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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
19. Stardust – Mastering / enhancement plug-in
PC – VST
Mastering is a complex and in-depth process, so much so that there professional studios that are dedicated entirely to it. ‘All-in-one’ plug-ins such as IK multimedia’s T-RackS aim to make the process somewhat more painless, and Arguru’s Stardust aspires to do the same sort of thing. It features bass, treble and stereo enhancers, and multiband and wideband compressors. It’s a seriously good tool – whether mastering an entire mix or simply switching in just one of the processing sections for a bit of track enhancement.
Screengrab
Website: http://www.aodix.com/pagestardust.html
20. Nebula 3 Free – Multi-FX
Mac/PC – VST
Acustica Audio’s Nebula 3 Free is a single plug-in that’s capable of all kinds of effects: compression, reverb, chorus, phaser, flanger, filters, mic/amp/preamp simulation, EQ, distortion – and probably more. What makes it special, apart from the range of effects, is that the makers sampled the characteristics of real hardware, meaning each effect is an emulation of a classic hardware unit.
Screengrab
Website: http://www.acusticaudio.net/modules.php?name=Products&file=nebula3free
21. RetroDelay – Tape Delay
PC - VST
E-phonics’ retro delay is blessed with the more desirable qualities and tone of a vintage tape delay unit, but imbued with a range of modern features. These include two LFOs that can be inserted into the delay feedback loops, distortion, a multimode filter, spring reverb, and a limiter.
Screengrab
Website: http://www.e-phonic.com/plugins/retrodelay.php
22. Endorphin – Dual-band compressor
PC – VST
There are plenty of freeware compressors around, but very few that are as good as Digitalfishphones’ Endorphin dual-band compressor. Dual-band means that it compresses the low and the mid/high frequencies separately, giving you better control and more power to correct certain parts of a track without spoiling others.
Screengrab
Website: http://www.digitalfishphones.com/main.php?item=2&subItem=3
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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