Calling all DAW and VST specialists

[Andrew Milner]

Hey guys.

So during the last 3 weeks or so I got into recording again and I started doing it the right way, so to speak.

I've been using Reaper and I got the hang of it pretty quick. I mean, I know how to create a sound for a midi track and I know how to record my guitar with it sounding pretty good for now.

However, there are some things that elude me. And a student posting about the Native Instruments freebies reminded me of this.

My question is simple: how in the name of rock music can I use the sounds provided in these bundles inside Reaper? There seem to be a bunch of programs that I have to install and I do believe I have installed them when installing the Native Instruments bundle. However, I also downloaded something from Impact Soundworks (a free bass version of their paid one) and they say that in order to use it, I need something called Kontact...not Kontact Player, as they say.

However, when I open the Kontact app I have, it shows that it is the Kontact Player, yet I was able to download said bundles.

If any and all of this is confusing, it's because I am as well. So, to sum it up, my confusions are as follows:
- how do I use non-DLL VST plugins inside Reaper?
- WTH are all those programs installed as part of the Native Instruments free bundle?
- bonus: I have a VST acoustic guitar (Ample Guitar II M Lite or something like that)...is there any way I can plug my guitar in Reaper and record something using that VST instrument? I know how to apply it to a midi track, I was wondering if I can record an actual instrument and "apply" that sound to it, similar to MIDI

Here's hoping I didn't confuse you too much,
Andrei

 

[Dominik Gräber]

Captain @Ed Seith sharing his infinite knowledge in
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[Filip Tomiša]

Kontakt is a sampler that let's you use sample based instruments in your daw. So it's basically a player in which you load your sound libraries and you use them as VSTs. There are two versions of Kontakt. There is Kontakt and there is Kontakt Player. Kontakt Player is just a free version of Kontakt and it has a bunch of limitations. You can read about that here: https://www.native-instruments.com/...takt-6-player/kontakt-6-player-vs.-kontakt-6/

The free bass from Impact Soundworks requires a full version of Kontakt so you can't use it with Kontakt Player.

In order to use those free libraries from Native Instruments first you need to install Native Access. When you install that you run it and then you log in and you will see all the products that you own there. Then you have to install Komplete Kontrol and the instruments that you want to use. This video explains how to do that:
Usually when you download a plugin or a vst from a big company you will also have to download their installer in order to install the plugin. After you install it you have to scan your plugins in your daw so that the daw can recognize it.

You can't control Ample Guitar vst with your actual guitar. You can either draw the midi notes and use Ample guitar to play them or you need to get a guitar simulator and use it for effects for your real guitar.

 

[Lindsey]

I'm glad you're asking this. I don't understand Kontact either. I use GuitarRig in reaper and a midibass plugin that's where it ends.

 

[Ed Seith]

I have thus far avoided Kontact, and I have to admit, I'm glad. But using ANY VST in Reaper involves going to the track strip you're recording, tapping the FX button and adding the effect/VST to the track. If you have VSTs you know you installed, but you can't find, you may need to add their installed path to Reaper in Options -> Preferences -> Plug-ins -> VST.

VSTi - instruments, will only work with MIDI. Generally, MIDI plugins are incompatible with real audio tracks, at least in my experience. Filip may know of exceptions I'm not aware of.

 

[Andrew Milner]

Yeah, @Ed Seith I understand your feeling towards Kontakt. I managed to work around this so far. I was looking for a good bass tone, but Ample Bass Lite with a bass amp seems to be good...until I can find resources for a real bass guitar :lol:.

@Filip Tomiša thank you for the detailed response. So I guess I still have to figure out a way to get an acoustic tone.

 

[Ed Seith]

If you mean a MIDI bass instrument, I just bought "Bass Fingers" from Waves, but haven't tried it yet.
If you mean a bass tone for a real instrument, I have really loved the Studio Devil virtual bass amp.

Studio Devil - Downloads

 

[Andrew Milner]

If you mean a MIDI bass instrument, I just bought "Bass Fingers" from Waves, but haven't tried it yet.
If you mean a bass tone for a real instrument, I have really loved the Studio Devil virtual bass amp.

Studio Devil - Downloads

Huh, I don't have a real bass yet, but Imma remember that recommendation.

I'm currently using Ample Bass Lite and it's quite good enough. Found a bass amp VST that gives it a nicer sound too (3rd bass from Fretted Synth to be exact).