Article: a free Windows-based software studio

[BBFG#]

Always worth the mention (w/links) for those just starting out and looking for free...

DAW:
https://www.ardour.org/

Hosts:
https://www.cantabilesoftware.com/free-vst-host

https://www.tone2.com/nanohost.html

FX:
https://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/B ... ewarePack/

https://tal-software.com/products/tal-filter

https://tal-software.com/products/tal-reverb-4

https://tal-software.com/products/tal-chorus-lx

https://valhalladsp.com/shop/reverb/val ... ermassive/

https://valhalladsp.com/shop/delay/valhalla-freq-echo/

https://u-he.com/products/protoverb/

https://blackroosteraudio.com/en/products/vhl-3c

https://blackroosteraudio.com/en/products/canary

https://blackroosteraudio.com/en/products/cypress_tt-15

Synths/Players:
https://tal-software.com/products/tal-noisemaker

https://tal-software.com/products/tal-vocoder

https://www.kv331audio.com/synthmasterplayer.aspx

https://u-he.com/products/podolski/

https://u-he.com/products/triplecheese/

https://u-he.com/products/zebralette/

https://www.amazona.de/freeware-synthes ... u-win-mac/

https://www.applied-acoustics.com/swatches/

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/p ... ete-start/

[synthgeek]

DAW:
https://www.ardour.org/

My understanding is that Ardour isn't free. I would love to be mistaken on this.

[BBFG#]

DAW:
https://www.ardour.org/

My understanding is that Ardour isn't free. I would love to be mistaken on this.

https://community.ardour.org/download
"Just download and run Ardour on your Linux, macOS or Windows computer."

"Ardour is licensed in terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option) any later version. This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details."

... At least it was free when I used it. However, I now use Mixbus instead. Which isn't free.

[synthgeek]

https://community.ardour.org/download
"Just download and run Ardour on your Linux, macOS or Windows computer."

But if you follow those links, you end up on a page that asks for money. Seems like you can still get the source code and build it for free, but I figured that would be too much for a lot of people, especially those just starting out.

Some great stuff in your list though.

[BBFG#]

https://community.ardour.org/download
"Just download and run Ardour on your Linux, macOS or Windows computer."

But if you follow those links, you end up on a page that asks for money. Seems like you can still get the source code and build it for free, but I figured that would be too much for a lot of people, especially those just starting out.

Some great stuff in your list though.

It does seem more convoluted these days to get a download. It does say it's free though and here's another link that appears more direct:
https://ardour.en.softonic.com/

However, you're probably correct that it's not the best for beginners. On the Mixbus site it essentially says "not for beginners". But it definitely builds some synapses in trying to get it running...

[youwen]

Its crazy how this thread is 9 years old, thanks everyone for updating

[synthgeek]

Its crazy how this thread is 9 years old, thanks everyone for updating

Indeed, hard to believe. Cheers!

[crickey13]

OpenMPT is free as well, you might want to give it a try if you dig trackers.

[inkstone]

I would add :

Instruments : Orchestras:
- Vienna Symphonc Library : Big Bang Orchestra https://www.vsl.co.at/en/BBO#!Product_Info
- Orchestral Tools Sine Factory. There is a particularly good felt piano, better than SF Labs imo https://www.orchestraltools.com/sinefactory

[NWSM]

I would say (after 15 years experience)...

Free DAW (i tied some, but i bought at first FL Studio then Bitwig) for Free Alternates:

• https://bedroomproducersblog.com/2015/1 ... -software/

• https://www.ardour.org/

• https://www.reaper.fm/

-> Reaper is free to use for 60 days. After this trial period, the developers expect you to pay for the $60 personal license, but you can still use it for free, thanks to its Unlimited Trial License — basically making it a FREE DAW.

• https://vcvrack.com/ -> Not a DAW but a Virtual Modular System - the best one.

But if u like making regular music for about an year, i would buy a DAW, like FLStudio or Bitwig. Try it first. Why? Well you feel better, getting updates, and its a bit more motivation making stuff when you pay for it. With FL Studio you get liftime free upgrades !

Synths/Players: - Bitwigs Stock is more than enought you need. If not then watch the Websites but you only need these following Synth.

• https://vital.audio/#getvital

• https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/

• (u-he) https://u-he.com/products/podolski/
  (u-he) https://u-he.com/products/triplecheese/
  (u-he) https://u-he.com/products/zebralette/
  (u-he) https://u-he.com/products/tyrelln6/

• (NI mixed stuff) https://www.native-instruments.com/de/catalog/free/

• (DEXED) https://asb2m10.github.io/dexed/

• (Synth One) https://www.kvraudio.com/product/synth1 ... chiro-toda

• (PG-8X) - https://sites.google.com/site/mlvst0/

• (LABS free ) - https://labs.spitfireaudio.com/#type=&search=&new=true

• (LITH) https://www.kvraudio.com/product/lith-by-soda-devices

• (GR-8) https://www.kvraudio.com/product/gr-8-by-phuturetone

• (Pendulate) https://www.eventideaudio.com/plug-ins/pendulate/

• (2 Rule Synth) https://www.kvraudio.com/product/2rulesynth-by-2rule

Want to buy a VST Synth? You only need these:
- Phaseplant and Multipass
- Synplant
- Pigments
- Rapid
- Omnispehere
- Serum
- Diva, Hive, Bazille, Zebra

FX:
https://www.meldaproduction.com/downloads or
https://www.meldaproduction.com/MFreeFxBundle - best bundle ever
https://www.kvraudio.com/product/free-e ... k-software
https://www.bluecataudio.com
https://tal-software.com
https://valhalladsp.com - best verb delay plugins
https://glitchmachines.com/products/hysteresis/
https://glitchmachines.com/products/fracture/
https://www.flux.audio/project/stereo-tool-v3/ - stereo visualisation
https://vladgsound.wordpress.com/plugins/limiter6/ - best limiter compressor chain
https://klanghelm.com/contents/main.html
https://www.kvraudio.com/product/luftikus-by-lkjb
https://www.voxengo.com/group/free-vst-plugin-download/
https://xferrecords.com/freeware/ - OTT is a pretty good, prominent Multiband Compressor
https://www.kvraudio.com/developer/zone-sk
https://www.kvraudio.com/product/orilri ... is-tihanov - very good reverb

Multi FX
https://www.audiopluginsforfree.com/de/glitch/
https://sonic-cat.com/lfx-1310/ (32-bit only)

Midi Tools: Well Bitwig comes with PRETTY nice Midi Tools in 4.1
https://graywolf2004.net/wp/

BUT consider the following...Plugins dont make you u a better musician. You are more creative if you have less Plugins. If you you have too much you lost over-all consistency in your Tracks, you lost overview of what u have, and lost the understanding of how a Plugin works. Dont get lost in the mess.

[BBFG#]

Another free synth I came across recently was Odin 2.

https://www.thewavewarden.com/odin2

[mixyguy2]

A few more:

- The Norrland trumpet is an outstanding plugin, better than even paid ones I've heard
- For a grand piano, the Denver Grand or Ivy 162
- Other orchestral libraries are Palette and the one by VSCO

[Sabrina]

[Sabrina]

Thank you!

[tombakerradio]

cool