Ok ...
got some help from a grand fella...
Boy o boy ...
[palm-smack to forehead]
the reason why I couldn't get the plugins to work is...
I didn't install them properly ..
I did install gtkgep properly...
but not the necessary libraries..
here is the real simple way of installing it on
Openmandriva 2014 86_64 with the files from the previous post.

as terminal as root

# urpmi gtkgep

and

# urpmi lib64gtkgep0

if your arch is 64bit
or

# urpmi libgtkgep0

if it is 32bit

aaaannnnd it works!

halfway now to getting this on a .deb


speaking of which...
I have mucked about with this and "alien"
perhaps it's me and I'm not doing something right...
or there is something I've not considered...
but I'm not having good luck with the "easy" way to turn this .rpm to a functioning deb.
I need to mull it over while I play with the brand new toy.
ok enough fun with the new effects processor.
So yeah...
I used the "easy" way with "alien"
sure it makes the debs
but there is definitely errors in the outputted dialogue flashing by ...with the headers if my vision and short-term memory isn't too skewed ..
the debs install into a fresh lubuntu 15 64bit fine and dandy...
the title shows up inthe menu under "audio and sound" but the gtkgep icon is instead a "cog" icon.. and naturally the program launches (or attempts to rather) but nothing happens.
Still mulling it over...
I'm thinking perhaps the "easy" way of turning this into a .deb
will possibly end up becoming the "hard" way ...

Hm...I'm going to try something..
back tomorrow..