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 free beat making software. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free beat making software. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Audio Production Tips - Fixing Samples
Those of you using programs that can play back WAV samples like FL Studio may have run into the problem where som WAV files play back in loop mode or pitched to a certain key when used in the pattern but sound perfect when previewed.
This is caused by cue points, tempo and root note information being stored in the sample. It is ignored by the previewer but used in the sample player.
There are a few ways of correcting the problem. First you can disable the various settings in the FL channel properties that use these cue points, tempo and root note data.
Here is a video from Warbeats that shows how it's done:
the second way is to run a program to remove the points and resave the sample without them. This would be very useful if you find that a drum kit you are using has a lot of these embedded points.
Enter the freeware Wave File Stripper. A free program from Optostudio to remove these unwanted cue points and markers. Simply drag audio files onto the GUI for processing and continue working.
To make a great program even better, you can donate to the developer and he'll send a proceed of that money to the relief effort in Haiti. How great is that!
Download WFS from Optostudio
This is caused by cue points, tempo and root note information being stored in the sample. It is ignored by the previewer but used in the sample player.
There are a few ways of correcting the problem. First you can disable the various settings in the FL channel properties that use these cue points, tempo and root note data.
Here is a video from Warbeats that shows how it's done:
the second way is to run a program to remove the points and resave the sample without them. This would be very useful if you find that a drum kit you are using has a lot of these embedded points.
Enter the freeware Wave File Stripper. A free program from Optostudio to remove these unwanted cue points and markers. Simply drag audio files onto the GUI for processing and continue working.To make a great program even better, you can donate to the developer and he'll send a proceed of that money to the relief effort in Haiti. How great is that!
Download WFS from Optostudio
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
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Freeware - High C
HighC is a graphical music creation tool. It is a synthesizer, a sequencer and a mixer. Its goal is to make music composition as simple and direct as sketching.
An entertaining and educational tool…
No music experience needed: create stunning soundscapes and crazy ringtones in a matter of minutes. Learn acoustics, music theory and audio synthesis with a gentle, graphic approach. Even children learn and have fun. For simple learning or fun usage, it's free!
..that meets demanding professional needs
Master advanced synthesis techniques: FM, ring mod, additive, granular, and much more. No complex dashboards of knobs, dials and connectors with unpredictable effects. No programming. Just draw to unleash your creativity!
HighC uses only the simplest GUI techniques: draw notes, envelopes and wave shapes; move and resize sounds; copy and paste to create effects; group sounds into rhythms or patterns; repeat your groupings to create an harmonic line; link your sounds to one another to create modulations... It's simple, it's powerful!
Download High C
An entertaining and educational tool…
No music experience needed: create stunning soundscapes and crazy ringtones in a matter of minutes. Learn acoustics, music theory and audio synthesis with a gentle, graphic approach. Even children learn and have fun. For simple learning or fun usage, it's free!
..that meets demanding professional needs
Master advanced synthesis techniques: FM, ring mod, additive, granular, and much more. No complex dashboards of knobs, dials and connectors with unpredictable effects. No programming. Just draw to unleash your creativity!
HighC uses only the simplest GUI techniques: draw notes, envelopes and wave shapes; move and resize sounds; copy and paste to create effects; group sounds into rhythms or patterns; repeat your groupings to create an harmonic line; link your sounds to one another to create modulations... It's simple, it's powerful!
Download High C
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Beat Making Software - 18 free beat making software links
If you're looking to make your own beats but just don't have any money at all to spend, you might find this list of legal beat making software very useful. This music software list does not include plug-ins and I did not try out each one of these. I did the research to find them, you can do the research to find which is best for you. :)
Note that some of these beat making software versions are "lite" versions and have commercial version as well. Have fun with this list of music making software!
Digital Audio Workstations
ACID Xpress (windows)- This is a 10-track version of ACID Pro software. It can do music recording, editing and mixing. Making beats is easy with this loop based software. ACID Xpress has an excellent ability to match the tempo and pitch automatically. I was a big ACID Pro user when I first started and it helped me to visualize how audio can be arranged. I didn't use the audio recording much back then. This is one music making software that I will have to revisit.
LMMS (linux/windows) Linux MultiMedia Studio - it looks like FL studio but is not FL Studio compatible. It can run on Linux and Windows based computers. You can make beats, compose melodies, mix master and more with this cool little freebie. Music making software like this is a welcome find.
Koblo (mac/windows) A very new player on the block. It's another free open sourced audio recording and music making software. It has some unique online collaboration features, because it's connected to the Koblo cloud. You'll be able to work together with other musicians or band members across the planet.
Anvil Studio (windows) Can do audio and MIDI sequencing. Looks a little old, but hey of the audio sounds fresh, who cares what it looks like!
Kristal (windows) This music making software has been around for a few years now. it hasn't been updated in a while from what I can tell but it has a lot of features.
Music Studio Independence (windows) has a great number of functions for every part of beat making, such as composition, arrangement, audio recording, mixing and mastering. It handles MIDI and audio. One awesome looking music making software.
MultitrackStudio (windows) This is an audio/MIDI multitrack recording software for Windows. It combines a multitrack audio recorder, a mixer, lots of effects and a MIDI sequencer in one package: everything that's needed to turn your computer into a digital multitrack music recording studio and beat making device.
MU.LAB (mac/windows) Marketed as an alternative, state of the art software application for OSX and Windows, transforming your computer into a real music studio! It does not overwhelm you with a complex feature set, in which you can get lost. Sounds perfect for a new beat maker.
Quartz (windows) This is one I have heard about but the website product page was down when I researched it. The home page makes a reference that it runs under Vista so I assume it still being developed. I hope to learn more abou this music making software.
MusE (linux) is a Linux based MIDI/Audio sequencer with recording and editing capabilities written by Werner Schweer. MusE aims to be a complete multitrack virtual studio for Linux, it is published under the GNU General Public License. MusE has among other things support for MIDI, Audio Effects, etc.
Ardour (linux/mac) is a digital audio workstation. You can use it to record audio, edit and mix multi-track audio recordings. You can produce your own CDs, mix video soundtracks, or just experiment with new ideas about music and sound.
Rosegarden (linux) is a well-rounded audio and MIDI sequencer, score editor, and general-purpose music composition and editing environment. Rosegarden is an easy-to-learn, attractive application that runs on Linux, ideal for composers, musicians, music students, and small studio or home audio recording environments.
Audio Recording and Wave Editors
Quick Audio (windows) A full featured audio recording and manipulation program that lets you edit, play and record digital audio as well as convert between various popular audio formats. It has standard audio editing features, multiple undo, audio spectrum analysis as well as support for up to 24 VST plugins.
Wavosaur (windows) is a free sound editor, audio editor, wav editor software for editing, processing and recording audio sounds, wav and mp3 files. Wavosaur has all the features to edit audio (cut, copy, paste, etc.) produce music loops, analyze, record, batch convert. Wavosaur supports VST plugins, ASIO driver, multichannel wav files, real time effect processing.
Freecycle (linux) is a beat slicer running on GNU/Linux platform using the QT toolkit, providing amplitude domain and frequency domain beat matching / zero crossing algorithms. It exports sliced audio chunks and generates a MIDI file which can be used to play the sliced loop, or you can jam with it as soon as you’ve made slices using a midi keyboard or sequencer.
WaveSurfer (linux/mac/windows) is an Open Source tool for sound visualization and manipulation. It has been designed to suit both novice and advanced users. Probably not as useful for your average beat maker, but the price is right.
Sweep (linux) is an audio recording editor and live playback tool for GNU/Linux, BSD and compatible systems. It supports many music and voice formats including WAV, AIFF, Ogg Vorbis, Speex and MP3, with multichannel editing and LADSPA effects plugins.
Audacity (linux/mac/windows) This is more of an audio recording editor but it can do multiple tracks. it's open source and can run on Mac/PC (Windows) and Linux. It has many advanced features and can use plug-ins. This is probably better used a sampler for you beat makers out there. For free music software this is the best wave editor out there.
Note that some of these beat making software versions are "lite" versions and have commercial version as well. Have fun with this list of music making software!
Digital Audio Workstations
ACID Xpress (windows)- This is a 10-track version of ACID Pro software. It can do music recording, editing and mixing. Making beats is easy with this loop based software. ACID Xpress has an excellent ability to match the tempo and pitch automatically. I was a big ACID Pro user when I first started and it helped me to visualize how audio can be arranged. I didn't use the audio recording much back then. This is one music making software that I will have to revisit.
LMMS (linux/windows) Linux MultiMedia Studio - it looks like FL studio but is not FL Studio compatible. It can run on Linux and Windows based computers. You can make beats, compose melodies, mix master and more with this cool little freebie. Music making software like this is a welcome find.
Koblo (mac/windows) A very new player on the block. It's another free open sourced audio recording and music making software. It has some unique online collaboration features, because it's connected to the Koblo cloud. You'll be able to work together with other musicians or band members across the planet.
Anvil Studio (windows) Can do audio and MIDI sequencing. Looks a little old, but hey of the audio sounds fresh, who cares what it looks like!
Kristal (windows) This music making software has been around for a few years now. it hasn't been updated in a while from what I can tell but it has a lot of features.
Music Studio Independence (windows) has a great number of functions for every part of beat making, such as composition, arrangement, audio recording, mixing and mastering. It handles MIDI and audio. One awesome looking music making software.
MultitrackStudio (windows) This is an audio/MIDI multitrack recording software for Windows. It combines a multitrack audio recorder, a mixer, lots of effects and a MIDI sequencer in one package: everything that's needed to turn your computer into a digital multitrack music recording studio and beat making device.
MU.LAB (mac/windows) Marketed as an alternative, state of the art software application for OSX and Windows, transforming your computer into a real music studio! It does not overwhelm you with a complex feature set, in which you can get lost. Sounds perfect for a new beat maker.
Quartz (windows) This is one I have heard about but the website product page was down when I researched it. The home page makes a reference that it runs under Vista so I assume it still being developed. I hope to learn more abou this music making software.
MusE (linux) is a Linux based MIDI/Audio sequencer with recording and editing capabilities written by Werner Schweer. MusE aims to be a complete multitrack virtual studio for Linux, it is published under the GNU General Public License. MusE has among other things support for MIDI, Audio Effects, etc.
Ardour (linux/mac) is a digital audio workstation. You can use it to record audio, edit and mix multi-track audio recordings. You can produce your own CDs, mix video soundtracks, or just experiment with new ideas about music and sound.
Rosegarden (linux) is a well-rounded audio and MIDI sequencer, score editor, and general-purpose music composition and editing environment. Rosegarden is an easy-to-learn, attractive application that runs on Linux, ideal for composers, musicians, music students, and small studio or home audio recording environments.
Audio Recording and Wave Editors
Quick Audio (windows) A full featured audio recording and manipulation program that lets you edit, play and record digital audio as well as convert between various popular audio formats. It has standard audio editing features, multiple undo, audio spectrum analysis as well as support for up to 24 VST plugins.
Wavosaur (windows) is a free sound editor, audio editor, wav editor software for editing, processing and recording audio sounds, wav and mp3 files. Wavosaur has all the features to edit audio (cut, copy, paste, etc.) produce music loops, analyze, record, batch convert. Wavosaur supports VST plugins, ASIO driver, multichannel wav files, real time effect processing.
Freecycle (linux) is a beat slicer running on GNU/Linux platform using the QT toolkit, providing amplitude domain and frequency domain beat matching / zero crossing algorithms. It exports sliced audio chunks and generates a MIDI file which can be used to play the sliced loop, or you can jam with it as soon as you’ve made slices using a midi keyboard or sequencer.
WaveSurfer (linux/mac/windows) is an Open Source tool for sound visualization and manipulation. It has been designed to suit both novice and advanced users. Probably not as useful for your average beat maker, but the price is right.
Sweep (linux) is an audio recording editor and live playback tool for GNU/Linux, BSD and compatible systems. It supports many music and voice formats including WAV, AIFF, Ogg Vorbis, Speex and MP3, with multichannel editing and LADSPA effects plugins.
Audacity (linux/mac/windows) This is more of an audio recording editor but it can do multiple tracks. it's open source and can run on Mac/PC (Windows) and Linux. It has many advanced features and can use plug-ins. This is probably better used a sampler for you beat makers out there. For free music software this is the best wave editor out there.
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