Category Archives: VST

Carla ~ Cross-platform Plugin Host

Posted by tom2tec on

Carla is a fully-featured modular audio plugin host, with support for many audio drivers and plugin formats. It has some nice features like transport control, automation of parameters via MIDI CC and remote control over OSC.

Carla currently supports LADSPA (including LRDF), DSSI, LV2, VST2, VST3 and AU plugin formats, plus SF2 and SFZ file support. It uses JACK as the default and preferred audio driver but also supports native drivers like ALSA, DirectSound or CoreAudio.

There are 4 types of engine processing:

  • Single-client: (JACK driver only)
    Same as Multi-client, except that all JACK ports belong to a single master client.
    This is needed when a setup doesn’t support multi-client JACK apps, such as LADISH.
  • Multi-client: (JACK driver only)
    Every single plugin is exposed as a new JACK client. Audio and MIDI ports are registered as needed.
  • Rack:
    Plugins are processed in order, from top to bottom.
    Plugins with non-stereo audio channels are not supported, but a forced-stereo option is available for Mono ones.
  • Patchbay:
    Modular patchbay mode, just like in JACK Multi-client and many other modular applications.
    Every plugin gets its own canvas group and ports allowing you to interconnect plugin audio and MIDI.
carla

kx.studio/Applications:Carla
github.com/falkTX/Carla

Audiophile UPnP Renderer ~ Windows Network Player

Posted by tom2tec on

Features:

  • Supported audio formats: FLAC, WAV, AIFF.
  • BitPerfect, zero CPU load streaming.
  • Support for high-quality bit-depth upconversion.
  • Support for VST 2.x plugins.
  • Gapless playback.
  • WASAPI (Exclusive mode) output.

Audiophile UPnP Renderer

sourceforge.net/projects/audiophilerenderer

Lazy Kenneth ~ Bass Mixing VST

Posted by tom2tec on

Lazy Kenneth will help those who don’t know how to use, or are too lazy to use sidechain to handle heavy basslines that collide with the bass drum in 4/4 music. That is music where you put a bass drum on all fours, techno, house, trance, minimal, tribal and so on. Put Lazy Kenneth on the bassline track and it will automatically duck the signal when the bass drum hits. You could place a LK on all tracks except the bass drum for some real heavy pumping effect.

Lazy Kenneth

www.noisebud.se

EasyQ ~ Easy To Use Equalizer

Posted by tom2tec on

EasyQ is an easy-to-use equalizer with an arbitrary number of filter stages in series connection. Each of the filter stages can operate in one of the following modes: peak/cut (aka bell or parametric EQ), high- or low-shelving, notch and low- or highpass (both with either 6 or 12 dB/oct slope). EasyQ is also easy on the CPU and just does what an EQ is supposed to do without performing any additional voodoo. As such, it is well suited to serve as a go-to EQ for the routine equalizing tasks.

Key Features:

  • unlimited number of filter stages (“bands”)
  • each stage can be one of the following characteristics: bell, low-/high-shelf, low-/highpass (6 or 12 dB/oct), notch
  • clean equalization – no additional colorations
  • low CPU usage
  • +-48 dB gain range
  • stereo modes: linked, left/right, mid/side and mono
  • minimum phase response
EasyQ

www.rs-met.com/freebies

SpatGRIS ~ Multichannel Composition

Posted by tom2tec on

The SpatGRIS is a plugin (Mac AU/VST and VST Windows format) designed to compose multichannel space. It allows the user to spatialize the sound in 2D (up to 16 speakers) or in 3D (up to 128 speakers) under a dome of speakers (with the ServerGRIS, available also on SourceForge). It includes two audio modes, — Free Volume and PanSpan — and one OSC mode. SpatGRIS is a fusion of two former plugins by the GRIS: OctoGRIS and ZirkOSC with a lot of new features. Automated Trajectories are included. It is possible to control it from external controllers such as Joystick, iPad or Leap Motion.

Features:

  • Three modes: Free Volume, Pan Span, OSC Spatialization
  • Automated Trajectories
  • Up to 16 outputs in audio mode
  • OSC Mode to control the ServerGRIS
  • External controllers: Joystick, iPad. Leap Motion
GRIS

gris.musique.umontreal.ca
sourceforge.net/projects/spatgris

MAnalyzer ~ Spectral Analyzer & Sonogram

Posted by tom2tec on

MAnalyzer is an advanced spectral analyzer and sonogram containing unique features such as smoothing, normalization, super-resolution, prefiltering and deharmonization. The included meters provide a peak meter and EBU R128 and ITU-R BS 1770-3 compliant loudness meter.

MAnalyzer00.v1

www.meldaproduction.com/MAnalyzer

JuceOPLVSTi ~ FM Synthesizer VST

Posted by tom2tec on

Classic game sounds in VST form. As heard in late 80s / early 90s sound cards. Powered by DOSBox emulation.

JuceOPLVSTi

bsutherland.github.io/JuceOPLVSTi
github.com/bsutherland/JuceOPLVSTi

Foobar2000 & MathAudio Room EQ

Posted by tom2tec on

The frequency response of your room is very different in every point of the room. “Good” equalization in one point can worsen the sound in the neighboring point. Single-point equalization is not reliable and cannot be used in a professional room correction system. On the other hand, multipoint equalization is not simple; both the volume and the phase of the testing signal are very different in different points of the room. Simple averaging is not applicable. MathAudio Room EQ applies a state-of-the-art multipoint correction algorithm which ensures the best possible improvement in every point of the listening area.

  • Corrects deficiencies of room acoustics (multipoint compensation).
  • Corrects acoustic imperfections of speakers.
  • Avoids the pre-echo (pre-ringing) problem of conventional convolver-based room correction systems. The absence of pre-echo ensures the neutrality of the sound.
  • Works in rooms, halls and outdoor venues of any size.
  • Works with zero latency. Perfect for live performances and studio monitoring.
  • Doesn’t delay the audio track when playing video.
  • Corrects both amplitude and phase components of frequency response.
  • Quells resonance peaks of frequency response while leaving the deep notches.
  • Avoids the overcompensation which happens in conventional linearizing room correction systems.
  • Manually adjustable level of compensation allows one to reach the maximum transparency of the sound.
  • Supports full range of sample rates from 44,056 kHz up to 384 kHz. All sample rates are supported without resampling to avoid any possible loss in quality.
  • Includes a custom target curve feature.
  • Applies 64-bit signal path throughout.
  • Works with USB measurement microphones (e.g. MiniDSP UMIK-1 or Dayton Audio UMM-6) or standard measurement microphones (e.g. NADY CM100 or Dayton Audio EMM-6).
    Supports microphone calibration files.
  • Applies a patented method of frequency response correction.
  • Freeware Foobar2000 Component

mathaudio-room-eq

mathaudio.com/room-eq

FreeG ~ Fader Plug-in

Posted by tom2tec on

The Sonalksis FreeG is everything you need in a master fader. A simple, but absolutely indispensable plug-in, FreeG extends the functionality of a typical audio host by providing a large-format style fader, along with ultra accurate metering. FreeG helps to maximise workflow with extended, customizable metering, and multiple control features and settings.

When working with digital audio, a lack of fine metering and extended signal flow control in the host is a common issue. FreeG helps to improve workflow in the host by providing these features in the insert chain. By delivering enhanced control of amplitude, phase and pan (stereo version) in the insert chain as well as fine metering, with user configurable industry standard ballistic options, the freeG is the perfect master control.

Features:

  • Long-throw fader
  • Ultra accurate metering
  • Multiple metering ballistic types
  • Peak and RMS readouts
  • Pre/Post metering options
  • Selectable Pan-Law
  • ‘Fine’ mode for sensitive calibration of the master fader
  • Mono-compatible for use in tracking situations
  • VST and Audio Unit (32 and 64 bit)
FreeG

www.sonalksis.com/freeg

Wider ~ Powerful Stereo Expansion

Posted by tom2tec on

Pseudo stereo without phase issues. Wider takes the massively popular stereo section from its sibling, Manipulator, and creates the illusion of an expanded stereo image of a mono signal to an awe-inspiring amount of width. However, Wider is a unique stereo plugin in the sense that it is completely “mono-compatible”, meaning that any signal that has been extended will always remain in phase with itself, even if summed to mono.

polyversemusic.com/products/wider

AnSpec ~ Analog-style Spectrum Analyzer

Posted by tom2tec on

AnSpec is an analog-style one/third-octave spectrum analyzer AAX, AudioUnit and VST plugin for professional sound and music production applications. It was designed to be a handy visual feedback tool for those who like visual smoothness and easiness of use of analog analyzers. AnSpec also provides peak level indication.

While there are no adjustable parameters available in this plugin, you can still change level meter ballistics and resize plugin’s window.

Features:

  • 1/3 octave analog-style spectrum analyzer
  • Peak level indication
  • User interface window resizing
  • Stereo and mono analysis
  • All sample rates support
  • Zero processing latency
  • User interface color schemes
  • Resizable user interface
  • Retina and High DPI support
anspec

www.voxengo.com/product/anspec

References:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectrum_analyzer

VocalZap ~ Remove Vocals From Songs

Posted by tom2tec on

With this free iPhone app and effect plug-in for PC and Mac you can easily remove vocals from songs! Vocalzap is a free iPhone™ / iPod™ app, and VST plugin, that can effortlessly remove the vocals from any song. If you want to sing along, click the “Lyrics” button. Toggle between the original singer or no vocals with the click of a button.

Features:

  • Remove vocals from most songs
  • Look up lyrics to most songs (iPhone only)
  • Toggle between vocals and no vocals to compare
  • Use it for Karaoke parties with your own tunes!

www.vocalzap.com