• Registered: 2024-07-16
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Topic: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

System: MacBook Pro M1 Max
OS: macOS 14.5 (23F79)
Device: RME Fireface UCX II
Firmware: v106
Driver: v.4.10
TotalMix: 1.95

TotalMix FX refuses to overwrite existing workspaces.

Empty workspaces and new files indeed are saved, but when trying to overwrite the file TM won't overwrite it. I've updated write permissions to all in ~/Library/Application Support/RME TotalMix FX/ , but to no avail.

Furthermore the name of the initially saved workspace won't save either after restarting TM. Instead it will show up as "Q-Workspace 1". Which seems like a default when no name is specified.

  • waedi
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

What you can try :
MacOS / system preferences / privacy & security / full disk access (Festplattenvollzugriff) : Add Totalmix to this list and enable it.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

I had already tried this in the past and it didn't work. I just doubled checked now, but the issue persists. It is able to write the initial save, so it would be strange if that would fix it.

The initial save will create a file called "preset1.tmws" in ~/Library/Application Support/RME TotalMix FX/ , but any subsequent saves to that same workspace aren't captured. Also the initial name of the workspace, in my case "main", isn't saved either and instead is reverted to "Q-Workspace 1" after restarting TM.

I did a 'grep "main" preset1.tmws' and the word "main" is indeed not being saved. The rest of initial parameters changes (submixes, layout changes, etc) are saved though.

I've had this problem since late last year, but thought maybe I was doing something wrong. Finally had some time to investigate it, but have had no luck.

  • From: Germany, Tuvalu, Poland, Chile
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

Full disk access is not needed (!).

In general, i recommend only enable this for apps you really know they need it and why the need it.

~/Library/Application Support/RME TotalMix FX/

The directory "~/Library/Application Support/RME TotalMix FX" should have: drwxr-xr-x
The files inside "~/Library/Application Support/RME TotalMix FX/*" should have: -rw-r--r--

Make sure "Store Settings for all users is not checked in TM.
Otherwise TM stores all the stuff in "/Library/Application Support/RME TotalMix FX" this dir should have: drwxrwxr-x
The files inside "/Library/Application Support/RME TotalMix FX/*" should have: -rw-r--r--


I did a 'grep "main" preset1.tmws' and the word "main" is indeed not being saved.

presetX.tmws store the parameters ot its workspace, not the name of Quick Workspace.
rme.totalmix.preferences.xml is what you are looking for. It maps the given names to the corresponding presetX.tmws

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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

drwxr-xr-x  .
drwxrwxr-x@  ..
-rw-r--r--@ last.FirefaceUCXII24162910.xml
-rw-r--r--@   preset1.tmws
-rw-r--r--@   rme.totalmix.default.xml
-rw-r--r--@  rme.totalmix.preferences.xml
-rw-r--r--@   rme.totalmix.presets.xml

When I delete the entire folder, only the settings that are set when the folder and its files are re-created, are saved. E.g. I delete the "RME TotalMix FX"  folder, then open TM and edit the setting for "Always init dsp devices...". From here the "RME TotalMix FX" is recreated correctly with the initial settings set. Any subsequent changes to preferences aren't captured though. Since workspace uses the the preferences to store workspace names, it now makes sense why the workspace names are being converted to "Q-Workspace 1", because there's no entry for it in the preference file. What I'm getting at here is that TM is only able to create folders and files, but not overwrite them.

  • From: Germany, Tuvalu, Poland, Chile
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

Any subsequent changes to preferences aren't captured though.

What do you exactly do? Any errors? Or sth?

What I'm getting at here is that TM is only able to create folders and files, but not overwrite them.

How are you getting to this?

---

Anyhow, in terminal enter this:

ls -ntrG ~/Library/Application\ Support/RME\ TotalMix\ FX

(files are sorted by modification date)

in another terminal do this (you should see your "main" as value in entry PresetName0):

cat ~/Library/Application\ Support/RME\ TotalMix\ FX/rme.totalmix.preferences.xml | grep PresetName

In TM Mute some Channels. Open Workspace Quick Select and save current again as no1 (main). do this again:

ls -ntrG ~/Library/Application\ Support/RME\ TotalMix\ FX

You should see that preset1.tmws should have a different size and be the latest modificated file.
But all others did not change (yet).

Now, in TM, just move a fader f.ex. and then just open preferences - do not alter something in it - just click ok.
That ist the Moment TM should write all relevant *.xml files from its "cache".

You should know that TM 195 does not store all the xml files immediately.
Either a setting has to be altered or if you quit the App normally. While - of course - the Quick workspaces are saved to file immediately as you hit the Save current... button in WS Quick select dialog, enter the name and hit ok.


So, if you could decribe precisely which step does not work for you, that would help to understand.

“Do It For Her”
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7 Reply by tomas3torres (edited by tomas3torres 2024-07-17 23:56:42)

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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

What I'm getting at here is that TM is only able to create folders and files, but not overwrite them.

I'm getting to that by already doing everything you described. There's no errors.  When I change and save preferences in TM,  rme.totalmix.preferences.xml is left unmodified.  I'm constantly running "cat" and "ls -la" (to look at last modified timestamp)  commands to verify.

One file that is always modified but with no content is "rme.totalmix.default.xml"

Will TM throw some sort of log message to system if it's unable to write? If so where can I look at this?

I appreciate the help so far.

  • waedi
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

what I would try : Create a guest user account in MacOS, use this for a test.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

what I would try : Create a guest user account in MacOS, use this for a test.

That didn't work.

10 Reply by maggie33 (edited by maggie33 2024-07-18 02:58:35)

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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

One file that is always modified but with no content is "rme.totalmix.default.xml"
Will TM throw some sort of log message to system if it's unable to write? If so where can I look at this?

We'll see... But it  would more guessing from my side atm as i am still not 100% sure how it looks on your folder. So, Please show the unmodified output of exactly this command:

ls -ntrG ~/Library/Application\ Support/RME\ TotalMix\ FX/

It des not expose more than you already did... (uid 501 is the default user gid 20 is the default staff group on macs)

in my case it looks like this:

-rw-r--r--@ 1 501  20  1002919 17 Jul 22:37 preset1.tmws
-rw-r--r--@ 1 501  20  1003086 17 Jul 22:41 preset2.tmws
-rw-r--r--@ 1 501  20  1003622 17 Jul 22:59 preset3.tmws
-rw-r--r--@ 1 501  20  1004037 17 Jul 23:02 preset4.tmws
-rw-r--r--@ 1 501  20    16525 18 Jul 03:21 rme.totalmix.presets.xml
-rw-r--r--@ 1 501  20     6172 18 Jul 03:21 rme.totalmix.default.xml
-rw-r--r--@ 1 501  20   404268 18 Jul 03:21 last.Fireface80212345678.xml
-rw-r--r--@ 1 501  20   405108 18 Jul 03:21 last.Fireface80212345679.xml
-rw-r--r--@ 1 501  20   178729 18 Jul 03:21 last.Fireface80080080080.xml
-rw-r--r--@ 1 501  20     7485 18 Jul 03:21 rme.totalmix.preferences.xml
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

total 1176
-rw-r--r--@ 1 504  20   16525 Jul 17 07:30 rme.totalmix.presets.xml
-rw-r--r--@ 1 504  20  274818 Jul 17 07:30 last.FirefaceUCXII24162910.xml
-rw-r--r--@ 1 504  20    7337 Jul 17 07:30 rme.totalmix.preferences.xml
-rw-r--r--@ 1 504  20  291792 Jul 17 18:14 preset1.tmws
-rw-r--r--@ 1 504  20       0 Jul 17 21:48 rme.totalmix.default.xml
  • From: Germany, Tuvalu, Poland, Chile
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

Ok thanks. I see…

Just to be clear…

uid=504 in your case. That means there are 4 Users created on your mac. And your actual user id is 504? You can verify your uid by:

id -u

If the result is 504, good.

If not, we should check why/or fixing owner maybe on a lower level…

Asking, because i had Situations where people deleted/recreated their users etc… an we had to fix some uid create masks on directories on a lower level …

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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

I'm indeed user 504. I'm on a company issued computer. I do have admin rights though....

14 Reply by MC

  • MC
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

Contact your company. This Mac might have rights access limitations (security policy) that limits external apps in writing files to disk.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • From: Germany, Tuvalu, Poland, Chile
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

I'm on a company issued computer.


Would save a lot of time, if you would mention this in your first post smile

I bet you have some schg or uchg flags set!

Show the output of these two dirs:

ls -lOtrGn /Library/Application\ Support/RME\ TotalMix\ FX/

and

ls -lOtrGn ~/Library/Application\ Support/RME\ TotalMix\ FX/
“Do It For Her”
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

i think, there are system or user immutable flags set somewhere, MC - yes - it is definitely not an RME or TM related issue.

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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

ls -lOtrGn ~/Library/Application\ Support/RME\ TotalMix\ FX/

-rw-r--r--@ 1 504  20  -  16525 Jul 17 07:30 rme.totalmix.presets.xml
-rw-r--r--@ 1 504  20  - 274818 Jul 17 07:30 last.FirefaceUCXII24162910.xml
-rw-r--r--@ 1 504  20  -   7337 Jul 17 07:30 rme.totalmix.preferences.xml
-rw-r--r--@ 1 504  20  - 291792 Jul 17 18:14 preset1.tmws
-rw-r--r--@ 1 504  20  -   4271 Jul 18 09:17 rme.totalmix.default.xml

ls -lOtrGn /Library/Application\ Support/RME\ TotalMix\ FX/

I don't have the root level directory ^

It's still strange that TM is able to create the initial preference file, and any new preset files, if this was truly a permissions issue.

18 Reply by maggie33 (edited by maggie33 2024-07-18 17:50:38)

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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

I don't have the root level directory ^

Because you never enabled "store settings for all users" in TM. But thats another point. Just to check...

Anyhow, seems you changed sth, as your rme.totalmix.default.xml has now a size of 4271 bytes. Yesterday it was 0 bytes...
So: TM is able to change files on your Mac.

ps: there are also possibilities to restrict modifications on files (mostly for admins, etc). see:

man chflags

psps: see chapter 25.7.1 Store for Current or All Users in your manual

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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

Totally separate app, but I also have DigiCheck NG installed, it's able to create and overwrite files just fine.

  • From: Germany, Tuvalu, Poland, Chile
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

Did you overlook this? "as your rme.totalmix.default.xml has now a size of 4271 bytes."

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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

Did you overlook this? "as your rme.totalmix.default.xml has now a size of 4271 bytes."

That was understood. I guess it just proves TM is able to overwrite.  The preference and preset files on the other hand still don't update as expected.

  • From: Germany, Tuvalu, Poland, Chile
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

Sorry, with all respect - but what do you expect now?
There is more behind then a "just proves" and "still don't update as expected". Only you can give the information what the reason was it didn't work yesterday.

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23 Reply by tomas3torres (edited by tomas3torres 2024-07-18 23:25:42)

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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

Sorry for the misunderstanding. My last statement was meant to prove that this can't be a permissions issue, since TM was able to write to rme.totalmix.default.xml.  The issue with writing to rme.totalmix.preferences.xml and any presetX.tmws files still persist though. TM won't save any of my changes.

At this point I'm all out of options. I wish I could just debug this myself and inspect the code for TM.

I'm gonna try doing another re-install. Is there any files I should purge to make sure the install is as clean as possible?

  • From: Germany, Tuvalu, Poland, Chile
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

Maybe its worth to try the fresh published 1.96beta4. It has some enhancements regarding the storing of settings.
See here:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=39809


At this point I'm all out of options

I would not say that...

I wish I could just debug this myself and inspect the code for TM.

You already can:
- Console.app, lsof comand... etc... or your Company Admin
- And as you indirectly request for TM Code - you seem to be Xcode savvy. I wonder you did not find the Instruments App inside Xcode till now...


I'm gonna try doing another re-install. Is there any files I should purge to make sure the install is as clean as possible?

Depends what you mean with "another re-install".
- If you mean a fresh macOS System: No
- If you mean a re-install of Totalmix/Drivers: See in your manual/Readme. The listed locations of files/folders are listed there.

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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

No luck with re installs.

I was able to use Console.app though

This is the error coming through

CLIENT ERROR: TUINSRemoteViewController does not override -<private> and thus cannot react to catastrophic errors beyond logging them
  • From: Germany, Tuvalu, Poland, Chile
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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

Your console error seems like copy/paste of anything from anywhere...

Not answered just ONE of my questions. Or what you did.

Sorry, i am out here...

Best would be, you ask your administrator.

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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

I give up.

My work around in the meanwhile is to delete old presetsX files manually before saving new ones.

Hope this is somehow fixed in a future update.

28 Reply by MC

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Re: TotalMix won't overwrite existing workspaces

We cannot fix something that is not reproducible and works for anyone else...

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website