I recently downloaded the free version of Komplete Players. Sonar scanned it fine, but I have three instances of the Kontakt 5 plug in and two instances of Reaktor 5 showing up when I go Insert > SoftSynth. I also have four instances of Reaktor when I go Insert Audio FX. 
 
In the relevant VST folder I see I have Kontakt dll's: 
8out.dll, 16out.dll and just .dll.
 
I have five Reaktor dll's, namely 16out, FX, FX2x8, FX16x16, and Surround. 
 
Which of these do I actually need? Within Sonar, all the instances are named identically, so there seems no point to having multiples of them. 
 
Thanks - I hope I have made myself understood! 

If you select them in the plug-in browser, you will see which is which down at the bottom. You may not need them all. It depends on the number of outputs you have available.

The different modules are because they each have differing numbers of outputs.  You can save a little memory by loading a 8-output version if you are only going to use a few of the outputs for multiple instruments in a single instance of Kontakt.
 
Bob Bone
 

When using a single Kontakt instrument with a single stereo out, I use the 8-out version. If I have more than 4 stereo instruments loaded in one instance of Kontakt, I use the 16-out or 64-out (the plain .DLL) as needed, routing each instrument to its own audio track.
 
I would leave them all in place, just in case. But for a default, use the 8-out (requires fewer resources).
 
For example, let's say I'm working with VOTOX XS, where every effect is a separate .NKI file (instrument) and I'm layering sounds driven by a single MIDI source, I might need more than the 8-out.

It's easy to set "friendly" names for your VST
Utilities -> Cakewalk Plugin Manager -> VST instruments
Youl'll see all 3 kontakt plugins (1/8/16 out, filename helps to recognize them)
Double click on any plugin opens "Set plugin friendly name" window

Thanks all - great information. I will leave all on the system, use the appropriate version and try to "friendly" name thing! 
 
Cheers.

Marshall
Thanks all - great information. I will leave all on the system, use the appropriate version and try to "friendly" name thing! 
 
Cheers.

Raising a pint of 90 schilling ale in your honor!
 

TheMaartian

Marshall
Thanks all - great information. I will leave all on the system, use the appropriate version and try to "friendly" name thing! 
 
Cheers.

Raising a pint of 90 schilling ale in your honor!

Pml, that's made my night! (Although actually I'm an English person abroad, but hey! Trivial details...)
 

Marshall

TheMaartian

Marshall
Thanks all - great information. I will leave all on the system, use the appropriate version and try to "friendly" name thing! 
 
Cheers.

Raising a pint of 90 schilling ale in your honor!
 

Pml, that's made my night! (Although actually I'm an English person abroad, but hey! Trivial details...)

Your version of Brexit!