KVR Audio

larsby · Post by **larsby** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 6:34 am

Ivoted for myself so someone does

lossf · Post by **lossf** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:32 pm

I'm a lurker with very little free time, but I've been really excited about the KVR DC since I first heard about it months ago. Here is how I ended up voting, and as everybody else has commented it was pretty hard to pick just five.

I personally tried to go for things that were fairly unique, especially within the freeware world, and things that made it simple as possible to get good results (efficient in CPU use, intelligently designed GUI). I *did* rule out plugins that didn't work correctly or at all within REAPER (sure, unfair, perhaps? but that is admittedly the only host I'm really interested in using ATM; don't bother flaming me, don't care) or that I couldn't figure out how to use to my liking and/or at all in five minutes or less. Much to my disappointment, a few of the candidates that I thought would be instant winners from their online descriptions were handily knocked out of the running by these two requirements. Anyway, here's what I ended up with:

1) Grizzly. Why is this not getting props? I've looked a lot but have not seen another freeware drum sampler I liked nearly this much. I really love the simplicity, cleanliness and professional/elegant look of the interface. CPU load is nice and low and the included kits are really fun too.

2) MDSP Fire. Not my favorite MDSP plugin (that would be LiveCut!), but still deceptively flexible and really great for mangling, especially with delay-time automation. I have always been a big sucker for delay-based destruction.

3) Lunchbox Battles. This guy changed my life and my way of making t3h r0ck mus1c with Hammerhead ten years ago... and now we have this. If it had *built-in* facility for kit/sample changeovers, patterns, and/or host tempo sync in some form, it would've been my #1 pick hands down-- it would be the drum machine to beat all in terms of instant gratification. (By the way, Bram, from the stellar reactions here I would guess a lot of folks would be interested in a slightly more "pro"-oriented version for a couple o' bux.) As is, though, it was kind of hard to vote for this at all because it's not really good for much except as a quick loop-generation tool... but this is such an incredibly fun toy that I find I'm telling all my non-musician pals to download it.

4) Rezon8. Lots of parameters but still quite intuitive, lots of potential and power for varied sonic mangling, presets are fun and CPU load is negligible. I can see myself finding lots of uses for this.

5) Ritual. It was really hard to pick between this and Triple Cheese, which is much more flexible / not so singular in purpose. But ultimately, I find I really enjoy the simplicity and the really gutsy sound of this synth.

I did really enjoy Triple Cheese, as I already mentioned. Anna is also a really, really great-sounding synth whose heavy CPU load unfortunately kept it just off my top five list. And if nothing else, well, Superubbish deserves some kind of award for most entertaining GUI, to say nothing of the preset names, which managed to out-Dark Jack Dark. I just freakin' *love* that VU meter. It makes me giggle.

Frankly, these contributions were all really, surprisingly great and everybody who contributed deserves a big ol' w00t from everyone ever.

brambos · Post by **brambos** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:40 pm

lossf wrote:3) Lunchbox Battles. This guy changed my life and my way of making t3h r0ck mus1c with Hammerhead ten years ago... and now we have this. If it had *built-in* facility for kit/sample changeovers, patterns, and/or host tempo sync in some form, it would've been my #1 pick hands down-- it would be the drum machine to beat all in terms of instant gratification. (By the way, Bram, from the stellar reactions here I would guess a lot of folks would be interested in a slightly more "pro"-oriented version for a couple o' bux.) As is, though, it was kind of hard to vote for this at all because it's not really good for much except as a quick loop-generation tool... but this is such an incredibly fun toy that I find I'm telling all my non-musician pals to download it.

Thanks for the very kind words! Much appreciated, and it's great to hear you're having fun with LBB!
I'm already working on a "bigger" version with more features and ASIO support, etc. (but keeping it just as accessible). It will be freeware though

lossf · Post by **lossf** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:46 pm

Bram - that is super exciting. I am looking forward to it. Sorry if I missed this news by not reading all 27 pages of this thread.

LBB is a really ingenious idea but also really great in terms of execution-- I have to admit I'm not too good at consistently overcoming the kbd latency yet (especially on my laptop), but somehow the thing knows what I was trying to tell it (even with the crazy syncopated stuff I seem to favor). I imagine the "bigger" version will be a real monster. And for free?!!!

PTV · Post by **PTV** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:48 pm

larsby wrote:Ivoted for myself so someone does

I voted for you too

Majken · Post by **Majken** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:05 pm

Lossf: Many thanks!

I'll get back to improving it once the compo is over. So please don't be afraid to send me some feature suggestions and I'll see what I can do.

And to answer your question, why is it not getting any props? I thought it kinda was cause not alot of people liked it. But, ummm.. I dunno. Anyway, thanks for the kind words!

/Majken

androidlove · Post by **androidlove** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:27 pm

i don't think my votes will change again. i just have freeware on my system, so my list reflects that

1. buzzrizer - beats the best multiband comp i have by more than a little. yes master

2. eq22 - unique behavior. great highs. it compares to clas, but has that "something extra" (i don't know what it's doing to the sound but i like it)

3. masb compressor - easy to work with. gets a range of effects

4. pushtec - ah! there's the guitar part

5. mini-vyn - analog behavior. goes from smooth to grinding. it's up there with minimogue luxus

honorable mention - superubbish

lossf · Post by **lossf** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:30 pm

Majken - cool, and sho'nuff. I teach a university course in introductory music tech and given our lack of decent drum plugs, I'm probably going to add Grizzly to the course VSTi library, which means we'll have 50-ought newbs with opportunity to use your product over the next few weeks-- should be a good opportunity to get some suggestions for you.

And I *have* seen people repeatedly giving it props... just not enough props, IMHO.

Majken · Post by **Majken** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 6:07 pm

Lossf: Very nice!

- 50 students should be just what I need to get some proper bug reports and feature suggestions

/Majken

Chris Roberson · Post by **Chris Roberson** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:49 pm

Alrighty folks, the Mini-Vyn update is up and running.

http://blu-gruv.tripod.com/id27.html

Go get it and enjoy the smaller GUI.

A list of changes is in the readme file in the download package.

Cheers!

RPH · Post by **RPH** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:50 pm

lossf wrote: 4) Rezon8. Lots of parameters but still quite intuitive, lots of potential and power for varied sonic mangling, presets are fun and CPU load is negligible. I can see myself finding lots of uses for this.

Hi Lossf,

Thanks a lot

Am glad you like it, and yes i tried to put in as many parameters as possible without making it too complex to handle.
Low CPU was very important as well.

I have an update ready, so after the challenge i will release that.
More presets are on my list too,. and maybe some temposynced LFOs ( only if it doesn't increase the CPU usage too much ).
And i should prepair my website for the Rezon8 updates.

Cya,
Rob.

fabricioz · Post by **fabricioz** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 12:10 am

Well, here goes my 2 cents. I couldn't test everyone, but anyway:

Anna: Wonderful synth, it's really hard to believe this is free. Actually I'm in the middle of a project and this came out really useful for me. IMO, the best of.

Cubix: Excellent drum machine, I really like it's resources and interface.

Rave'n'Bass: I really enjoyed it's sound and presets, but it seems some of it have some kind of clicks, don't know why.

Balthor:
I thought it was just another piano, but I just LOVED it sound. It's so bright, clean and light to use. But when I used Rezon8, I spend one hour playing this again, feeling like I was Bob James lol

Grizzly: I like it, specially the sounds included, but not really new about it. But, of course, as a free tool, it's outstanding.

Pondular: Couldn't learn it well, but it seems really cool.

I tested some others, but these were the ones I really enjoyed for myself. But, of course, I was happy to see the level of those free tools. Take care, NI, Propellerheads and Waves

liars&ashes · Post by **liars&ashes** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:55 am

----The more of them I try (over half now) the tougher the whole voting idea gets ha-ha.

----Since I have a history of bumping ones I try out and like in this thread so far, I'm going to add MASB Compressor to the list today. I'm not sure what the intended purpose was for it to be used exactly, but I've used it a bit as a filter/compressor on some loops, and as more of an "effect" than a compressor on some other stuff, and it's really cool for that. If you aren't too hip on straight ahead compressors, well, this one sure doesn't have to replace of your workhorses to be a cool track effect, check it out if ya get a chance, some very interesting settings options.

Jeff

sambean · Post by **sambean** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 6:23 am

Thanks chaps, really glad you like it...

Sorry for the lack of support over the last month but have just been real busy.. I'll endevour to continue upgrading it after the challenge though..

Thanks

Sam

liqih · Post by **liqih** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 7:26 am

honestly I love the MASB and PushTec,
but also honestly I never thought that
the first DC would have been ruled by EQ and compressors!

What are your favs so far ?