can't hear MIDI playback

Okay, that link to Tallisman's post was really useful - thanks. That information about how to add VSTs to Reaper's list is probably in the Guide, but I haven't come across it yet. It's taking me a while to familiarize myself with all 400 pages of the territory.

Glad you're getting there. Have a look at Section 1.12 for telling Reaper where your VST(i)s are.

Yes, I'd read that (and forgotten I'd read it). This is going to be a bit of a siege. :-)

Okay, I'm in. It works. Thanks, all.

NEWB HERE. 

Similar problem. Recorded playing MIDI and was able to hear during recording but while attempting playback I hear no audio. The level of the track is good, but I don't see a level in the Master Fader. Is there an I/O option I've overlooked? BTW, to see if I had any audio going out, I imported a .wav file into the session and it played just fine.

Setting the Midi output as Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth did the trick. Nevermind. Move on! :)

That's how it was for me too, basically (not the wavetable thing - the way asking about it and working with it produced an answer). But it took me longer. A thread like this is a way to be patient. :)

There's only one version of Reaper - the two prices reflect different uses of the program, not different programs. Buy the one that's appropriate to your situation.

Import MIDI Patterns