MusicRadar

Today's freeware apps rival many commercial tools, and they look the business too

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7. DSK Brass
VST – PC

Brass instruments are arguably among the hardest things to emulate in software. Freeware brass software instruments are incredibly rare, so we were surprised when we came across DSK Brass, and even more surprised when we found out it does a decent job. In fact, there are plenty more free VSTi’s on DSK’s site, so check them out.

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Website: http://dskmusic.com/blog/?page_id=3

8. MrRay 2.2 – Authentic Rhodes
VST – PC

MrRay is a fabulous emulation of the Rhodes electric piano. Not only is the sound strikingly accurate, complete with the imperfections and warmth of the real thing, but the level of control offered over the modelling parameters means that a broad range of sounds can be created.

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Website: http://www.soundfonts.it/?a=read&b=16

9. Organ One – Authentic organ
VST – PC

Bojo Software’s Organ One offers a realistic virtual organ, complete with drawbars. There’s also an LFO section with several different waveform shapes for vibrato and tremolo, and 32 presets to get you started.

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Website: http://www.bojo-software.com/?Software:VST_plugins:Organ_One

10. String Theory – String emulator
PC – VST

Ugo Audio’s String Theory is quite simply one of the best free applications out there. It uses physical modelling to create sounds along with arpeggiations, delays, filters, a metal module, tremolo and more. In fact, it can turn its hand to almost any string sound, real or imaginary.

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Website: http://www.ugoaudio.com/

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