Amazing Audio On The Cheap

[filkertom]

All Windows unless otherwise specified.

• Until the end of September, BFD Eco (normally $149) is $29. (You can buy it downloadable at audioMIDI.) I've been waffling on whether to eventually buy JamStix 3 (PC) or MDrummer 4 (Mac and PC), both of which do a lot at very reasonable prices, but I hadn't even considered BFD, which is too frickin' pricey. But BFD Eco sounds amazing, rich and full and easy to use, and at this price it's an absolute no-brainer.
• Samplitude 11 Silver is a free version, with 8 tracks, each of which can use up to four VSTs.
• Melda Productions, the MDrummer people, have a new EQ in beta.
• Native Instruments has updated Kontakt to version 5, and that means a new version of the free Kontakt Player for Mac and PC as well.
• loops de la crème has a bunch of interesting sounds at good prices (better if you use the discount code cream1 before the end of September), and the Clap Pack, Kick Pack, and Worlds Sounds Vol. 1 are free (or, more properly, Name Your Price).

Any new audio toys you've found? Please specify links and OS.

Comments

[capplor.livejournal.com]

How do any of these work with garage-band, that being the only program we currently have & are still trying to learn how to use.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Well, not knowing Mac, can't say. But I believe that GB will handle VST or AU plugins made for MacOSX, which means that it should handle MDrummer Free and the Kontakt player. For sure it handles loops, which you should just be able to drag into a track in GB, so all the loops de la crème audio should go right in.

If you get a handle on GB and want to move on, or you find yourself constrained by GB's limitations, my advice is, as always, to try Reaper (http://reaper.fm/).

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

oooh, good timing. I'm getting sick to death of the drums I have in the proteus, and was considering EZdrummer. But I'm just farting around, and my budget this year is shot. So the Eco will fit my needs nicely.

Thanks!

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

No prob. The one thing I wish it had is a groove editor, which is available in the full version, but any decent DAW that handles MIDI editing can do that for you anyway. Seriously, try the various presets -- the instant sound variation is inspiring.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

And another thing: The grooves in it were created by Groove Monkee, who conveniently have an additional free pack (http://www.groovemonkee.com/en/free-midi) (samples from their various products) which will give you a whole bunch of new grooves. And you can get it with PC or Mac installers for various programs (http://www.groovemonkee.com/en/news/75-get-over-600-midi-loops-free), as a General MIDI file pack, or as an installer for... BFD Eco. :)

[sffilk.livejournal.com]

What exactly does Samplitude 11 Silver do?

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Samplitude is a multitrack recording program, also known as a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). (Others include Cakewalk, Reaper, Cubase, Sonar, Ableton, Pro Tools, etc., etc.) Samplitude 11 Silver is a cut-down, free version of the main program, with up to eight tracks and missing some functions.

[smallship1.livejournal.com]

Just downloaded it, and it seems to think I can only use it for seven days. Is that right, or have I missed something?