1. Variety of Sound, FerricTDS
Tape Dynamics Simulator – desirable tape effects
SoundBridge is a simple free digital audio workstation that’s great for recording audio and editing MIDI with virtual instruments. In this video, we cover the rest of the plugins available in. SoundGrid-Compatible Third-Party Plugins. Last updated on: 6/8/2020 4:31:21 AM. In addition to SoundGrid-compatible plugins by Waves, you can use the following SoundGrid-compatible plugins by other manufacturers in Waves’ V9 host applications (SoundGrid Studio, MultiRack, eMotion LV1 and StudioRack). The Best Free VST Instrument Plugins. Many of the most popular VST instruments, such as Massive or Omnisphere, come with a fairly high price tag.If you’re a music production beginner, you may not be ready to fork out hundreds of dollars on various production effects and plugins just yet, which is completely understandable. Behringer UM2 Audio InterfaceUS: UK: CAN: SoundBridge is a simple free digital audio.
There is nothing like the sonic effects of tape emulation to warm up a digital sound. As far as free plugins go, TDS is a winner in all aspects. It accurately recreates the character produced by a wide range of vintage devices – from analog reels to reel recorders – while presenting a modern take on the historically exploited coloration. The unit first introduces basic compression, to shape the dynamic range of the input. Then, there is a saturation amount control that works in conjunction with the input level followed by a limiter to engage peaks that made it through the compression and saturation stages. Think of TDS as a plugin that brings the now desirable nuances that once burdened the tape era (like wow,flutter, and over-magnetizing) to the digital world. Next time you get stuck on a dull, digital sound, try livening it up with some tape saturation. Keep in mind, understanding the nuances of tape behavior and predicting how this behavior can enhance your sound will take some practice and a lot of careful listening (as will most production tasks). But I assure you, you will hear an admirable difference with TDS even on its most gentle settings.
2. Voxengo, SPAN
Realtime FFT Signal Analyser – impressive visual aid for spectrum metering
In my opinion, SPAN is the best free analyzer out there. The spectrum’s visual slope is set, more or less, in a way that represents most of today’s productions – as a horizontal line, meaning all frequencies have approximately the same amount of space on the display. I have not experienced this on any other free analyzer I have used in the past. If you prefer the more familiar analyzer slope, you can change the display settings. Another useful feature in SPAN is the ability to view two different analyses at the same time. You can view a fast responding analyzer as well as average gain values across the frequency spectrum. On top of this, you have a peak meter, correlation meter, RMS meter, crest factor, clip counter and a general metering display. Listening always provides the best insight but visual aids are important too because they divulge imbalances and correlation issues you may not be able to hear on your system. Try running the some productions that are influential to you through SPAN to get used to what they look like. This will give you a nice reference of the balance you’re trying to achieve.
3. Xfer, OTT
Multi-Band Compressor – instant satisfaction with minimal tweaking
OTT is a multi-band processor that applies aggressive compression from above and below, forcing the signal into a specific dynamic range and spectral balance. It is very effective when trying to achieve the treatment you hear on so many modern EDM productions and it is becoming the pioneer of its own signature sound (especially on lead and bass sounds). By aggressively controlling the relationship of frequency bands, OTT can make the most stubborn of sounds come to life. It can even mangle imperceptibly short reverb tails that pass through it, serving as a part of the sound’s texture in a very obvious way.
4. Tokyo Dawn Records, NOVA
Parallel Dynamic Equalizer – elegant answers for lacking tracks
TDR Nova is a dynamic EQ with a twist. Aside from having 4 EQ bands that can work as separate dynamic processors, it includes a parallel band called wideband that consists of all the frequencies NOT being treated by any of the 4 bands (mind-blowing). This provides great flexibility – making it possible, for example, to compress or expand the entire spectrum of the song with the exception of one particular spot. Nova’s possibilities are quite impressive. Bands’ compression settings can be linked or controlled individually. It can be implemented as a multi-band compressor, de-esser, regular EQ or mid-side EQ, and it can treat left and right channels separately. Two non-dynamic filters are included in the bottom left of the window with a parallel processing option and controls for dry/wet. Another nice feature is the GR DELTA button that allows you to hear the effect of the dynamic processing only, without the EQ.
5. Digital Suburban, Dexed
I had a trouble believing this was a free VST. I thought for sure there was some catch…but I haven’t found one. It is the best free DX7 emulator I can find and you can actually import programs from it in the “cartridge” window. The interface is segmented into 6 operators, an LFO, a modulation matrix, a pitch envelope, and some master settings. The frequencies of the operators can be fixed or determined by C:M ratio (they can either change depending on the note that is being played or not). Each operator has options for mod amount and rate scaling in addition to extensive envelope and tune controls. The segments at the bottom allow you to sweep through 32 different algorithms for routing and 32 preset patches, making Dexed a no-brainer when it comes to free plugins.
It’s the digital age, the internet is flooded with new audio plugins that offer everything from emulation of analogue gear to digital effects and synthesis methods. But since premium products from companies like Waves and Native Instruments are quick to rack up the bill, I’ve put together a list of free plugins that are often overlooked and generally useful to have in your arsenal.
This plugin is part of Blue Cat’s “Freeware Plug-ins Pack II” and features 9 different effects. They are available both for Mac and PC. Triple EQ is a light and versatile three band EQ. It enables you to do just about anything you could want from your equalizer. In addition, It handles mono, stereo and dual compatibility. Dual is a combination of mid/side processing and independent L/R processing. In dual mode, there are a few different ways of processing the sound.
Link Channels enables you to control the left and right channels using one frequency parameter but affect each band differently. For the shelf bands, if you have the left and right channels set to different gain settings, you are able to adjust both bands in proportion to each other using the Relative mode. Furthermore, The Absolute setting enables you to affect both bands by the same exact amplitude value. Mirror reflects the left and right channels across the 0 dB line, which is useful for fixing imbalances in the stereo image. The bell curve reacts the same way except the channels are linked. The relative and absolute modes have no effect and the L and R channels remain at the same frequency and amplitude. Lastly, switching the plugin to mid/side substitutes the left and right channels for mid and side bands, giving you another way to treat your stereo image.
Another notable effect from the sample pack is Blue Cat’s Chorus. First off, it’s a fully functional chorus that gives you control over the pre-gain, delay, depth, rate and spread – as well as the percentage of dry and/or wet signal coming through. Furthermore, the range of the parameters makes this a creative tool that enables you to affect your sound beyond what you’d expect a chorus to sound like.
The wet signal can be delayed up to 30 ms and the rate can be brought up to 20 Hz, which definitely intrudes into delay effect territory. Finally, the plugin features a slider that gives you control over the waveshape of the chorus. Additionally, switching to a triangle wave helps distinguish the wet signal as different notes; which means that with the right setting you can make an element harmonize with itself.
~ Here’s a sample taken from Lumit’s default sample pack.
https://soundbridge.io/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Free-Plugins-Chorus-Unaffected.mp3~ Using the triangle shape, I am creating a delayed chorus effect that is harmonically related to the dry signal. This gives the initial sample a completely different feel.
https://soundbridge.io/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Free-Plugins-Chorus-Affected.mp3PianoVerb is an award winning creative reverb plugin that emulates the reverberant effect of moving strings. In short, using Transpose, Tune and Detune you can customize the intonation of the strings that are being emulated. Transpose and Tune enable you to change the tuning of the strings via semitone and cent increments, respectively. Detune will actually undo the established tuning of the strings by shifting their pitches in opposite directions.
Furthermore, you can regulate the percentage of dry signal through the Mix knob. This makes this plugin an effective parallel unit. Also, the preset menu is great for trying out pre-made reverb settings. In the end, what makes this reverb stand out is how different it sounds from other reverb plugins on the market. It’s a great plugin to add a little sonic twist to a particular element.
To demonstrate, here is a little MIDI sequence playing the music box from Kontakt’s factory sample library.
~ Music Box Passage
https://soundbridge.io/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Free-Plugins-Musicbox-Unaffected.mp3~ Same passage with PianoVerb on it.
Bark of Dog is one of those handy plugins that can save you a lot of time. In essence, it consists of a resonant high-pass filter that gives you control of amplitude (resonance), frequency and mix. Additionally, the plugin also offers a trim slider that controls your output level. In EDM, high-passing channels is one of those mix hygiene reflexes that clears up a lot of mud and creates space for other elements. Altogether, having a minimalist, low-CPU high-pass filter like Bark of Dog really helps. In addition, it features a mix knob, which is somewhat uncommon. It enables you to retain some of the low frequency content in the stop band which, for example, is useful when mixing individual drum hits.
Plugin Alliance has released some FX bundles that have become standards across the producing community. Similarly, this parametric EQ features 8 bands, all determined to bring out particular qualities depending on the specific frequency they are dealing with. Unlike a lot of other digital EQ’s which try to be as surgical and neutral as possible, this plugin adds a certain color to your track. This is because it emulates its hardware predecessor. This fact makes it great for treating the master with small amounts of gain or boost to add some presence. The four different banks are also a welcome addition. They enable you to compare different sets of parameter settings without loading up a new instance of the Free Ranger.
Sansamp psa 1 plugin vst. In the final analysis, above are 5 free plugins that you should consider getting. They exceed the expectations of freeware and compete with high priced plugins on the market. As shown above, from the perspective of creative application to general mixing, they are fully functional. Furthermore, they might add that “little something” your mix needs. In the end, the price of the tool is not what makes it good.