So I'm brand new here and maybe I'm making a dumb beginner's mistake but it's driving me crazy. I've downloaded a few plug-ins (Massive, Vogue MK2, stuff like that) and can't seem to get any of them working in Live. I download the file and use unRar to extract it. After that I would expect to just have the plug-in ready for me to use it, but after extracting I just get a bunch of weird files with extensions like .nfo .diz and nothing is showing up in the VSTs/Plug-in section of Live.
Hopefully this is a dumb, simple mistake because I really can't figure out what's going on here. If somebody could walk me through how to download something and then use it in Ableton that would be really great. thanks

 

@ zomb42,

Welcome then !

Well, after extracting the content of the downloaded .rar archive(s), I can guess that these 'famous' weird files you're talking looks more or less as follows :

*Massive* is just taken as an example !

Massive.r00
Massive.r01
Massive.r02
Massive.r03
Massive.r04
...
Massive.rar

As you can notice, all their suffixes end by 'r' and a number. As you can also see, the last one, in place to simply ending by a 'r' and 'a number', ends by .rar. It's in fact the starter that you must to launch first (double-click on it) for that all the others decompress all together as a result. When this is done, you'll end normally with the Setup Installer of your Plug-Ins and generally others files as Presets (in case it includes some), Info text, Manuals,... It's from this last folder containing all these 'extracted' stuff that really start your 'Installation Process'...
About the .nfo file, it's also an important file - not as important as the Setup Installer, of course ! - as it contains all the infos related to the Team that has released the version and very often 'Installation Instructions', but also when needed the 'Serial Number' if applicable, so it's always very important and wise to look at it in detail. *yes*

So, as told, first always read carefully the provided .nfo. In most of the cases, it exactly explains you the 'step-by-step' process of the installation and in some cases, even the exact location where must to be placed the different files as the diverse Plug-Ins formats, Cracks, Presets,...

This is just an introduction because I don't know exactly if you already has 'mastered' these first steps. Don't hesitate to write again along your article when you face new troubles with another step(s) in the 'Installation Process' of your Plug-Ins and Programs.
As long that I can perhaps help you, you're welcome, and certainly others members can even explain you more 'in-depth' tips and tricks...

 

.nfo has to be opened with text software like Word on Win or TextEdit on Mac

Haha you say you can't open VST to use in Live, me I know how to open VST but I can't use Live

I'm the happiest guy on earth since I found Logic !

 

Maybe you need to enable/configure VSTs in Live options/prefs

Maybe Live supports VSTs but not VSTis (instruments)

 

No, I think he just don't know what to do with the extracted files ! He didn't find the installer yet, or the .vst file (If he's on Mac)

That's what Studio 555 explained how to unrar what he downloaded, and then use it

 

Wow thanks for the quick responses, that's a lot of stuff I didn't know. You were totally right about Massive, except when I run it in Ableton it's asking me to either buy it, use it as a 30 minute demo, or enter an activation code. Whatever, that's a totally different problem.

Anyways, I'm trying to get the Vogue MK2 synth working but that's not going so well. I opened up the original Rar file and got a folder with two zip files. When I opened those up, the first one had vogue_mk2_v1.8.6.part1.rar in it and the other had vogue_mk2_v1.8.6.part2.rar. When I try to open part1.rar I get an error saying it cannot find the volume and part2.rar says I need to start extraction from a previous volume. None of that makes sense to me.

 

If I understand you correctly and they are each in their own zip file, first you need to extract them into the same folder. You need to make sure that "vogue_mk2_v1.8.6.part1" and "vogue_mk2_v1.8.6.part2.rar" are in the same exact folder, then try extracting part 1 again. Whenever you are trying to extract an archive split into several parts, you always have to make sure that all parts are in the same folder. If you are still having problems then something may be wrong with the parts. Perhaps the download was interrupted before it finished completely.

 

@ Zomb42,

If you get this message, is simply because you're using a DEMO Version of Massive. If you can communicate me which Version you're using, maybe I can provide you a mean of authorize it, then to be able to run it as Fully authorized version... When you launch Massive, within its Main Interface View, you'll find on each top corner, either MASSIVE (on the left) or NI (on the right) Logos.
Just click on one of these 2 Logos and you'll get a small centered square that indicates you which Version you're using (e.g. v1.3.0). When you got the exact Version Number used, just indicate it in your next comment, then we will see how to solve this if applicable...

As you told in your first comment that you're usually using 'UnRar' to uncompress your .rar archives, this program must to have an option to 'test' the archived files. It's always a wise choice to use it when you encounter some 'unusual' troubles to uncompress .rar archives. This test can point out, for example, that some of your archives are 'corrupted', then in this case, this could avoid you to maybe 'spend' hours in trying to uncompress 'bad' files.
Then by simply trying to download once again all the parts needed, you can maybe solve this problem (could be a download problem --> momentary interruption of the download process,... ). By cons, if the archives are 'corrupted' at their source (e.g. the 'original' uploader has provided 'corrupted' archives), then in this case... no way ! You must then try to find another upload source. *yes*

 

"damn nfo viewer" for reading nfo files
winrar for rar
7zip for those 001 002 003 shite

for .bin .cue files
=its a IMAGE of the disk
bin =big binary file
cue =small CD or DVD cue file
USE "ULTRA ISO premium" for this



ALWAYS read the nfo file

3 types of pirate things

1 just instal
2 keygen - generates a software key for the program - lost of virus checkers query keygens falsely (just get form a good source to be sure)
3 patcher - changes some files to authorise the program

sometimes things have keygen and patcher



ALWAYS read the nfo file

DAMN-NFO-Viewer
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Office-tools/Text-editors/DAMN-NFO-Viewer.shtml

 

First of all, my version of Massive is a demo of version 1.3.0. I got it here and it seems like other people are having some problems too.
Second, flyingsleeves's tip about putting both files in the same folder then opening them worked perfectly, so thanks! I'll try that out with some of the other ones I've been having trouble with.
There's a ton of stuff I didn't know about before I got into all this and you guys are really helpful, thanks again.

 

incorrect about the demo
it looks like the crack didn't work on mac that's all

MAC=problems
Buying a MAC will actually hinder your progress when writing music

ASSIGN don't crack any more because of MAC pleaseeeese emails

if you cant work out the learning curve for piracy, just buy the stuff you like bro

 

May I recommend Jdownloader or other download management software.

It will put every new file that you download in the appropriate place and extract them automatically.

Make it easier.

I'm just sayin' Install this and it will organize your files for you.

http://jdownloader.org/

PS Welcome aboard, I'm open for any audio questions. I taught in a popular Recording School for over a decade.

 

Wow haha I wish somebody told me that earlier before I almost went crazy trying to fix it. I might actually buy massive at some point, I really did like the demo.

Thanks Burninstar, I'm taking a look at jdownloader now

*Also- Since it's hard to find a lot of working cracks for Mac on this site is there another source that you guys would recommend? I just ran into a bad link on here for Sylenth as well as massive. Is this mostly a PC-oriented site or is it just hard to get free stuff for Mac in general?