Your Recommended Free PC Software

[The Telenator]

I mainly want to hop on here right now and post a warning about a couple of constant problem download-hosting websites. Beware of BrotherSoft, softpedia, and to a lessor extent cNet. These sites are the ones that try to get you to download the wrong software, such as PDF editors, agree to participate in their other schemes, fill out surveys, and generally harass and waste your time -- and they also sometimes bundle unwanted software with your desired download. You can avoid installing bad software by very carefully declining the various extra bits during the wizard installs of the software you truly want, but it's a very clever con, so do be careful. I don't know how much this still goes on, but they also used to secretly install spyware on your computer during some installs, too. They will host a plugin designer's product for free or on the cheap, because they make so much sponsoring these other causes I have mentioned, and that is why some reputable people still use them to host their product downloads. I suspect a few are unaware of the extent to which these companies abuse people seeking a good software. There are a couple of other bad sites, too, but these are certainly the worst offenders. I always say, attempt to download from the original location whenever possible or use those sites you know to be trustworthy. I hope to save others from the trouble I and friends have had when we started out searching for free software. Also, any time a website you are unsure of insists on sending you a 'download manager' first to help you get what you were originally after, then a red flag should go up in your mind. A small few download manager setups are innocent, but usually these 'managers' are employed so they can take you back to a website and cause you to download more than you bargained for! Happy hunting!

You all have some nice ones listed on this thread, quite a lot I rarely see included on the common hangouts for all things VST, such as the KVR site.

I'm not at my usual location right now so can't post links, but I'll try to return soon to do so. Meanwhile, unless I've missed it on the pages I've scanned here already, I've seen no mention of Sir Elliot. Until I get the link up, you can search using VST and his name. They are all freeware and there are very many. He specialises in plugins primarily designed for mastering. I've got about 10 of them and use them extensively. They are solid, very stable and thoughtful builds -- Sir Elliot VST Plugins.

Oh, here it is -- I've found it: Sir Elliot Plugins

Finally, the wonderful Kjaerhus, designer of their Classic Series of the standard assortment of effects plugins, has recently closed up shop. This series of nine is great for beginners on up to advanced, because they are sturdy, easy to use, and deliver acceptable-to-excellent sound. The links to the original locations for these have all gone dead, including the company's page. However, these were always offered as freeware under the common license and they still are -- if you can locate them. You will find the bundle of 9 currently hosted here (scroll down to top of grid boxes): Acoustica Downloads Page Note that this page can be a bit tough to connect to; their server seems to act up at times, but keep trying, as the link is good as of this post. Cheers!

[mick.n]

USB Driver View

Shows what usb device is connected to which hub/port & also history of connections with date, etc. Any device can be uninstalled & history cleared.

Interestingly, it shows my Emu 0404USB as being a USB 1.1 device.

[alexis]

A youtube site describing some freebies, I can't vouch for any of them personally. Am actually trying to get my head around why a meter needs to "process" my audio rather than just display data (Vintage PSP highlighted in the video).

Nice thread, this one!

[alexis]

A youtube site describing some freebies, I can't vouch for any of them personally. Am actually trying to get my head around why a meter needs to "process" my audio rather than just display data (Vintage PSP highlighted in the video). Edit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1oAiB2C4NU&feature=g-hist

Nice thread, this one!

Whoops - forgot to put the link, sorry!

[yofiel]

Synthfont is one of my favorites since its both a VST plugin and selfstanding. Dont forget http://www.audiomastermind.com/browse-free_vst_plugins-5886988-1.html

+1. A search for keyword 'delay' returned >400 links!

[Marjeda]

I downloaded this freeware sampler the other day, and seems decent so far

http://www.tx16wx.com/

[lingyai]

http://varietyofsound.wordpress.com/201 ... mojo-back/

[lingyai]

Not sure of this counts as a plug-in per se, but here is an amazingly expressive and easy to use, free cello for Kontakt

http://blakus.com/pocketblakus-192

[shufflebeat]

I downloaded this freeware sampler the other day, and seems decent so far

http://www.tx16wx.com/

There seems to be a lot of chat about this. I've d/l 'd it but haven't had time to play. Post back with your thoughts if you can.

[Marjeda]

I haven't spent much time with it myself really.

I've just switched over from using Ableton Live onto Cockos Reaper and needed a sampler and came across this.

All I've really done is load a few vocal samples and had a quick play, so don't really have anything much to contribute just yet.

But from the little I've used it, it seems to do the same sort of functions that I was using Ableton's 'Sampler' for.

And the website says that a future update will bring alongside the freeware version a professional version that will provide a few more extra features, but that takes it into 'Budgetware' rather than freeware but I think I'll be happy to pay a little bit for something I'm making use of.

[full circleltd]

Hi everyone,

Nice post for sharing with us and share your views/ information.

[OneWorld]

I downloaded this freeware sampler the other day, and seems decent so far

http://www.tx16wx.com/

Seems a good little sampler, really easy to setup and use, intuitive interface. I use Kontakt 5, which is great, if you live to a 101 to get your head round it.

I also have Gigastudio GVI, which is great too, but of course TASCAM ditched Gigastudio users, and that too was a very easy GUI to understand, and TX16 seems just as easy.

[Scope]

Presonus Studio One
A fab free sequencer for Mac & PC.
Comes with a rompler. & a "get you started" library for the synth and numerous instrument and drum loops.
The PC version rompler can access sound fonts - so there is an unlimited library out there, all for free.

There are higher versions offering more features @a £££.
But for sheer fun for free, studio one gets my vote
(& I am a long term cubase & logic user !!)

[Shonn Frank]

IDK..Is it just me? I have a hard time with free plugins. I think it's because I'm old (40 ) and I'm stuck thinking BEFORE the renaissance of computers when there was a canyon between professional/acceptable gear and non-professional/ "cheap" stuff and forget about free! lol

It's the old "you get what you pay for" mentality, where you're thinking there's no way some shmuck can throw a compressor together that can rival these million dollar companies who can pay top programmers and collaborate with engineers and designers and have access to vintage gear and all that.

I know there are plenty of reasons why I'm wrong to think this way. I'm also a sucker for a cool GUI. idk

Although, when the freebie is from a bonafide developer with those resources, and I can understand that they are showcasing their stuff..my mind acts more inviting.

For example:
Camel Crusher by Camel Audio (thumbs up)

[Matt Houghton]

Tokyo Dawn Labs Feedback Compressor II is in beta for both Mac & PC now. Bit of a resource hog, so more suited to mastering or occasional use in a mix - not something for every channel! - but it offers things most other dynamics plug-ins (whatever the price) don't and sounds superb.

[annaangel]

VlC

[OneWorld]

I haven't spent much time with it myself really.

I've just switched over from using Ableton Live onto Cockos Reaper and needed a sampler and came across this.

All I've really done is load a few vocal samples and had a quick play, so don't really have anything much to contribute just yet.

But from the little I've used it, it seems to do the same sort of functions that I was using Ableton's 'Sampler' for.

And the website says that a future update will bring alongside the freeware version a professional version that will provide a few more extra features, but that takes it into 'Budgetware' rather than freeware but I think I'll be happy to pay a little bit for something I'm making use of.

Came across what?

[Matt Houghton]

Tokyo Dawn Labs Feedback Compressor II is in beta for both Mac & PC now. Bit of a resource hog, so more suited to mastering or occasional use in a mix - not something for every channel! - but it offers things most other dynamics plug-ins (whatever the price) don't and sounds superb.

The latest version of this one is much less resource-intensive now.

Also to add to the list (if I haven't missed them in this thread) are Vladg's Molot compressor and Limiter No6. They're both superb — alongside the Tokyo Dawn Labs one, these are probably the best freeware dynamics plug-ins I know of, and much better than many (and arguably most...) commercial plug-ins. Learning to get the best from them can take a while — but there's a button on the bottom to give you English instead of Russian labels, which helps.

• Vladg Limiter No6
• Vladg Molot

[Bluesman979]

Analogue X do a few useful free tools..

http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/audio.htm

Including Vocal remover, Audio Arpeggiator, HDD-time remaining, a delay calculator etc etc

HTH

[Marjeda]

I haven't spent much time with it myself really.

I've just switched over from using Ableton Live onto Cockos Reaper and needed a sampler and came across this.

All I've really done is load a few vocal samples and had a quick play, so don't really have anything much to contribute just yet.

But from the little I've used it, it seems to do the same sort of functions that I was using Ableton's 'Sampler' for.

And the website says that a future update will bring alongside the freeware version a professional version that will provide a few more extra features, but that takes it into 'Budgetware' rather than freeware but I think I'll be happy to pay a little bit for something I'm making use of.

Came across what?

The freeware sampler I put a link to a few posts up.

Anyways here's another couple of freeware plugins that I've tried and work well for me as they're pretty simple.

http://www.klanghelm.com/index.html