• Recent Additions

  • Cetone033
  • Music Box
  • ProtoPlasm TSM Synthesizer
  • Dubb Box
  • Panzertank PM4
  • Freehand
  • Chimera
  • Artemis
  • EFM-Drumkit2
  • ErsDrums
  • The DrumSource
  • LazySnake
  • CamelCrusher
  • Boogex
  • Bipolar Distortion
• 
  

Reaper

NOTE: WHILE REAPER CAN BE EVALUATED WITH FULL FEATURES AND NO EXPIRATION, YOU ARE OBLIGED TO PURCHASE A COPY. THE OLDER VERSIONS APPEAR TO BE AVAILABLE FOR FREE.

• Portable -supports running from USB keys or other removable media
• 64 bit audio engine
• Excellent low-latency performance
• Stunning multiprocessor performance
• Direct multi-track recording to many formats including WAV/BWF/W64, AIFF, WavPack, FLAC, OGG, and MIDI.
• Extremely flexible routing
• Supports a wide range of hardware (nearly any audio interface, outboard hardware, many control surfaces)
• Support for VST, VSTi, DX, DXi effects
• ReaPlugs: high quality 64 bit effect suite
• Tightly coded - installer is just over 3MB

Editing features

• Tool-less mouse interface — spend less time clicking
• Drag and drop files to instantly import them into a project
• Support for mixing any combination of file type/samplerate/bit depth on each track
• Easily split, move, and resize items
• Each item has easily manipulated fades and volume
• Tab to transient support
• Configurable and editable automatic crossfading of overlapping items
• Per-item pitch shift and time stretch
• Arbitrary item grouping
• Markers and envelopes can be moved in logical sync with editing operations
• Ripple editing - moving/deletion of items can optionally affect later items
• Multiple tempos and time signatures per project
• Ability to define and edit project via regions
• Automation envelopes

Review from Hamish:
I have been using reaper for a few months, payed $60 australian dollars for my ‘non commercial’ licence.
n my humble opinion it is the best VSTi and VST FX host around. I have used herman seibs VST host, and still like it as a patch editor/librarian.
The audio routing is phenomenal coming as I did from various versions of logic, much more flexible. REAPER also gives you complete control of the rendering process which I don’t believe any other application does.
On the helpful forum there have often been criticisms of the midi editing capabilities, and Feature Requests for various things found in cubase, logic or sonar. Coming from logic was a shock as I made heavy use of all the logic editors, and now had only piano roll or event edit. The major midi playing card that REAPER gives you is VST and JS midi FX, this is gives you the power to make limitless non-destructive editing in real time, which is very much the philosophy of REAPER.
I have been using REAPER for more than 8 builds now, and I will stay as long as the program remains healthy.

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Finale Music

MIDI Support includes the ability to import and export Format 1 MIDI files, input notes in step time using your MIDI keyboard, and playback via any external MIDI device.

Setup Wizard lets you select the instruments or voices you need, then sets up your score automatically.

Hear it like you see it! Your music deserves to be heard with all the feeling, phrasing, and nuance you felt when you wrote it. The Human Playback feature will play your music as you would want it to be performed, even if you enter notes manually.

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BuzzMachines

NOTE: A TUTORIAL TO SETUP BUZZ UNDER LINUX CAN BE FOUND HERE

Buzz is the first ever “easy to use” free modular software based synthesizer. What this means is that the entire system is based on objects, which may be routed in a modular fashion, giving you the freedom to be as creative as you want. For example, if you wish to run 3 Physical Modelling synths and a Drum Machine through 2 seperate Stereo Delays, into a Mixer, through a Compressor and Parameteric EQ, and finally out to your speakers - no problem. Lay down your synths, connect the wires and you’re done.

A Machine is an object in Buzz which either creates or modifies sound. A Machine is the equivalent of a single piece of gear in a traditional music studio. It may be a synthesizer, a sampler, a dsp effect, a mixing board, or any other piece of gear that exists in a studio. Every piece has the same parameters and functions you would expect to find in the studio you know and love. Whats better is that all existing machines are free. Because creating your own machines is quite simple (someone with little knowledge of C++ should find his way in the SDK), you’ll also find machines in Buzz which aren’t really common in studio’s.

Every aspect of Buzz is built to be controlled in real-time. This means that as you tweak the resonance on a virtual analog synth, you hear it’s classic squealching response immidietly. The same goes for all DSP effects, drum machines, synths, samples, etc.

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Anvil Studio

NOTE: THE FREE VERSION OF ANVIL SHOULD ONLY BE USED FOR MIDI PURPOSES, AS THE AUDIO RECORDING IS LIMITED TO ONE MINUTE. I HAVE READ THAT ANVIL STUDIO CAN BE QUITE COMPLICATED TO USE, HOWEVER IT CONTAINS A ‘STAFF’ (NOTATION) VIEW WHICH MAY BE USEFUL.

General Features

Editors: Staff, Lyrics, Piano Roll, Drum, Loops, Audio, Events.

File formats: standard .MID and .WAV files.

Includes extensive integrated help.

Piano Roll / Rhythm editor with:

multi-level loops

loops can refer to notes, other loops, samples, or Riffs.

Import, record and edit audio samples and play them like drums.

any note duration down to 1/128th notes.

dynamic editing while the song is playing, making it easier to experiment with rhythms.

duplet, quintuplet, and septuplet notes.

Enter notes from external MIDI device, on-screen guitar fret board, on-screen piano keyboard, or by dragging notes to the staff.

Per-track On/Mute/Solo, device, instrument, channel, fader, pan, and effects controls.

For screens larger than 800 x 600, it shows:

up to 25 tracks of information displayed at the same time.

zoomed-out view of notes and wave data for all tracks at the same time.

option to play notes as mouse moves over them, making it easier to quickly locate a spot in the song.

Dynamically change track volumes, mutes, instruments, and effects properties while a song continues to play.

Fast loading and scrolling of large MIDI files.

Time and Duration fields display time in Minute:Second:Frame(SMPTE), or Measure:Beat:Ticks, or sample format.

Metronome includes tempo, lead-in, and accent beat attributes.

Add Cue points for quickly positioning to a desired spot in the song.

Play list for playing hours of different song files.

File/Truncate menu to shorten the duration of .MID files.

File/Merge Song menu for copying tracks between .MID files.

Add standard music notation including: slur, crescendo, decrescendo, fermata, trill, repeat, D.C., D.S., segno, coda, prima volta, seconda volta, pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff

User-defined keyboard shortcuts.

Control Record/Play/Stop functions remotely using any MIDI controllers such as a Foot Switch, Modulation wheel.

Free version has built-in patch-library support for SoundFont^®-compatible sound cards.

Supports the Tascam US-428 External Mixing console.

Runs on Windows 98, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, XP, Vista (32-bit versions)

ASIO, VST, VST-Instrument, and Automation support with optional Pro-Mix accessory.a

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Andry Red Planet

NOTE: THIS SOFTWARE IS UNLIMITED AND UNEXPIRING - HOWEVER, YOU ARE OBLIGED TO PURCHASE A LICENSE IF YOU FIND IT USEFUL.

Requirements: Temper requires Windows XP SP2. An audio interface with an ASIO driver is required for VST and audio support. A three-button mouse and MIDI keyboard or other controller is highly recommended.

Temper is a MIDI+Audio sequencer with an emphasis on MIDI. Temper is distinguished by two basic design goals: To provide you with tools that operate on sequences as easily as individual events, and to decouple what gets processed by how it gets processed.

Features:

-sophisticated event routing and manipulation
-powerful MIDI editing environment
-interactive algorithmic composition tools
-multiple takes per track
-simultaneous multi-track editing
-tool chaining
-unified MIDI controllers+VST automation
-multicore audio engine

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Digital Sound Planet

NOTE: THIS SOFTWARE IS LIMITED TO 4 TRACKS OF AUDIO, AND YOU ARE REQUIRED TO CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT WITH THE SITE BEFORE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD. WHILE YOU’RE AT THE SITE, HAVE A LOOK AT QUARTZ STUDIO FREE.

Quartz AudioMaster Freeware is a lite version of the Quartz Audio Family software series. Quartz AudioMaster Freeware will allow you to record, edit, mix, share and deliver your productions driving a fully integrated 4 tracks digital mixer, recorder, sound and time line editor in perfect synch with a 16 tracks MIDI sequencer.

Easily record audio, in perfect sync with Midi, with any instrument or microphone or assemble already existing audio materials or music loops. Easily record Midi, as well, using a Midi keyboard or your computer keyboard and even if you are not a professional musician don’t get stuck by difficult parts to perform, thanks to the genuine ‘Scale filtering’ feature. A tutorial will help you getting started quickly.

Then cut, copy, paste, move, repeat your audio elements and Midi elements and mix your tracks applying real-time DirectX or Quartz plug-in effects on audio.

Want to work with remote musicians? The genuine Quartz Audio multi-track compressed file format and our virtual studios will allow you to share your projects through the Internet.
When everything’s finished, print your Score and/or easily and mixdown to standard stereo files using many format

Audio Technical Specs:

• Runs on Windows™ 95/98/ME/NT/2000
• 4 audio tracks
• 1 Audio Inputs (2 channels)
• 1 Audio Ouputs (2 channels)
• 16/24 bits / 32->44.1 Khz sample rate
• 2 Aux Buses
• Quartz Plug-in Support
• 4 Quartz Plug-ins supplied
• Stereo Delay
• Chorus
• Phaser
• Reverb
• Per-track fixed frequency 3 band EQ
• Mixdown to stereo file
• Mpeg 3 Decoder
• Compressed Compiled Sequence/Track import
• Compressed Compiled Sequence/Track export on option
• Juke Box
• Video File Sync
• Karaoke lyrics viewer
• Spacialization display
• Navigator

Midi Technical Specs:

• 16 Midi Tracks
• 1 Midi Input
• 1 Midi Outputs
• 48->96 ppqn
• Score Editor
• Piano-roll / Drum Edit
• GM/GS/XG Editor
• Musical Computer Keyboard

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TrakAx

TrakAx is a free and fully featured sequencer, though it doesn’t include VST support. Some of the main features, according to the website:

Beat-Matching.
Users can mix any tracks or loops with different BPMs (beats per minute) seamlessly for a professional sound. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced mixer, TrakAx gives you the tools to create music and video in a creative and fun way.

Easy drag-and-drop technology.
You require no special skills or technical expertise - just drag in your tunes & get mixing.

Cut Samples & Make Detail Edits.
Cut samples to remix your favourite tracks or make detailed edits to audio tracks, narrations or video clips. Use any combination of media—photos, videos and music.

Add Audio, Video & Photo Effects.
TrakAxPC comes with a range of video, photo and audio effects and transitions - add a professional touch to your mixes.

Microphone and webcam input.
Record in directly to TrakAxPC from your Webcam or Microphone for Videocasts, Podcasts or just for fun, to use in your mixes.

Easily find and preview all your Music, Videos and Photos.
Find all the photos, videos and photos on your hard-drive. Advanced Searching for those with tons of content and no boring uploads.

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Arguru Software

NOTE: Sadly, Aodix is no longer under development. As such, it has been released as freeware.

The main concept of Aodix is between old-school trackers and nowadays sequencers. The interface is inspired from trackers, but the features are at least those of the most modern sequencers. Aodix achieves outstanding real-time performance with less CPU usage than other sequencers, very low latency due to a proper implementation of ASIO2, and widest-range support for VST plug-ins, due to a clean implementation of VST2.
256 track, 256 pattern sequencer
Each track allows recording of events including chords and automation. Patterns have no fixed length. Both pattern using pattern calls and single-sheet operations are supported.
Full modular audio and MIDI routing
Forget old mixer paradigms. Aodix provides a flexible
modular net of audio and midi (events) connection wires between VST Instances, allowing complex audio/midi routing schemes, and you could sync your favourite step sequencers or MIDI event processors with Aodix main sequencer easily.

32-bit float sample precision
Aodix maintains sample precision to 32-bit float, from input all the way to the output.

Up to 960 PPQN timestamp precision
The midi point precision can be 960 PPQN, allowing a wide range of quantization settings, down to 1 point.

Enhanced recording and editing functions
Several recording and editing modes are available, combining online/offline, step/step-free, live-scroll on/off, quantization, zooming, overwrite on/off, events record, parameter record, automation record, powerful midi-masking and usual functions such as Range, cut, copy, paste, delete, move.

Real-time record and automation
Events and parameters can be recorded real-time while playing, with PC keyboard and mouse and/or Midi Keyboard.
Automation parameter assignment allows a slider/knob on a midi keyboard to control one or more parameters in one or more plug-ins. The Midi Mask allows to avoid interference with midiCC, in case automation is preferred to midiCC.

Piano-roll track split view
Provides a powerful alternative tool to view and edit note events and is seamless integrated with the sequencer structure.

Pattern markers and pattern calls
For each pattern, up to 256 markers can be defined. Pattern calls (non-recursive) allow to call a pattern from any other one, pointing at a marker, defining transposition and velocity scaling.

Steinberg VST2.3 Host
AODIX v4 provides a very enhanced support for VST plug-ins. VST effects as well as VST instruments can be chained and wired in the modular Routing view. Playing a VST instrument and tweaking knobs in other VSTs at the same time is possible, using PC keyboard and mouse and Midi Keyboard. Multi-output is supported for multi-output plug-ins.
In order to allow “send” schemes, a “VST output duplicator” plug-in is delivered with Aodix.

Audio / Project / Bounce Inputs/Outputs and Formats
Aodix supports only ASIO I/O (multi-channel). MME can be supported indirectly by using a ASIO/MME/WDM Wrapper (not delivered with Aodix). Aodix uses a proprietary file format for project saving. It can import midi files. It renders audio to either several 32-bit float IEEE single-channel files, or one single 32-bit float multi-channel IEEE file. Loading/saving Fxp and Fxb files is supported.

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MUTOOLS

NOTE: THIS IS THE ‘FREE’ VERSION, AND IS LIMITED TO 8 TRACKS.

MU.LAB is a state of the art, ultra-light music application, designed to compose & perform music of different styles and flavors.

MU.LAB does not have a complex feature set, in which you can get lost.

At the contrary, MU.LAB is an easy yet rock-solid musical tool.

MU.LAB’s core feature set:

• Audio Recording & Playback
• MIDI Recording & Playback
• Flexible Composition & Sequence Editing
• Supports Audio and MIDI VST Plugins
• Powerful Audio and MIDI Plugin Routing (up to 100% modular if you want)
• Integrated MuSynth: Powerful Modular Sound Engine
• Integrated MUX: Powerful Modular Audio/MIDI Effect Engine
• Integrated Audio Effects:
  • MuVerb: Very Nice Sounding Reverb
  • Stereo Echo: Very Versatile Stereo Echo
  • Multi Mode Filter: Very Versatile Audio Filter
  • And many more MUX patches!
• Audio Engine using 32 bit floats, all usable samplerates
• Sample Accurate Sequencing
• Multi Undo/Redo
• Available for OSX (Universal Binary) and Windows

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MadTracker

According to the MadTracker website:
MadTracker is the composition tool that creates the shortest path between imagination and music. Based on the tracker concept, MadTracker provides a clean and intuitive interface for a powerful and efficient approach to making music. Versatility and compatibility are guaranteed due to full VST, ASIO and ReWire support, while its computer charge is minimal.

Features:

Interface

• Bilingual: English and Français
• Runs under every version of Windows without any special requirements
• Intuitive windowed interface with dual-screen support
• Built-in chat (for instant help or peer chatting)
• ProTracker & FastTracker keyboard shortcuts
• Mouse wheel support
• File browser

Sampler / Tracker

• 64 tracks with 4 polyphony channels per track
• 32-bit internal mixing with 16-bit interpolation
• Very accurate pitches (40-bit precision)
• Volume ramping (48-bit precision)
• Advanced click removal
• Resonant filter for each instrument
• New Note Actions
• All the common tracker pattern commands + new commands
• 1 volume column and 1 panning column
• 4-digit command parameters (hexadecimal)
• Drums patterns
• Stereo samples
• Synchronized samples
• Keep-on-disk samples

Advanced Features

• Track FX (Delay, Stereo Delay, Filter, Flange, Analog Filter, mpReverb, mpReverb 2)
• Track EQ (3-band)
• Automation (envelopes for tracks volume, track effects and VST parameters)
• VST 2.3 support (effects and instruments)
• ReWire 2 support (synth/slave mode)

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Psycle

Psycle is a free, Open-Source, music creation program that offers an easy way to create your own music, fast, and with high quality.

Psycle uses a classical tracker interface (a text grid of notes which are sequenced one after the other), coupled with modularity (plugins) that allow to extend the sounds that you get from it.

It supports three ways to get sound: its own native format, the VST Plugin standard, and recorded .wav samples using the sampler machine.

Notes are entered in patterns, where you can also use commands (plugin specific, or global), as well as automating parameters via the mcm and twk commands. These patterns are then organized in a linear sequence, which becomes the song order.

Main features:

• A 64 Tracks Pattern Editor, with up to 1024 lines.
• 256 sequence positions.
• Audio Routing (machine) view to interconnect the virtual machines in order to apply different effects.
• Internal Stereo Sampler unit which supports .wav and .iff files of any sampling rate, 8/16 and 24bits, mono or stereo.
• 70+ Native Plugins (generators & effects), most of them open-source and with an easy to use API to create new ones.
• Support for VST1 and VST2 plugin standard.
• Imports .xm, .s3m, .it, .mod.
• Exporting to wav, as well as recording realtime to .wav.
• Configurable Keyboard Layout.
• MIDI-In Support (control Psycle using a MIDI keyboard, or even a software sequencer).
• Themes and skins support and much more

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Kreatives.org

NOTE: THIS SOFTWARE IS ONLY FREE FOR PERSONAL / EDUCATIONAL USE. 

Kristal Audio Engine is a powerful multi-track recorder, audio sequencer and mixer - ideal for anyone wanting to get started with recording, mixing and mastering digital audio.

It is designed as a modular system. The main application provides a mixing console, while the audio sequencer, live audio input and so on are loaded as separate PlugIns.

Kristal Audio Engine is FREEWARE for personal, educational and non-commercial use.

Features:

• 16 audio tracks
• 32 Bit floating point audio engine
• 44.1 to 192 kHz sample rate*
• Downmix to 16/24/32 Bit audio files
• 3-band parametric EQ &
• 2 VST insert slots per channel
• 3 VST master effect slots
• ASIO low latency audio driver support
• 4 Kristal PlugIn slots
• Load/Save Kristal project files
• Supported file formats: WAVE, AIFF, FLAC, OGG Vorbis

The following Plug-ins are included in the Kristal package:

Kristal Waver

• The sequencer PlugIn for Kristal.
• Multi channel hard disk recording via ASIO/MME.
• ASIO input monitoring.
• Audio clip arrangement.
• Audio clip fade-in/fade-out/cross-fade.
• Unlimited undo/redo.
• AES31 Export.

Kristal LiveIN

• Connect your mic/guitar and play thru Kristal using VST effects in real-time.

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Dominic Mazzoni

Audacity is a free, easy-to-use audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. You can use Audacity to:

• Record live audio.
• Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs.
• Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, and WAV sound files.
• Cut, copy, splice, and mix sounds together.
• Change the speed or pitch of a recording.

Features:

Recording

Audacity can record live audio through a microphone or mixer, or digitize recordings from cassette tapes, vinyl records, or minidiscs. With some sound cards, it can also capture streaming audio.

• Record from microphone, line input, or other sources.
• Dub over existing tracks to create multi-track recordings.
• Record up to 16 channels at once (requires multi-channel hardware).
• Level meters can monitor volume levels before, during, and after recording.

Import and Export

Import sound files, edit them, and combine them with other files or new recordings. Export your recordings in several common file formats.

• Import and export WAV, AIFF, AU, and Ogg Vorbis files.
• Import MPEG audio (including MP2 and MP3 files) with libmad.
• Export MP3s with the optional LAME encoder library.
• Create WAV or AIFF files suitable for burning to CD.
• Import and export all file formats supported by libsndfile.
• Open raw (headerless) audio files using the “Import Raw” command.
• Note: Audacity does not currently support WMA, AAC, or most other proprietary or restricted file formats.

Editing

• Easy editing with Cut, Copy, Paste, and Delete.
• Use unlimited Undo (and Redo) to go back any number of steps.
• Very fast editing of large files.
• Edit and mix an unlimited number of tracks.
• Use the Drawing tool to alter individual sample points.
• Fade the volume up or down smoothly with the Envelope tool.

Effects

• Change the pitch without altering the tempo, or vice-versa.
• Remove static, hiss, hum, or other constant background noises.
• Alter frequencies with Equalization, FFT Filter, and Bass Boost effects.
• Adjust volumes with Compressor, Amplify, and Normalize effects.
• Other built-in effects include:
  • Echo
  • Phaser
  • Wahwah
  • Reverse

Sound Quality

• Record and edit 16-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit (floating point) samples.
• Record at up to 96 KHz.
• Sample rates and formats are converted using high-quality resampling and dithering.
• Mix tracks with different sample rates or formats, and Audacity will convert them automatically in realtime.

Plug-Ins

• Add new effects with LADSPA plugins.
• Audacity includes some sample plugins by Steve Harris.
• Load VST plugins for Windows and Mac, with the optional VST Enabler.
• Write new effects with the built-in Nyquist programming language.

Analysis

• Spectrogram mode for visualizing frequencies.
• “Plot Spectrum” command for detailed frequency analysis.

Free and Cross-Platform

• Licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
• Runs on Mac OS X, Windows, and GNU/Linux.

• Windows

  • Audio & Midi Sequencers (14)
  • Audio Analysis (7)
  • Audio Editors (6)
  • CD Rippers, Burners, File Encoders (11)
  • DJ & Samples Software (10)
  • Effects Processors (14)

• Mac

• Audio & Midi Sequencers (5)
• Audio Analysis (6)
• Audio Editors (4)
• CD Rippers, Burners, File Encoders (2)
• DJ & Samples Software (4)
• Effects Processors (3)

• Linux

• Audio & Midi Sequencers (11)
• Audio Analysis (2)
• Audio Editors (5)
• CD Rippers, Burners, File Encoders (7)
• DJ & Samples Software (3)
• Effects Processors (1)

• FreeBSD

• Audio & Midi Sequencers (2)
• Audio Analysis (1)
• Audio Editors (2)
• CD Rippers, Burners, File Encoders (5)

• Solaris

• Audio & Midi Sequencers (1)
• Audio Analysis (1)
• Audio Editors (2)
• CD Rippers, Burners, File Encoders (2)
•