Downloading and installing are two separate actions, which are both required in order to use Spectrasonics Instruments on your computer. Both actions work together so that you can use your Spectrasonics instruments on your system.

Downloading

“Downloading” occurs whenever you are using the internet to receive files from Spectrasonics. 

For example, download happens whenever you use the Download Manager, the Smart Update, download installers for the USB drive, or when downloading individual updates from your user account. 

Essentially, whenever you’re receiving files from the Spectrasonics website or download manager via the internet, you are downloading. Here are some screenshots to show what downloading can look like:

Download Manager

User Account Updates

Smart Update

Installing

“Installing” occurs whenever you are running an installer application or program on your computer, which places critical files into the correct locations on your computer. This allows you to use your Spectrasonics instruments on your computer. 

Here are some screenshots of what installers looks like:

Installing on Mac

Installing on Windows

How Downloading and Installing Work together

First, you must download your installer from the Spectrasonics website.

Second, that installer will then be used to install the instrument files into the correct location on your computer.

Example 1: If you purchased a USB drive, the installer which is downloaded from the Spectrasonics website, moves the files from your USB drive into the correct locations onto your computer - which allows you to use your Spectrasonics instrument. (Additionally, current updates are also included in the files that are downloaded from the Spectrasonics website, so that the installer can ensure your instruments have the latest updates.)

Example 2: If you purchased a download version of your instrument (or have downloaded a folder from Spectrasonics via the Download Manager, Smart Update, or User Account individual updates) - the installer file is included in the folder you downloaded. When you open the installer file on your computer, it moves the data to the correct locations for your computer to read them.

*Your instrument will automatically be available in your DAW after you have completed installation and restarted your DAW.