HELPER PLUGIN NOT FOUND - need help resolving

Matchbox
#1

Hello!

Recently I’ve come across an error message prompting me that Matchbox was unable to establish communication with the helper plugin. After de-selecting and then re-selecting the security checkbox in system settings, I still cannot seem to get matchbox to connect with Pro Tools.

Any advice would be very appreciated!

Thank you,

Jack

#2

OK, there are a number of possible causes, but the one we have just discovered is the following:

Check in System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> Privacy -> Files & Folders
Make sure Pro Tools has all the boxes checked.

Or reach out to us on the support email address and I can get you a beta of Matchbox 1.5.16 which dodges this issue completely.

#3

Thank you!

#4

Hi i have the same issue and i try to check all the boxes you said, its still not fix. Do you know any other solution ?

#5

There are a number of reasons why this might happen. Try the following and if it’s still a problem, reach out on the support@ address.

  1. turn off iCloud Documents folder.
  2. delete all the System Prefs->Security entries for Matchbox and reopen.
  3. Do the same for Pro Tools. (it needs access to all Files and Folders)
  4. turn off any custom keyboard shortcuts you have set in Pro Tools
  5. try English keyboard layout
  6. Make sure the Helper plugin is open and set to “Use in Playlist”
  7. make sure Pro Tools is set to use the single-key shortcuts (a…z button near top right)
  8. disable any macro apps that might be stealing keystrokes
  9. Try with/without the “Pro Tools Scripting” option in Matchbox prefs.
#6

Same here.
Im running PT 2004.6.0 and MB V1.6. On Mac Studio M1 max

I tried all the above steps and they did not work.
I did change the Default Menu Shortcut Assignments to Follow Keyboard Layout and that got me past the Helper Plugin Not found.
Now I get a range Err. I’m stuck there even after working through all this Range Err - Trying again

Any Ideas?

Thanks

Bonus: If I change the Default menu shortcut assignments back to Lock to us layout I get the Helper Plugin not found again. Then I need to change it back to Follow Keyboard layout and restart PT and MB to get it past the Helper error again.

#7

Really sounds like some issue with the expected keystrokes not doing the expected things in PT.
Are you on a non-english keyboard layout?
Have you definitely got no macro app running (keyboard maestro or webflow)?
Have you definitely switched off any custom keyboard mapping/shortcuts in Pro Tools itself?

Range Err tells me MB isn’t able to enter the timecode in/out fields or isn’t able to enter the values.
It could also mean you’re running too fast for Pro Tools to keep up - but this would be an occasionally error, not every time.

#8

yes, English Keyboard layout
No macro apps running, Streamdeck, Kensingtonworks, Logitech all off processes stopped and unplugged
no custom keyboard mapping

It seems it isn’t able to enter the timecode or values. When I click around while its trying to do something it creates a memory location and enters values like /00:02:47:21 and /00:02:47:21

This is my first time using it so I’m probably doing something wrong.

#9

Yeah, don’t mess with it while it’s reconforming.
It is literally using keystrokes to enter the timecode fields (slash/) and then entering timecode values, then sending copy/paste commands.

So even holding the CMD modifier while it’s running could cause trouble

And can you do those things manually to prove the keystrokes are not broken somehow?

#10

What commands are used to move clips with timecode. Some of the defaults are not checked for Focus control.

#11

all sorts.
Just switch PT back to defaults.