Posts Tagged ‘setup’
Installing a VST without the aid of an executable file is easily enough done, if you know how.
If you’ve ever downloaded a file in zip or rar fromat or as a *dll file and not know what to do then this guide is for you.
I’m taking the presumption that you do not know what a zip or rar file is just for the benefit of those that don’t.
This little guide should ring true for most DAWs, In this case I know it works for Sonar, Reaper and Cubase.
For each VST instrument or effect that you install Sonar and Reaper require that you scan afterwards to find knew plugins. Cubase I’m not sure about.
[----Tools----]
Winrar is a small software program that allows you to uncompreess files, most VSTs come in *.zip or *. rar format winrar can open both types of file and it’s very easy to use. Download it here.
[----Where----]
Once you’ve installed winrar you’re next job is to locate your VST folder, if you’ve installed Cubase then it’s almost definitely C:\Program Files\Steinberg\Vstplugins
Go to my computer, click on C: drive and navigate to that folder and see if it’s there, if not then see if there’s a VST Plugins folder in C:\Program Files.
These are the two standard places to look.
[Tip: If you have two hard drives or partitions it's an idea to create a folder here and add it to your DAWs vst folder list.]
[----Install VST----]
Hopefully you have a VST plugin instrument or effect that you’ve recently downloaded from the internet.
This file if downloaded as a zip or rar file should now be opened with winrar.
Step 1: Winrar: Select file to extract,
Winrar: Click Extract to Button,
Destination path: If you know your destination folder then you can type that here, example;
C:\Program Files\Steinberg\Vstplugins,
If you’re not sure then use the navigation window to locate your plugins folder,
Click ok,
You should now have a nice new VST plugin extracted to your VST folder.
Fire up Sonar, Sonar will automatically scan your vst folder for you.
Reaper should do the same.
[Fini]
If you’re not sure how to use VSTs then the following articles may be of some help,
Midi and Vst Instrument Setup(sonar)
How to add Vst Instrument(sonar)
Setting Up A Drum VSTi Reaper
Install VST – Reaper
Reaper – VST fx setup – Insert
Organize Reaper VST folders
Related Reading:
Pay attention to the ‘Input’ on a limiter.
The ‘Input’ works a little like the ‘Threshold’ on a normal compressor.
The more ‘Input’ the more the compression effect will be applied to your track.
The second setting you want to look at is the ‘Ratio’.
The ‘Ratio’ setting controls the amount of gain reduction that will be applied.
Typical ‘Ratio’ settings for limiting are 10:1 or 20:1 – this is hard liming.
Brick wall limiting has a very high ratio and a very fast attack time ratio usually 20:1 and higher.
Be aware brick wall limiting can sound harsh – too much compression can suck the dynamics out of a peice of music.
The other setting to bear in mind is the ‘Attack’ setting.
A fast attack allows the compression to apply quicker – the release settings have less importance but experimenting with these two settings van create very musical results.
That is key – keep it musical – if you’re not sure to start with start with a ‘Fast Attack’ and ‘Auto Release’.
Presets are ok as starting points – try a few and see how they sound.
It’s about testing and listening – messing about with settings and hearing how they work on your track is the best advice I can give.
Check out these free vst limiters
Related Reading:
If you are trying to use Audacity or Wavosaur to create Mp3s you will need the file below,
It’s a simple task really, if you have both software programs installed unzip the above file into Wavosaurs folder:
C:\program files\wavosaur
If you only have Wavosaur then do as above
If you only have Audacity installed then unzip to:
C:\program files\audacity
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Install MP3 for Wavosaur.
If you try and export from wav to mp3 using Wavosaur a message will appear,
Unable to export to mp3. Make sure the lame encoder is installed.
As stated above unzip the lame_enc.dll into the Wavaosaur folder on your PC/Laptop, see above for possible location.
Restart Wavosaur and try it again, you will now be able to export to MP3 and Bob will be your uncle, Bob’s nice – he don’t take advantage like Tom, Dick or Harry.
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Install MP3 for Audacity.
Slightly different but the same outcome.
Unzip the above file into Audacity folder or if you have Wavosaur extract there instead as above.
Now start Audacity, open a file and try to export to MP3.
A pop up will appear stating that Audacity does not export mp3 files directly yada yada yada.
At the bottom of this box it asks, ‘Would you like to locate the lame_enc.dll?’
Press ‘Yes’ and navigate to where you extracted you lame_enc.dll.
Once located click ‘ok’ and Bob is once again your mothers brother or indeed brother in law or if you’re from Blackburn, both.
Have fun.
Related Reading:
For this tutorial you’ll need to download – wollo beat a free VSTi drum machine…
You’ll need to install the VSTi in your VST folder. Here is a tutorial-how to install VST
Related Reading:
Adding fx to audio track in reaper…