Thrifty Softsynths/Samplers/Trackers *RIP*

XXXX

Sorry this list is now removed since it is now well established that none of my contributions here are welcomed.

Thanks to those who trusted in me.

No thanks to (You know who you are)

RonC

[Granulab]

I like the Hammerhead, really easy to use  

I'll add another one ..

Granulab

Granular synthesis is the technology of creating complex sound by playing back many short and relatively simple sound fragments with varying parameters.

Real-time control over time-stretching and pitch of a sound.
Modulation and randomisation of most grain generation parameters.
Store parameter sets (patches) and transform seamlessly from one to another.
Morphing between patches can be done in real-time by mouse control, or by gradual portamento.
All parameters can be controlled by MIDI.

http://hem.passagen.se/rasmuse/Granny.htm

Import a Wave file of a spoken word and drag the sliders, see what you get!  

There - it's sticky for the time being...

Thanks Ron for this list, I especially like the sound of Granulab (my thoughts turn to Autechre's sound) and Buzz (the design reminds me of Reason, but lets hope it *actually* works).

I'm going to have to give those two a go

Can't resist mentioning Synthedit (for its own capabilities plus that of hosting VSTi instruments, many of which are freeware, and VST effects) and Bidule http://www.plogue.com/bidule/ which has similar functions.  You can also build you own using "Chainer" but you have to buy it to save your setup.  See http://www.xlutop.com/ for details.

The most remarkable (but complex) freeware softsynth I know is Crystal at http://www.greenoak.com/crystal/about.html - one day I'll take a week off and get my head around the first 10% of it.  But younger and more agile minds might crack it in an hour.  It's best at creating "sound designs" rather than playing jolly tunes - so for anyone looking for something for "content creation" if I'm using the right buzzword, it's worth a look.

oh man i cant believe i didnt mention synthedit! Sorry oz! (I really like synthedit a lot!) I think I'm really liking buzz a lot better though, so far...

RonC

I've just discovered an excellent VSTi or standalone soundfont player at http://www.rgcaudio.com/sfz.htm  - works very well with Synthedit as host (use the .dll file), which avoids potential latency issues arising in the standalone version (the exe file).  Couple it with the Jeux 1.4 pipe organ Soundfont or the Trachman Steinway Grand from http://www.hammersound.net/cgi-bin/soundlink.pl and - well, what more would you want for free?

Ooh.  With that running my soundfonts I could get rid of the SB Live once and for all.

Indeed - I've got it running on my recent XP machine with an Echo Mia Midi and it's fine.  But due to the problems with getting VSTi or other softsynths into Audition while monitoring previous tracks, I'll still be using my Win98SE machine as the synth and the XP machine as the recorder.  However, I've always had problems with little clicks being generated by my Creative card when playing soundfonts, at the start of some notes, and the RGCAudio player overcomes that completely, so I'll be using that while retaining the Creative card just as... well, as soundcard.

oh boy,
you DONT need to use a whole other computer to do this, just so you know...

RonC

I found this drum prog http://www.threechords.com/hammerhead/leafdrums.shtml
via a link on the hammerhead site  
This looks very good, many features etc.

Someone mentioned this freeware sequencer, said it was a "midget cubase"... Havent checked it out yet but looks promising:

http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/index.php

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.

You're welcome

RonC

damn this looks great, and freeware  
but no midi?

but no midi?

Isn't the point of a softsynth to play a MIDI file?  Or to at least be able to respond to MIDI commands?  SynthEdit, discussed above, does this.

oh wow i didnt realize kristal was something very similar to CEP's multitrack stuff... Wow. Well there it is anyways

RonC