Free RTAS plug-ins

[markshan]

About three years ago I got a Digi 001 factory bundle. At about that same time I adopted two special needs children (my wife and I were looking for a daughter but couldn't say no when presented with a brother/sister sibling group). My music room hastily became a bedroom and my new toy sat in it's box for about 2 1/2 years while my family adjusted to all of the other changes. Eventually I got the thing out and was advised to upgrade from LE 5.1 to LE 6.4 (the last version that supports the 001). In doing so I was faced with the fact that all of my plug-ins that came with it were supported by Windows 98SE and are now useless in the XP environment. I suspect that at some point I was probably eligible to get an ignition pack but like I said I wasn't paying much attention for the last couple of years. There are lots of cool downloads on Dididesign's website now, but they are all for LE 7 and my 001 doesn't support it.

I am trying to find sounds for my system (the budget is more than a bit tight). I found a free download of Sampletank 2 free...

http://www.sampletank.com/Main.html?STFreeDwn

This gives me about a dozen sounds to work with but I am very limited. Does anyone else know of any good free sounds in RTAS format or maybe a free VST to RTAS converter? Effects are nice, but I am particularly interested in virtual instruments.

Hit me here or email to mark_shanaway@excite.com (mark underscore shanaway at excite dot com).

Thanks for helping a rookie with a dilemma. I hope that this isn't a stupid question.

[Musick]

check out... http://www.macmusic.org/softs/?lang=EN
i only found effects, but no luck on virtual instruments...

[scottedog]

Although the new Xpand is meant for PT7 there's half a chance it may work fine in 6.4, worth a shot?
Also Sonik Synth 2 (http://www.soniksynth.com/SSFreeDwn.html) has a free version.

Good luck & welcome back.

[Evil Jack]

Plugsound free. Check it out:


OSX version here! (http://www.ultimatesoundbank.com/public/downloads/plugsound/plugsound_free_osx.sit.hqx)


Windows version here! (http://www.ultimatesoundbank.com/public/downloads/plugsound/plugsound_free_PC.zip)

[markshan]

Although the new Xpand is meant for PT7 there's half a chance it may work fine in 6.4, worth a shot?

Scottedog;

This possibility brings up a whole other question for me. When I went to the LE 6.4 I built my own computer because Digi's specs said that it had to be a motherboard with an Intel 845, 850 or 860 (I think) chipset. Did I waste my time being so specific or would it have run on anything?

On the one hand, I probably would have never had the guts to build my own computer if I didn't have to (and I actually really enjoyed the process), but on the other hand I am now wondering why the requirements are so specific.

Perhaps I'll try the Xpand and let you guys know (but my system is running perfectly right now, and if this screws it up I'll be bummed, so I probably won't do it until I finish my current projects). Maybe someone from Digi would like to weigh in on this?

Thanks everyone for the advice. Keep it coming.

[markshan]

check out... http://www.macmusic.org/softs/?lang=EN
i only found effects, but no luck on virtual instruments...

That site is REALLY cool.

However, I am in a Windows XP environment, and that is all for Mac. Does anyone know of a site like that for us PC users?

[scottedog]

You're a lot better off building a PC to Digi's specs than not, a lot less headaches I'm sure.
If Xpand doesn't work for you then you can just remove it, no harm done.
If you can manage to swing $100 then the VST-RTAS Wrapper (http://www.fxpansion.com/product-rtasadapter2-main.php) is just your thing. There are hundreds upon hundreds of free VST effects/instruments out there. CHeck out KVR. (http://www.kvraudio.com/)

[aliengroover]

Although the new Xpand is meant for PT7 there's half a chance it may work fine in 6.4, worth a shot?
Also Sonik Synth 2 (http://www.soniksynth.com/SSFreeDwn.html) has a free version.

Good luck & welcome back.



From the mouth of Digi:

The Xpand plug-in requires Pro Tools HD, LE, or M-Powered v7.0 or higher. I've been told by engineering that Xpand is not compatible with Pro Tools 6. Due to the changes in the RTAS optimization in Pro Tools 7, this is not a case of "it might work, but not as well with Pro Tools 6" or "we didn't test it". From everyone at Digi that I've checked with, it does require PT 7.



And SS2Free is VST only.
Peace

[kv331]

Hey Mark, (and all the others fellow users),

If you are looking for a free RTAS soft synth, SynthMaster will be released at the beginning of April. It is capable of a wide range of synthesis methods such as additive / subtractive / ring mod / FM / Waveshaping / PWM synthesis.

If you'd like to see SynthMaster in action, here's a tutorial video:

http://www.kv331audio.com/synthmaster/samples/synthmastertutorial1.wmv

If any of you would like to be a BETA TESTER, please e-mail me at:
bulent AT kv331audio.com

If you're wondering what it is capable of, here's full the feature set:

1. Superior synthesis engine with bandlimited waveforms. Support for Additive, Subtractive, AM/FM/PM/PWM/Wavehaping/Osc Sync Synthesis.

2. 3 Additive Oscillators each having 8 separate waveforms (or partials so to speak), volume and frequency envelopes. Osc 2/3 frequency can be hard synced to Osc 1.

3. 3 Multimode filters that can be connected in split,parallel, series configurations.

4. 4 modulators that can modulate (PM/FM) each other,or osc1/2/3 (volume, phase/frequency), filter1/2/3 (gain,cutoff,reso,env amt)

5. 16 step arpeggiator with customizable step volumes/lengths/deltas. The number of steps for the arpeggiator is user selectable, so it possible to create rhytims in different time signatures like 9/8, 5/8, 7/8, etc...

6. 16 band analog modelled vocoder.

7. 2 32 step patterns that can be used to generate sequences/rhytims. The number of steps for each pattern is user selectable, so it possible to create rhytims in different time signatures like 9/8, 5/8, 7/8, etc...

8. Support for saving preset sections (ex: Arpeggiator, Chorus, Reverb, EQ, Vocoder, etc etc...) as "partial" presets. By combining these "partial" presets you can create complex presets easily.

9. Intelligent editing features. Right click on any preset section, copy, paste, reset, load, save presets for that area only. SynthMaster comes with about 400 partial presets, so by combining those you can create an infinite number of presets.

10. Mouse wheel support: Change parameter values using the mouse wheel.

11. Support for linking upto 16 parameters to a MIDI controller. Midi Links settings can be saved separately to be used globally.

12. Support for Microtuning. Tuning settings can be saved separately to be used globally.

13. Support for using your mouse as a MIDI CC generator. By default, x coordinate modulates filter 1 cutoff, y coordinate modulates filter 1 resonance. By clicking the middle mouse button, you can activate/deactivate the MIDI CC generation.

14. Support for using shortcut keys to generate Midi messages (Standalone version only)

15. Sidechain (audio input) support. The sidechain signal can be used to generate MIDI CC messages or to modulate oscillator/filter/modulator parameters as well.

16. By setting Synth->SideChain\Always On parameter to "On" SynthMaster can be used as an FX Processor, so you can apply EQ, Chorus, REverb, Tremolo an audio track, or use the standalone version of SynthMaster as a real-time effects processor.

17. Easy Parameters: SynthMaster comes with 8 easy parameters, each of which can be assigned to upto 12 parameters. Easy parameter settings can be saved separately to be used globally.

Bulent Biyikoglu
President, KV331 Audio LLC

[scottedog]

And SS2Free is VST only.




No it's not, RTAS also.

Edit: I may stand corrected. I have the full version & it's RTAS. Could have sworn that when I had SS2 free it was RTAS. Wouldn't be the first time I was wrong.

[aliengroover]

It's cool. They were supposed to release an RTAS version but that never happened. No biggie on my part, as I just loaded the sounds into it's own bank in ST2XL. I plan on getting SS2 sometime in the future.
Peace

[aliengroover]

Oh, and BTW, there isn't a free wrapper, unfortunately. At least not for Windows (I once heard that somebody made a Mac VST to RTAS, but I've yet to see it). I'd honestly say just throw aside a few bucks a week until you get the $80 to buy it. Heck, it may be cheaper since version 2 for PT7 is out (then again maybe not since 6.x users are advised to use version 1).
Peace

[markshan]

Oh, and BTW, there isn't a free wrapper, unfortunately. At least not for Windows (I once heard that somebody made a Mac VST to RTAS, but I've yet to see it). I'd honestly say just throw aside a few bucks a week until you get the $80 to buy it. Heck, it may be cheaper since version 2 for PT7 is out (then again maybe not since 6.x users are advised to use version 1).
Peace

You mention the wrapper. If I were to get a rewire program like Reason would it be able to use VST's and then act as a wrapper as well as having the functionality of it's own?

Thanks again for the advice and for being patient with a newbie.

[markshan]

And SS2Free is VST only.

Since there was some discussion over the fact, I decided to download SS2Free. VST and something with an X, but no RTAS (bummer).

Jack, thanks for the tip on Plugsound. I plan on checking it out, but the file is >60 meg and that is prohibitive on my dial-up, so I'll have to hook up with a friend with high speed.

I'll let you know how it works out for me.

[aliengroover]

VST and something with an X, but no RTAS (bummer).



Direct X. I got it when it first came out. Direct X may have been there, but since I only have programs that use VST and RTAS, I didn't really focus on the other formats.
Peace

[markshan]

If any of you would like to be a BETA TESTER, please e-mail me at:
bulent AT kv331audio.com

Bulent Biyikoglu
President, KV331 Audio LLC

Bulent;

I'm going to hit you with an email as well, but I thought that I may not be the only one with these questions so perhaps it would be to your benefit to answer them here...

1. I am a singer with only very rudimentary keyboard skills. I actually don't even know what most of what you list as features are. On the one hand, perhaps someone with such a beginner skillset would be a good tester for you. On the other hand, maybe not. Are you looking for experienced synthesists as testers, novices or either?

2. I only have a home studio that gets a few hours a week of use. Does this preclude me from being a tester?

3. I went to www.kv331audio.com (http://www.kv331audio.com) to look around, and it said I wasn't authorized to view the page. Yet I downloaded the wmv tutorial with no problem. Is this a problem on my end or on yours?

4. Either way, I would love to try the Synthmaster Free. Do you have a link?

BTW, I love the company name.

Mark

[kv331]

1. I am a singer with only very rudimentary keyboard skills. I actually don't even know what most of what you list as features are. On the one hand, perhaps someone with such a beginner skillset would be a good tester for you. On the other hand, maybe not. Are you looking for experienced synthesists as testers, novices or either?




Actually, I'd prefer either, so you are in BTW, let me emphasize one fact once again. SynthMaster is NOT ONLY A SOFT SYNTH, but also an EFFECTS PLUG-IN. It has high quality parametric eq, chorus, echo, tremolo, reverb, and a vocoder.



2. I only have a home studio that gets a few hours a week of use. Does this preclude me from being a tester?




Certainly no



3. I went to www.kv331audio.com (http://www.kv331audio.com) to look around, and it said I wasn't authorized to view the page. Yet I downloaded the wmv tutorial with no problem. Is this a problem on my end or on yours?




I just fixed that problem. The synthmaster.aspx page is still old though, I have to update it asap.



4. Either way, I would love to try the Synthmaster Free. Do you have a link?




Just e-mailed you the link



BTW, I love the company name.




You know, I'm so happy to hear that, thank you KV331 was the first piano piece that I was able to play, and also it is one of the well known piano sonatas -> rondo "alla turca"

[markshan]

KV331 was the first piano piece that I was able to play,

I'm still working on "chopsticks".

The quantize button is my friend!

[markshan]

Plugsound free. Check it out:


OSX version here! (http://www.ultimatesoundbank.com/public/downloads/plugsound/plugsound_free_osx.sit.hqx)


Windows version here! (http://www.ultimatesoundbank.com/public/downloads/plugsound/plugsound_free_PC.zip)



Jack;

After four hours of downloading over a phone line, I found that the free version of this (just like the free SonikSynth) is VST only.

On the upside, I'm sure I'll be quite happy to have this after I get the VST-RTAS wrapper (yes, I am quickly becoming convinced that this MUST be my next purchase).

[Evil Jack]

Plugsound free. Check it out:


OSX version here! (http://www.ultimatesoundbank.com/public/downloads/plugsound/plugsound_free_osx.sit.hqx)


Windows version here! (http://www.ultimatesoundbank.com/public/downloads/plugsound/plugsound_free_PC.zip)



Jack;

After four hours of downloading over a phone line, I found that the free version of this (just like the free SonikSynth) is VST only.

On the upside, I'm sure I'll be quite happy to have this after I get the VST-RTAS wrapper (yes, I am quickly becoming convinced that this MUST be my next purchase).



Jeez..sorry, just realized Windows version is VST. OSX version definitely RTAS though!

[markshan]

Jeez..sorry, just realized Windows version is VST. OSX version definitely RTAS though!

No problem, I just thought that I would let anyone else reading this know in case they wanted to use the program.

Thanks again Jack and everyone for the help.

[kv331]

Hi all,

After a long period of silence, I am glad to announce that SynthMaster FREE! is available for download on our web site. SynthMaster is not only a soft synth, but also a multi-fx native RTAS plug-in that will be a "must have" in your sessions. The FREE! version of SynthMaster allows up to 2 plug-in instances with each having up to 5 voice polyphony.

For more information about SynthMaster, visit: www.kv331audio.com/synthmaster.aspx (http://www.kv331audio.com/synthmaster.aspx)

To download SynthMaster FREE!, visit: http://www.kv331audio.com/downloads.aspx

We hope you have fun with SynthMaster

Bulent Biyikoglu
President, KV331 Audio

[Gothboy]

......but if only it was also for Mac users!!!!!????? We're using Macs out here.

[kv331]

You know what, I purchased a Mac Mini to start the OSX development 3 months ago, but heck! I still haven't had a single moment to turn it on. As soon as I start selling the Windows version (mid-December), I'll start the Mac development.

[Eric52]

Hello I`m Eric(From Holland).I have been searching for a very long time and I`ve found very little.
http://www.dontcrack.com/freeware/software.php/id/7037/audio/Plug-ins/plugins/RTAS/
I think (90%sure) there are 1 or 2 on; http://www.freeaudioplugins.com/
Keep your eyes on the Digidesign page,they have some nice free plug-ins too,only no synths.
Greetings from Amsterdam;Eric.:-)