Reverbs are a must for just about any songwriter, beat maker, music maker. It's true they can be over used at times, but they are such a common tool that I wanted to take a moment to talk about three very good and free reverb VST effects.
Reverb is short for "Reverberation" which basically means the effect of sound bouncing off of surfaces and reflecting back into the listener's ear. It can be used to make dramatic effects like spooky ghost talking or subtler effects like making a performance sound like it's in a small room.
Most of us have heard reverb if we ever sign or make a loud sound in the bathroom. Since bathrooms tend to have a lot of hard surfaces like tile, the sound in this room really bounces around.
First up we have a freeware reverb called SIR1. SIR1 is a reverb device that works with "impulse-responses" (IR). These are data files that contain information about real world environments. For example, you could download an IR recording made at the Hollywood Bowl and use it in SIR1 to get an accurate reverb as if you were playing at the Hollywood Bowl!
Generally, this type of reverb may introduce a delay into your mix, so you will need a host that can compensate for it. This is by far the best sounding type of reverb that exists today. There is a commercial SIR2 that offers zero-latency and more features.
Second on the list is an oldie but a goodie. Often thought to be one of the best all-time free reverbs on the market, we have Ambience. Technically this would be called donation ware since you are free to pay what you think it's worth, whenever you want. If has a nag screen, but otherwise functions perfectly even if you choose not to donate.
Finally, we get to RoomMachine 844. It's a room simulator. This is a very useful reverb for things like drums and vocals where you don't want a long reverb tail, but do want to give the sounds that little extra "oomph" to make it stand out. The room simul;ations sounds very natural. Many people I know use this exclusively for vocals because it does such a great job.
There you go... Three different, useful and free reverbs for you to add to your collection. Have fun!
Showing posts with label Effects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Effects. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
10 Freeware VST Plugins worth checking out
The freeware scene in audio is constantly providing fresh and unique plug-ins that cover a broad range of virtual instruments and effects. The variety of designs are as numerous as their possible uses, as freeware developers and users break the boundaries of what is possible in audio software. This article covers 10 high-quality freeware plug-ins that have made it on the short list. Whether you're new to music creation or on the lookout for new software, here are five free instruments and five free effects that deserve a place in your plug-in folder.
Instruments
Sonata (PC) by Soha Sound
CPU Usage: High
Capable of a wide range of sounds with some very beautiful pads, Sonata offers a unique way of synthesis. The CPU Hit is high, but this is expected with pad sounds and many computer musicians choose to bounce their pad instruments to audio files anyway. Sometimes the plugin clips internally, so you may have to turn the amp knob and the sustain level knob to remedy this. More soundbanks are available on the plugin's website.
Triangle II (PC) by RGC Audio
CPU Usage: Medium
An extremely stable monosynth. Its unique features include atypical oscillator types, tweakable unison controls, distortion, and something called a Decimator which I have not heard in any other synth. The interface presents many other unique features in an easy-to-use fashion.
Be sure to check out the recently released soundbank by MG at KVR.
Effects
EpicVerb (PC) by VarietyOfSound
CPU Usage: Medium
A great reverb for all purposes--that's an understatement. Its realism makes it useful for adding depth to any audio, its surprisingly low CPU usage makes it practical. There are multiple types of reverb and the right amount of knobs for sound designing. On the extra-large reverb settings it can turn any almost sound into a lush pad, and it can make a monaural synth sound stereo if you need it.
CamelCrusher (PC and Mac) by Camel Audio
CPU Usage: Very Low
Featuring compression, distortion, filtering and parallel processing, CamelCrusher gives you multiple ways to pump and crush your audio when you need it quickly. It doesn't have a whole lot of settings, but sometimes that's a good thing.
Glitch (PC) by dblue
CPU Usage: Low
Essentially nine effects in one, dblue's Glitch plugin remains one of the most popular freeware effects plugins available. Shuffle, reverse, retrigger, and crush are four of the effects that can be used to glitch up any audio fed into it. While each of these effects could stand on their own, Glitch features an optional step-sequencer where effects can be chosen and triggered. Some possible uses might be to glitch an element of the track every 8 bars, by muting and unmuting the plugin. The only danger here is the time that could be lost while using this plugin, because it is very fun to experiment with.
bx Solo (PC and Mac) by Brainworx
CPU Usage: Very Low
This is fairly simple plugin, but a good introduction to Mid/Side processing. There are also buttons to hear the left or right channel on both speakers, and this comes in handy with sampling because sometimes you can extract a sound easier from just the right or left side. The stereo manipulation tools and width options are useful as well.
Rough Rider Compressor (PC and Mac) byAudio Damage
CPU Usage: Very Low
The effect of this plugin is well-heard and every knob tweak makes a difference. You can definitely hear it pump up the ambience on acoustic drum tracks. It could be used by drum sound designers to boost the "decay" section of the sounds and the webpage for this plugin recommends using it on rhythmic tracks. It's definitely not an all-purpose compressor, but the simplicity and boldness of the plugin is refreshing.
Instruments
02.circles by RLMA-LABS (PC)
CPU Usage: Medium-High
This synth features a new type of GUI, instead of knobs or sliders, there are circles that get brighter and dimmer when you adjust them. Based on the screenshot, my first impression was that this would be a novelty plugin that skimped on usable sounds, but when I actually tried it out and started designing with it, I found the sound engine is quality and there are more than enough modulation options to make unique and usable sounds and textures. If this plugin was a little bit easier on the CPU usage, it would become my go-to synth for some uses such as the "upper-mids" of wobble bass sounds.
CPU Usage: Medium-High
This synth features a new type of GUI, instead of knobs or sliders, there are circles that get brighter and dimmer when you adjust them. Based on the screenshot, my first impression was that this would be a novelty plugin that skimped on usable sounds, but when I actually tried it out and started designing with it, I found the sound engine is quality and there are more than enough modulation options to make unique and usable sounds and textures. If this plugin was a little bit easier on the CPU usage, it would become my go-to synth for some uses such as the "upper-mids" of wobble bass sounds.TAL Elec7ro by Togu Audio Line (PC)
CPU Usage: Medium
This easy-to-use synth features all the typical parameters in the best way possible and adds some extra features that allow you to create bigger sounds than you might expect from three oscillators. As the presets demonstrate, this synth is capable of a wide range of professional and modern sounds making the short time it takes to learn the parameters well worth it. A filter envelope, an amp envelope, and an assignable envelope are also on board, as well as two linkable LFOs that can be synced to the tempo. It has both poly and mono modes, making it useful for many purposes.
CPU Usage: Medium
This easy-to-use synth features all the typical parameters in the best way possible and adds some extra features that allow you to create bigger sounds than you might expect from three oscillators. As the presets demonstrate, this synth is capable of a wide range of professional and modern sounds making the short time it takes to learn the parameters well worth it. A filter envelope, an amp envelope, and an assignable envelope are also on board, as well as two linkable LFOs that can be synced to the tempo. It has both poly and mono modes, making it useful for many purposes.Shortcircuit by Vember Audio (PC)
CPU Usage: Low
Shortcircuit is a plugin that allows you to load and map samples to a virtual keyboard. It features editing, effects, and LFOs and an automapping feature. If you have a folder of multi-samples, you can drag the samples onto Shortcircuit from Windows Explorer and Shortcircuit will try to automatically map the samples, usually successfully. It can also load soundfonts.
CPU Usage: Low
Shortcircuit is a plugin that allows you to load and map samples to a virtual keyboard. It features editing, effects, and LFOs and an automapping feature. If you have a folder of multi-samples, you can drag the samples onto Shortcircuit from Windows Explorer and Shortcircuit will try to automatically map the samples, usually successfully. It can also load soundfonts.Sonata (PC) by Soha Sound
CPU Usage: High
Capable of a wide range of sounds with some very beautiful pads, Sonata offers a unique way of synthesis. The CPU Hit is high, but this is expected with pad sounds and many computer musicians choose to bounce their pad instruments to audio files anyway. Sometimes the plugin clips internally, so you may have to turn the amp knob and the sustain level knob to remedy this. More soundbanks are available on the plugin's website.Triangle II (PC) by RGC Audio
CPU Usage: Medium
An extremely stable monosynth. Its unique features include atypical oscillator types, tweakable unison controls, distortion, and something called a Decimator which I have not heard in any other synth. The interface presents many other unique features in an easy-to-use fashion.Be sure to check out the recently released soundbank by MG at KVR.
Effects
EpicVerb (PC) by VarietyOfSound
CPU Usage: Medium
A great reverb for all purposes--that's an understatement. Its realism makes it useful for adding depth to any audio, its surprisingly low CPU usage makes it practical. There are multiple types of reverb and the right amount of knobs for sound designing. On the extra-large reverb settings it can turn any almost sound into a lush pad, and it can make a monaural synth sound stereo if you need it.CamelCrusher (PC and Mac) by Camel Audio
CPU Usage: Very Low
Featuring compression, distortion, filtering and parallel processing, CamelCrusher gives you multiple ways to pump and crush your audio when you need it quickly. It doesn't have a whole lot of settings, but sometimes that's a good thing.Glitch (PC) by dblue
CPU Usage: Low
Essentially nine effects in one, dblue's Glitch plugin remains one of the most popular freeware effects plugins available. Shuffle, reverse, retrigger, and crush are four of the effects that can be used to glitch up any audio fed into it. While each of these effects could stand on their own, Glitch features an optional step-sequencer where effects can be chosen and triggered. Some possible uses might be to glitch an element of the track every 8 bars, by muting and unmuting the plugin. The only danger here is the time that could be lost while using this plugin, because it is very fun to experiment with.bx Solo (PC and Mac) by Brainworx
CPU Usage: Very Low
This is fairly simple plugin, but a good introduction to Mid/Side processing. There are also buttons to hear the left or right channel on both speakers, and this comes in handy with sampling because sometimes you can extract a sound easier from just the right or left side. The stereo manipulation tools and width options are useful as well.Rough Rider Compressor (PC and Mac) byAudio Damage
CPU Usage: Very Low
The effect of this plugin is well-heard and every knob tweak makes a difference. You can definitely hear it pump up the ambience on acoustic drum tracks. It could be used by drum sound designers to boost the "decay" section of the sounds and the webpage for this plugin recommends using it on rhythmic tracks. It's definitely not an all-purpose compressor, but the simplicity and boldness of the plugin is refreshing.This article was written by Sean Duncan
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Free VST - ReaPlugs
We always welcome news of free VSTs of any variety and we have a good set for you beat makers today.
Cockos Inc. the makers of the popular Reaper DAW have made their line of VST plugi-ins available for free. Reaper is quickly becomione a favorite among beat makers and we'll have a review up soon.
The Free VST plug-ins include a compressor, multi-band compressor, multi-tap delay, parametric equalizer, dynamics processor and gate effects.
All of the free vst plug-ins are high quality and can be used in any DAW that support the VST standard plug-in.
So remember, your beat making doesn't have to be expensive when you take the time to find the free VSTs that are available to you.
General features of ReaPlugs:
Cockos Inc. the makers of the popular Reaper DAW have made their line of VST plugi-ins available for free. Reaper is quickly becomione a favorite among beat makers and we'll have a review up soon.
The Free VST plug-ins include a compressor, multi-band compressor, multi-tap delay, parametric equalizer, dynamics processor and gate effects.
All of the free vst plug-ins are high quality and can be used in any DAW that support the VST standard plug-in.
So remember, your beat making doesn't have to be expensive when you take the time to find the free VSTs that are available to you.
General features of ReaPlugs:
- Support for Windows 98/ME/2K/XP/Vista, WINE.
- Fast, usable UIs with good metering
- Low CPU and RAM use
- Highly configurable
- No copy protection
- No installation required (portable!)
- Freely usable
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