PreSonus releases entry-level Studio One DAW Free
PreSonus is now shipping Studio One Free, a new entry-level version of its DAW for Mac and Windows.
Intended for beginners who don’t yet need the advanced features in Studio One Artist, Producer, and Professional, Presonus says that Studio One Free provides all of the recording and editing features needed for basic music production-and as its name implies, it’s free.
To get Studio One Free, simply download the Studio One installer from the Studio One Web site, install it, and then choose to run it as Free when the activation dialog comes up. Once you have downloaded the application, you can use it immediately; no Internet connection or user account is required, no product key is involved, and Studio One Free will not time out.
This new version of Studio One has some of the features originally found in Studio One Artist, including the single-window work environment, the content browser with Search, powerful drag-and-drop functions, Control Link MIDI mapping, sidechain routing, automatic delay compensation, real-time audio timestretching and resampling, unlimited audio and Instrument (MIDI) tracks, unlimited effects channels, and unlimited channel inserts and sends. Use native key commands or choose key-command sets from Pro Tools, Cubase, or Logic-or use the included editor to create your own key commands.
Studio One Free offers some of the new Studio One 2.0 features, notably multitrack MIDI editing, single and multitrack comping, and Track Transform (advanced track freezing). And includes the same 32-bit sound engine found in Studio One Artist and Producer.
Eight Native Effects plug-ins come with Studio One Free – Beat Delay, Channel Strip (which includes dynamics processing and EQ), Chorus, Flanger, MixVerb (a mono/stereo reverb), Red Light Distortion, Tuner, and Phaser – plus the Presence virtual instrument with more than 100 presets. Like Studio One Artist, Studio One Free does not support ReWire and third-party (VST, AU, etc.) effects plug-ins and virtual instruments.
Of course, Studio One Free does have limitations compared to Studio One Artist. For instance, a number of Studio One 2 features are not available in the Free version, including Folder Tracks, Transient detection and editing, groove extraction, and PreSonus Exchange integration.
“Studio One Free provides a great introduction to the Studio One line, and it’s very easy to upgrade to from Free to one of the advanced versions. Download the free demo of Studio One Professional, test it thoroughly, and at any time-even after the demo times out-convert it into Studio One Free with a single click. Ready to buy Studio One Artist, Producer, or Professional? Convert Studio One Free into a paid version at any time, without having to reinstall.”
Pricing and Availability:
Studio One Free is available now from the PreSonus Studio One Web site.
More information:
Commodore 64 Synthesizer Sessions Part 2 – free samples
Bedroom Producers Blog has released Commodore 64 Synthesizer Sessions Part 2, a collection of free samples.
Two different Commodore 64s were used for creating the sounds in this sample pack, although both have SID 8580 installed. The original plan was to record some bits from a SID 6581 this time, but my old C64 died literally 5 minutes after I plugged it in. To make that major bummer even major-er, there were no original C64s (aka C64 beige) to be found in the local ads during this three week period.
However, I did manage to get ahold of a C64G, which was sampled for one of the instruments in this sample pack (the BASIC Bass patch, pictured below). C64G also has a SID 8580 installed, but they do say that every SID chip is different, so there’s still a bit of variety in the hardware sense I guess. All other sounds were captured from a C64C which was also used in the previous pack. Hopefully, a C64 beige will pop up in the ads before I start working on part 3.
Commodore 64 Synthesizer Sessions Part 2 features
- 14 multisampled instruments and one multi patch.
- Total of 142 samples in 16-bit WAV format (download size is 79.4 MB).
- Incluides Kontakt 5 and Shortcircuit 1 patches.
The sample pack is a free download at BPB.
In search for free vocals?
Then perhaps this something for you:
Sample producers Vocal Sample have released a free vocal sample library, Vocal 60′s:
VOCAL 60´s features 551 Royalty-Free Male and Female Vocal Samples in 24-bit Wav Format. Includes spoken words, lines, shouts, adlibs, funny vocals, slang, scats and more!
352 Mb of 24 bit resolution .wav format files, covering a tempo range of 090 to 170 bpm. All these features makes Vocal 60 `s Pack a powerful composing tool that gives you more life and dynamism to your music.
This is a Vocal Pack suitable for both DJs and Producers from different musical genres.
Whenever you need a great vocal track for an electro, ambient, trance, chillout, lounge, Electronica, minimal or soul releases, no doubt about it, this is your pack!!!
It’s a free download from the VocalSample site.
Expresso – new free distortion effect plug-in for Windows
Mark Holt has released Expresso, a free distortion effect plug-in for Windows.
My first ever release of a VST effect. Made in Synthmaker v2.0, so, sorry, no Mac version.
Most of the modules are my own (rather simple) code rather than stock modules. I’ve been using it a lot and thought I should give something back to a community that’s given me a lot over the years.
The first knob is called offset and this adds DC offset to the input signal (the mod LED below changes the direction of offset). The next knob is labelled fold and adds some fold back distortion. The next knobs are sat (saturation), feed (feedback – the mod LED changes the signal slightly), delay (for the feedback), HPF (high pass filter), H-REZ (high pass resonance), LPF (low pass filter), clip (hard distortion), followed by a dry/wet control and finally gain (for output). The feedback path actually goes after the clip module and re-enters before the fold back distortion stage, so maybe a future update will change the knob order to reflect this (it’s like it is for chronological reasons). Beware that on settings where all settings are high that you will get proper high squealing feedback. I’ve kept that as a feature and the tone can be changed with the delay knob when it appears.
Commodore 64 Synthesizer Sessions (Free Sample Pack)
BPB’s Tomislav Zlatic has released a free sample library, Commodore 64 Synthesizer Sessions, that features classic C64 sounds:
I’ve released the first part of what will be the “Commodore 64 Synthesizer Sessions” free sample pack series. The sounds were created in the MSSIAH Mono Synthesizer running on my Commodore 64 with the SID 8580 chip installed. All samples are recorded and kept 100% dry for maximum authenticity.
The goal is to capture famous SID sounds, as well as some classic synth sounds you wouldn’t expect to hear coming from a Commodore 64. The first pack includes two classic lead sounds and one called Rainy Metropolis, inspired by Yamaha CS-80 sounds used by Vangelis in the Blade Runner opening sequence.
Listen to a preview below:
Details and download are available at BPB.
Free Roland MC-202 Kick Drum Sample Pack By Robotik Audio
Robotik Audio has released a set of free kick drum samples recorded from the Roland MC-202 MicroComposer analog synthesizer.
The Roland MC-202 is capable – just like any other (monophonic) synth – of creating some very powerful kicks. Zeroing the oscillators using only a low freguency sine, resonance, envelope, ultra short attack, different decays and very little sustain and release. I’ve created my own little sample kit from it. The kit contains 26 dry WAV samples of the MC-202 with no normalizing or any eq’ing. Personally I really like the sound it produces so here you go.
The samples are available for free download via Robotik Audio.
This is an analog synthesizer/sequencer. It sounds very much like the TB-303 and SH-101 bass synths. Sometimes considered the “poor man’s 303”. It has a very evolved form of TB-303 like programming (more like the MC-4) and SH-101 like controls of the VCO, VCF, VCA, LFO, Envelope and Mixer sections. The LCD display is a great feature too.
The MC-202 was sort of a next-generation TB-303. So the idea was to program sequence/patterns into it internally which would give you those 303 basslines that we’ve come to love. But programming the MC-202 is a bit too intense and over done for the simple monophonic bass line. However you can control it externally by hooking up a MID-CV/Gate converter. Then you basically have yourself an SH-101!
The sequencer is actually a 2-channel CV/gate sequencer, with both channels being capable of driving a separate external synth. It’s a very useful unit, also, for its DINsync capabilities; it can receive on one port, and send over two, and also can ‘split’ DINsync to branch a sync signal out to multiple devices.
This machine is best for those who want to get 303-like patterns (it has accent just like the 303) and basslines with an SH-101 sound. If you can handle programming the notes into its sequencer you can have a lot of fun.
Free VST synth for Windows – Synthesizer TubeOhm ALPHA-RAY
TubeOhm say that they are offering a big “thank you” to all TubeOhm users for their support for the 5 last years and hope that they have had a good time with their Instruments.
Available now is Alpha-Ray, a VA synth that includes special TubeOhm features. The full version is free but saving the settings is disabled. Unlocking the effects unit costs 4.95 €.
Features
- 2 main and 1 sub-oscillator / 10 Voices polyphony.
- 2 main and 1 mod LFO (Pitch wheel), tempo host sync and phase sync.
- 3 filters, a 6 dB HP , a 24 dB ladder and a main 12 dB state veriable filter. The 6dB filter coupled to the main filter gives a BP filter.
- OSC FM with OSC 1+2 and OSC SYNC with OSC 1+2.
- Polyphonic overdrive for OSC 1,2 and sub osc.
- Auto Portamento mode. Activates the portamento when 2 keys are played in mono mode.
- Aftertouch for enhanced modulation for the filter and the pitch modulation.
- User manual in 4 languages (German, English, French and Italian).
Additionally, unlocking Alpha-Ray enables saving the effects settings per patch:
- 2-stage overdrive.
- 3-stage chorus.
- Delay ‘x’ and ‘ normal mode, tempo sync to host.
- Special reverb, delay cluster, normal reverb, oil tank effect.
Pricing and Availability:
Free, but unlocking the effects unit costs 4.95 €
More information:
Ableton Live – Master FX
This weeks free Ableton Live rack from AfroDJMac:
This is an effects rack I use on my master channels in Ableton Live. Very useful and practical!
Free Download @http://bit.ly/freesynth46
Every week I release a Free Ableton Live Pack! @ http://www.afrodjmac.com
Gameboy type samples – Noizedrumz Vol.2 [nanoloop] for NI Maschine & NI Kontakt
Noizedrumz vol.2 [nanoloop] for NI Maschine & NI Kontakt
Free download at: http://www.noizefield.com
Features:
* all samples created with a nintendo gameboy running nanoloop
* recorded and mastered with DBX 386, Cubase 5, Adobe Audition
* 918 Samples
* 24Bit, 44,1kHz, wav
* all samples available in stereo and mono
* 6 nki instruments vor Native Instruments Kontakt (v. 4.2.4.5316 and above required)
* 5 nki BooTweak instruments vor Native Instruments Kontakt (v. 4.2.4.5316 and above required)
* 9 drum kits for Native Instruments Maschine
* ready for Native Instruments Maschine
Ableton AfroDJRack #46: Master FX
This is an effects rack that my friend AfroDJMac is using for his master channels in Ableton Live. Very useful and practical!
Free Download @http://bit.ly/freesynth46
I divide my live set up in to two general sections: prerecorded loops and live instruments. I like to be able to place effects on each section independently, so in order to achieve this, I route my prerecorded loops to an audio track (commonly referred to as a “Dummy track,” and I route my Live instruments right to the master output. The advantage to doing this is that I can mess around with my prerecorded loops in a myriad of ways while leaving my live instruments (soft synths, vocals, OP-1, melodica, guitar) unaffected, and vice versa. The Master FX Rack that I am sharing with you today is kept on that Dummy Audio track that all my loops are routed to.
So, I use this rack to do high and low pass filtering, add some reverb, bit crush the signal a bit, and put a subtle flanger over the mix for movement. It also has a control for a beat repeater, which is nice for glitches and stutters. And the final component is a combination high pass filter and delay. As you turn up that knob, the signal is simultaneously hi passed with a delay on top. Turn it all the way up and you only hear the delay and none of the original tracks. I find this useful for ending one song and beginning another. These effects are great for keeping a groove interesting. Sometimes just some movement in certain frequencies or little effect can be enough to keep the audience engaged without disrupting the flow of your songs. Now of course this rack has the ability to completely mangle your audio, so if that’s what the situation calls for, let her rip! I have found its true strength lies in a subtle dose. Have fun and enjoy!
DATAMASKIN
