I've just installed Kontat 8 Portable (vkDanilov). It was a 1GB download, but doesn't appear to include any virtual instruments. Is that to be expected? Is this only useful to someone who already has a library of virtual instruments?

 

Yes.

(There are many quality freebies available (that often require the full version of Kontakt))

 

It is just a sampler. It does not include any library, you need to download them separately. There are plenty of them on the sister site or the Russian tracker.

 

Here ya go! You are now addicted to crack! Have fun! :-D

https://blog.native-instruments.com/best-free-kontakt-instruments/

 

Many thanks for that. I'm just feeling my way around here...
Do I need to install Kontakt Manager to make downloaded instruments available to Kontakt 8, or can I add them directly from tne Kontakt 8 UI?

 

Welcome! Good question. Just going from memory :

No. You can load Kontakt instruments the old-fashioned way by opening them in the Kontakt browser.

The second way, If I 'remember' correctly, go to the vkDanilov portable folder and open the library tool (can't remember what it's called), point the tool to where all of your Kontakt instruments are copied to (keep the instruments in there own sub-folders, of course) and let it scan all of them --> also, if the library happens to include a *.nicht file, then it will show up on the left hand side of the GUI for quick access w/ it's own cool picture.

If the library must be installed by *.exe file, then maybe run the library tool again.

I never care if my libraries show up on the left. If they do, then cool, but I have no problem browsing for them the old-fashioned way.

I've always used Kontakt cave-man style. Other more refined users will chime in and give you information overload soon. Have a good time with this s*it! and, "you're gonna need a bigger hard drive!"