Thoroughly testing the UI Descriptor

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 90 views

Introduction

In this article, we will delve into the issue of a VST3Editor crashing when created in a DAW. The problem arises when attempting to create a new instance of the VST3Editor, resulting in a hard crash of the DAW. We will analyze the provided code snippet and log output to identify the root cause of the issue.

Understanding the Code

The provided code snippet is an excerpt from the SidechainController class, which is responsible for creating a VST3Editor instance. The createView method is called when the DAW requests a view of a specific type. In this case, the method checks if the requested view type is kEditor, and if so, creates a new instance of the VST3Editor.

Steinberg::IPlugView *PLUGIN_API SidechainController::createView(const char *_name)
{
    // ...
    if (name == Steinberg::Vst::ViewType::kEditor)
    {
        logger.info("SidechainController::createView: Creating VST3Editor");
        auto *editor = new VST3Editor(this, "Editor", "SidechainEditor.uidesc");
        logger.info("SidechainController::createView: Editor created");
        return editor;
    }
    // ...
}

Analyzing the Log Output

The log output provides valuable information about the crash. We can see that the plugin processor is successfully loaded, and the parameter count is reported correctly. However, the log output suddenly switches to an exception message, indicating that an unhandled exception occurred.

2025-03-12T16:01:10.915143: info: VST3: Going to create: Premiere Sidechain
2025-03-12T16:01:10.956071: info: VST3: plugin processor successfully loaded: Novabox 'Premiere Sidechain' v1.0.0.1 (cid: {3A882BE2-0000-1894-0000-4AF7B3A5479C})
2025-03-12T16:01:10.965301: info: VST3: parameter count is 5
2025-03-12T16:01:10.965624: info: VST3: Created: Premiere Sidechain
2025-03-12T16:01:11.174753: info: Exception: Windows Exception
2025-03-12T16:01:11.174774: info: Exception: Fatal Error: Unhandled exception

Possible Causes

Based on the provided code and log output, we can identify several possible causes for the crash:

Invalid UI Descriptor: The .uidesc file might be invalid or not properly formatted, causing the VST3Editor to crash.
Resource Loading Issues: The VST3Editor might be unable to load the required resources, such as images or fonts, resulting in a crash.
Memory Allocation Errors: The new operator might be failing to allocate memory for the VST3Editor instance, leading to a crash.
Plugin Processor Issues: The plugin processor might be experiencing issues, such as invalid parameter values or incorrect plugin state, causing the VST3Editor to crash.

Troubleshooting Steps

To troubleshoot the issue, we can follow these steps:

Verify the UI Descriptor: Ensure that the .uidesc file is valid and properly formatted.
Check Resource Loading: Verify that the VST3Editor is able to load the required resources.
Monitor Memory Allocation: Use a memory debugging tool to identify any memory allocation errors.
Inspect Plugin Processor: Investigate the plugin processor for any issues, such as invalid parameter values or incorrect plugin state.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the VST3Editor crashing issue is likely caused by one of the possible causes identified above. By following the troubleshooting steps, we can identify and resolve the root cause of the issue. The provided code snippet and log output serve as a starting point for further investigation and debugging.

Recommendations

To prevent similar issues in the future, we recommend:

Thoroughly testing the UI Descriptor: Verify that the .uidesc file is valid and properly formatted.
Implementing robust resource loading: Ensure that the VST3Editor is able to load the required resources.
Using memory debugging tools: Utilize memory debugging tools to identify any memory allocation errors.
Regularly inspecting the plugin processor: Investigate the plugin processor for any issues, such as invalid parameter values or incorrect plugin state.

Q: What is the VST3Editor crashing issue?

A: The VST3Editor crashing issue is a problem where the VST3Editor instance crashes when created in a DAW, resulting in a hard crash of the DAW.

Q: What are the possible causes of the VST3Editor crashing issue?

A: The possible causes of the VST3Editor crashing issue include:

Invalid UI Descriptor: The .uidesc file might be invalid or not properly formatted, causing the VST3Editor to crash.
Resource Loading Issues: The VST3Editor might be unable to load the required resources, such as images or fonts, resulting in a crash.
Memory Allocation Errors: The new operator might be failing to allocate memory for the VST3Editor instance, leading to a crash.
Plugin Processor Issues: The plugin processor might be experiencing issues, such as invalid parameter values or incorrect plugin state, causing the VST3Editor to crash.

Q: How can I troubleshoot the VST3Editor crashing issue?

A: To troubleshoot the VST3Editor crashing issue, you can follow these steps:

Verify the UI Descriptor: Ensure that the .uidesc file is valid and properly formatted.
Check Resource Loading: Verify that the VST3Editor is able to load the required resources.
Monitor Memory Allocation: Use a memory debugging tool to identify any memory allocation errors.
Inspect Plugin Processor: Investigate the plugin processor for any issues, such as invalid parameter values or incorrect plugin state.

Q: What are some best practices to prevent the VST3Editor crashing issue?

A: To prevent the VST3Editor crashing issue, you can follow these best practices:

Thoroughly test the UI Descriptor: Verify that the .uidesc file is valid and properly formatted.
Implement robust resource loading: Ensure that the VST3Editor is able to load the required resources.
Use memory debugging tools: Utilize memory debugging tools to identify any memory allocation errors.
Regularly inspect the plugin processor: Investigate the plugin processor for any issues, such as invalid parameter values or incorrect plugin state.

Q: Can I use a specific tool to debug the VST3Editor crashing issue?

A: Yes, you can use a specific tool to debug the VST3Editor crashing issue. Some popular tools for debugging VST plugins include:

Visual Studio Debugger: A built-in debugger in Visual Studio that allows you to step through your code and identify issues.
Memory Debugging Tools: Tools such as Valgrind or AddressSanitizer that can help you identify memory allocation errors.
Plugin Debugging Tools: Tools such as the VST Plugin Debugger or the Steinberg VST Plugin Debugger that can help you debug VST plugins.

Q: How can I report the VST3Editor crashing issue to the plugin developer?

A: To report the VST3Editor crashing issue to the plugin developer, you can follow these steps:

Provide detailed error messages: Include any error messages or log output that you receive when the plugin crashes.
Describe the steps to reproduce the issue: Provide a step-by-step guide on how to reproduce the issue.
Include any relevant code or configuration files: Share any relevant code or configuration files that may be related to the issue.
Contact the plugin developer: Reach out to the plugin developer and provide them with the information you have collected.

By following these steps and best practices, you can help identify and resolve the VST3Editor crashing issue.