getting started - acquiring freeware sounds 

Hey, out there, Still in the early stages of getting started. Yesterday I downloaded Native Instruments Freeware Komplete 8, which consits of (1) Kontakt 5 player and sounds; (2) Guitar Rig 5 player and sounds, and (3) Reaktor 5 player and sounds. Also got updates, and of course registering. Now I have 3 NI icons on desktop, plus 3 NI setup icons on desktop. I began to open all 3 of these setup icons, but just recorded the choices and canceled out, because there are questions here I can't answer. Maybe someone out there can. All 3 of the setup icons give three choices: (a) basic installation, which is an automatic install, no matter whatever else you choose, then (b) VST plugin (steinberg) (c) RTAS plugin (Digidesign/Avid, Protools). For (b) and (c) it says "Install this if your sequencer supports this format." In addition, the Guitar Rig 5 has a second group of choices that I don't know how to choose: (1) install Guitar Rig Kontrol 3 driver; (2) install session I/O driver; (3) install Guitar Rig Mobile I/O driver. I have the RPR manual, and I've been reading it. And I haven't found anything directing me to an answer to these questions. I've been at this since early August. "At this" means trying to just get a sound out of my rig - Roland A800 Pro, Tascam US-144mkII, ASUS ul50VT running Win 7 64 bit. Maybe some year soon I'll get to actually hear something coming out of this gear. The biggest experiment in delayed gratification I have ever experienced. Thanks for your help. unca d

If you're using Reaper on a PC, VST is your option. You don't have to accept the default location which is normally C:\Steinberg\VST or something like that. You can make a folder called VST anywhere you like and point the installation towards it (and point Reaper to it when you start it up of course - that's 'Options - Preferences - Plugins - VST' and navigate to your folder). Guitar Rig Kontrol is a foot pedal (or switch) board so if you don't have one you don't need the driver. Guitar Rig Mobile uses its own audio interface, so if you don't have one you don't need the driver. I don't know what the Session I/O driver is even though I've installed Guitar Rig player myself. I probably just let that one install, a driver is not normally very big IMO and it doesn't seem to have caused any problems. It's possibly needed if you use Guitar Rig as a standalone rather than as a VST within Reaper. Additionally, you don't have to clog up your sytem drive by installing to the default C:\Program Files for NI stuff either. I installed them all on a seperate drive (i.e. G:\Program Files). For a bit of quick (if basic) instant gratification, why not go to 'Insert - Virtual instrument on new track - Instruments - VSTi ReaSynth (Cockos). It's a basic synth but at least you will be making some noise and you'll have learned how to insert instruments on a track. Kontakt will work in the same way once you get it installed. I'm still a bit of a noob at this but I hope that helps.

Tweezer provided a great response, which I will attempt to simplify (I'm still a noob, though) :P 1. Make a folder on your computer for VST. For example, I made a folder called 'VST Plugins' which I install all '.dll' plugins to. Install your desired plugins to your chosen VST plugins folder. 2. On Reaper, go to Options > Preferences > Plug-Ins > VST. On this preferences tab you will find the option to direct Reaper to a specific plugins folder. Direct Reaper to your 'VST Plugins' folder. 3. You're pretty much all set. Next time you add an instrument or an effect, it should show up. I hope this works for you :) If not, let me know. Shane