Audio Unit doesn't work in Ableton Live

Solution: Use AudioGridder VST version.

11. Install Windows VSTs which lack of an installer

Solution: Open C: Drive and create the following path:


Program Files/Steinberg/VSTPlugins then copy VSTs in it.
08. Credits

. AudioGridder by Andreas Pohl/e47. This project would not have


been possible without his genius and efforts.
. Codeweavers for CrossOver. It's required to run CrossGridder.
. J's stuff for creating jBridge. This guy is great, I had amazing
conversations with him. I hope we could meet someday!
. Me, myself and I for the countless hours spent on this project.
. You, for trying CrossGridder...

Guide revision: 1.5


September, 23rd 2023

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