How do i choose my plugins.....so many out there

That is almost an impossible question - everyone will give you a different answer. And none of them will suit you 100%. Music production is a huge subject and no-one knows it all. I admire your thirst for knowledge and advice, as seen in your other threads, but I think that you'll end up with so much info that it will be overwhelming. I would pause for breath. I suggest that you take at this - this issue is aimed at beginners (and there's several plugins on the disk, to save you downloading them):

It's true, the sheer amount of plugins available is overwhelming. You might wanna consider messing around with the (Rea)plugins that come with Reaper. They should give you a good idea of what those plugins do in the first place. Apart from that it's like others have said: mainly trying out different stuff and discarding the awful ones. You might also make folders in the add fx tree, and drag and drop plugins in those. They don't get moved, they only show up in different places. I have folders like "EQ", "Saturation", "Drum VSTi" and so on. It's less easy to get lost in those long lists that way. Recently I've only tried out new plugins when I just couldn't seem to get a certain sound or application with the tried and true plugins I already have. What helped me a lot as well recently: when trying out new plugins (or going through my standard ones), I find a setting that sounds good (and maybe not too wild!) and hit the "+" button and go to "save preset as default". That way the next time I add that plugin to a track, it gives me a good starting point for further tweaking. Many many plugins have strange default settings that don't work in a mix at all. Of course you can also save other presets as well, might wanna name those clearly, so you know what they do :)

I shouldn't have to say this but....use your initiative!! Download free plugs. What have you got to lose? Read reviews. There are thousands on the interwebs - try Musicradar, KVR, Sound on Sound to start with. Download demo versions. Don't be in a rush. Music production is a seriously deep subject. Don't expect to learn everything in a few months - it can't and won't happen!! ;)

I would recomend reading Reamix. It'll tell you everything you need to know using mostly Reaper's built in plug - you can then decide if you need to try out some different ones.

Dazza may be a drummer, but in spite of that his advice is GOOD. (heh heh)