Plug-in not plugging in (RAR file w/winxp 32 bit) [SOLVED]

[Black Dog Bluez]

Hi (I'm windows xp/audacity 2.0.5/.exe installed)- I'm exploring plugins and beyond the one's that come with Audacity I have sucessfully implimented one so far, "stats.ny," I believe that is it's title. Well now, trying a new one and it is NOT working so far. The new one is from the Audacity Plugins link, it's title is "redskull_v22.rar" - it's a "RAR" file. Are there only certain extensions/files that will work with Audacity?

The page I found it on, http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/Re ... istortion/ , states it's a VST plugin - by Auraplug.. "Volume I - Red Skull Distortion Version:2.2
Windows 32/64-bit VST"

ALSO: I think my computer is 32 bit (x86) as opposed to 64 bit (x?). Anyway does "Windows 32/64-bit" mean for a 64 bit computer only? ..If so, that may be the problem. Answers/input appreciated. - Thanks, Ron

[DVDdoug]

RAR is a compression format similar to ZIP. RAR is popular with Linux users. Try double-clicking it to see if you can un-pack it. If you can't open it, you can find free applications to do it. I have a free application called 7-Zip that can de-compress several formats, and I assume it can de-compress RAR.

Anyway does "Windows 32/64-bit" mean for a 64 bit computer only?

It should work with either one. The RAR file may contain two different versions. Hopefully, the RAR also has a help or ReadMe file. I think Audacity is a 32-bit application, and the plug-in needs to match the application even if you are running 64-bit Windows.

It can be hit-or-miss with VST plugins, if the VST supplier doesn't tell you which VST hosts it works with. Audacity doesn't support VSTi (VST instruments) and I don't know if it supports VST3.

[Black Dog Bluez]

Not sure which program to open it with. Notepad opens it into a vast document of mumbo jumbo. I don't have Audacity on this computer, if that is the program that would open it? Not wanting to really upload a program to open it.. I will try opening with Audacity when I get back on my computer as opposed to just putting it in the plug-in folder.

And will try other plug-ins in hopes of finding one more user friendly. I guess avoiding RAR's.. More responses appreciated, thanks DVDdoug

[DVDdoug]

Not sure which program to open it with...

I will try opening with Audacity...

Audacity won't open it.* If you had a program on your computer that can open it, double-clicking it should have worked.

Try 7-Zip. Or WinZip can open it, but WinZip isn't free (but I believe there is a free trial period). Or, Gizmo's (AKA TechSupportAlert.com) has a list of FREE programs that can decompress ZIP & RAR files.

Have you ever opened a ZIP file? ZIP & RAR are compressed container formats that can contain one or more files in any format. You generally need a utility to open & decompress (or "un-zip") the file, although I think Windows 7 can directly open ZIP files.



P.S.
I opened (extracted) the files with 7-Zip. The RAR contains a short TXT file, a 32-bit folder, and a 64-bit folder. Each folder has one DLL file which should be the plug-in. ( I didn't try installing the plug-in.)






* Audacity can open some compressed audio formats, and with the optional FFMPEG library it can open MOST compressed audio formats. But, RAR is NOT an audio format.

[Gale Andrews]

I think Audacity is a 32-bit application

On Windows and Mac, yes.

the plug-in needs to match the application even if you are running 64-bit Windows.

Yes. Audacity on Windows will only see the 32-bit version of the plug-ins.

I don't know if it supports VST3.

Audacity does not support VST3.

@Black Dog Bluez: Please be careful with Windows XP. Microsoft are no longer officially supporting it, so it will be unpatched against any new security vulnerabilities that appear.

Make sure you have XP Service Pack 3. You can still download Service Pack 3 from Microsoft if necessary: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389/en-gb .

Ensure you have a good third-party anti-virus application. Be aware though that this will not give you complete protection against a previously unknown attack.

For some extra protection you can install http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/jj653751 .

If it is not practicable for you to update to the much more secure Windows 7 or Windows 8, you can consider installing a Linux operating system instead. Most versions are free and all are very secure.


Gale

[Black Dog Bluez]

Thanks everyone -- great info. I will try again ASAP with a 32 bit plug-in

I found an online site that opened the RAR and will try in Audacity ASAP. The site is free: http://b1.org/online#

Yesterday I loaded another plug-in by the title of "Dirthead0.80.dll" (Product name: Dirthead VST Tubeamp Simulation)to the Audacity plug-in folder, link:

http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/Dirthead/

I rescanned and nothing. I seen no info declaring this one 32 bit or 64 bit, so hope it was 64 and the reason it did not work. Is there a way to determine if a plug-in is 32 or 64 bit if unlabeled?

[Trebor]

The page I found it on, http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/Re ... istortion/ , states it's a VST plugin - by Auraplug.. "Volume I - Red Skull Distortion Version:2.2
Windows 32/64-bit VST"

Once unpacked the RAR file [ using PeaZip ] I put the folder with all its contents (the 32 and 64 bit versions of the dlls) into Audacity's plugin's folder. Once scanned it appears as "Auraplug :Redskull ..." in Audacity's Effects menu ...

Aura_Plug redskull distortion VST working in Audacity on Windows (Vista).gif (62.51 KiB) Viewed 1612 times

[ Steve's distortion plugin offers more variety, see ... http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 42&t=77702 ]

[Gale Andrews]

I found an online site that opened the RAR and will try in Audacity ASAP. The site is free: http://b1.org/online#

It may be simpler than installing their application but what they say about "no-one else can see your files" is doubtful. The site isn't HTTPS secure. And think of the bandwidth cost of extracting files that way if you did it often.


Gale

[Black Dog Bluez]

Thanks all again -- SUCESS!! It worked. Really fun plug-in (RedSkull..). May try others,.. getting one with a proper "dll extention/for 32 bit" seemed to be the solution.