FreqTweak ~ Spectral Manipulation & Display


FreqTweak is a tool for FFT-based realtime audio spectral manipulation and display. It provides several algorithms for processing audio data in the frequency domain and a highly interactive GUI to manipulate the associated filters for each. It also provides high-resolution spectral displays in the form of scrolling-raster spectrograms and energy vs frequency plots displaying both pre- and post-processed spectra.

It is an extremely addictive audio toy, but I hope it has value for serious audio work too (sound design, etc). The spectrum analysis is pretty useful in its own right.

freqtweak.sourceforge.io

TASCAM Hi-Res Editor ~ Mac & Windows Freeware


TASCAM Hi-Res Editor is a new, free application for Windows and Macintosh computers, that plays and edits up to 11.2MHz DSD or 384kHz WAV files. The software allows playback and export of DSD files without converting to PCM audio. This app is available now as a free download for Windows and Mac. Ideal for users of TASCAM’s hi-resolution recorders like the DA-3000, TASCAM’s Hi-Res Editor is one of the only ways to edit native DSD master recordings.

TASCAM Hi-Res Editor Interface

tascam.com/us/product/hi-res_editor/top
www.tascam.eu/en/downloads/Hi-Res+Editor

wtfplay ~ Linux High Quality Sound


Wtfplay project is an initiative to create a quality music player for Linux. Ultimately the project has just one objective – deliver the best sound quality possible – with no compromises.

Initially the player has been created: wtfplay. Soon the project evolved and wtfplay-live Linux distribution was born.

wtfplay-live is a minimalist Linux distribution purely dedicated to audio playback. It does not have many features, but offers exceptional sound quality as a reward. Simply put: it is created to play music and it plays music well.

The main features of wtfplay-live are:

  • Memory based, bit perfect playback of WAV and FLAC files with PCM data (16 and 24 bit, up to 384kHz), and DSF files with DSD data.
  • Fully command line driven. No graphical mode. No network either. The whole system is optimised for sound playback from local disks.
  • A small text mode user interface: wtfcui – for more convenient usage.
  • Precisely tailored Linux kernel for best sound performance.
  • Distributed as Live CD: does not require installation on a hard disk, does not make any changes to your computer configuration.
  • Very small system size: the distribution ISO image is less than 50MB.
  • Good documentation – to give you all information that you need to comfortably listen to music.

The philosophy of wtfplay project is simple: provide the minimum set of features for easy use and focus 100% efforts on sound quality.

wtfplay-project.org

Playtime ~ 10 Toy Instrument Plugin


Playtime is a FREE premium VST created by Daniel of Reflekt Audio. Playtime consist of ten different toy instruments that range from a desktop drum kit with a few toms and a hi hat, to a toy keyboard, a toy banjo, and more! The Playtime VST plugin has multiple blend-able microphones that the user can blend together to create one overall tone. Each instrument was sampled from real toys so you can bet on a unique and interesting toy like sound.

TX16Wx ~ Software Sampler


Base features

  • Re-sizable, flexible GUI
    • Full Undo/Redo support
    • Built-in file browser with sound playback and wave/program preview
    • Fully skinnable
    • Program icons
  • Dual playback engine
    • Direct from disk – supports massive sample sizes
    • RAM playback – sample accurate loop modulation
  • Unlimited multi-timbral operation
  • 128 voice polyphony
    • Two 6/12/24 dB resonant filters per voice
    • Low-, high, band- and all-pass
    • Notch, peak, low- and high shelf
    • Two sync-able LFO per voice
    • Two Modulation Envelopes per voice
    • Three Step Sequencers per voice
    • Modulation matrix with 16 modulation slots per voice
    • Three-way cross modulation (variable modulation strength)
    • Variable keyboard scales
    • Multiple trigger modes
    • Mono/Poly/Legato operation
    • 8 choke groups per program
    • Per-sample loop start/end/direction modulation
    • Polyphonic glide
    • Multiple glide modes
    • Polyphony limit per channel
    • VST micro tuning support
  • Built-in oscillators
    • Multiple waveforms.
    • Pulse width modulation.
    • Mix synthesized and sampled content.
  • Built-in sample editor
    • Automatic Loop Slicing + slice mapping
    • Actually Samples!* Record audio straight into the sampler from host (Requires routing/input capable host).
      • Built-in MIDI generator and automatic sample cutter for quick re-sampling of external or internal content
    • Automatic pitch detection
    • Loop tools
      • Loop auto detector
      • Loop overlay
    • Non-destructive, interactive loop cross fading
    • Multiple loop definitions per wave
      • Individual loops for sustain/release per mapping
    • Trim, cut, duplicate
    • Pitch detection
    • Normalize
    • Reverse
    • Tempo detection
  • Graphical keyboard mapping editor
    • Automatic sample layout
    • Flexible drag & drop-based group edit
    • Cut & paste or drag and drop move and copy between groups and programs
  • Quick select of sound data via MIDI
  • Drag & drop of samples/programs/performances/banks
  • Multiple outputs
    • 12 Stereo outputs, 8 of which can be switched to mono
    • Individual output mapping for key groups (drums)
  • 16 mappable controllers for modulation
  • 128 mappable VST parameters for modulation
  • All sound parameters can be automated or mapped to MIDI controllers
  • Preview loaded programs and samples in your song before loading
  • Reads multiple sample and bank formats
    • WAV/AIFF/AIFC
    • SoundFont 2
    • SFZ Files
    • Logic EXS
    • Akai AKP
    • Ogg Vorbis
    • FLAC
    • REX/REX2
    • Typhoon compressed AIFC files
    • Original Yamaha OS Wave files
  • 100% documented XML-based sound file format
    • Anyone can write conversion tools.
  • Saves data in DAW project directory
  • Low CPU usage
  • Fully native, optimized for SSE2.
  • Multi platform
    • MacOSX 10.7+ AU/VST2 (64bit)/VST3 (64bit)/AAX
    • Windows 7+ VST/VST3/AAX support
  • 64-bit support
  • Nice sound!

Aural Player ~ Winamp For Macs


Aural Player is an audio player for macOS. Inspired by the classic Winamp player for Windows, it is designed to be to-the-point, easy to use, and customizable, with support for a wide variety of popular audio formats and some sound tuning capabilities for audio enthusiasts.

github.com/maculateConception/aural-player

Synth1 ~ Analog Virtual Synthesizer


A software synthesizer intended for use with DTM software. Supports VSTi plug-in / AU plug-in format. This software is freeware. Functionally, it is modeled after the red synth Clavia NORD LEAD2 and has the following features:

  • 2 Oscillator + 1 Sub Oscillator, FM Modulation, Ring Modulation, Synchro, Modulation Envelope
  • 4 types of filters and distortion
  • 2LFO (host sync possible)
  • Equipped with arpeggiator (host synchronization)
  • Equipped with tempo delay (host synchronization) and stereo chorus / flanger
  • Legato mode, portamento
  • 32-tone polyphonic
  • With 128 preset tones.
  • Thorough reduction in operation weight. Use of SSE, etc.
  • Automation compatible

daichilab.sakura.ne.jp/softsynth

TDR Nova ~ Cross-platform Equalizer Plugin


NOVA is a parallel dynamic equalizer. Appearing in the familiar layout of a parametric equalizer, each band also includes a full featured dynamics section allowing the processor to cover an impressively wide range of applications. Be it a master lacking density, the drum bus asking for more crispiness, or a sibilance problem in your perfect take: NOVA has an elegant answer.

A user friendly WYSIWYG drag and drop display paired with a classic “knob” interface gives quick and smooth access to the various parameters driving NOVA’s powerful processing capabilities. With its four dynamic EQ bands and additional high-pass and low-pass filter sections, NOVA can meet the most exotic demand. Intuitive equal loudness functions help finding the optimal setting without getting distracted by loudness differences.

In practice, the processor covers a whole bucket of tasks:

  • Parametric equalization
  • Dynamic equalization
  • Frequency selective compression
  • Multi-band compression
  • Wideband compression

Of course NOVA features all helpers and workflow enhancements you’ve come to expect in a TDR plugin: A preset manager, undo/redo, A/B, detailed documentation, copy & paste, and much more.

www.tokyodawn.net
www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-nova

terminatorX ~ Realtime Audio Synthesizer


 This software allows “scratching” on digitally sampled audio data (*.wav, *.au, *.ogg, *.mp3, etc.) the way hip hop DJs scratch on vinyl records. It features multiple turntables, realtime effects (built-in as well as LADSPA plugin effects), a sequencer and MIDI interface – all accessible through an easy-to-use gtk+ GUI. This software is designed to run under Linux, FreeBSD and the like.

terminatorx.org

Sony HiRes Recorder ~ Record High Resolution PCM or DSD


Hi-Res Audio Recorder is an application to record audio tracks of a vinyl record onto your computer in the high resolution format.

Hi-Res Audio Recorder for Windows:
www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/audio-components-turntables/downloads/Z0005565
Hi-Res Audio Recorder for Mac:
https://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/support/downloads/00016410

Sunvox ~ Create Music & Add Synth Tracks


SunVox is a small, fast and powerful music sequencer with modular synthesizers. This application is addressed at all those who want to compose music everywhere they go.

Built-in synthesizers: FM; Generator; Sampler (supported formats: WAV, XI); SpectraVoice (FFT-based synth for analog-like pads); Kicker; Stereo Delay; Distortion; Echo; Filter; Vocal Filter; Flanger; LFO; Loop; Reverb.

Features and highlights:
  • Modular interface
  • Highly optimized synth algorithms
  • Flexible architecture: SunVox can working on various devices
  • Built-in synthesizers & effects
  • Analog Generator
  • DrumSynth with 120 unique synthetic drum sounds
  • FM synthesizer
  • MetaModule (use it to build your own synths/effects)

Windows download available sunvox.en.lo4d.com/windows
www.apksum.com/app/sunvox/nightradio.sunvox
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nightradio.sunvox
apps.apple.com/ca/app/sunvox/id324462544

CMT ~ Linux Computer Music Toolkit


The Computer Music Toolkit (CMT) is a collection of sixty five LADSPA plugins for use with software synthesis and recording packages on Linux.

www.ladspa.org/cmt