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The best free music-making software on the net
You don't have to spend a fortune to get top-quality music production results - here are 27 reasons why
The MusicRadar Team, Wed 20 Feb 2008, 11:24 am UTC
15. KarmaFX Synth– Modular synthesizer
PC – VST
Modular synths have always ranked among the most lust-worthy of electronic instruments, but fortunately they are now widely available in software form. KarmaFX make the best free example we can find. Its smart interface makes creating modular patches surprisingly easy, features include several filters and effects, a sequencer, and an input generator for processing external sound sources.
Screenshot
Website: http://karmafx.net/
16. Synth 1 – Virtual Analogue
PC – VST
Ichiro Toda’s Synth1 has a gorgeous silky sound and a load of features packed into its resizable interface. Based on the Clavia Nord Lead 2, it’s a typical subtractive synth, but its rich and organic sound is what sets it apart from its peers. For great analogue-style sounds and accessibility, Synth 1 is hard to beat.
Screengrab
Website: http://www.geocities.jp/daichi1969/softsynth/ Note: Japanese site but the download links are also in English.
Effects - back to index
17. Ambience – Digital reverb
Mac/PC – VST, AU
Magnus Jonsson’s Ambience plug-in is an ultra-smooth, releastic and highly tweakable digital reverb unit. It’s the best free reverb we’ve heard, and is loaded with features, including a novel ‘variation’ button that adds a bit of variety to the reverb algorithm
Screengrab
Website: http://magnus.smartelectronix.com/
18. Classic Auto-Filter – Four pole filter
PC – VST
Kjaerhus audio’s Classic Auto-Filter is an analogue modelled four-pole filter, of the sort made popular by the Minimoog, VCS-3 and ARP Odyssey. Modern musicians are putting almost everything through filters these days, and Classic Auto-Filter will allow you, also, to add movement to your tracks – for free.
Screengrab
Website: http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-auto-filter.php
User comments (12)
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i read that MAGIX just released a free version of the MusicMaker called MusicMaker for MySpace...sounds great...as the MAGIX MusicMake is great and powerful music tool.
http://www.magix.com/us/music-maker/ -
For Guitar effects, the DEMO of guitar rig is very usable, all the effects are in there, the limits are on session time (it stops after 30 minutes, BUT, it only closes the program, it can be used for an infinite number of thirty - minuteses) and loading and saving of your own sounds, these, i have found, can be worked around very easily. it's a really great bit of standalone guitar and bass software, and can be worked around.
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Anyone know of a good free Mac software sampler? Hopefully that supports Logics AU?
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re: ACID XPress, I don't think there are any restrictions regarding commercial use, but I think you'd have to D/L and install it to be sure -- they don't show you an EULA before the download. I've made good use of ACID Pro 4 in the past, but haven't upgraded to any newer versions. In particular I find a great way to build up a drum track quickly.
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Kristal audio is pretty nifty for direct guitar recording and multi-tracking in general. Just plug in a Line6 POD or equivalent via a USB socket and away you go...
http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/ -
which one is the best for guitar recording??
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You need to get Helix by Audjoo into the synths section.
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More free soft can be found on kvraudio.com. You'll have to register first though....
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Dan the man is right to shout about Shortcircuit - it blimming great for nowt - check it out at http://vemberaudio.se/shortcircuit.php
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There's no trackers here? And I also miss CM's own DS404 (free?), which I love.
J.
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