Tone2 Releases Firebird 2 for Free

As a thank you to their customers, Tone2 has re-released their first synth, Firebird, in a new version and made it absolutely free.  Firebird was the precursor to Gladiator and includes early incarnations of some of the same tech.  Unfortunately for Mac users, this one is Windows-only.   Here's what they have to say about it:

New features and enhancements: - Enhanced sound: Less aggressive treble, more smooth - Ultra quality is selected by default - Lower CPU because of SSE2 support - Faster loading and saving of songs - Smart installer which automatically detects the correct location - Enhanced host compatibility - Accidentally visiting the website by clicking on the logos is not longer possible - Reworked some graphics - First patch was clipping in some hosts Changes: - The product is now freeware - Keyfile is not longer required - Iqm is switched to off by default Further notes: - V2.0 is downward compatible with previous versions - CPU can reduced by selecting a lower quality in 'setup' - For technical reasons there will be no 64 bit or Mac version - You're allowed to share Firebird2 with all your friends - If you like Firebird please support us by buying other Tone2 products

New Version of TX16WX Released, Mac Compatibility Added

Cwitec Music Software has released a new version of their full-featured freeware sampler, TX16WX, which includes adding OSX compatibility.  A "Pro" version that adds still more advanced features is available for a nominal price as well.   Here is a look at the impressive feature list:

Re-sizable, flexible GUI  Full Undo/Redo support Built-in file browser with sound playback and wave and program preview Unlimited multi-timbral operation 128 voice polyphony 12/24 dB resonant filters Low-, high, band- and allpass Notch, peak, low- and highshelf Two syncable LFO per voice Two Modulation Envelopes per voice Three Sequence LFO per voice Modulation matrix with 16 modulation slots per voice Multiple keyboard scales Multiple trigger modes Mono/Poly/Legato operation 8 choke groups per program Per-sample loop start/end/direction modulation Polyphonic glide Polyphony limit per channel Built-in sample editor Automatic Loop Slicing + slice mapping Actually Samples! Record audio straight into the sampler. Automatic pitch detection Loop tools Loop cross fading Multiple loop definitions per wave Trim, cut, duplicate Pitch detection Normalize Reverse Tempo detection Graphical keyboard mapping editor Automatic sample layout Flexible drag & drop-based group edit Quick select of sound data via MIDI Drag & drop of samples/programs/performances/banks Multiple outputs 4 Stereo + 8 Mono outputs Individual output mapping for key groups (drums) 16 mappable controllers for automation 48 mappable VST parameters for automation Preview loaded programs and samples in your song before loading  Reads multiple sample and bank formats WAV/AIFF/AIFC SoundFont 2 SFZ Files Ogg Vorbis FLAC Typhoon compressed AIF 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. MacOSX AU/VST64 & Windows VST support 64-bit support Nice sound !

Hartmann NeuronVS Now Free for Mac Users

Wow!  I didn't see this one coming.  Hartmann's NeuronVS, the software version of the infamous Neuron hardware synth, has been re-released as freeware.  Considering how expensive this software was when it was released, this is pretty amazing news.

NeuronVS is only available in VST format (an old version of the standard, at that), and only for OSX.

Here is the statement Hartmann has made:

1.      In 2000, Axel Hartmann and I, Stephan Bernsee, set out to designing a novel synthesizer based on artificial neural networks used for sound synthesis, the synthesizer. We were able to get support from a lot of people, including well known artists such as Hans Zimmer, and Hartmann Music as a company won several awards for innovation in synthesis technology.
2. Unfortunately and despite the huge interest in our products, due to some issues with distribution and our hardware manufacturer Hartmann was driven out of business in 2004. With the company dead there was no chance for owners to get tech support or updates.
3. Just recently, a Facebook group came into existence that managed to attract many knowledgeable and skilled Neuron owners who provide support and advice to each other in their spare time. To aid them in the process of keeping the Neuron alive I have dusted off the old NeuronVS sources in order to revive the NeuronVS VST plug-in, a software-only version of the Neuron synth that came with a powerful hardware controller, the . Thanks to the generosity of former Hartmann CEO Stefan Rapp and Neuron designer Axel Hartmann I am now able to provide an updated version of the original software here free of charge, (hopefully) free of bugs - and with no warranties of any kind.
   
   
   [via Sequencer.de]

Ju-X Designs Releases Free "Gimmick Mini" Synth for OS-X

Ju-x Designs has released Gimmick Mini, a free AU format synth for OS 10.7 or later.  Gimmick Mini generates sound using an unusual method they describe thusly:

"Gimmick’s oscillator draws waveform by setting how many times to twist it in a cycle and then divides it by scanning up and down direction, finally player can also determine ratios of each turning points."

GO GET IT!

[via Matrixsynth]

U-he Releases Free Podoski Synth

Although not technically new (Podolski was given to people who visited u-he at NAMM and was included on the cover disc of a German magazine),  odds are, iPodolski new to you.  The synth is basically a cut-down version of the FilterScape synth and features a single oscillator, one filter, one envelope, and two LFOs.  An Arpeggiator/sequencer and built-in chorus and delay effects are also included.

GO GET IT!

XLN Audio Offers Free Version of Addictive Keys

XLN Audio has released a free version of the Studio Grand from their new Addictive Keys instrument.  The free version is identical to the full version except that it only includes 3 of the 6 recorded mic positions, and only contains 49 samples, as opposed to the 88 included in the full version.

Get Your Free Minimoog-V Original from Arturia (If you can...)

For today and today only, you can download a special version of Arturia's Minimoog-V for absolutely free.  In theory, at least.  As pretty much anyone could've predicted, Arturia's servers have been getting slammed, making it all but impossible to actually get it.  Here's hoping they decide to extend the download period a bit, but I'm not holding my breath. (And yes, I'm fully aware of the irony that my posting this will only make things worse.)

Arturia to Release Free Version of Minimoog-V

Arturia's license on the Moog name for their Minimoog-V and Moog Modular-V are about to run out.  They will shortly relaunch as Mini-V and Modular-V.

In the meantime, Arturia has announced that for one day only, they will release an absolutely free commemorative edition of Minimoog-V.  June 21st is the magic day when you can download this softsynth which has all the standard features of the Minimoog, but loses the extra features added in the paid version of Minimoog-V. As if that wasn't enough, 1,000 patches are included.  So mark your calendars, and prepare for lots of swearing and on-line complaints when their servers get overloaded!

Plastaq Releases Free Scythe Synthesizer for Mac

Scythe is a new "grainbending" synth for Mac (a future Windows version is hinted at) in VST format from Plastaq.  Here's what they have to say:

"Scythe is a free VST that brings the GrainBender engine and interface to VST. Just tap the bend button and move any parameter knob to start sculpting your sounds directly in real-time!

Scythe is currently Mac-only but a Windows version is possible in the future.

key features:

• unique, intuitive sound design interface
• versatile oscillators with analog & digital waveforms
• extensive but easy-to-use modulation
• effects ranging from chorus and delay to digital grunge
• low cpu usage"

Sinevibes Oscillator now Free for Mac

Sinevibes have made their Oscillator Audio-Controller Synthesizer free.  What is it?  Here's how they describe it:

" Oscillator is an AudioUnit effect plugin that lets you turn any audio into sci-fi effects, glitches and noises. It is based on a multi-waveform oscillator with up to six voices and variable frequency stepping, whose parameters are modulated using the input signal’s dynamics. The oscillator output can then be processed via effects which include ring modulator, sample rate degrader and bit crusher. All this lets Oscillator instantly turn any audio signal into a wide variety of sounds and effects – from interesting synths, basses and melodic strums to blips, zaps, glitches, noises and beyond."

Thanks to reader Joel for telling me about this!

U-he Tyrrell N6 Updated to Version 2

Tyrell N6, the free Juno-esque synth u-he released through Amazona.de, has been updated to version 2.0. The new version includes a brand new chorus effect (from DIVA) as well as "enhancements" to the overall sound quality.

Rishabh Rajan Releases Free Dubstep Synth for Mac

Rishabh Rajan has announced the release of Brostep 1.0, a free softsynth for OS-X aimed at creating dubstep type bass sounds.

GO GET IT!

[via KVR-VST]

Native Instruments Give Away Free Reaktor Synth

The spirit of giving is in the air with Native Instruments being the latest company to extend their generosity during the holiday season. "Skanner" is an updated version of a Reaktor Ensemble programmed by Stephan Schmitt, the father of Reaktor itself. The synth uses "wave-scanning" as its sound source allowing you to manipulate samples in some pretty wild ways. Requires Reaktor 5.6.2. This instrument will only be available for a limited time, so don't put off downloading it!

CHECK IT OUT...

Synth1 to Get a Mac Version

The popular freeware Windows softsynth Synth1, which is based on the popular Nord Lead hardware synth is apparently getting a Mac port at long last.  You can download the beta here (holy crap, people still have Geocities sites?!) The down side is, it's only available in VST format for the time being...

[via Sequencer.de]

Texture: New Free Granular Synth for Mac and Windows

Texture, is a new granular synth for Mac and Windows based on algorithms originally developed by Giorgio Nottoli of the Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia in Rome.

Here are the details:

"Texture is an instrument to perform Asyncronous Granular Synthesis based upon the algorithm developed by Giorgio Nottoli [Conservatorio di Santa Cecilia, Roma], and is fully implemented with programming language C++.

It generates a grains’ flow in which the way each grain follows the other depends on probabilistic parameters such as grain density (attack/sec), overlapping, synchronism and fade of each grain.
The spectrum generated by the synthesis could be harmonic, expanded or contracted according to the value of frequency exponent parameter; the result will be a sound texture that can change from noisy fragmented sounds, to metallic and tuneless sounds such as bells, finally to harmonic sounds similar to strings or choirs.
Texture is available both as VST or Audio Unit instrument, and each interface’s parameter is automated and can be controlled by the host; some factory presets are implemented in a combo box on the upper-left side of the interface, but user can save his own sound inside the host if needed.
An advanced and a basic interface are provided for expert users or casual ones; we’re going to see the details in the following chapters."

Read more here, and GO GET IT!

U-he Makes Zebralette Free

German software developers u-he have decided to make Zebralette, a stripped-down version of their popular Zebra 2 synth freeware. Here's what they have to say:

"OK, Zebralette is just one of Zebra2's oscillators packed into a simple, easy-to-learn framework – but you have everything you need to make some pretty amazing sounds. Sound that can be directly loaded into Zebra2 later. And should you eventually decide to upgrade to Zebra2, you will already know everything there is to know about the oscillators – which is quite an advantage!

Zebralette has two LFOs (one per voice, one global), a multi-stage envelope and three on-board effects (chorus, EQ, delay). Not forgetting Zebra2's famous dual spectral effects, which include several squelchy filter algorithms.

Megasaw? Zebralette also goes to eleven.

So: Because the Zebra2 oscillators are so powerful, Zebralette is actually a great little synth in its own right, and it has the same pristine audio quality as the mighty Zebra2... try out the new presets and see for yourself!"

Togu Audio Lines Releases Version 3.10 of NoiseMaker

Togu Audio Line has released version 3.10 of their free cross-platform NoiseMaker synth. The changes are:

• 3 new filter types (24db State Variable Filter in LP, BP, and HP flavors)

• Fixed an issue causing clicks during release in some instances.

Amazona.de Releases Tyrell N6

Amazona.de has released the full version of their free Tyrell N6 softsynth, designed by U-he's Urs Heckman.

GO GET IT!

Togu Audio Line Releases Version 3.03 of Noisemaker

Togu Audio Line has released version 3.03 of their excellent free Noisemaker synth. Here's what's new:

"Release of TAL-NoiseMaker Version 3.03. This release includes several new features people asked for and 128 new presets byFrank "Xenox" Neumann / Particular - Sound FN, The Unshushable Coktor TUC, Alexandra Sendy AS, and TAL.
A vintage type delay, preset load and save support for simple preset exchange and full automation support are the main features added. We also added a filter drive effect that directly affects the 4x oversampled filter. The envelope editor has new one shot and constant bpm options that are useful for drum and percussion sounds."

IK Multimedia Revives Sampletank Free

IK Multimedia has revived its free version of SampleTank for PC and Mac, removing the previous restrictions and adding a 500 MB sound bank. All you have to do is register at the IK Multimedia website. Here's what they have to say about it:

"SampleTank FREE is a full-featured version of SampleTank 2.5, with a 500 MB specially selected samples library. Now you can experience the full power and flexibility of the industry's leading sound sample engine for FREE and build your compositions to perfection.

No longer limited - Multiple instances that opens ALL SampleTank format sounds, import functionality, and the ability to create your own user presets.

• Over 500 MB samples for over 200 sounds included 16 part multitimbral with easy layerable/mixable parts

• 3 synth engines:

- STRETCH™ (formant preserving pitch-shift/time-stretch)
- Polyphonic Pitch-Shift/Time-Stretch (PS/TS)
- Resampling

• The most powerful multi-effects section in a virtual instrument:

- 5 insert effects per Part
- 5 Send effects
- Master effects

• 33 built-in DSP effects derived from award winning audio processors like T-RackS and AmpliTube
• Part and Master Loop Sync
• Can be expanded with: SampleTank 2.5 L and XL sounds and any "Powered by SampleTank" sound modules including Miroslav Philharmonik, Sonik Synth 2, SampleMoog, SampleTron
• Can be expanded with any Xpansion Tank 2 sounds
• Imports WAV, AIFF, SDII, AKAI S-1000/3000, SAMPLECELL
• Available both as a standalone application as well as a plug-in
• VST, RTAS, and AU on Mac OS X/Windows"