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That's where it belongs.

In case I wasn't clear, VST3 plug-ins belong in the VST3 folder. The VST3 folder does NOT belong in the VST scan paths. IKM Amplitube 5 is both VST2 and VST3. You can use either one that you prefer. The installer should provided both versions. The VST2 would have been placed in the location that you specified when prompted during the install. Melodyne 5 is a VST3 only (VST2 discontinued).

Best to wipe the hard drive and start with a clean install of Win 7. Then run LatencyMon. Next install only your audio drivers and a DAW. Try to use only your on-board graphics if possible. See if the audio runs cleaner that way. Then try adding your GPU. Audio still clean? Then add one thing at a time until your system is whole again. Or until you get rice crispies again. In that case, run LatencyMon again. You probably have a driver causing your audio issues.

Developers have to draw the line somewhere. But I think it is fair that only the current OS gets vendor support. Once an OS hits end-of-life, devs typically cannot get any more software support for that from Microsoft. On your own at that point! Each publisher has their own criteria for that. Some are very flexible in that regard, but there is a cost to them for being nice. Bless their hearts! I have always been on a budget as far as technology goes, and build my own PCs. I try to stretch things out as far as I can, but there finally comes a breaking point. Sooner or later you have to upgrade. Or stand still, but if you do that, I wouldn't bother trying to run the latest software (or going online).

I assume so. The main issues are: Drivers - the same drivers won't work forever as new versions of Windows are rolled out. I had to replace my M-Audio interface that was manufactured pre-acquisition by inMusic in 2012. The new owner never again updated the drivers for legacy M-Audio hardware. The old Win7 drivers sort of worked on Win10, but I got occasional blue screens. Now a paper weight. Microsoft libraries - Per Noel, CbB will eventually stop working on Win7, as newer versions of CbB roll out with dependencies on newer Windows 10 features. Testing - I doubt any developer will ever test for backward compatibility with systems that old. Or take a trouble ticket. YMMV.

Does it sound better than the Amplitube SVX-VR version (in the SVX2 collection)?

With all due respect, when attempting to run current software (ex: CbB) on 12 year old hardware it's probably an unrealistic expectation for it to run trouble free. If you wish to do that, you probably need to "freeze" your entire studio and stick to software and drivers that were written for that era, including the OS.

I haven't found a complete replacement for Waves plug-ins yet. Please keep us posted...

There is an option in VST Settings preferences under VST3 migration to hide VST if the VST 3 version is present. But you should be seeing both versions in the FX browser if that is unchecked.

Can you insert the Amplitube FX on an instrument track now?

Adding the VST3 folder to scan paths is entirely unnecessary, and could cause issues. DAWs are generally hard coded to scan that path by default, as it is a standard for VST3 now.

Those VST issues are usually easy to work out. What VST scan folders are you using? If you are sure that the VST is installed, you should find a VST and VST3 file in your folders with these file names: "AmpliTube 5.dll" (This VST 2 file should be found in your assigned VST path). "AmpliTube 5.vst3" (VST3 files are always installed in the folder "C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3" by default, and this path does not need to be added to Cakewalk). If you can locate these files, then your install was successful and you need to refresh Cakewalk by doing a reset to the plug-ins in Cakewalk from Edit > Preferences > VST Settings. What do you mean by not showing up in the FX bin? Are the plug-ins available in the Cakewalk Audio FX browser? You need to insert (drag and drop) one of them from the browser into the FX Bin of your instrument track to create an instance of the plug-in for your project.

I think it's a great deal. I have Amplitube 4 Max and Amplitude 5 CS. My gear from AT 4 imported just fine into the free Amplitube 5 CS. The new UI is a nice improvement!

I always delete the config file at install when prompted, and never have any issues.

I tried the free version, and with an FX instance inserted on each instrument, was able to effectively place them anywhere on the stage. I'd say it's a keeper!

@ZincTFixed in latest release!

@msmcleodFixed in latest release!

KV331 Audio has released a bug fix update for SynthMaster 2.9.9. Many fixes here. The 2 bad patches previously mentioned here have been fixed. The download is posted in your user area. https://www.synthmaster.com/userarea.aspx

I've disable background scans in Cakewalk. Studio One and Ableton Live don't seem to take long to scan. They seem to be a bit more selective with what gets scanned at every startup.

IK Multimedia has a free version of Amplitube 5 CS, including a solid state bass pre-amp, and a 1 x 15 bass vintage cabinet. https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/amplitube5cs/?p=gear It comes with 39 pieces of gear:

That's an interesting idea! But not for me yet, as Akai VIP only scans and loads VST2. ? And I had some VST3 that I previously had to block in Cakewalk, and revert to their VST2 version: Waves H-Reverb, Ample Metal Ray, Analog Lab 4, iZotope Iris 2, Rapture Session, u-he Tyrell N6, Z3TA+2. Don't remember all of the issues, but mostly UI bugs, and a few crashes. But haven't retested them in ages, and especially not with the latest version of Cakewalk.

In my experience, lots of programs come up with a single red flag at VirusTotal. I always give them a pass if the other 60 or so scanners show it clean. A red flag from multiple AVs, or one of the major AV companies might cause me to question it. This most likely false positive could happen with any antivirus engine with faulty or overly aggressive heuristics. I check every program I download with VirusTotal before executing it. My firewall also sends a file hash to VirusTotal the first time any program tries to access the net. For example here the "Arturia Software Center Agent" is showing 1/71 at VirusTotal and "c:\windows\system32\sihclient.exe" is showing 1/69.

Toontrack confirmed that you can still add EZD Lite to your account, download, and install it. If you can acquire a serial, which Toontrack does not sell any longer. But I am not sure why anyone would want to buy such an outdated program?

No. Just insert any FX, for example TH3, Amplitube, or Guitar Rig, etc., into the instrument track FX bin. The FX will be added to the audio output of the instrument.