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Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Jul 23 2007, 05:42 PM

Hi There,

This is a growing list of good recording based software. Everything from sequencers to effects, to drum machines.

This list is for Freeware, SHareware and low cost packages that have a < $50 cost associated with them.

As usual, I'll maintain this list at the top - anyone with new ideas, post to the thread and I'll edit this post and add to the list.

Simple Recording Software

1. http://audacity.sourceforge.net/is a cool audio editor and can also be used for simple multitrack recording

Multitrack Recording Software

1. http://www.cockos.com/is an extremely cheap yet very functional multitrack recording package. Windows (and MAC/Linux support being developed)
2. http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/- A bit less feature rich than reaper, but very functional and simple. Envelopes and FX chains are more limited but great for quickly getting down tracks.
3. http://traverso-daw.org/- A newcomer to the scene, but may be another to watch for simple multi-tracking.

Virtual Effects (VST)

1. http://www.knufinke.de/sir/sir1.htmlis a great free Impulse Response Reverb effect. You can get a lot of impulses here to use with it.
2. http://www.plogue.com/is an effect hoster/aggregator
3. http://www.rosegardenmusic.com/is a linux based sequencer
4. http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ is a free Amp and Cab simulation package
5. http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/ do a very nice suite of free VST efffects that they call their classic range (chorus, delay, compressor and so on).
6. http://www.gvst.co.uk/make various free vsts including a nice delay with the fab name of GDuckDly.
7. As do http://www.voxengo.com/group/freevst/.
8. http://www.luxonix.com/home/en/products.html?id=lfx1310 is a multi-effect.
9. Camel Audio make a rather fun compressor, distortion and filter the http://www.camelaudio.com/camelcrusher.php.

Virtual Instruments (VSTi)

1. RGC Audio make http://www.rgcaudio.com/triangle_II.htm which is a great synth able to get some classic sounds.
2. Greenoak make http://www.greenoak.com/crystal/download.html
3. http://www.jxplugins.co.uk/ make both the JXsynth and the JX220


Drum Machine

1.http://www.acoustica.com/beatcraft/ - A nice simple drum machine with some good sounds and decent options.

Tab Programs

1. http://www.tuxguitar.com.ar/home.html - Free, open source editor. Can read and write to Guitar Pro file format.
2.http://www.power-tab.net/ - Free tab editor, probably the main competitor for Guitar Pro.

Sound Editing

Utilities

1. http://www.scaletool.com/ - A quick, simple program for viewing scales.

Posted by: exorcyze Aug 5 2007, 07:28 AM

Digital Audio Workstations ( DAW / Multi-track recording ) :

http://www.kreatives.org/kristal/ - A bit less feature rich than reaper, but very functional and simple. Envelopes and FX chains are more limited but great for quickly getting down tracks.
http://traverso-daw.org/ - A newcomer to the scene, but may be another to watch for simple multi-tracking.

Drum Machine :

http://www.acoustica.com/beatcraft/ - A nice simple drum machine with some good sounds and decent options.

Tab Programs :

http://www.guitar-pro.com/en/index.php - The default tab program. The RSE and practice modes really make this worth the purchase, imo.
http://www.tuxguitar.com.ar/home.html - Free, open source editor. Can read and write to Guitar Pro file format.
http://www.power-tab.net/ - Free tab editor, probably the main competitor for Guitar Pro.

Sound Editing :

http://www.steinberg.net/128+M52087573ab0.html - Good program with lots of options, can also be used for final mastering of songs.

Utilities :

http://www.scaletool.com/ - A quick, simple program for viewing scales.

VST Plugins :

http://www.izotope.com/products/audio/ozone/ - Very popular VST Plugin, generally used in the Mastering Process.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Aug 5 2007, 03:08 PM

Thanks - will add them in

Posted by: erik Sep 22 2007, 11:29 PM

if it's not a problem I would like to warn people here about audacity..
It is free for a reason, it keeps chrashing (especially the mac version). The PC version also chrashes, once me and the band lost hours and hours of recording because it chrashed during export.. I didn't want to save the project, because saving often causes problems in audacity.. So I would not recomend it.

Posted by: Ben N Sep 22 2007, 11:53 PM

cubase- its a great mulitrack recording softwer you can do almost every
thing you want with it: midi tracks audio tracks converting to all file formats
import outport vst instromemts alot of efeccts

nuendo- same as cubase only looks abit diferent

guitar rig- vst.. realy good plag for guitar rec it has there allmost all the guitar efects
and you can make arealy good sound with it!!

Posted by: visi0n Sep 23 2007, 01:25 AM

wow great list, Andrew

Posted by: Zephyr Sep 23 2007, 01:31 AM

What about M-Audio Pro-Tools?

Posted by: tonymiro Sep 29 2007, 12:59 AM

Just some of my favourite free software synths and effects

http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/ do a very nice suite of free VST efffects that they call their classic range (chorus, delay, compressor and so on).

http://www.gvst.co.uk/make various free vsts including a nice delay with the fab name of GDuckDly.

As do http://www.voxengo.com/group/freevst/.

http://www.luxonix.com/home/en/products.html?id=lfx1310 is a multi-effect.

Camel Audio make a rather fun compressor, distortion and filter the http://www.camelaudio.com/camelcrusher.php.


For freeware soft synths:

RGC Audio make http://www.rgcaudio.com/triangle_II.htm which is a great synth able to get some classic sounds. Was going to mention Pentagon I from RGC - pretty certain mine was free but it's now a paid for download and price wise fits the other thread .

Greenoak make http://www.greenoak.com/crystal/download.html



and http://www.jxplugins.co.uk/ make both the JXsynth and the JX220

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: Juan M. Valero Nov 1 2007, 05:36 PM

Yeah, that's a great plug in, I use in my mastering it's easy to use and sound great

Posted by: dutriche Jan 7 2008, 05:35 PM

I dont get it
i installed the JX220 and the other free Jx
theres no executable program
are these just plugins needed for some other program?
if yes what program can i get for free to play synthesizer on my computer?

sorry if these are stupid questions
im kinda new to this

best regards
ben

Posted by: DeepRoots Jan 7 2008, 05:45 PM

most of the things listed here are plug-ins to use for a DAW- try downloading Reaper up the top there ^^

Posted by: tonymiro Jan 7 2008, 06:35 PM

Deeproots is absolutely right - you need a suitable sequencer as they are vsts/plug-ins. One minor thing wrt Reaper - it's shareware so if you use it and find that you like it and want to use it you should register it.

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: dutriche Jan 7 2008, 08:46 PM

would it work somehow with adobe audition? cuz ive got that program?
or isnt reper something similar?

Posted by: DeepRoots Jan 7 2008, 08:50 PM

i believe it would (by the product overview i glanced at)

Posted by: dutriche Jan 7 2008, 09:02 PM

hmm ill let you know if i find out how it works

Posted by: dutriche Jan 8 2008, 10:44 AM

hmm I think im not talking of the same things as the rest of you is (probably by lack of english knowledge)
what I need is something like a keyboard for my computer to play things i can use for songs afterwards
...
i found vst in Audition but it only allows DeEsser DeHummer Compressor and stuff
(as far as I found out that is)

Posted by: Kyle Logue Jan 30 2008, 06:17 PM

Audio recording/mastering/producing:

Sony Acid Pro -> not free
Sony Acid Xpress -> The free version (just about as good)

Drum and synth:

Fruity Loops -> the best out there

Posted by: Leijon Jan 31 2008, 10:00 PM

From a tip in Sound on Sound:

Free drum plugin: My Drumset - http://www.bluenoise.no/mydrumsetrocks.html

I just downloaded and tested it, seems nice enough. Good enough if you´re on a budget and don´t want to use a pirated version of EXDrummer or Addictive Drums.

Posted by: Asphyxia Feeling Feb 1 2008, 10:39 AM

not sure if this has been added, but Sequel is an excellent entry / starter recording / mixing program. it's interface is kind of like a very basic version of Cubase. it also has virtual insturments and loops. it has been compared to Apple's garageband software. their website and tutorial videos make it feel like ANYONE can use it.

http://www.sequel-music.net/index.php?L=1

it's price is 100 USD, so it's not >50, but it is still pretty cheap. i think it's great for people new to recording, or for people who just wanna mess around with loops.

Posted by: somecrazyguy09 Mar 4 2008, 07:17 AM

i just got a line6 toneport gx recording interface but i dont know how to get it to work with my recording software. i'm using audacity software so if anyone knows any information that can help me get the two to work together so i can start recording i'd really appreciate it.

Posted by: Nemanja Mar 4 2008, 06:33 PM

I nevere workd with audacity....and I don't knowe his options...but...he shoud have device setup and routing need to be done...try to find device set up..or wait some one who had the same ishue with audacity and
line 6 to reply..

Posted by: Hammerin Hank May 15 2008, 05:46 AM

Great list Andrew thanks for being so involved. FYI powertabs.net has been closed for a while now.
Music publishers were complaining apparently and they won the decision. I thought about bringing
up guitar pro but figured I'd keep my mouth shut before that vanishes too