Cubase Sample Library Errors: How to Fix OneDrive/Cloud Sync Issues

Case Study

🛑 Cubase Errors After Installing Sample Libraries in OneDrive

The Client’s Challenge

I worked with a client recently who ran into trouble with his third-party sample libraries inside Cubase. He was using three large libraries—two from Spitfire Audio and one from Best Service—for his sound work. The problem started after he had activated Microsoft OneDrive to transfer some general files between his computers.

When he opened Cubase again, he started getting error messages. His third-party plugins could not locate the sample data they needed to load the sounds. This is a common and highly frustrating issue that brings a production session to a sudden halt.

Session Setup

The client was using Cubase and had reached out to me because the problem only started after his file management system had changed. I connected to his computer remotely, a standard procedure for Audio Support, using secure screen-sharing tools. This allowed me to look at his internal drives, his DAW preferences, and the Native Instruments setup to diagnose the problem quickly.

Diagnosis

It did not take long to find the root cause. The client had been running his entire suite of large sample libraries from the OneDrive folder on his computer.

OneDrive and other cloud storage services are not designed to host large, rapidly-accessed files like sample libraries. They constantly move files on and off your local drive in an automated background process to save space. When Cubase or Kontakt attempts to read hundreds or thousands of small files from a library, the cloud service either throttles the connection or, worse, moves the required files off the local drive, leading to an immediate “file not found” error. This is almost certain to result in hard-to-diagnose errors and failed session loads.

The Fix

The solution was clear and methodical: we needed to relocate the libraries to a high-speed local drive that was designed for audio streaming.

First, we identified an internal SSD with plenty of space available. We then moved all three large third-party sample libraries—the two from Spitfire Audio and the one from Best Service—off the OneDrive folder and onto the internal SSD. This step physically secured the files in a location where they could be accessed instantly.

Next, I used the relocate feature inside Native Instruments’ Native Access application. Since Native Access manages the installation and location of many popular third-party tools, including Kontakt (which runs Best Service and many Spitfire libraries), this feature allowed us to quickly point the software to the new, stable locations. Once the new paths were registered, the libraries loaded perfectly in Cubase.

Additional Support

The relocation had an important side benefit. Removing the three large sample libraries freed up approximately 130 GB of storage space from his OneDrive account.

This instantly stopped the frequent “OneDrive Full” messages he had been receiving. He can now use his cloud storage as it was intended—for syncing documents and photos across multiple machines—while relying on the internal SSD drive to run his large third-party content in Cubase. Both systems are now working as designed.

Reflection

This case is a perfect illustration of how a simple file management change, like activating cloud syncing, can have a major, cascading effect on a complex audio system. The issue was not with Cubase or the plugins themselves, but with the misalignment of software purpose. Sample libraries require dedicated, high-speed, local storage. Cloud folders cannot handle this requirement reliably.

I always recommend that large, performance-critical assets like sample libraries, video files, or audio recordings be kept on a separate, dedicated internal or external SSD, completely bypassing all cloud sync folders. This ensures you maintain control over data access speed and availability.

Closing Thoughts

I help musicians and producers worldwide solve problems like this every day. If you’re struggling with Cubase or third-party sample library errors, I’ll help you find the real cause and get you back to creating.

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