MusicRadar

Quality freeware for Mac is now plentiful

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Sequencers

Renoise Team Renoise
Format: VST, XM, IT, MOD, XRNS and more
Renoise is a powerful, VST-hosting tracker – arguably the most accomplished tracker to date, and is both versatile and easy-to-use. If you've never used a tracker before, don't be put off by the machine-code-like appearance of the main editing screen. Ultimately, it's just a display of simple note and effects information that is easily understood and, for the proficient music maker, makes the creation of music far quicker than is possible in traditional sequencers.

MuTools Mu.lab Free
Format: VST
Mu.lab Free is an audio/MIDI sequencer and recorder with a reasonable synth, effects plug-ins and the ability to host third-party VST plug-ins. This is a complete package (although you're limited to six tracks) with enough under the hood for you to produce great music without spending a penny.

Samplers

Bismark BS-0
Format: VST, AU
Creative's SoundFont sample format used to be tied to its Sound Blaster soundcards. Today, freed from its shackles to the hardware, the SoundFont is as popular as ever, being most plentiful on free sample websites. Reason's NN-XT and Kontakt both support the format, but if you want a free alternative, give the BS-0 a go.

Muxer Instant Sampler
Format: AU
Instant Sampler is a truly bizarre tool. Half-effect, half-instrument, it samples audio on the fly after receiving a MIDI note-on command. That audio is then chopped and snippets are replayed when notes are played. Looping can be manipulated in real time via the mod wheel, and you can reverse the slices according to the incoming velocity level. Confused? Check out the audio demos on the website.

Above: Instant Sampler can create some truly wacky sounds, and is ideal for live performance

Ilio Satellite Free
Format: VST, AU
Ilio has been providing professional quality samples for yonks, but has now teamed up with Muon software to offer Satellite Pro and Satellite Free, a pair of samplers designed to ply Ilio's commercial sample sets. However, unlike many similar products, Satellite Free lets you import a number of formats, including WAV, AIFF, REX1, REX2, ACID and Apple Loops.

Utilities/other

Studio Devil BVC
Format: VST
Studio Devil's BVC goes against the grain of the majority of today's amp simulators – both commercial and freeware – in that it doesn't try to emulate a host of different amp and cab models. BVC focuses on just one (the Marshall JCM 800) and the results are impressive. It's capable of all tones from mellow and clean to aggressive metal, but really excels at classic rock.