long time VST connect user here. after a thourough setup process a few years ago, i used to use connect SE in cubase 7 and for these few years (and countless records), i used this same template over and over, with very little trouble. maybe the occasional dropout depending on the connection of the performer, but overall a very workable solution.
now with all the OSX updates and performer client updates and also myself having moved on several cubase versions, this is no longer an option. so now im using cubase 9 and connect PRO. i figured, lets get rid of the silly connection code numbers and do it via account, and enjoy the flexibility and auto setup of the much better integration in cubase 9. also, the current day performer clients wouldnt connect to my old template anymore, so i was basically forced to this.
unfortunately, i ran into a few problems, which i really need to fix because VST connect has become such a cruical part of the workflow with several of my clients (who all love me and steinberg for this amazing tool):
1. most importantly: after some troubleshooting, i have it at the point where i can launch my template, find my client in my friend list, were connected, sync LEDS and all run fine, latency and delay is all good, it basically works perfectly. but after around 2,5 minutes, on MY side the connection drops. connect then says "server not responding" and then "make sure you are connected to the internet". yet, of course, i am. any other internet related things still work.
2. if i could simply reconnect, it would be tolerable, but once this has happened, i have to shut down and restart cubase completely for that to happen. otherwise i will just get 20 seconds of a busy mouse cursor and the "server not responding" dialog shows up again.
3. when restarting cubase and reloading the template project, it works again. but not for long. repeat.
obviously, "i cant work like this"

finally, the lesser problem is this: other than with my old connect SE setup, the monitoring of the singers mic is only on the left side. for the life of me, i cant figure out how to change that. any tips?