Free Plugins worthy of a Donation

[hitman8081]

synth1,

where/how?

[grymmjack]

potentially support some of the more exceptional developers - I'd be more inclined to do so, knowing there aren't a dozen similar ones that exist.
I'd like to see those (mainly FX, but am now getting into instruments) that you think are not only good, but without true rival, that you'd arguably pay for (if you had the money), and maybe how much, as well as why, with potential cost alternatives.

gvst - rivals lots of effects (very comprehensive) - www.gvst.co.uk

frettedsynth - among others, rivals amplitube (or other guitar cab/amp model) - http://www.frettedsynth.com

gtg - rivals any synth from the 80's - http://miksybrandt.panicnow.net/plugins.htm

xoxos - makes killer models (very unique no rivals) - http://www.xoxos.net/

ugo - tons of great freebies definitely worthy of support - http://www.ugoaudio.com/

odo - tons of great stuff - http://odosynths.panicnow.net/vst.html

tobybear - lots of great freebies, and if you donate to buy minihost it becomes nag free - http://www.tobybear.de

mda - the godfather of freebie effects - http://www.mda-vst.com

those are some that i've donated to (ugo - i'm gonna buy your $50 kit soon -- heard great things about metallurgy and ironhead).

[grymmjack]

There are loads of developers worthy of receiving a donation
e-phonic, dblue, mdsp from smartelectronix, tbt

shit i forgot about ephonic - definitely donated to him too.

[Urs]

Hurry up and donate a prize for these:

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=152621

[Debutante]

**Betabugs**
Buzzroom
**Christian Budde**
*GTG*
NDC Plugs
Fuzzpilz
ag-works
E-Phonic
Slim Slow Slider
Klanglabs
*GVST*
*Ugo*
Knufinke
Majken

...whatever you use and like the most...

[robenestobenz]

KarmaFX. The effects plugins are great, and the modular synth is even better.

[hitman8081]

so IS there a way to send ichiro a donation

[JackDark]

I think of a a few, and maybe a few more... all relevant.

[gambitron]

i'm SURE i'll be sending KarmaFX a donation as the demos i heard were more right up my alley than just about anything else i listened to. it's a great resource not only as a synth, but also for audio mangling i'm sure as it's pretty much a modular synth. not only that, but it's filters sounded pretty juicy to me.

frohmage looks like a no brainer too as quadfrohmage ($) at least is capable of making some great distortion effects i never pictured a filter making.

there were a few other demos i heard that really jazzed me up, but i'm not sure which ones are freeware or donationware yet. i'll definately follow this thread.

please tell us WHY you like a particular program when you mention it too people. there are so many out there that it's tough to know what's worth checking out. i intend to spend no more than a week adding to my CM collection then disconnecting my PC from the internet and get down to making tracks, so i don't want to sample everything.

i'm not as jazzed about SIR as i first was as so far EVERY mp3 demo i've heard for convolution sounds the same. the hall reverbs don't sound like real spaces at all. they sound just like EVERY other convolution impulse i've heard so far, namely blurry resonances. i could see using it for OCCASIONAL ambient textures, but so far don't see it being better at reverb than an old school style digital which CAN sound decent if not 100% realistic.

anyone know where i can hear examples of impulse reverbs that DO sound realistic? i'd like to think that i've only been hearing junk demos so far instead of convolution being the most overhyped con ever.

[Jason Brian Merrill]

"anyone know where i can hear examples of impulse reverbs that DO sound realistic? i'd like to think that i've only been hearing junk demos so far instead of convolution being the most overhyped con ever."

perhaps make a new topic for this one. Im not sure it has been debated TOTALLY to death yet... hehe

[Atza]

Actually i have an article on my site about free VST guitar amp simulation And i named that article "why this VST is free?" look here:
http://www.desktopmetronome.com/tips/wh ... 20free.htm

[gmore]

i'm not as jazzed about SIR as i first was as so far EVERY mp3 demo i've heard for convolution sounds the same.

If you don't like SIR, Convoboy mentioned earlier in this link, looks pretty good, and the following review:
http://emusician.com/mag/Trading_Spaces/index.html
gave me alot of info on conv. reverbs. I really wanted zero latency, so Wizoo and SIR have covered all bases for me in that dept. If you just don't like IR's - nothing wrong with that, but for me for certain sounds, I haven't found a near substitute yet.
Noisevoilt had an 'Ambience' folder that I find very useful, but it looks like their site may have changed (don't know the details.)
As far as other programs I find 'without equal' at this time:
Dominion - Attack enhancer/Exciter(for lack of better words), if I want more edge to a drum attack, or even a rythym guitar without distorted artifacts - I haven't found a true rival yet - didn't like it at 1st, and then I read the manual - phenomenal plugin.
KlangLabs Multiband StereoFaker - simulates the panning and delay of specific bands for a thicker more ambient sound. I've found nothing replaces just doing it (divide, pan, and delay), but this is great for a quick plugin.
I appreciate all of the posts, I've downloaded a couple of synths recommended here to try (Oatmeal and Synth 1)as well as researched some others, and its great to see all of the real support for many of the developers, unfortunately recommending several developers that have dozens of plugins each, expands rather than narrows my search. Not complaining, I enjoy doing it - but if there are specific plugins from those developers that lets say are your 'go-to's' most of the time - love to find out what those are.
I appreciate the comment earlier about 'taste' - but 'experienced taste' is what I'm looking for. Pro's that can pay for and do, seem to have a circle of plugs they constantly mentioned in articles - I've got a feel for some of the freebies many use here, but I'd like to spend alot of time trying 3 or 4 EQ's(for example), rather than a little with 40.
I appreciate all of the good info - Thanks !

[gambitron]

it wasn't SIR in particular that i'm referring to, it's all of the impulse demos i checked out. NONE of them sounded like real acoustic spaces. they all sounded like diffused resonances. i would think the same impulse will sound more or less the same on any convolution engine. maybe i just happened to only find the crappiest of impulses.

i DID ask this question in the convolution thread over a week ago, and no-one has replied since. i don't see the point in starting yet another convolution thread when one already exists. besides, once i get a PC, i'll definately check convolution out first hand. maybe it really DOES work and i've only heard the worst case demos from the 2-3 sites i found that had them in the impulses thread.

i'd love it if convolution really could make my sounds sound like they're coming out of cheesy speakers, garbage cans & sewer tunnels but the one hall demo i heard sounded terrible and extremely resonant.

[Vonbrucken]

don't forget sweetboy !! his multiband compressor T-sledge is really as good as gvst multi or slim slow slider (fl multiband) compressor