#solina string synth

[planeyboys]

Some video elements I've been working on for a Youtube upload of the Winter Hill instrumental paired with the full track Blackrod

[burlveneer-music]

Stereolab's new album is out today!

Andy Ramsay: Drums, EMS Synthi, Wasp, Roland Jupiter 4, Electro Harmonix DRM15, Acetone, Soundmaster Latin Percussion, Watford Electronics, Vox Drum Machine, Ranger Snare Trap, TR606, Boss DR110 Laetitia Sadier: Vocals, Keyboards, Synth, Trombone, Guitar Joe Watson: Solina Strings, Vox Jaguar, Hohner Symphonic 30N, RMI 368X Electrapiano, Roland System 100M, Korg MS20, Wurlitzer Piano, Fender Rhodes,Yamaha Portatone, EMS Synthi, Acoustic Piano, Moog Matriarch, Prophet 5, Horner Clavinet, Modular Synth, Wasp, Mellotron Xavi Muñoz: Fender Bass VI + Precision Bass Tim Gane: e. guitar, acoustic 12 string, Vermona Organ, Roland SH5 Additional Instrumentation: Cooper Crain Cwejman SM-1 , Korg MS20, TR 606, Roland Jupiter 4, Oberheim SEM Roland CR8000, Mellotron , Moog Micromoog, TR 707, General Filtering Rob Frye Saxophone, Woodwinds, Clarinets, Flutes, Bass Clarinet, Electronics Ben LaMar Gay Cornet: Tracks 4,5,10 Ric Elsworth Percussion, Hand Drums, Marimba, Vibraphone and Glockenspiel Holger Zapf Additional Electronics: Track 4 pt.2 , Ancient Dabbling & Treatments: Track 7 Backing Vocals by Xavi Muñoz, Marie Merlet and Joe Watson Special guest backing vocals by Molly Read on Vermona F Transistor Thanks to everyone! 

[trevlad-sounds]

Invisible Waves 33.

18.08.2024

Intro 00:00 Moray Newlands-The meal was cooked before the bell rang 00:24 The Harvard sentences Projection wave machines BeepStreet Sunrizer (software synth)

Chapter 1 02:24

Oberu-Debris 06:33 Cartas de Japón-Faune I 11:05 Cartas de Japón – Live session (La Siesta del Fauno) Sequential Circuits Pro-One (synth) Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 (synth) EMS Synthi AKS (synth) ARP Odyssey (synth) ARP Solina string synthesizer (synth) Yamaha CP-70 (synth) Moog Minimoog Model D (synth) Roland VP-330 (synth) Moog Moogerfooger MF-103 (FX pedal) Moog Modular (synth) ARP 2600 (synth) Roland Juno-60 (synth) Arturia Beatstep Pro (controller) La Siesta del Fauno (studio)

Chapter 2 21:16

Bolbec-Vengeance Tropicale 28:14 Piero Piccioni (composer) Michel Legrand (composer) Nostalgia 77 (band) Aldemaro Romero (composer) Piero Umiliani (composer) cavaquinho (instrument) Mabreuch (band) Fish Factory (Studio)

TOKEE-Альбатрос (Abdicant’s Diomedea Mix) 31:03

Chapter 3 34:42

Ghost Funk Orchestra-Helios 37:30 Eddie Palmieri Esquivel The Lively Ones Dusty Springfield War

Space Dimension Controller-Beyond2 40:43

Chapter 4 44:58

Slow Reels-Heartshaped 50:32 Home Normal Slowcraft Records Morr Music Fluid Audio

[mamotreco]

Arturia Solina V String Machine Synth | My Fave Sounds. The Solina synth sound is so lush.

[thekingofgear]

Radiohead’s Crumar

A cropped portion of the cover of Minidisc 117, from MINIDISCS [Hacked]. The third track is a very early demo of Melatonin, listed here as Crumar Song.

One small but notable revelation of the MINIDISCS [Hacked] is that the song Melatonin was initially called “Crumar Song”. The studio recording of Melatonin begins with a stripped-back arrangement of just two string synthesizers panned left and right, and these synths form the foundation of the song. The MINIDISCS version (at 7:19 on track/disc 7) is even more stripped back – just Thom and the string synthesizer. It’s a recording that feels much too personal to listen to, giving a glimpse of Thom shakily throwing down the barest sketch of song to review and refine later on. However, the title lets us know that the particular string synthesizer which Thom used for Melatonin is the band’s Crumar Multiman-S (marketed in the United States as the Crumar “Orchestrator”). If the Crumar was purchased while Nigel was building Radiohead’s studio in 1996, then perhaps Melatonin was inspired by this new bit of gear.

Jonny playing the Crumar Multiman-S with his left hand and a Moog MiniMoog Voyager PE during a performance of Myxomatosis in London on May 26, 2016.

Though Jonny has scored parts for the real string sections since The Bends, Radiohead has kept up an interest in string synthesizers throughout their career. This does not come as too much of a surprise, since songs by Jonny’s favorite band, Magazine, frequently feature string synthesizers, as do later tracks by Joy Division, whose records Thom and Colin passed around when they were at school. In truth, these instruments sound only vaguely like a strings section (especially when their built-in chorus or phaser effects are active), and it’s perhaps better think of them as a different instrument altogether – rather than as a poor replica.

Unlike polyphonic subtractive synthesizers, which have a set number of voices with an oscillator (or more) per voice, string synthesizers make use of a frequency divider architecture. These instruments have a single master oscillator at a high frequency, the output of which is precisely divided to produce every note on the keyboard. This means that all keys can be played simultaneously and will produce sound, as on a piano or organ. However, what really gave these instruments a distinctive sound was the built-in phasor, chorus, and vibrato circuits. These lush effects were meant to better emulate a string section, but they give more of a warm, spacey sound.

In this screenshot from a video of Radiohead recording 2+2=5 at Ocean Way Studio B in September, 2002, the Crumar Multiman-S can be seen on the right, resting on top of the Rhodes piano (youtube). It’s hard to make out the name on the Crumar, but the distinctive spacing of its letters (“C R U M A R”) belies its identity.

Radiohead’s Crumar Multiman-S first appeared in a video of the band recording 2+2=5 at Ocean Way Studio B in September, 2002 (see photo below). It’s unlikely that it was used on that particular song, but it’s very likely that it was at least one of the primary string synths used on Hail To The Thief. The band tried to record that album as a “live” performances as much as possible, making it more likely that the string synth in the room with them is the same one heard on the album (as opposed to an album like Kid A, where heavy overdubbing was used). Almost certainly heard on Myxomatosis (1:09 onwards), and possibly on Where I End and You Begin.

In Rainbows – Disk 2 heavily features string synthesizers on tracks like Go Slowly, Up On The Ladder, and 4 Minute Warning (during the outro section). Live, Jonny and Colin have always played those parts on MIDI controllers connected to samplers, and photos from the recording of In Rainbows mostly show subtractive synths, which made it difficult to identify which string synth was used. However, a screenshot of Radiohead’s Kontakt 3 sampler from the 2008 tour revealed that the Crumar was used for Up On The Ladder. Perhaps the Crumar was used for the other songs as well.

A cropped portion of the screenshoot of Radiohead’s Kontakt 3 sampler, showing the preset titled “UP ON THE LADDER crumar” (pmtonline.co.uk).

Jonny might have been feeling nostalgic in 2016, because Jonny decided to bring the Crumar Orchestrator and his student-model ondes Martenot (instead of his Fatar MIDI keyboard and French Connection) for the band’s tour in support of A Moon Shaped Pool. But in spite of bringing a “string” synthesizer, Jonny more often used guitar, ondes Martenot, and the DSI Prophet 08 to reproduce the London Contemporary Orchestra’s string parts from A Moon Shaped Pool. During the 2016 tour, Jonny played the Crumar on Planet Telex, Street Spirit, Talk Show Host, Climbing Up The Walls, Myxomatosis, Desert Island Disk, and Tinker Tailor.

But although the album is full of string recordings, the heavily-processed “strings” panned left on the recording of Desert Island Disk sound more like a string synthesizer than real strings. Since Jonny brought the Crumar on tour in support of the album, perhaps it was used on the recording of that track.

Radiohead have occasionally performed with other string synthesizers, but only for one-off performances. Jonny used a Solina Strings Ensemble instead of a MIDI keyboard for the 2010 Haiti Benefit show, and Thom and Jonny a brought Korg Poly-Ensemble for their 2010 Glastonbury surprise show.

Some of Jonny’s Crumar settings can be seen in this screenshot of the band’s performance of Talk Show Host at NOS Alive on July 8, 2016. Looks like all sliders are set to 11...

Jonny playing the Crumar whilst adjusting his radio on Climbing Up The Walls in Lyon on June 1, 2016.

A photo which Nigel posted on his twitter account on March 25, 2013, after purchasing Native Instruments Komplete 9 (twitter). The Crumar Orchestrator can be seen behind the Korg Poly-Ensemble P PE-1000, to the right of the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5. Nigel joked that he was selling all of these keyboards after purchasing the software, but the use of the Prophet 5 on A Moon Shaped Pool and the Crumar on the 2016 tour shows clearly that he was just poking fun.

[tropylium]

Jerome Ramsey plays: Mellotron M400, Expanded Doepfer/Analogue Solutions Modular System, Analogue Systems Modular System, Doepfer MAQ 16/3 Analogue Sequencer, Oberheim OB1, Farfisa Compact Duo, ARP Odyssey, ARP Pro Soloist, ARP Omni 2, Elka Rhapsody 610, Sequential Circuits Pro One, Yamaha SY1, Roland SH101, Roland JD800, Roland 501 Space Echo, Novation Space Station, Fender Bullet Guitar, Behringer V-Amp 2, Chase Bit 99, EMU ESI 4000, JR Electronics Drum Synth, SRS Dual Phaser Unit, Boss Flanger Unit, Kenton Pro 2.

Brendan Pollard plays: Mellotron M400, Bohm Soundlab Modular System, The Beast Duophonic Modular System, SRS RP3 Noise Generator Modular System, Doepfer MAQ 16/3 Analogue Sequencer, Elka Rhapsody 610, ARP Pro DGX, ARP Solina, Logan String Machine, Moog Micromoog, Octave Kitten, Korg Delta, Korg Lambda, Korg MS2000, Roland JP8000, EMU ESI 2000, SRS ZV3 Bass Synth, SRS Philtertron, SRS Dual Phaser Unit, Electro Harmonix Flanger, Melos Echo Chamber, Kenton Pro 2, Philip Rees MCV ×2, JMS CGX Interface, The Space Machine.

This here, kids, is how you can tell you’re about to listen to a Good Synth Album. Not necessary any of the particulars (though some of them are good signs in general) — but, the recognition that synthesizers are not interchangeable, and are often as distinct from each other as a violin is from a cello or an oboe or a steel drum

also: tag yourselves, I’m Arp Solina

[nautilusanalog]

DYNAMO // TRACK 11 (Highlands track stories, #8)

A dynamo, from a historical standpoint, was the first machine capable of generating direct current electricity for power and industry. In this, context, it typically consists of an electromagnetic field generated by magnets, through which several coils and windings rotate and produce electric currents. This song was inspired by the motion of such a device; first invented in the mid 19th century, they were powered by steam often times and were rather crude, when you consider how much the invention would eventually contribute to our modern society. The constant motion- the rotation of the coils and all of the moving mechanical parts- serves as the catalyst for the main synth lead in this piece. The constant, four-note arpeggio sweeps down through a single chord and continues through almost the entire track, which is also the longest on the album. After Dreampop, I was somewhat on my way out of experimenting with pitch shifted percussion, at least for the time being, and so in stark contrast from my previous work, this song uses a more traditional electronic drum machine, in combination with a click stick percussion track- a dry, continuous beat which almost resembles the mechanical crackle and pop of moving metal parts. Something like the pistons of an engine. A lot of what inspired the sounds in this track is very inspired by Victorian and early 20th century technology- another prime example is found in the high-pitched "glass shards" sounds which cut through the mix throughout the entire track- these again are an interpretation of a steam engine, the squeaks and whistles associated with engines of the time. This was also the first track on which I really put to use a Solina string synth, to get the dark, somewhat dated sounding string sounds. I don't normally incorporate much orchestral stuff in my music, but it felt appropriate given the music of the time period I was exploring, and as such they stayed in. The main synth is a Prophet V, and the glass shard sounds are produced by a Modular synth. This is one of my favorite tracks I've ever produced, and one of my favorite elements of it is the somewhat unconventional chord structure- it's more of a 2-1-2, one-one arrangement which can be jarring at first, but is something that stuck in my head since I first tried it. The chord is held for two full bars, while the third is held for one, and the last for two again. This song inspired the next few that came after it- in terms of structure and experimentation, this became the focal point for the latter half of the album, and was the hardest track to place in the overall track list. I think as the penultimate track, it does represent a culmination of the ideas on the album, before slowly fading into the final serene and ethereal goodbye of the album with Eagle's Nest.

Notable influences for this track:

Massive Attack - Future Proof

Metamatics - Colmic Zeus

Bonobo - Cirrus

[parallaxheights]

Sun-Glazed Solina

http://www.parallaxmoves.com/2019/10/sun-glazed-solina/

#arp #solina #sunglazed #disco #sunset #jazzfunk #synth #strings #70s #tribute #keyboard #solinastringensemble #1974

[continuo-docs]

Boubi's Library – Vol. 107, internet release, Mahorka, January 17, 2017

In the 48mn epic “Woke Up To No Day And My Hands Were Finally Filled With Light”, French improviser, electronic music composer and Improvising Beings label boss Julien Palomo uses an array of analog synthesizers (ARP Solina String Ensemble, EMS Synthi E, microKorg & Mellotron) to build a heavily textured mass of gorgeous, silky electronic sounds, rich in harmonics and extraneous beats. During the first 1/2 hour, a handful of relentlessly enveloping, pulsating textures run in parallel, yet with enough variation and sudden surges to keep the listener on the edge of his seat. The pulsation is relentless, yet the keyboard playing is at times melodic, lyrical even – some synth parts actually sound like eerie human voices (the Mellotron, perhaps), others like bells (around 12:30). The pulsation stops around 34:00, and the rest of the track features solo parts from individual synthesizers, an opportunity to witness their respective textures as if under a microscope. This is Julien's first album-length project after his Scutigere CD on Entr'acte in 2016, though Julien is in fact constantly experimenting with synths – check out the I.B. Soundcloud page: https://soundcloud.com/improvising-beings

http://mahorka.org/release/182

[burlveneer-music]

Lady Blackbird - Slang Spirituals EP - bigger arrangements than the stripped-down instrumentation of Black Acid Soul, but her powerful voice remains at the center (there is a full LP out now but it's not on Bandcamp)

In October 2024 Lady Blackbird, producer and guitarist Chris Seefried , Foundation Music Label head and A&R Ross Allen, and Lady Blackbird’s travelling band of Kenneth Crouch (Keys), Tamar Barzilay (drums) and Johnny Flaughers (bass) took a break from extensively touring “Black Acid Soul” to lay down some tracks in Los Angeles. They decamped for a week long recording session to legendary LA studio complex East West (where the Beach Boys cut “Pet Sounds”) to put down tracks that Lady Blackbird and Chris Seefried had been writing whilst on the road… Some magic happened, the bare bones of a record and then some went down. They then moved to analogue whizz Pete Min’s “Lucy’s Meat Market” studio in Highland Park, where synths and strings were overdubbed, taking the basic tracks to the next level and often into outer orbit, with ARPs, Steinways, Mellotron, Hammond B3, Solina, Buchia synth, Bells, Moog, Pump organs, Wurlitzers, Fender Rhodes, Sitars, Clavinet, plus all manner of other cosmic analogue trickery and a string quartet lead by ace arranger Paul Cartwright. The record was taking shape….there was too much music - hence this EP - and it just needed balancing. That job fell to one of the best mixers in the world, Ken Takahashi, a man who engineers and mixes for some of the best around including current production legends Danger Mouse and Inflo.

[noisetoys]

Eine weitere Sammlung analoger Klassiker - 12 Synthesizer Plugins von Electrostudio für umsonst ... plus 5 spezielle Freeware Lieblinge.

Ja ja, ok. Das Analog Pack des polnischen Entwicklers, dessen Namen ich nichtmal in Erfahrung bringen konnte - ich nenne ihn im folgenden einfach mal Electrostudio - ist alt. Verdammt alt. Genau genommen ist das letzte Update der Website von 2012. Alle Plugins sind in 32Bit und werden nicht mehr aktualisiert. Aber hey, die Teile klingen echt gut, machen Spaß, sehen super aus und sind absolut umsonst. Also “Hut ab” vor dem Entwickler hinter Electrostudio!

Warum komme ich jetzt 5 Jahre später mit einem Beitrag dazu? zum einen hatte ich hier vor kurzem etwas zu der Synth Sammlung von Arturia gepostet. Diese Sammlung ist nicht gerade billig und ich wollte mal sehen, was es so im Freeware Bereich gibt. Allerdings ist der Markt riesig und ich wollte wirklich nicht alle vorhandenen Freeware Plugins testen. Falls jemand interessiert ist an eine Übersicht wirklich guter Freeware Plugins, empfehle ich die Seiten des Bedroom Producer Blogs.

Aber ich habe mich an diese Sammlung erinnert und das passte so gut. Ich mag nahezu alle Plugins dieser Serie, sie emulieren ebenfalls alte Klassiker (und teilweise sogar richtig skurrile Teile) und tja, sie sind nunmal umsonst.

Insgesamt umfasst die Sammlung 10 Synthesizer, die im Analog Pack zusammengefasst sind und in einer Zip-Datei heruntergeladen werden können. dieser Download ist gerade mal knapp 29MB groß. Dann habe ich noch die beiden extra Synthesizer von Electrostudio dazu genommen, den Minimoog und den Moog Prodigy, somit umfasst die Electrostudio Sammlung 12 Instrumente, die kaum Platz auf der Festplatte beanspruchen.

Da in der Arturia V Collection auch Orgeln, ein Piano und zwei elektrische Pianos vorhanden sind, habe ich noch zusätzlich im Anschluß meine 5 Lieblingsinstrumente aus dem Freeware-Bereich aufgezählt. Ein Piano, eine Orgel, ein Wurlitzer und zwei 8Bit Spielereien.

Dies hier ist keine “Best of Freeware” Scheiße. Dazu gibt es schon genug Seiten und Diskussionen im Netz. Dies sind einfach Freeware Plugins, die mir persönlich gefallen und die ich für meine Projekte benutze. Teilweise weiß ich nichtmal wie die Originale dieser Emulationen klingen, und es ist mir auch egal. Ich mag genau diese Plugins. Weil ich vor ein paar Tagen die großartige V Collection vorgestellt habe, wollte ich so etwas ähnliches nun im Freeware Bereich machen, denn man kann auch Plugins benutzen, die gar nichts kosten und trotzdem gut klingen. Nochmal “Hut ab” an die Entwickler, die diese Software umsonst zur Verfügung stellen.

Davolisint

Athos Davoli hatte eine italienische Firma in den 60ern und 70ern, die Verstärker, Boxen und sonstiges Gitarrenzubehör gebaut und verkauft hat. Später kamen dann auch noch einige obskure Orgeln dazu. Dazu hat Davoli ungefähr sieben Keyboards und Synthesizer entworfen und gebaut. Teilweise existieren davon aber nur Prototypen. Der erste, aus dem Jahre 1972 - war der Davolisint.

1972 war eine Zeit, in der der Synthesizer-Boom noch nicht so wirklich begonnen hat. Es gab zwar schon den Arp 2600 und den Minimoog, aber die etwas günstigeren Modelle von Roland oder Yamaha kamen erst ungefähr ein Jahr später. Der Davolisint war der erste italienische Synthesizer und wahrscheinlich auch der erste europäische.

(Quelle: soundonsound.com)

Der Synthesizer funktioniert so ähnlich wie eine Transistororgel. Im Kern besitzt er zwei Oszillatoren, aber keine Envelopes oder LFOs, wie man es von anderen Synths so kennt. Man kann nicht mal eine Waveform für die Oszillatoren einstellen. Man hat nur sieben Schalter, die jeweils eine Oktave dazu schalten. Die Oszillatoren schwingen in einer rechteckähnlichen Form und man hat somit die Möglichkeiten 7 Oktaven dieser Rechteckwellen übereinander zu legen.

Ansonsten gibt es noch einige Regler in der Mitte, die die Tonhöhe der OSCs regeln und Vibrato dazu schalten können. Das muss reichen. Trotzdem macht es unheimlich Spaß mit dem spartanischen Synth herumzuspielen, denn Electrostudio hat mit dem DavoSynth ein nettes Ebenbild erschaffen. Außerdem wurde noch ein Chorus und Delay Effekt dazugepackt.

Arp Solina String Ensemble

Eine String Machine darf auch hier natürlich nicht fehlen. Electrostudio hat sich hier mehr oder weniger an die Solina von Arp gehalten.

(Quelle: synthpalace.com)

Die Solina war in einem wunderbaren Holzfunier erhältlich und kostete in den 70er Jahren ca. 2.500 Mark. Die eSLine von Electrostudio ist eine schöne Nachbildung der cheesy Streicherklänge und kostet rein gar nichts.

Moog Micromoog

(Quelle: http://retrosynthads.blogspot.de)

“Für 795 Dollar ist es ein großartiger Synthesizer für Anfänger”, so hieß es in einer Anzeige aus dem Jahre 1975. Der Micromoog war quasi der kleine Bruder des Minimoog für jedermann. Dieser Monosynth verfügte über einen Oszillator, einen Amp Envelope, einen Filter und einen LFO. Ein guter Synthesizer um sich mit den Grundlagen der Synthese vertraut zu machen.

Electrostudio hat ihren Micromoon noch eine Effektsektion spendiert. Außerdem kann man den Micromoon auch polyphon schalten. Es macht wirklich Spaß mit diesem einfachen Synth zu spielen.

Moog Minimoog

Der Vorzeigesynthesizer aus dem Hause Moog. Ich habe ja vor kurzem im Artikel übers Arturia V Collection schon einiges dazu geschrieben. Electrostudio hat den Minimoog liebevoll Model Mini getauft. Ansonsten wurde sich ziemlich genau am Original gehalten.

Moog Sonic Six

(Quelle: greatsynthesizers.com)

Anfang der 70er war keine allzu gute Zeit für die Firma Moog. Die Welle des Erfolges ebbte immer mehr ab, denn keiner wollte weiterhin mit den Ungetümen der Modular Reihe hantieren. Man wünschte sich kleinere, transportable Systeme. Aber Bob Moog wollte zunächst von all dem nichts hören, bis seine Firma das Aus drohte.

So entstand der Sonic Six, ein tragbares System, dass ebenfalls als Lehrsynthesizer konzipiert war. Mochte Moog anfangs den Gedanken an tragbaren Systemen überhaupt nicht, wurde der Sonic Six später sein Lieblingssynth, den er auf Präsentationstouren immer dabei hatte. Er wurde von 1972 bis 1979 gebaut. Nach dem Sonic Six wurde vermehrt an tragbaren Systemen gearbeitet und so entstand etwas später der berühmteste aller Monosynths, der Minmoog Model D.

Die Version von Electrostudio mit dem Namen Mono Sono SX 2 sieht etwas anders aus, zumindest farblich. Von den Einstellungsmöglichkeiten und dem technischen Aufbau wurde sich weitgehend am Original orientiert.

EKO ComputeRythm

Ich mag alte Drum Machines. Besonders wenn sie schön lofi klingen. Ich bin ein großer Fan der CR-78 und die EKO ComputeRhythm kannte ich bis vor kurzem gar nicht. Sie stammt aus Italien und wurde 1972 veröffentlicht.

Die ComputRhythm ist verdammt rar. Es soll wohl nur 20 Stück weltweit geben und vor kurzem hat jemand sein Sammlerstück für 15.000 Dollar verkauft. Jean-Michel Jarre hat sie wohl des öfteren für Aufnahmen eingesetzt und ansonsten gibt es nicht allzu viel Informationen im Netz.

Naja, zumindest hat Electrostudio diese Rarität nachgebaut, in einem VST Plugin namens Ocet Rhythmsynth. Ich habe mich sofort in die kleine Drum Machine verliebt.

Sie bieten 6 Spuren und dementsprechend auch 6 Instrumente, die sich über die Tasten C1 bis F1 der Miditastatur spielen lassen. D.h. man könnte einfach die schnuckeligen Samples benutzen und den Midi-Editor der DAW zum programmieren nehmen. Oder man fummelt mit dem 6 Spur Sequenzer der Ocet herum. Hier hat man nicht allzu viele Möglichkeiten, aber es macht Spaß damit einen Beat zu programmieren.

Rechts kann man dann noch in die Platine klicken und kann somit an jedem Drumsound so einiges verstellen: Tonhöhe, Tone Decay, Pitch Decay, dann gibt es noch einen Filter und Noise Generator. Außerdem besteht noch die Möglichkeit per Knopfdruck alle Werte zufällig zu verstellen und so alle möglichen Sounds pro Drum zu generieren. Leider lassen sich diese Parameter in der DAW nicht automatisieren :( Trotzdem, danke für diese nette Drum Machine!

Arp Odyssey

Logischerweise musste Arp auf die tragbaren Systeme, wie dem Minimoog von Moog antworten. Und so entstand dann der Odyssey 1972 (irgendwie wurden verdammt viele große Synth-Legenden 1972 gebaut). Der Odyssey ist ebenfalls eine Synth-Legende und bis heute der meistverkaufte Synthesizer von Arp.

(Quelle: vintagesynth.com)

Im Grunde ist der Odyssey eine festverdrahtete, kleine Version des Arp 2600, kompakter und günstiger. Zwei Oszillatoren, Filter, Envelopes … das übliche. Electrostudio hat seinem Odsay noch ein Echo spendiert. Man kann ihn, genau wie das Original, monophon oder duophon spielen.

Oberheim Two-Voice

Der Two-Voice war 1975 Oberheim’s Antwort auf die steigende Nachfrage nach polyphonen Synthesizern. Tom Oberheim schloß einfach zwei seiner SEMs zusammen, verbaute alles in einem kompakten Gehäuse mit Tastatur … fertig.

Natürlich ist diese Synth auch in der Sammlung von Electrostudio.

Korg Mini Pops 7

Oh ja, wieder eine Drum Machine ganz nach meinem Geschmack. Die Korg Mini Pops 7!

Die Mini Pops Serie von Korg enthielt so einige Drum Machines, die zwischen den späten 60ern und den späten 70ern gebaut wurden. Sie verfügten alle über feste Rhythmen, die man über Druckknöpfe abrufen konnte. Sie waren als Begleiter zum Üben oder für Alleinunterhalter gedacht aber ihr spezieller Sound landete dann auch auf vielen Pop Platten. Besonders Jean-Michel Jarre, der auch schon ein Fan der EKO ComputeRhythm war, setzte sie für einige Aufnahmen ein. Interessant war, dass man mehrere Rhythmen gleichzeitig abspielen konnte, indem man einfach mehrere der Knöpfe eindrückte. Das war zwar vom Hersteller nicht so gedacht, lieferte aber interessante Rhythmen.

Die Electrostudio Version ist ein schöner Nachbau, der den Sound der Bassdrum noch etwas fetter liefert. Man kann natürlich das Tempo einstellen und die Lautstärke. Sie bietet insgesamt 20 Rhythmen, weil alle Schalter doppelt belegt sind und auch hier kann man mehrere Rhythmen übereinander legen. Genau wie auch bei der Original Mini Pops 7 sind hier auch noch 3 Percussion Elemente (Tamborine, Guiro und Quijada) enthalten, die individuell mit in den jeweiligen Rhythmus gemixt werden können.

Über den kleinen “Open” Taster kann man auch hier das Gehäuse öffnen und ein paar kleine Änderungen am Sound der einzelnen Elemente vornehmen (Tone, Volume und Pan). Wenn man die Rhythmen nicht mag, lassen sich auch nur die Samples nutzen, denn per Midi-Keyboard sind diese ebenfalls spielbar. Das GUI macht wie bei den meisten der Electrostudio Plugins hier auch eine sehr gute Figur.

Roland Juno-6

Der Juno-6 war der erste der durchaus erfolgreichen Juno-Serie von Roland. Er erblickte 1982 das Licht der Welt und war ein 6-stimmiger, polyphoner Synthesizer. Sein Manko war, dass er nicht programmiert werden konnte. Deshalb schob Roland später schnell den Juno-60 nach.

(Quelle: vintagesynth.com)

Der Juno-6 war relativ einfach aufgebaut, aber für seinen Klang sehr beliebt. Er verfügte über eine Oszillator, einen Arpeggiator, Chorus und Delay. Die Electrostudio Version hat den zauberhaften Namen “Sixth Month June” und klingt vielleicht nicht ganz so wie das Original, aber dennoch gut einsetzbar.

Ein Mellotron!

Ich mag das Mellotron. Das Mellotron ist wohl der erste Sampler überhaupt und der berühmteste Einsatz war sicherlich 1967 von den Beatles “Strawberry Fields Forever”. Das Flöten-Intro wurde von Mr Lennon auf einem Mellotron gespielt.

Wie gesagt, ist das Mellotron der wahrscheinlich erste Sampler. Die Technik ist im Grunde total naiv. Ich glaube als 8-Jähriger habe ich selber schon darüber nachgedacht ein Keyboard zu bauen, dass pro Taste Sounds von einer Cassette abspielt, und ich habe vorher noch nie von einem Mellotron gehört. Naja, ich war 8 und hatte natürlich absolut keine Ahnung, wie man so etwas verwirklicht.

Ist ja auch egal, denn Harry Chamberlin wusste in den 50er Jahren des letzten Jahrhunderts schon, wie man so etwas anstellt. Die Firma Streetly Electronics übernahm später diese Idee und veröffentlichte 1963 das erste Mellotron, welches über 35 Tasten verfügte, die individuelle Tonbänder mit Sounds abspielten.

(Quelle: mellotron.com)

Noch heute gibt es die Firma, aber sie stellt keine Instrumente mehr her, sondern wartet und repariert nur noch die alten, beliebten Mellotrons.

Die Mellotrons waren schwer und störanfällig, weshalb sie selten den Weg auf eine Bühne fanden. Trotzdem waren sie beliebte Instrumente, besonders in den 70er Jahren. Später wurde ihre Sounds dann durch digitale Klänge ersetzt. Charakteristisch war ihr melancholischer Klang und durch die Abnutzung der Magnetbänder kam mit der Zeit auch das charakteristisches Leiern dazu.

Electrostudio hat eine nette und einfache Software-Version gebaut, die drei Sounds beinhaltet (Flöten, Streicher und einen Chor). Das sind eigentlich die wichtigsten und meistens eingesetzen Mellotron-Sounds und das TapeOTronic klingt richtig gut. Es gibt Standardeinstellungen, wie Attack und Release, Lautstärke und Tone, außerdem kann man die Stimmung noch verändern.

Wenn man das Gehäuse des Plugins aufklappt, sieht man die Bänder rotieren und wenn man rechts auf das Rad mit der Maus klickt, kann man es schneller oder langsamer drehen lassen. Diesen Effekt kann natürlich auch das Pitchwheel des Midi-Keyboards übernehmen. Alles in allem ein sehr schönes, einfaches Plugin, dass hier des öfteren mal zum Einsatz kommt.

Moog Prodigy

Ein weiterer Monophoner von Moog, der 1980 bis 1984 produziert wurde. insgesamt wurden ungefähr 11.000 Stück davon unter die Leute gebracht. Obwohl zu dem Zeitpunkt die große Zeit der monophonen Synthesizer vorbei schien, erreichte der Prodigy fast den gleichen Erfolg, wie der bekannteste Moog Synth, der Minimoog.

Aus diesem Grund hat Electrostudio auch dem Prodigy die Ehre erwiesen und mit dem Model Pro ein schönes Plugin programmiert. Das GUI sieht fantastisch aus es macht Spaß auf dem Synth zu spielen.

Fazit

Wie bereits eingangs erwähnt, ist diese Serie alt und wird nicht weiterentwickelt. Es gibt sie nur als 32Bit Plugins, was für einige Nutzer ein Problem sein könnte und sie sind nur für Windows verfügbar. Aber ich finde diese Sammlung bemerkenswert. Der polnische Entwickler hat viel Arbeit in die Entwicklung gesteckt und hatte eigentich vor, diese kommerziell zu vertreiben. Nach etlichen Streitereien und diversen Problemen hat er sie kurzerhand frei verfügbar gemacht.

Und auch wenn sie alt sind, finde ich trotzdem, dass man sie sehr gut einsetzen kann und sie ihren Platz in allen möglichen Aufnahmen finden können. Denn sie sind absolut kostenlos. Ich hatte bei der Installation erst ein paar Probleme. Man sollte die Plugins nicht in den Standardordner für VST-Plugins kopieren, weil sie schreibenden Zugriff auf diesen Ordner brauchen, um Sachen zu speichern. Die neueren Windows Versionen erlauben aber nicht so ohne weiteres den Zugriff auf Ordner innerhalb der “Programme” Struktur. Um irgendwelchen stressigen Einstellungen aus dem Weg zu gehen, würde ich empfehlen die Plugins innerhalb von “Dokumente” zu speichern oder in einem anderen Bereich der Benutzer-Ebene.

Da die Plugins in 32Bit geschrieben sind und die meisten Nutzer heutzutage 64Bit DAWs einsetzen, könnte es sein, dass man eine 32Bit Bridge benötigt, wie z.B. jBridge. Manche DAWs unterstützen aber auch von Haus aus 32Bit Plugins, wie z.B. Bitwig oder Renoise.

Also, herunterladen, installieren und ausprobieren. Macht Spaß, tut nicht weh und kostet nichts.

Zugabe, Zugabe …. !!!

Ich will an dieser Stelle nicht alle möglichen Freeware Plugins aufzählen, die mir besonders gut gefallen, dass würde wohl ewig dauern. Allerdings will ich noch fünf Plugins dazu nehmen, die ebenfalls umsonst sind und die Synthesizer Sammlung ganz gut abrunden. Angelehnt an die Arturia Sammlung fehlt hier auf jeden Fall ein Piano, eine Orgel und ein elektrisches Piano (auch wenn das keine Synthesizer im eigentlichen Sinn sind). Dazu noch ein paar 8Bit Spielereien aus meiner Kindheit :)

DirtBag

Eine Orgel mit viel Schmutz. Das GUI sieht etwas gewöhnungsbedürftig aus, aber es gibt viel zum Einstellen und Sound verbiegen. Man kann sogar Sounds aus ihr herauskitzeln, die nur noch ganz entfernt an eine Orgel erinnern.

DirtBag ist ebenfalls ein 32Bit Plugin, das von Istvan Kaldor stammt. Ich glaube das Plugin ist auch schon uralt, kann aber nicht genau sagen, wann die aktuelle Version veröffentlicht wurde. Ist ja auch egal, ich mag den Klang und das Plugin funktioniert.

City Piano

Dieses PIano ist im Download etwas größer, weil es eine Sample-Library beherbergt, die die einzelnen Nuancen des Pianos in etwas über 400MB Samples verpackt hat. Das GUI ist gräßlich, aber der Klang ist super.

Aber hey, es ist ein Piano. Da muss man nicht viel mit dem GUI herumspielen. Man kann zwar noch einiges einstellen, Attack, Decay, Sustain und Release, außerdem Volume und Pan … muss man aber gar nicht.

Das Plugin stammt von BigCat Instruments und ist natürlich ebenfalls kostenlos. Der Download dauert vielleicht einen Moment länger, weil halt sehr viele Samples vorhanden sind. Das aufgenommene Piano ist ein Baby Grand, welches ein wenig den Raum mit einfängt, in dem es recorded wurde. Ich mag den einfachen Klang. Es ist relativ lofi so wie es ist. Es erinnert mich ein wenig an die Beatles und den Klang der Abbey Road Studios, vielleicht gefällt es mir deshalb so gut. Einen guten Reverb-Effekt hinten dran .. super!

Big Cat Instruments hat so einiges an VSTs und Kontakt Libraries veröffentlicht, aber ich habe mir nicht wirklich alle durchgehört. Das City Piano gibt es übrigens auch als Kontakt Library. Ansonsten war mein Lieblingspiano immer das Gentleman Upright der Komplete Kontakt Libraries. Es ist natürlich immer ärgerlich, wenn man irgendwann mal Geld für Sachen ausgegeben hat und etwas später dann etwas entdeckt. dass nichts kostet und einem fast besser gefällt. Aber so ist es nunmal. Danke an BigCat Instruments.

MrTramp 2 - Wurlitzer Electric Piano

MrTramp 2 ist ein Physical Modeling Plugin, dass ein Wurlitzer 200a Electric Piano simuliert. Es ist klein, total einfach zu bedienen und klingt super. Es könnte vielleicht etwas mehr Biss haben, aber wenn man einen Overdrive Effekt dezent hinten anhängt ist alles ganz fantastisch. Einziger Nachteil ist das Tremolo, das klingt zwar gut, die Frequenz lässt sich aber nicht verändern. Also sollte man hier auch besser einen Tremolo Effekt der DAW benutzen.

Ein paar Sachen zum Einstellen gibt es auch: Velocity, Härte der Hämmer, Tremolo (hmmm… nur feste 6Hz Triangle), dann Tonhöhe und Lautstärke. Alles ganz selbsterklärend. Ich mag dies Wurlitzer gerne, Tremolo dahinter, dann etwas Distortion und ein schönes Reverb … perfekt!

Commodore C64

Kennt den noch jemand? Ich hatte den früher in meiner Kindheit. Da gab es noch keine Playstations oder XBoxen. geschweige denn PCs. Der C64 war wohl der berühmteste Heimcomputer der 80er Jahre. Auch wenn er überwiegend zum Spielen benutzt wurde, konnte man ihn auch in Basic programmieren.

Der C64 hatte einen ganz speziellen Soundchip, den SID, der auch in andere 8Bit Computer von Commodore verbaut wurde. Der Sound dieses Chips ist legendär und immer noch total angesagt. Ich mag diesen Sound und nutze das Basic64 VST Plugin dafür.

Es verfügt über 3 Oszilatoren und typische Synthesizer Einstellmöglichkeiten. Man kann dem Teil echt schräge Klänge entlocken.

Text To Speek

Wieder eine nette 8Bit Spielrei. Für den C64 gab es damals so eine Basic-Erweiterung namens SAM, welche geschriebene Worte in Sprachausgabe umwandelte. Das klang natürlich alles herrlich nach bescheuerten Robotern. Es gibt auch ein VST Plugin, dass diese Technik ganz hervorragend emuliert. Das VST Speek 3.

Man gibt seinen Text ein und die Roboterstimme gibt sie wieder. Natürlich kann man diese Phrasen dann auch mit der Midi-Tastatur spielen. Also, quasi wie ein textbasierter Sampler. Da fällt mir sofort wieder Radiohead ein.

Man hat noch so einiges an Einstellmöglichkeiten, um die Stimme etwas anzupassen. Das berühmte “Exterminate!” der Daleks bekommt man dann damit auch ganz gut hin :D

[thenoisebeneaththesnow]

We don’t often get to travel to South Africa on this blog so today is a rare exception; appropriately so, however as our artist today is indeed an exception above the roles of dark ambient/drone and experimental music in general.

Ellende brings us Odyssey, A Sentimental Journey.

From Bandcamp: “The music might sound a bit nostalgic, the ambience of warm February nights in Cape Town while the sounds of old French movies seep through a badly tuned piano. Sometimes the doors are shut and large metal sheets are heard processed through guitar pedals. A modular synthesiser, analogue synths (Roland SH-101, Juno 6, ARP Solus, Solina) and guitar have been used as well throughout the album.”

So you understand the diversity in the instrumentation herein, I’m including the artist credits toward the bottom.  But let’s first start with the noteworthy packaging.  The physical release comes in a stunning hard-back book with a lot of text and illustrations.  Included are two 10″ vinyl records.  It’s limited to 300 copies so I suggest you grab one.  

The release contains 10 total tracks ranging from just over 2 minutes to 5:43.  I suppose it’s easiest to describe the over-all feel as a soundtrack to different stops on a journey.  It’s not a constant flow throughout; more like a set of views outside similar windows in different locations.

While it may or may not be intentional, one of the first artists who come to mind when listening to this album is Charlamange Palestine.  Though he is known for a very minimalist approach, one of the effects is the manifestation of new tones created by striking notes – even in different keys.  We have something similar going on in Odyssey…  Ellende combines digital and analog equipment (see credits below) to create some interesting combinations of tones.  A track like “Poetically Waxed” might produce a more perpetual, vacuous (even paranoid) vibe while a track like “Purity Is True Love” combines twists and turns (even at times, narrated) carrying the listener on a journey that is both drone-laden and guided by what sounds like manipulated, effect-laden brass instruments.

Certainly there is a wide range of emotions herein on Odyssey as a bit of nostalgia (and perhaps uncertainty or fear) can be felt in “Girlfriend Experience.).  “If, And Only If” produces some pretty interesting sounds almost as if they are using field recordings from some remote jungle mixed in with some whimsical old analog keyboard to the end, like the end of a short but very odd journey.

This is a great release and the vinyl adds a bit of character as well.  Fans of dark ambient should enjoy this album, especially the physical release with the stunning book.

Credits:

Dave “Slave” Mbambi: Guitar, Drones, Synths Lodewikus Pretorius: Piano, Modular, String Synths John John: Synths, Bows, Percussion, Martinus Antonius: Recording, Mix, Tapes, Phasers Rafael Anton Irisarri: Mastering Richard Hart: Design and Art Direction

https://ellende1.bandcamp.com/album/odyssey-a-sentimental-journey

https://www.ellende.org/

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Ellende – “Odyssey, A Sentimental Journey” Album Review (dark ambient) We don't often get to travel to South Africa on this blog so today is a rare exception; appropriately so, however as our artist today is indeed an exception above the roles of dark ambient/drone and experimental music in general.

[thekingofgear]

Hi! Thanks for the forever interesting blog! Haven't seen info on this so will ask: I saw The Smile perform in Stockholm recently and noticed something looking like Moog Mother-32 on Jonny's rack (top shelve if I recall), maybe to play the choral backing on The Opposite? Could it be that, or something else? Thanks!

You're partially right. Thom has a Moog Matriarch analog synthesizer on the bottom shelf of his keyboard stand. It's been part of his The Smile setup since the band’s first public performance on the Glastonbury live stream last year (full gear list here). The Moog cannot play choir sounds, and Thom uses it for vintage-style synth tones on performances of We Don’t Know What Tomorrow Brings.

For the vocoded chords on Thin Thing, Thom uses the Waldorf STVC keyboard, which sits on the top shelf of his keyboard stand. Perhaps that is what you heard as "choir" sounds? The live sound is identical to the studio version, so he almost certainly used the keyboard on the album.

Thom also uses the Waldorf for string synthesizer sounds on performances of Waving A White Flag. For the album version, it's probably Nigel's 1970s or 1980s Solina String Ensemble. The Solina is visible atop Nigel’s Hammond organ in video from the recording of A Light To Attract Attention (you can also see the Solina more clearly in Ultraísta’s 360º stream).

In the future, I'd recommend checking live footage on youtube, as camera phone quality has gotten almost ridiculously good. You can see that nobody played a keyboard during The Opposite in Stockholm.

Thom playing the Moog Matriarch during We Don’t Know What Tomorrow Brings at The Smile’s second live stream from London’s Magazine in January.

[jexttelez]

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1973 Jen String Machine Cooler than Solina & half the price. #synthesizer #synthesizers #crumar #vintagesynth #synth #synths #vintagesynths #music #musician #recording #recordingengineer #recordingstudio #recordingsession #record #recordingstudios #gearybusey #synthpop https://www.instagram.com/p/B4sTutkHp_a/?igshid=h5zbvfbw9760

[jessicakmatt]

The 200 Best Free VST Plugins Ever

The 200 Best Free VST Plugins Ever: via LANDR Blog

Free VST Plugins are one of the most exciting things about mixing.

In the past it was impossible to imagine that so many quality tools could be available at no cost.

Today there are more great free plugins than ever before, but the freeware scene is always changing.

How can you know which free VSTs are worth installing?

We scoured the internet for the absolute best of the best free VST plugins available.

Best Free Synth VSTs

Best Free Drum VSTs

Best Free Guitar VSTs

Best Free VST Effects

Best Free VST Utlities

How to use this guide

There are a staggering 200 free plugins listed on this page.

To make sense of it all, we divided them into categories: Synth VSTs, Drum VSTs, Guitar VSTs, VST Effects and Utility VSTs.

Use the table of contents to see the lists of VSTs by category.

Best Free Synth VSTs

2getheraudio Cheeze Machine

2getheraudio Cheeze Machine is a free VSTi inspired by vintage string synths like the ARP/Solina String Ensemble. It’s perfect for those phasey, vintage, lo-fi strings.

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Applied Acoustics Systems AAS Player

Applied Acoustics Systems AAS Player is a free player for AAS library instruments. It comes preloaded with some great sound banks to get you started.

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Ample Sound Guitar M LITE II

Ample Sound’s Guitar M LITE II is a realistic sounding acoustic guitar with impressive articulation and strumming options for a free plugin.

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Ample Sound Ample Bass P LITE II

Ample Bass P LITE II, is another great instrument from Ample Sound that brings the sound of a studio P-Bass to your DAW.

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Ample Sound Cloudrum

Ample Sound Cloudrum is a digital version of the extremely sought-after melodic handpans you might have heard on a moody film soundtrack.

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Audjoo Helix

Audjoo Helix is a full featured, crisp sounding subtractive synthesizer. It’s huge collection of waveshapes and the ability to use any of them in a “super saw” style makes it amazing for modern electronic sounds.

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Blamsoft VK-1

Blamsoft VK-1 is a digital emulation of the sought after Moog Voyager hardware synth. All the classic flavour of the original is present in the excellent sounding VK-1.

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Blaukraut Charlatan 2.0

Blaukraut Charlatan 2.0 is an uncomplicated, super fat sounding virtual analog synth. Its easy-to use interface makes it good for dialing up great sounds fast.

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Bruce Sutherland JuceOPLVSTi

Bruce Sutherland JuceOPLVSTi is a VST version of the Yamaha YMF262 FM synthesis chip used to create the soundtracks of classic video games like DOOM.

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Dead Duck Deducktion

Is a 32-voice subtractive synth with powerful options beneath its simple exterior. Its comprehensive LFO controls and modulation matrix are perfect for creating evolving soundscapes.

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Dexed

Dexed is a fantastic utilitarian FM synth engine that’s capable of loading any of the classic patches from Yamaha’s hardware FM synths like the DX7 and TX81Z.

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discoDSP OB-Xd

discoDSP OB-Xd brings the enormous sound of the Oberheim OB-X to your DAW. The OB-Xd convincingly recreates the legendary pads and leads of the original.

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DSK Dynamic Guitars

DSK Dynamic Guitar is another realistic guitar sample plugin with convincing articulations for strumming.

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DSK Saxophones

DSK Saxophones offers modes for both alto and soprano saxophone with onboard tone shaping options like ADSR and reverb.

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DSK The Grand

DSK The Grand sounds very convincing for a free plugin. A great option for moody and dramatic grand piano sounds.

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Extent of the Jam Digits 2

Extent of the Jam Digits 2 is a unique phase distortion synthesizer inspired by the Casio CZ series. Phase Distortion is a variant of FM synthesis that can produce some truly wild sounds.

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Full Bucket FB-3300

Full Bucket FB-3300 is an astounding VST reproduction of the rare Korg PS-3300 synthesizer from the late 70s.

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Full Bucket ModulAir

Full Bucket Modulair is a capable, fully modular synth plugin available generously for free.

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HY-Plugins HY-Mono

HY-Plugins HY-Mono is an easy-to-use, fat sounding free monosynth.

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Ichiro Toda Synth1

Ichiro Toda Synth1 is a well designed VST polysynth that models the Clavia Nord Lead 2 hardware.

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IK Multimedia Syntronik FREE

IK Multimedia Syntronik FREE comes packed with 50 presents and 38 effects from the enormous library of the powerful paid version. There’s a huge amount of classic synth tones to choose from.

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Keyzone Classic

Keyzone Classic gives you great sounding acoustic and electric pianos sounds in your DAW for free.

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LinPlug FreeAlpha 3

Linplug FreeAlpha 3 is based on the same powerful synth engine as the paid version. Its slimmed down feature set is easier to use and sounds great.

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Matt Tytel Helm

Matt Tytel’s Helm is an open-source VST synth. That means you’re free to install it anywhere on anything and tinker with the source code. Pretty cool!

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ML PG8X

ML PG8X is a free emulation of the great sounding Roland JX-8P. Get all the classic sounds of this affordable vintage synth in your DAW.

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Muon Tau Bassline

The Muon Tau Bassline is modelled after the Roland TB-303. This small but powerful VST synth gives you that sweet sweet 303 bass we all know and love.

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NUSofting Sinnah

NUSofting Sinnah is a unique VST synth based on a simple oscillator that can create complex waveforms. It’s modulation and effects routing options are extremely extensive.

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Ohm Force SymptOhm PE

Ohm Force SymptOhm PE is the free version (“Performer’s Edition”) of Symptohm:Melohman. It contains all the presets of the paid version with a slimmed down control scheme.

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One Small Clue Grace

One Small Clue Grace is a handy and lightweight VST sampler. Everyone needs a sampler!

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Plogue Alter/Ego

Plogue Alter/Ego is a realtime voice synthesizer capable of creating incredibly interesting vocal sounds. It’s “voice banks” have colourful personalities brought to life with art and design.

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Plogue Sforzando

Plogue Sforzando is a simple standalone player for the non-proprietary SoundFont format of sampled instruments.

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Seaweed Audio Fathom Mono

Fathom is a modular VST synth that excels at crafting original waveforms with advanced modulation. The mono version of Fathom is available completely free.

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Soca Labs PAPU

Soca Labs PAPU emulates the sound hardware of the original Nintendo Gameboy for all your chiptune needs.

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Sound Magic Piano One

Sound Magic Piano One uses a hybrid modelling technique to deliver the sound of the workhorse Yamaha C7 grand piano.

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Spitfire Audio LABS

Spitfire Audio LABS packs a huge amount of extremely creative sounds into a user-friendly interface. With unique libraries from modulated pianos to windswept strings to creative percussion, try LABS if you’re looking for something new.

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Steinberg Model E

Steinberg Model E is a useful 3 oscillator bass station capable of pumping out great bass tones.

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Synister SYNISTER

Synister is a great VST synth designed with practicality and ease of use in mind. If you’re new to synthesis this might be a great place to start!

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TAL-NoiseMaker

TAL-NoiseMaker is the new and improved version of the legacy Elek7ro plugin with many more options and effects. It’s great to use and sounds fantastic.

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Tunefish 4

Tunefish 4 is an extremely lightweight synth that can produce professional quality sounds. It generates its wavetables using a form of additive synthesis.

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u-he Triple Cheese

U-He Triple Cheese generates it’s sound with comb filters rather than oscillators, wavetables or FM. This unique synth produces sounds that are a little on the cheesy side, but usable and inspiring nonetheless.

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u-he Tyrell N6

U-he Tyrell N6 is a compact, effective virtual analog subtractive synth that sounds just right. Its classic architecture feels familiar and its preset library has a diverse array of sounds.

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u-he Zebralette

Another freeware winner from German manufacturer u-he, Zebralette is the free version of the powerful Zebra. Zebralette features one of the same incredible sounding oscillators.

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VCV rack

VCV is an impressive free virtual Eurorack modular system. With emulations of many of the most popular modules supported, VCV rack is a creative powerhouse for synth tweakers.

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Vember Audio Surge

Vember Audio Surge is an incredibly powerful open-source synthesizer. Surge features multiple “scenes” that can be layered for expressive timbres. Like all open-source software the source code is available for you to explore.

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Versilian Studios Chamber Orchestra 2 Community Edition

Versilian Studios Chamber Orchestra 2 Community Edition is a sampled chamber orchestra that throws typical orchestral sampling traditions to the wind. VSCO 2 focuses on the unique sound of real people playing real instruments in real spaces.

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Wavosaur VST Speek

Wavosaur VST Speek models the old school speech synthesis engines of retro hardware like the Amiga 500, Commodore 64 and Atari ST for those classic robot voice tones.

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Best Free Drum VSTs

Alan Vista Chau Gongs

Alan Vista’s unique sampled VST instruments run the gamut of orchestral percussion from traditional hand crashes to this cinematic collection of Chinese gongs.

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Alan Vista Cymbalistic

Alan Vista Cymbalistic continues in the same vein with a realistic set of common drum kit cymbals with articulations and variable release times.

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Alan Vista Royotoms

Royotoms is a unique sampled instrument of pitched “rototoms” tuned to the notes used in the intro to Pink Floyd’s “Time.”

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AudioSpillage MiniSpillage

AudioSpillage MiniSpillage is a compact drum synthesizer capable of creating big drum sounds using subtractive synthesis and physical modeling.

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BeatSkillz Beat Factory Drums

Beat Skillz Beat Factory Drums is a simple VST packed with essential sounds from classic drum machines like the the TR-808 and 909.

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Decomposer Sitala

Decomposer Sitala is a free drum plugin that focuses on simplicity and ease-of-use. With only six controls, Sitala let’s you dial in the sounds you need fast.

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Dub Turbo DrumTroop

Dub Turbo DrumTroop is a big sounding drum VST with 16 individual outputs and 20 free kits. Each pad has options for volume, pan, attack and release.

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Melda MDrummer Small

Melda MDrummer Small is the lite version of Melda’s comprehensive MDrummer plugin. Mdrummer Small features the same excellent drum machine and virtual drummer capabilities with a more utilitarian feature set.

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Mix Project T.Rex 606

Mix Project T.REX 606 is a compact rompler modelled after the iconic Roland TR-606 drum machine. It’s interface is super simple to get you started with TR-606 sounds right away.

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MT Power Drumkit 2

MT Power Drumkit 2 is a reastlc sounding acoustic drum kit plugin with sounds that can be used in all genres.

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Real Drum Samples Line of Legends

Real Drum Samples Line of Legends is a single great sounding hip-hop drum kit in an unassuming package.

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Sample Science Vintage Drum Elements

Sample Science Vintage Drum Elements gives you the authentic sounds of the old school Yamaha RX5 drum machine for all your lofi vintage drum needs.

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Sean Pandy Drums Multi

Sean Pandy’s Drums Multi is a quick and dirty way to get heavy drum samples onto your tracks. It’s great for metal or aggressive genres.

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Elektronic Sound Lab SL Drums 3

Elektronic Sound Lab SL Drums 3 is drum rompler vst with 75 available drum kits and assignable outputs.

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Steven Slate Drums SSD5 Free

Steven Slate Drums SSD5 Free is the freeware edition of Steven Slate Drums flagship SSD5 plugin. Everything about the popular drum tool is there, with a single great kit.

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Studio Linked Drum Pro

Studio Linked Drum Pro is a virtual drum machine that comes with 20 kits and built-in effects to get you started creating great drum sounds right away.

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Teragon Kick Maker

Teragon Kick Maker is a bass drum synth dedicated to sculpting unique and massive kick sounds.

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SimpleRecorder DjinnDrum

SimpleRecorder DjinnDrum is a no-nonsense plugin version of the legendary Linndrum drum machine.

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Best Free Guitar VSTs

IK Multimedia Amplitube Custom Shop

IK Multimedia Amplitube Custom Shop contains the several of the paid versions’s basic modules for free. Get your hands on the sounds of this classic amp sim.

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Black Rooster Cypress TT-15

Black Rooster Cypress TT-15 is an impressive freeware emulation of the popular Orange Tiny Terror amp head.

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Ignite Amps Emissary

Ignite Amps Emissary is a software version of Ignite Amps flagship gain machine. Emissary brings bone crushing distortion to your DAW with style.

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Ignite Amps NadIR

Ignite Amps NadIR is a handy IR loader plugin for using speaker cabinet impulse response when recording an amp direct.

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Ignite Amps ProF.E.T.

Ignite Amps Pro.F.E.T is a plugin version of a popular high gain stompbox that’s a great option from getting heavy distortion into your tracks.

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Ignite Amps SHB-1

Ignite Amps SHB-1 is a plugin version of a custom “extreme bass head” built by Ignite Amps. Try it if you’re looking for aggressive metal bass tones.

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LePou LeCab 2.0

LePou LeCab 2.0 is another fantastic free cab IR loader that lets you stack up to six virtual cabs at once.

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LePou Amp Suite

LePou Amp Suite is a collection of virtual amps that can cover a diverse range of guitar tones from vintage to modern.

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Mercuriall Chorus WS-1

Mercuriall Chorus WS-1 is a stompbox style chorus VST that can bring the classic shimmer of analog chorus to your DAW sessions.

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Mercuriall Greed Smasher

Mercuriall Greed Smasher is a digital model of the Mesa/Boogie Grid Smasher overdrive pedal. It’s perfect for pushing a hot amp plugin into aggressive overdrive.

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Mercuriall Tubes Creamer 808

Mercuriall Tubes Creamer 808 is a faithful adaptation of the Ibanez TS808 Tubescreamer in plugin form.

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Native Instruments Guitar Rig Player

Native Instruments Guitar Rig Player comes bundled with NI’s free plugin suite. This stripped down edition still packs a ton of functionality and the great tones Guitar Rig is known for.

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Nick Crow 8505

Nick Crow 8505 is a plugin version of the popular Peavey 6505 amp. Another fantastic option for virtual heavy tones.

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Plugin Alliance  bx_rockrack V3 Player

Brainworx/Plugin Alliance entry into the guitar amp simulation scene is a fantastic option with 8 well emulated amps to choose from. The free V3 Player gives you a sample of some of the presets from the paid version.

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Blue Cat’s Free Amp

Blue Cat’s Free Amp offers three distinct amp models inspired by legendary tones. You can even load your own IRs to take advantage of your favourite cab/mic models.

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Voxengo Boogex

Voxengo Boogex is a guitar amp and speaker cabinet simulator with a versatile sound for realtime guitar processing. Get anything from jazzy cleans to heavy crunch at almost zero latency.

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Shattered Glass Audio Ace Amp

Shattered Glass Audio Ace Amp is a faithful recreation of the classic 1950’s low-wattage tweed amplifier used on thousands of records. It includes emulation of common mods to the 5 watt tweed circuit and IR based speaker modelling.

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Best Free VSTs Effects

Acon Digital Multiply

Acon Digital Multiply is an expressive digital chorus that includes a phase randomizing filter on each voice. The result is an incredibly natural chorus tone.

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Acustica Tan

Acustica Tan is a VST compressor based on Acustica’s unique and comprehensive modelling technology. Tan has a fat VCA compression sound and additional control for modulating the shape of the attack curve.

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Adam Monroe Tremolo

Adam Monroe Tremolo is a simple but effective tremolo with stereo panning and wet/dry mixer built in.

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ADHD Audio Tools Levelling Tool

ADHD Audio Tools Levelling Tool is an LA-2A style optical levelling amplifier with a warm analog sound. It sounds great on vocals or other compression duties.

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Alex Hilton A1 Trigger Gate

Alex Hilton A1 Trigger Gate is a plugin for creating rhythmic gating effects. It’s comprehensive options make it perfect for creating patterned stuttering.

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Aegean Music Doppler Dome

Aegean Music Doppler Dome is a stereo effect based on its namesake, the Doppler effect. Expect a creative, flexible and fun auto-panner, spatializer, pitch shifter and modulator all in one.

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Auburn Couture Free

Auburn Couture Free is a free transient shaper plugin for level independent dynamics processing. Transient shaping can be a great alternative to compression.

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Auburn Graillon Free

Auburn Graillon Free is a versatile pitch tracking and correction plugin with the power to transpose or robitify vocals.

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Audio Damage Fuzz Plus 3

Audio Damage Fuzz Plus 3 is an authentic model of a vintage fuzz pedal with tone-shaping filter and self-feedback.

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Audio Damage Rough Rider 2

Audio Damage Rough Rider 2 is a nice warm compressor that’s great for adding pump to rhythmic material.

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Beatskillz MAX1

Beatskillz MAX1 is an “intelligent” automatic compressor with program dependent attack and release times. Try MAX1 if you’re looking for an extremely easy to use compressor.

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Bee-Happy 550

Bee-Happy 550 is a freeware API-style console EQ. It’s a great plugin to get you started with API style EQ.

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Flux BitterSweet v3

Flux BitterSweet v3 is a freeware transient shaper with a simple control scheme and great sound.

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Black Rooster VHL-3C

Black Rooster VHL-3C is a faithful emulation of the low and high filters of a renowned vintage EQ. These smooth, gentle, analog style filters are great for taming excess high and low energy with style.

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Blue Cat’s Chorus

Blue Cat’s Chorus is a capable chorus that can go from a light shimmer to sound mangling modulation.

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Blue Cat’s Flanger

Blue Cat’s Flanger is a vintage BBD style flanger for those 70s and 80s jet-plane-taking-off sounds. Its stereo spread slider allows it to get truly wide and immersive.

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Blue Cat’s Phaser

Blue Cat’s Phaser is an analog style phaser with impressive digital capabilities. With up to 32 possible phaser stages Blue Cat’s Phaser can go from subtle vintage throb to futuristic whoosh.

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Blue Cat’s Triple EQ

Blue Cat’s Triple EQ is a simple three band, semi-parametric EQ that can be controlled with a single mouse click. Triple EQ works like a single shapeable filter for your DAW.

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Bob Perry Gate

Bob Perry Gate is a smooth, great sounding gate plugin with three distinct algorithms and sidechaining.

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Cable Guys Pancake 2

Cable Guys Pancake 2 is a versatile auto-panner plugin that can sync to your DAW clock, MIDI or modulation curves that you draw in yourself.

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Creative Intent Temper

Creative Intent Temper is a saturation plugin that creates unique digital distortion effects using a rich saturation stage and a unique phase distortion effect.

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E-phonic Tape Delay

E-phonic Tape Delay is a free delay plugin that emulates the warm and warbly sound of tape delay.

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Eugene Yakshin Ribs

Eugene Yakshin Ribs is a unique granular effect that stores incoming audio in its buffer and processes it as granular micro samples

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Fine Cut Bodies La Petite Excite

Fine Cut Bodies La Petite Excite is an exciter effect that can add energy to the high and low extremes of your tracks.

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FXpansion Bloom

FXpansion Bloom is a creative delay effect with three switchable delay modes, lush diffusion reverb, frequency shifting and extensive modulation.

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FXpansion DCAM Dynamics

FXpansion DCAM Dynamics is a suite of four high quality circuit-modelled dynamics processors. From VCA-style bus compression to level-independant transient shaping.

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FXpansion Etch

FXpansion Etch is a dual filter with four switchable circuit modes, saturation and a powerful modulation matrix for stunning filter effects.

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FXpansion Maul

FXpansion Maul is a multiband distortion and saturation suite that allows you to mangle audio on three separate frequency bands.

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Glitchmachines Hysteresis

Glitchmachines Hysteresis a free glitch delay for creating robotic artifacts and “musical malfunctions.” It can create everything from reverse delays to raw granulation.  

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Glitchmachines Fracture

Glitchmachines Fracture is another free glitchy processor for introducing stutters and other nonlinearities into your audio. Hit the randomize button to add a layer of unpredictability to your glitch-outs.

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HOFA SYSTEM Basic

HOFA SYSTEM Basic is a suite of plugins with limited functionality to get you started with the offerings from HOFA. Simplified versions of some of their best plugins are included.  

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Hotto Spring Reverb

Hotto Spring Reverb is a free physically modelled spring reverb for your DAW.

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Ignite Amps PTeq-X

Ignite Amps PTeq-X is fantastic freeware emulation of legendary Pultec EQP-1A tube EQ. It’s warm sound and gentle curves are great for broad tonal sculpting.

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iZotope Vinyl

iZotope Vinyl is an instant lo-fi generator that can take your tracks back in time to the sound of the earliest forms of recording media. Very cool!

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iZotope Vocal Doubler

iZotope Vocal Doubler can create a natural double tracked vocal sound with human-like variation and controllable stereo separation.

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Klanghelm DC1A

Klanghelm DC1A is an analog modelled compressor with two simple controls and a warm, vintage sound. The little brother of the acclaimed DC8C.

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Klanghelm IVGI

Klanghelm IVGI is an excellent analog saturation plugin that can go from subtle harmonic enhancement to heavy colouration. One of the best freeware saturators available!

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Klanghelm MJUC Jr.

Klanghelm MJUC Jr. is a another two-knob wonder modelled on classic variable-mu tube compression.

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Native Instruments Komplete Start

Native Instruments Komplete Start is an impressive free bundle of plugins with a huge library of VST synths, effects and sampled instruments.  

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lkjb Luftikus

lkjb Luftikus is an analog EQ modelled on the popular Maag EQ4 and featuring the unique 20 and 40 kHz “air bands” for boosting frequencies above the audible range.

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LVC Audio ClipShifter

LVC Audio ClipShifter is a waveshaping plugin that functions like clipping-style limiter. From maximizing levels to creating all kinds of distortion, ClipShifter is a unique and useful tool.

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Melda MAutopan

Melda MAutopan is a classic autopanner with adjustable shape, automatic DAW sync and more.

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Melda MAutoPitch

Melda MAutoPitch is a simple automatic pitch correction plugin for vocals or monophonic instruments. MAutoPitch can also create formant shifting and robotic voice effects.

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Melda MBandPass

Melda MBandPass is a filter plugin with high and low pass filters capable of extreme slopes. Using it’s two modulators it can be follow a simple LFO, react to input levels, MIDI notes or incoming pitches.

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Melda MBitFun

Melda MBitFun is a unique distortion tool that works by converting the audio to a limited resolution and applying unique processing to each bit.

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Melda MComb

Melda MComb is a powerful multi-comb filter for shaping sound. Using it’s two modulators it can be follow a simple LFO, react to input levels, MIDI notes or incoming pitches.

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Melda MCompressor

Melda MCompressor is a versatile compressor with an adjustable compression shape.  

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Melda MConvolutionEZ

Melda MConvolutionEZ is an impressively easy to use convolution reverb for modelling realistic spaces.

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MDSP Smart Elecontronix Livecut Beat Chopper

MDSP Smart Elecontronix Livecut Beat Chopper a live beat-slicer and sample chopper for manipulating chunks of audio in the style of early jungle or drum and bass.

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Melda MEqualizer

Melda MEqualizer is a powerful 6-band equalizer with 7 different filter types, built-in tube saturation and for simulating a vintage tone.

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Melda MFlanger

Melda MFlanger is an analog style flanger with tube-style saturation and top quality sound.

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Melda MFreqShifter

Melda MFreqShifter is an interesting frequency shifter plugin that doesn’t preserve harmonic relationships, allowing it to do everything from mild stereo effects to extreme processing.

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Metric Halo MH Thump

Metric Halo MH Thump is a subharmonic synthesiser plugin for adding extra low end to your sources with a unique program dependent detector.

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Melda MPhaser

Melda MPhaser is an advanced phaser effect with adjustable oscillator shape, onboard saturation and up to 100 filters.

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Melda MRing Modulator

Melda MRing Modulator is an easy-to-use ring modulator with a simple interface for creating interesting ring modulated textures.

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Melda MSaturator

Melda MSaturator is a smooth, tube-like saturation device with natural and pleasing sound.

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Melda MTremolo

Melda MTremolo can cover all your amplitude modulation needs with its editable waveform, adjustable shape and DAW synchronization.

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Melda MVibrato

Melda MVibrato is easy to dial in and sounds for great for everything from subtle warble to seasick lurch.

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Melda MWaveFolder

Melda MWaveFolder is an analog-inspired distortion with unique character that can completely mangle your audio at extreme settings.

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Melda MWaveShaper

Melda MWaveShaper takes traditional wave-shaping to a new level by letting you construct your own shape instead of using predefined patterns.

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PechenegFX Tremolo

PechenegFX Pecheneg Tremolo is a simple but effective tremolo with just enough controls to get you started with great trem sounds right away.

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Plugin Alliance Brainworx bx_cleansweep

Plugin Alliance Brainworx bx_cleansweep gives you high-end analog low and high pass filters for free. These incredible sounding filters are the perfect tools for cleaning up issues at the extreme ends of your mix.

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Plugin Alliance Brainworx bx_subfilter

Plugin Alliance Brainworx bx_subfilter is a handy tool for dealing with low frequency sources like bass and kick drum. It’s simple controls make it easy to sculpt low-end punchiness and filtering.

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Plugin Alliance Elysia Niveau Filter

Plugin Alliance Elysia Niveau Filter is an awesome sounding tilt-style EQ for balancing your frequencies smoothly and transparently.

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Plugin Alliance SPL Free Ranger

Plugin Alliance SPL Free Ranger is an analog-modelled graphic EQ with boost/cut points at the most important frequencies for musical EQing.

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Puremagnetik Driftmaker

Puremagnetik Driftmaker is a delay disintegration device with exceptional dimension and character, perfect for when you’re looking to invoke something extra from your track.

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Shattered Glass Audio SGA1566

Shattered Glass Audio SGA1566 is a digital emulation of a classic single channel all-tube mic preamplifier. SGA1566 is perfect for analog colouration and distortion.

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Shattered Glass Code Red Free

Shattered Glass Code Red 3 accurately emulates the legendary EMI REDD console channel used by the Beatles at Abbey Road.

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Smartelectronix Ambience

Smartelectronix Ambience was one of the first quality free reverb plugins on the scene and it continues to be a great option for ambient algorithmic reverb.

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Softube Saturation Knob

Softube Saturation knob is an incredibly simple one-knob plugin for adding analog output stage warmth and colouration.

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Flux Stereo Tool v3

Flux Stereo Tool v3 is a precision tool for monitoring and controlling the stereo information of a signal. Use it to analyze and correct stereo issues on stereo channels or your entire mix.

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T-RackS 5 Custom Shop

T-RackS 5 Custom Shop is a great way to get started with some of the best presets from IK Multimedia’s respected T-Racks platform.

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TAL Chorus LX

TAL Chorus LX is an emulation of the unique chorus circuit found on the Roland Juno-60 synthesizer.

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TAL Filter II

TAL Filter II is a versatile filter plugin with many different types of oversampled filters available. It can be synced to the host tempo to create all kinds of rhythmic effects.

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TAL Reverb 2

TAL Reverb 2 is a super diffuse and lush reverb effect that’s ideal for ambient reverb tones.

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TAL Reverb 4

TAL Reverb 4 is a high quality plate reverb with a vintage 80s character and the signature TAL diffusion.

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TAL Vocoder

TAL Vocoder is a vintage vocoder emulation with 11 bands that emulates the sound of vocoders from the early 80s.

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TDR Kotelnikov

TDR Kotelnikov is a high quality and musical sounding dynamics processor worthy of professional applications. This unique processor doesn’t emulate existing processor, it’s its own thing!

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TDR Nova

TDR Nova is an insanely high quality dynamic equalizer available for free. TDR Nova can handle parametric EQ, dynamic EQ, multiband compression and more—it’s a must have!

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TDR Proximity

TDR Proximity allows you to simulate changing the distance of a microphone to the source. Ever wished you could dial in a bit more proximity effect? That’s exactly what TDR Proximity is for!

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TDR Slick EQ

TDR Slick EQ is another highly musical audio tool from TDR. This 3 band EQ is designed for useability and tone with 4 fantastic sounding subtle saturation options at the output stage. Another classic free plugin.

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Thomas Mundt Loudmax

Thomas Mundt Loudmax is a freeware brickwall lookahead limiter designed to retain the source material’s original character as much as possible.

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Tritik Krush

Tritik Krush is a freeware bit crusher and downsampler with analog modeled resonant filters and syncable modulation options for all your creative bit crushing needs.

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U-he Protoverb

U-he Protoverb is a natural sounding room simulator plugin that builds up resonances to model the body of air in a room.

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Valhalla FreqEcho

Valhalla FreqEcho is a simple but flexible delay plugin capable of creating some truly otherworldly sounds using only modulation and pitch shifting.

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Vladg Molot Compressor

Vladg Molot Compressor is an analog style compressor plugin that doesn’t shy away from obvious colouration and distortion. Molot is great option when clean just won’t do.

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Voxengo Tempo Delay

Voxengo Tempo Delay is a stereo delay plugin with deep DAW synchronization for creating rhythmic delays and unique panning, filter and tremolo effects.

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Voxengo Overtone GEQ

Voxengo Overtone GEQ is a 7-band harmonic graphic EQ with tube-style character that’s great for processing buses or entire mixes.

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Voxengo Old Skool Reverb

Voxengo Old Skool Reverb is a plate style algorithmic reverb that uses a tried and true stereo reverb algorithm that sits well in a mix.

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Voxengo Tube Amp

Voxengo Tube Amp is a simple tube style distortion that emulates the triode tubes generally found in tube mic preamps.

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George Yohng W1 Limiter

George Yohng W1 Limiter is a clone of the popular Waves L1 limiter that performs just as well as the original. W1 is a great choice for general limiter tasks.

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Wave Arts Tube Saturator Vintage

Wave Arts Tube Saturator Vintage is a free reissue of the original Tube Saturator plugin that used circuit simulation to model a tube preamp. The new version sounds just as good and is much easier on your CPU.

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Xenakios PaulXStretch

Xenakios PaulXStretch is the innovative time stretching plugin best known for its use in the “slowed down 800%” viral videos. Turn everything into whalesong!

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Xfer 8BitShaper

Xfer 8BitShaper is a bit reduction and waveshaping plugin that’s great for creatively destroying anything you run into it.

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Xfer DeltaModulator

Xfer DeltaModulator is a unique bitcrusher plugin that uses delta modulation in its downsampling process to create a sound similar to the Nintendo NES’s sampling channel.

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Xfer Dimension Expander

Xfer Dimension Expander is a four voice chorus with extended delay times and two out of phase voices based on a chorus/spatial expander device from the 80s.

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Xfer OTT

Xfer OTT is a free version of the aggressive multiband upwards/downwards compression technique favoured by dubstep and EDM producers.

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Best Free VST Utilities

Algae Software Tune it!

Algae Software Tune it! Is a powerful tuning plugin that can be used to tune instruments or monitor pitch during practice or performance.

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Voxengo AnSpec

Voxengo Anspec is an analog style 1/3-Oct spectrum analyzer for simple visual feedback with familiar analog metering.

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Blue Cat’s FreqAnalyst

Blue Cat’s FreqAnalyst is a free spectrum analyzer for monitoring the spectral content of your audio in real time.

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Voxengo SPAN

Voxengo SPAN is an FFT spectrum analyzer with stereo correlation, K level, peak and RMS metering built in.

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Voxengo Latency Delay

Voxengo Latency Delay is a simple tool to compensate for the delay introduced by plugins that don’t report their latency accurately to the host.

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Melda MAnalyzer

Melda MAnalyzer is an advanced spectral analyzer and sonogram generator for creating detailed visual representations of your audio.

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Melda MChannelMatrix

Melda MChannelMatrix is a matrix routing plugin for reassigning multiple channels on the fly via its sidechain inputs.

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Voxengo MSED

Voxengo MSED is a mid-Side encoder and decoder utility for splitting or combining stereo signals between L/R and M/S configurations and performing basic M/S operations.

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Melda MLoudnessAnalyzer

Melda MLoudnessAnalyzer is a super accurate analysis tool for evaluating loudness.

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Melda MNoiseGenerator

Melda MNoiseGenerator is a simple pink/white noise generator for testing, analysis or adding to audio signals.

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Melda MNotepad

Melda MNotepad is a VST text editor for your DAW. Need to take notes or write down lyrics? Do it directly from your session.

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Melda MOscilloscope

Melda MOscilloscope is a classic waveform visualizer with pitch detection.

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Melda MTuner

Melda MTuner is a simple audio frequency analysis tool designed for tuning guitars and other instruments.

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Voxengo Correlometer

Voxengo Correlometer is a multi-band correlation meter for detecting phase issues and mono compatibility.

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Melda MUtility

Melda MUtility bundles a number of important utility tools into one plugin in. It can adjust gain, panning and delay, asses peak and RMS loudness and block DC.

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Melda MStereoScope

Melda MStereoScope is a stereo field analyzer plugin for getting detailed info about your stereo spread.

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Blue Cat’s Gain Suite

Blue Cat’s Gain Suite is a handful of helpful gain tools in a single plugin package. From decoding M/S signals to inverting phase and swapping channels, Blue Cat’s Gain Suite can do it all.

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Plugin Alliance Brainworx Bx_solo

Plugin Alliance Brainworx Bx_solo is another great utility tool for dealing with L/R and M/S stereo signals. Try it to get started with mid/side techniques!

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Puremagnetik Expanse

Puremagnetik Expanse is versatile texture generator. Perfect for adding body or background to your mix. Kick back and blanket yourself beneath a soft beautiful drone.

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Melda MAGC

Melda MAGC is a simple tool that matches loudness of the input signal and sidechain. MAGC can help you evaluate loudness in your mix and signal chains.

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Melda MFreeformPhase

Melda MFreeformPhase is a phase adjustment utility that allows you to change the phase relationships of individual frequencies in complex mixing situations.

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Teragon ChaosChimp

Teragon ChaosChimp is something completely different. This one doesn’t do anything to your sound. It simply tries to crash your system however it can. Why would you possibly want this? To steel yourself against the inevitability of failure. That’s right dear reader—to prepare you for the worst. How will you handle a complete system failure in a live situation or high pressure session? Teragon ChaosChimp will test your rig—and your composure!

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The post The 200 Best Free VST Plugins Ever appeared first on LANDR Blog.

from LANDR Blog https://blog.landr.com/best-free-vst-plugins/ via https://www.youtube.com/user/corporatethief/playlists from Steve Hart https://stevehartcom.tumblr.com/post/183876281864

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Re-Strings Rack Extension For Reason Recreates 70’s String Synth Sounds Re-Strings features 67 individual sample sets from a plethora of classic analogue string ensembles including the rare Freeman String Symphonizer, the Solina, the Eminent 310, the Logan String Ensemble and other classic string machines.… Read More Re-Strings Rack Extension For Reason Recreates 70’s String Synth Sounds http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2017/04/11/re-strings-rack-extension-for-reason-recreates-70s-string-synth-sounds/