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New to soundflow and getting frustrated big time

By Jan Kuhn @Jan_Kuhn
    2024-12-05 16:20:26.144Z2024-12-05 18:36:22.910Z

    Hey everyone,
    I recently bought two Stream Decks and got into Soundflow Pro (ProTools) and a few days later
    I'm just exhausted and frustrated.
    It seems like everything I do (Macro or script) doesn't work. Everything fails at one point. Even the macros that do somehow work, will show me a "failed" notification.
    Even the packages I installed are all not working.
    Scripts and macros I program sometimes work for the first 1-2 actions but then with a super simple task: they fail.

    One Example:
    I'm trying to write a macro that opens my System Settings, then go to VPN and click on the "activate VPN" button.
    So I do the macro:

    1. Launch Application (Path: System Settings)
    2. Click Menu Item (Application: System Settings; Menu Path: View-> VPN)
    3. Click UI Element (Pick: I click on the UI element)

    And, even when I put in stuff like "Wait for UI Element" or "wait for app to become active"
    it only opens the system settings but then selects "Appearance" and stops.

    It feels like no matter what I do it gets confused on action #2 or #3. Same with scripts. Also with installed packages like "Insert Plugin any plugin..." it does all kinds of weird stuff as you can see here:
    https://youtu.be/KofMsV7BQFA

    Same problem goes for packages like "Insert & Send Cycle /Toggle / Bypass" "Stereo to mono"...

    Im so exhausted of hunting down errors and not understanding these issues that I'm now thinking there might be something wrong in general here. Maybe its the stream decks (MK2 and Plus although the "run Macro" in SF also doesn't do the trick), maybe its my OSX, maybe it's the M3 chip...I don't know, but I really want this to work because it's such a helpful tool.

    This is what I'm working with:
    Apple MacBook M3
    OSX Sonoma 14.1
    Pro Tools 2024.10.1
    Stream Deck MK2
    Stream Deck+

    Has anyone had the same or similar issues? I'm just struggling to be optimistic writing more complex scripts when even the super simple ones aren't working.
    Another Example:

    // Get Frontmost App
    const frontmostApp = sf.ui.frontmostApp;
    
    // Open Text Edit
    sf.app.launch({ path: "TextEdit" });
    
    // Wait for TextEdit
    sf.ui.app("com.apple.TextEdit").elementWaitFor();
    
    // Create New TextEdit Document
    sf.ui.app("com.apple.TextEdit").menuClick({
        menuPath: ["File", "New"],
    });
    
    // Hide TextEdit
    sf.ui.app("com.apple.TextEdit").menuClick({
        menuPath: ["TextEdit", "Hide TextEdit"],
    });
    
    // Activate previous app
    frontmostApp.appActivate();
    

    This should open a Text Edit dcocument and when I click again it should just minimize it again. Written by Kitch...doesn't work. Doesn't even open the new document, just opens TextEdit.

    Please send help.
    Thank you so much!

    • 6 replies
    1. S
      SoundFlow Bot @soundflowbot
        2024-12-05 16:20:27.470Z

        Thanks for contacting SoundFlow support.

        Please note, that the best way to get help with a script, macro or other content installed from the Store or content that you've made yourself, is to select the script/macro, then click the red Need help button, and then click "Get help with this script or macro".
        By using this method, we will get access to more information and so should be able to help you quicker.
        You can read more about how this works here: bit.ly/sfscripthelp

        If you're seeing an error that isn't related to scripts or macros, and you think this is a bug in SoundFlow, please file a Help/Issue bug report.
        You can see how to do this by going to bit.ly/sfhelpissue

        1. In reply toJan_Kuhn:

          Hi Jan,

          CC'ing @Chad from our team to help you troubleshoot. Please note that you'll likely need to insert some macro instructions to wait for the windows you intend to be open before you execute the next action.

          These two videos show you some examples of how to achieve this:

          1. JJan Kuhn @Jan_Kuhn
              2024-12-05 19:00:35.134Z

              Thank you Christian.

              I've just tried to recreate the "CHAIR" video and it the macro stops when it should type in Chair.
              I've tripple checked and it's the exact same macro. :/ Super weird.

              1. Chad Wahlbrink @Chad2024-12-05 19:21:14.790Z

                Hi @Jan_Kuhn,

                I'm sorry to hear that you're having a technical issue with SoundFlow.

                I believe this is related to an issue with SoundFlow running on macOS Sonoma 14.1.

                I think that may solve the issue if you are willing to try updating to the latest version of macOS Sonoma (14.7.1). In our System Requirements, we recommend having macOS 14.4+ installed for Sonoma users:
                https://soundflow.org/docs/getting-started/install-soundflow/system-requirements#macos

                I know updating macOS can feel scary for audio professionals. You do not have to update to Sequoia yet, but updating your current macOS's latest version is usually safe and helps your Mac stay up-to-date and secure (from security updates).

                To upgrade to the latest version of Sonoma, go to System Settings > Software Update and > "Other Updates":

                1. Chad Wahlbrink @Chad2024-12-05 19:32:25.100Z

                  I'm trying to write a macro that opens my System Settings, then go to VPN and click on the "activate VPN" button.

                  @Jan_Kuhn, please also note that using SoundFlow with a VPN is typically unsupported. If you're using SoundFlow behind a VPN or corporate firewall, you can use our SoundFlow Cloud Proxy product to route all SF traffic through a pinhole in the firewall, providing a secure way to use SoundFlow in a restricted environment.

                  SoundFlow may still work with your specific VPN, but it is not guaranteed.
                  https://soundflow.org/docs/getting-started/install-soundflow/system-requirements#online

                  If you are troubleshooting, it's best to turn off all VPN or Firewall settings to ensure SoundFlow can operate as expected.

                2. In reply toJan_Kuhn:

                  Are you by any chance using Pro Tools with German language?