Jeskola XS-1 is now Donationware
Jeskola XS-1 is now Donationware (it previously cost $99). The Metal Skin GUI designed by George Reales of discoDSP is now included as default.
XS-1 is a sample player that loads .XS1, .SF2 and .WAV (Full support for SoundFonts). It offers 16 parts and keyboard splits / part layering is possible.
Synthesis features:
- Unlimited number of key/velocity zones per voice.
- Volume and Modulation envelopes with attack, hold, decay, sustain, release key to hold and key to decay parameters. Modulation envelope can modulate pitch and filter cutoff.
- Vibrato and Modulation LFOs with delay, frequency and depth parameters. Modulation envelope can modulate pitch, filter cutoff and volume.
- 4 filter types: 12 and 24dB/oct lowpass, 12 and 24dB/oct highpass.
- Reverb/Chorus send level.
- High quality / extra high quality interpolation
- Monophonic mode with retrig switch and portamento time control.
- Tuning, volume, pan, key range, transpose, pitch wheel range controls for each part.
- MIDI Velocity to volume, velocity to filter cutoff.
- MIDI support: note on/off, sustain pedal, pitch bend, modulation wheel, channel volume.
Global settings:
- Master volume, polyphony (max 1000), master tune.
- Effects: Reverb, Chorus, Distortion.
- Supported output samplerates: 44.1KHz, 48KHz, 88.2KHz, 96KHz.
Price: Free / Donationware
Visit: Jeskola
Easy-to-use, VST analog-style synthesizer
The FreeAlpha is a highly flexible, easy-to-use, VST analog-style synthesizer. The FreeAlpha is 12 note-polyphonic and features a classic subtractive design that includes two versatile oscillators, a fat, rich-sounding filter, two envelopes, an LFO, a chorus effect, as well as numerous processing and modulation options. Special attention has been paid to recreating the warmth and feel typically found in early-1980s analog synthesizers.
The FreeAlpha’s oscillators provide an extensive range of waveform types from classic analog to hardcore digital. Both oscillators have a unique BAL (Balance) control that lets you create a waveform that is a hybrid of two others giving the user almost limitless timbrel possibilities. Special attention has been paid to the design of the FreeAlpha’s filter so that it replicates the rich sound of a true analog filter. The filter is highly flexible with lowpass, highpass and bandpass options available.
A key feature of the FreeAlpha is its Modulation Matrix. This virtual “patchbay” allows the creation of four custom routings from any of fifteen modulation sources to twelve different modulation destinations. The FreeAlpha also includes a chorus effect and a sophisticated portamento section that offers three portamento modes including a pre-set bend mode. And for true analog sound, the FreeAlpha includes a Precision control that allows you to introduce small inaccuracies into the FreeAlpha’s signal chain. This allows you to fine-tune the synth’s sound, creating anything from analog-style warmth to cold, digital hardness.
All these features make the FreeAlpha the perfect and free introduction to the world of analog-style VST synthesis.
Visit: linplug.com
MOTU’s rhythm production virtual instrument – BPM
MOTU is now shipping BPM Version 1.5, a major update of MOTU’s rhythm production virtual instrument and UVI sound library for Mac and Windows.
BPM 1.5’s expanded library of over 19 GB of kits, patterns, samples, loops, and instruments covers dozens of new musical styles, such as big beat, dancehall, dub, electro, hard trance, house, drum ‘n’ bass, progressive, and others. New software features include enhanced support for hardware MIDI controllers, a note repeat function, and bank effects that can be saved with kits.
“With its expanded sound library and enhanced MIDI controller support, BPM delivers the ultimate cutting-edge virtual instrument rhythm programming experience,” said Jim Cooper, MOTU Director of Marketing.
Beat Box Anthology
BPM 1.5 includes Beat Box Anthology, a comprehensive 4 GB collection of legacy rhythm sounds (over 10,000 samples) from 80 classic drum machines from the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s — iconic rhythm machines from decades past that established the legendary sounds that still drive today’s beats. Users can browse individual samples, kits, and patterns from three categories of devices: classic, analog, and digital, the “classic” category being reserved for machines that attained true cult status, such as the 808 and 909 series. Samples are also organized by type (kick, snare, etc.) for easy browsing.
Utmost care was taken in sampling the original instruments, with 24-bit 96 kHz audio quality and professional mastering of all samples at Sterling Sound in NYC.
FlexLoops and musical styles
BPM 1.5 includes hundreds of new FlexLoops™, which are fully programmable kits+patterns that give users control of every loop element, from individual samples to specific FX parameters. Dozens of expanded musical styles are represented, including:
Big beat
Dancehall
Dirty south
Dub
Electro
Hard trance
Hip hop
R ‘n’ B
House
Jungle
Drum ‘n’ bass
Minimal
Progressive
Ragga
Trip hop
Vinylized
Users can combine kits and patterns from each style to quickly create unique hybrid beats. BPM 1.5 also introduces bank aux FX, which allow users to create three independent effects processing chains for a bank of sounds, apply the effect chains as desired to each individual component sound of the bank, and then save the effects with the bank. This new feature makes the effects an integral part of the bank, so that when the bank is saved with a pattern, the result is a fully programmable FlexLoop.
Enhanced MIDI controller support
As a software-only virtual instrument, BPM 1.5 has been enhanced with programmable MIDI remote control features that allow it to work seamlessly with third-party hardware controllers, including pad controllers and MIDI keyboards. BPM ships with hardware template files for several popular drum pad controller products, such as the Akai™ MPD Series. When loaded into the hardware, the template file quickly programs the controller for use with BPM.
Users can further customize their beat making experience using BPM’s new MIDI Remote preferences, a long list of BPM functions that can be attached to any MIDI controller key, switch, fader, or knob using “MIDI learn” functionality.
The new MIDI Select feature gives users direct access to each pad — up to 64 simultaneous pads per scene — for quick editing and tweaking directly from a MIDI controller. For example, if a user needs to tweak the filter cutoff on the crash cymbal, they simply play the crash cymbal pad and then twist the assigned knob to tweak the filter.
Note repeat
To repeat the currently held note, users hold down the Note Repeat button. Any note repeat value, from triplet 64ths to dotted quarters to 32x, can be chosen. The note repeat button can be used on-screen or mapped to any control item on a MIDI controller. Users can even change the repeat value on the fly from their controller. Volume (velocity) of repeated notes is controlled with aftertouch pressure.
BPM 1.5 upgrade package
The BPM 1.5 upgrade package includes:
— BPM 1.5 installer CD
— Updated BPM 1.5 soundbank DVDs
— New Beat Box Anthology soundbank DVD
— Beat Box Anthology serial number (iLok authorization code)
The Beat Box Anthology serial number is used to deposit an authorization in the user’s ilok.com for download into their BPM iLok.
Availability
BPM 1.5 is now shipping. Price remains the same at $295. Registered 1.0 users can upgrade to version 1.5 for $79.
Ansine 2 – free VST synth at VST planet
Plektron unveils WTComp
Plektron unveils WTComp, a FREE analogue tube compressor VSTeffect for Windows.
It’s based on the parallel compression’s technique that maximize the output signal rather than destroy the sound’s dynamic. The tube simulation makes the sound warm and load without distortion.
“WTComp is an analogue tube compressor.
It distinguish itself from a common compressor due to its simple use. The only thing you have to do is just to set the warm-level (compression) instead of going crazy with dozen of parameters! The internal structure is very advanced, including an intelligent audio-clip system. Ideal for mastering and single tracks, but most importantly it is FREEWARE.” Plektron
Who said free stuff couldn´t be good
In this video, every synth sound and every effect is done by a Togu Audio Line plug-in.
If you think that free VST downloads are all limited or weak-sounding, check out the ‘brutal power’ of the Togu’s free VSTs.
Togu’s Free VSTs include:
- VST TAL-DUB-III
- VST TAL-Filter
- VST TAL-Reverb II
- VST TAL-Elek7ro
- VST TAL-USE
- VST TAL-Bitcrusher
- VST TAL-Vocoder
- VST TAL-DUB-II
- VST TAL-U-No-62
- VST TAL-BassLine
- VST TAL-Tube
- VST TAL-Flanger
- VST TAL-Phaser
- VST TAL-Dub
- VST U-NO-60
- VST Vintager
- VST Chorus-60
- VST Real Synth
- VST Multi Filter
They are available as free downloads from the Togu site.
Pterosaur is a free 16-oscillator monosynth for Windows.
Free Music Software: Pterosaur is a free 16-oscillator monosynth for Windows.
The basic waveform of each oscillator is a sawtooth wave – but the “mod” control morphs it into a sort of saw-pulse hybrid.
It’s available as a free download via VSTPlanet.
Great analog bundle
G-Sonique has introduced the Analog Bundle, a collection of its “analog” effects plug-ins for Windows.
G-Sonique Analog Bundle includes
- XBass4000L – Analog Bass saturation / Enhance processor: Designed to facilitate the maximization the bass frequencies, enriches your kick-drum & bass to give them the energy you need to drive your track.
- Pultronic EQ-110P – Vintage vacuum tube equalizer: Equalizer emulating classic professional parametric vacuum tube equalizer from ’50s and ’60s. It can add real and hearable warm, color and dynamics of the vacuum tube devices into your music.
- FSQ1964 – Vacuum tube high frequency / transient vitaliser: With this plug-in your records gain professional, expressive and crystal clear sound. It is capable of giving them a true sound, sharpness and boldness, everything the modern records should have.
- Twisthead VS-206 – Vintage vacuum tube preamp: This machine behaves like a real analog hardware, it behaves in non-linear way and unexpectedly. Combining the quality and possibilities of digital sound with a heat, grandiosity and charisma of vintage analog vacuum tube machines.
The Analog Bundle offers a 25% savings on the regular price when purchasing the plug-ins separately. It is currently available to purchase for 58 EUR (additional 10% discount in G-Sonique’s Summer Sale 2010).
More information: G-Sonique
Teaser for the new Hollow Sun VP330 vocoder
This is a sneak preview/teaser for the new Hollow Sun VP330+ sample library – an emulation of the classic Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus.
According to Hollow Sun, this should “give an idea of how close this is to having the real thing in front of you with the interactive panel. Long multi-samples, captured in stereo, authentically re-create this classic vintage keyboard.”
Release date and pricing are to be announced.
Get rocking with Podium
Podium Free is a fully functional freeware edition of Podium. It is identical to the commercial Podium version, except for a few limitations, and a small “Podium Free” logo.
Limitations of Podium Free compared to the commercial version
- MIDI interface setup is limited to one input and one output.
- 64-bit mixer engine option is disabled.
- Plugin multiprocessing is disabled.
- ReWire is disabled.
- Surround-sound playback is disabled.
The disabled plugin multiprocessing option means that only one CPU core will be used when processing plugins. If you have a dual-core CPU you will be able to use 50% of your available CPU power before the Podium CPU indicator overloads. Podium Free still uses all available CPU cores for various tasks such as GUI updates and disk streaming.
DATAMASKIN
