This has probably been gone over, but I can't find a discussion in search.

Background info:

1. A couple of weeks ago I installed an AISIO driver (AISIO4all). I knew going in it would limit playback to BIAB and/or RealBand if one or the other was open.

2. Sometime later, I discovered I could not longer play midi files with my default media player (VLC). I could hunt up the error it gives me, but that's not my main issue unless it's related to what is.

3. I can load a midi file to BIAB and it will play "solo" in one of the slots.

I cannot seem to load, however, a midi file to either RB or Reaper. I'll stick with Reaper for the rest of this.

The tracks get created, though some of them read "empty". That's fine...some of them are empty. I say the tracks get created, but no midi data appears on any of the timelines. So no playback--not even stock GM sounds. I am certain there is data in the midis, though I'm not sure how it's arranged.

I can't even get to the next step (apparently) of sending the midi to the Kontakt library. I'm stuck in the water.

Does any of this sound familiar?

Tangmo,

On the track that has the midi file loaded in reaper you need to load a VSTi (virtual instrument) to play the file. You do that by adding it as an effect on that particular track.

That’s the way I do it here anyway. There are plenty of midi gurus on the forum that might have a better approach, I only use midi for piano (midi Supertracks).

Thanks, Dave. I now see midi data on the timelines. What I don't see under VSTi is anything "kontakt". I chose one of three "synths" I have listed under VSTi and got sound, but it's not much of a sound...sounds no better than GM stock, and not even the right "instrument"--just doo-doodly-doo.

See http://www.kennymania.com/reaper-videos/#latest-videos Multichannel Routing of MIDI Tracks the same video on Youtube https://m.youtube.com/watch?ebc=ANyPxKogMau7x6b7pm8pd4fhYg0Qd25Utky6ikMKLlPyKvukz4oC3evcfiSIjemjyT6UymgFakWuYqVow5g0BEz9NxZALgk51Q&v=8CzL_7NPysk
About how to get Kontakt set up in Reaper.
Kenny Gioia goes right through it.

Tony

Thanks, Teunis. You think that will help my doo-doodly-doo error? :-) Will watch tonight.

Not sure what doo-doodle-doo is but mai phen rai. If you click the FX option on the track in Reaper add Kontakt then select the instrument you require and point the track to the correct place as per the Kenny Gioia video you should be fine,

I only use Kontakt for one instrument (the Ladies) so for me it is simple. Also I tend to do MIDI stuff in Sonar then freeze the tracks and export the audio to use in Reaper. I know it’s extra work but I am more used to the tools for MIDI in Sonar so I find it quicker.

Tony

You jai dee. I am ting tong, and verging on jai rawn. ;-)

I've done that, but do not see any instruments under VSTi. At least not folders full like it shows in the video, and in my own computer folders. I see plenty of other plug-ins with that Kontakt (cooca, cocco, or whatever designation that were installed with Kontakt) in other folders, but only three or four "instruments" under the entire VSTi folder opened in Reaper.

For some reason, Reaper doesn't appear to be reading them on start-up. That's the Kontakt Factory Selections freebie.

When you click on a track's "FX and then select "Add FX", make sure that "All plugins" is selected and then type KON in the filter (at the bottom of the FX add-in window). That will quickly show if Reaper sees Kontakt as available on your system.

• a co-write with J&B: Deciduous Love (with a twist of Tin Pan Alley)

Noel, I don't see an "all plug-ins" selector, but when I click fx on the track, I get multiple folders. There are plenty of FX folders and plugins showing or reachable. Some from Reaper, some from Magix, some from other small FX, some from PG, probably, plus groups I've downloaded separately from links supplied here. And others.

Going to VSTi, there are only three listed, and no subfolders. The only instruments under VSTi are "cockos" which were installed with Reaper.

Typing KON into the search filter does nothing that I can see, though it may be filtering within folders. However, looking over other FX, I also don't see any with a Kontakt name.

Reaper and Kontakt may be sitting on separate drives. Would that be an issue? Also, this is the trial version, though it was advertised as fully functional. Does that make a difference?

Trial version is not the issue, it is definitely fully functional.

Being on separate drives could well be the problem. When reaper starts up it scans a set list of directories looking for plugins, if kontakt is not within the list of directories being scanned, it’s not going to be found.

I’m not on my music computer at the moment so I can’t tell you exactly, but there is a setting in reaper where it shows you what directories are being scanned, and also allows you to add a new directory.

Where do you have the Kontakt VST. You need to make sure the VST directory is added in Reaper. I cannot get at my Reaper for the moment I have Thai visitors sleeping in my music room. Go to your preferences in Reaper, then under Plugins - VST add the path to the area where you have Kontakt.

In REAPER, press [Ctrl] + P (Windows) / [Cmd] + [,] (Mac) to access Preferences.

Go to Plug-ins > VST.

Under “VST Plugin Path,” make sure that the path is listed (if not, add it):

For example Windows: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST

Click on Clear Cache/Re-Scan.

See https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CByHPXk3Flw

Hope you get it
Tony

I believe I'm moving (with your help) towards a solution, but not there yet. You guys would either laugh or cry at how many folders have been created over two drives (not counting the BIAB hard-drive) with all these recent installations.

The guy in the video added one .dll. Am I looking for the folder containing Kontakt .dll's? Or am I looking for the folder that contains the Kontakt main .exe? Or for the folder that contains Kontakt Factory Selections?

Confidence is building.

You will need to find where the Kontakt installation put your Kontakt 5 dlls. In my case they are under Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins. In your case I suggest you go to your program files directory and search for Kontakt. Then note where the Kontakt 5.dll lives and add that directory to Reaper as per the earlier messages.

Tony

The image below shows how I find Kontakt.

I always install to default locations. I learnt from experience that, with plugins, this is often the easiest because these default locations are where programs look.

My default path for Kontakt is...

c:\Program Files(86)\Steinberg\VstPlugins

^^^ This ^^^

It turns out I don't have Kontakt 5 or the .dll on my computer. After multiple tries and even a replacement for the Downloader (Native Access), it fails to appear in the "dowload now" list.

Complicating things, I took a hard fall onto my backside sunday night and am in quite a bit of pain. This is delaying my training (the reason I am here in the first place) and thus, my return home. I'm sick of it.

I see links on the internet to the Kontakt .dll, but I'm leery of downloading it from another source. So I think I will probably clear off all NI products, folders, and files and call it a day. PO'd is an understatement.

You might have caught NI between versions of Kontakt.

I just looked up the program and the free player for Kontakt 6 is now being offered, not 5.

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/samplers/kontakt-6-player/free-download/


Noel

• a co-write with J&B: Deciduous Love (with a twist of Tin Pan Alley)

Noel, that appears to be the case, and since I can't find anything about 6 being compatible for use within a DAW, I've junked all the files and folders.

Thanks all for your help. This episode is over.

Hi, I installed Kontakt 6. I could not find the .DLLs in the usual spot. There was the Kontakt 6 stand alone EXE on my Desktop but no DLLs. Normally in my case Native Instruments VSTs are under C:\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins (note in my case) but they were not there. They were not in any of my other usual places. I looked and found the DLLs under C:\Program Files\Native Instruments\VSTPlugins 64 bit . Added the path to Reaper and also Sonar and Kontakt 6 is now available in both DAWs.

As has been said some products don’t always install where you might think. In the past and all my other Native Instruments VSTs are under Cakewalk.

Why not simply move the DLLs I hear you ask. Looking at comments in Native Instrument sites moving the DLLs might create issues with updates. Once you have the correct paths to the DLLs set in the DAW it will find them.

Just a thought and showing the need to look.

Tony

I looked, looked, and looked. For whatever reason they weren't there. I'll try again when I don't want to so bad, and follow all the steps previously listed. What will be will be.

I'm also watching Will's "midi" thread just in case something actually works.

If you used Native Access, you should first set your preferences (it's easy to miss). Check out this link for information to do that. It includes setting default VST locations, including 32- and 64-bit.

Thanks John, I’ll make this change if only for consistency.

Tony

Thanks much, John. I did use Native Access. That should be helpful. I've got a fairly small SSD as my C drive with the OS and some other programs sitting on it, and don't really want to add an extra GB to it. Despite "highly recommending", I'm going to want to install to my other internal drive, but I'll watch the videos first.

Open Native Access, click the person icon in the top, right part of the screen and then click on the PREFERENCES selection. The bottom of the PREFERENCES screen lists the VST file locations Kontakt uses for both 32 and 64 bit files.

For anybody wondering.

I think Noel was right earlier. My first download was in the crack between Kontakt 5 and 6, and the links at the site weren't yet changed. It probably lasted all of a day, but that was the fml day I chose to download.

Anyway. Downloaded again and NOW IT WORKS. Kontakt, here I come. Look out world!