What Software Synths/ Effects/ Samples/ Do You Use?

General Discussion
21

You what!!??!!??

22

Ubuntu 10.10 extended to KXStudio
jack2
Renoise 2.6.1 along with mass of native filters and tools (great duplex),
audacity, jamin (post mastering),
TAL-NoiseMaker Linux VST
Tal Dub 3 Linux VST
LADSPA am pitchshifer
CreakBox VST
Loomer Sequent Linux VST
Mr Alias 2 Linux VST

Would be more plugins, but taktik doesn’t like LV2…

23

hahahahahhahahhahahahahhahahahahha

24

System:
PC with Vista

Renoise 2.6.1

Audition (after rendering in Renoise, for converting wave to MP3 and some post production)

VSTs:
Too many to mention. Way too many, really. But they’re all free.

Some that I like: Ferric TDS, Rough Rider (compressors), Kjærhus Classics, the Renoise default flanger DSP.

Hardware:
Zoom G1u multieffectpedal/audio interface
Fender Strat
Cheap Casio keyboard for kids
Korg microKorg XL

Monitoring:
JVC Mini Boomblaster (!)
SHURE headphones - love 'em!

So, yes, I need proper monitors.

25

Taken from my Stormformer Productions website:

Hardware

  • Mytek Stereo96 ADC and DAC units - exceptionally transparent pro-level digital converters that I use as my main In and Out. Both are later-generation.
  • TC Konnekt 24D soundcard in the PC, for toslink optical connection to the ADC and DAC.
  • M-Audio Delta 10/10 soundcard in the PC (not currently used much).
  • E-MU Tracker Pre soundcard usually on the Mac.
  • Yamaha HS80M monitors - my main speakers, carefully placed in an acoustically treated room. These are on Ultimate Support monitor stands, filled with sand from Bribe Island (it’s magic sand, of course).
  • A pair of smaller custom designed nearfield monitors on foam - for A-B checking.
  • A pair of JVC SK-700II hi-fi speakers (large and loud!) running on a Class A Technics SU700 amp - in a separate room for A-B acoustic translation checking.
  • AKG K240 MkII closed headphones - I use these for most of sound work at low volume.
  • Various other low grade consumer speakers - for final translation checking.
  • 4 Core CPU PC computer running Win XPsp3 32bit, 2gb RAM (probably going to do a full upgrade of this by the end of the year).
  • 2 Core CPU MacBook Pro 13" with OSX 10.5.8 (handy for websurfing as well as having a second computer for step-down mastering between sample rates).
  • Tascam BR-20T Reel to Reel 1/4″ master tape deck, calibrated for AMPEX 456 Grandmaster tape - final generation Tascam pro level deck. Used either for channel level analogue tape saturation, or in mastering to get a warm and saturated 80s sound.
  • Art PRO VLA II opto tube compressor, with custom fit Telefunken 12AU7 ECC82 matched pair ribbed tubes (which have a very clear sound with natural high end extension, sound amazing - I prefer tube saturation over tape).
  • SM Pro Audio M-Patch 2 Passive Volume Control and Monitor Switch - I run all my hardware (and software too if I can help it) at bit-perfect settings, so all my monitor level adjustment is organic.
  • Røde K2 tube condenser vocal microphone, with smooth variable pattern pickup (may re-tube this later).
  • sE Reflexion Filter - acoustic baffler which is currently housing the K2.
  • SPL Goldmike 9844 2 channel microphone pre-amp. Currently with stock tubes, may re-tube.
  • Senhieser Evolution dynamic microphone, and I plan on getting more mics, perhaps an AKG D330 and Rode NT5 matched pair.
  • Behringer Ultra-DI, no longer in use.
  • Behringer Xenyx 12 channel mini-mixer (handy for routing non-critical monitoring)
  • Various decks, amplifiers and live monitor wedges. Cables, adaptors, tools.
  • Boss GT-8 multi-fx floor unit - has some nice solid state ‘wet’ effects in it.
  • Zoom4040 multi-fx floor unit - for that vintage 90s feel :P
  • Jim Dunlop Crybaby Wah pedal, w/ modified power system.
  • Jim Dunlop Talkbox and sound-tube.
  • Boss RC-50 Loopstation - creative fun tool for live loop layering, but not really using it anymore.
  • Yamaha DX9 - Programmable FM synth with only four operators but still a good 80s sound if you know what you are doing.
  • Roland Juno-106 - classic 80s DCO synth with a voltage control filter. Currently needs repairing.
  • Edirol PCR-M50 MIDI controller keyboard.
  • Various guitars, including: Jackson DK2S modified with a EMG bridge pickup; Ibanez GIO bass; Tanglewood acoustic guitar; Cort 12 string guitar; old Legend strat copy with a PAF bridge humbucker; old classical guitar; 2 rare Hawaiian lap-steel electric guitars.
  • Various other ‘ethnic’ instruments and hand-drums.
  • Petway vintage cat flap (in window).
  • Flux Capacitor - for time-based transport control ;)

Software

  • Reaper 3.x - 32bit DAW for PC and Mac.
  • Renoise 2.x - 32bit DAW for PC and Mac.
  • Ableton Live 8.x - 32bit DAW for PC for client project and mix work.
  • Adobe Audition - for general digital downsampling/dithering and file conversion.

DSP

  • A range of professional grade plugins for DSP mixing and mastering, including Izotope Ozone 4 (especially for the dither), Voxengo plugins (best being SPAN, but I also like Crunchessor and GlissEQ), DDMF LP10, and Bootsy (Variety of Sound) plugins, particularly Density MkII, EpicVerb and Nasty DLA. Amplitude 3 for guitar processing. Lots of other effects, all the usual offenders like Glitch, destroy FX, classic series, mda, Basslane, Ohm Force, etc…
  • Frequent abused synths would be: FM8, Predator, Lightbag, Drummatic, Cygnus, Chimera, Mr Tramp, mda epiano, and Kontakt 4 using the Steve Slate Drums.

Saving up for…

  • Blackstar HT-20 guitar tube amp. Would be nice to get the Series1 200W, but well out of my price range.
  • Matched pair of Rode NT5 microphones.
  • And goodness knows what else if I had more money… Manley Varimu compressor, pair of NS-10s, more mics, more tubes, more guitars, more synths, fun :D
26
  • Renoise 2.61
  • Goattracker 2.68
  • Audacity
  • Arturia Minimoog
  • SampleTank
  • any decent freeware VST I can get
  • Cakewalk ua25ex
  • C64 w/ 8580
  • AKAI Miniak
  • Novation Bassstation
  • various percussions
  • various flutes
  • Piano
  • Starfire Dearmond Custom 69er Guitar
  • Adam A7
  • Behringer Truth2031A
  • Grundig Amp + crappy HiFi Speakers
  • couple of mics
27

Did you got the truth before the A7 or after?
I’m wondering what you do with two very destinctive sets of monitors.

28

madtracker

29

well, yes, there is a lot to improve - thats true.

even renoise linux edition sucks in term on lack LV2 support.

However,

how much money did you spend on your software?

When I last time when I checked prices of ableton + products of noviation and massive instrument i understood,
that spending so much money for software is like hitting your balls with heavy stone and saying “it was really worth” after every hit :)

Well, situation is different when you are profitable artists - but its not case most people from this forum…

Cheeers.

30

I got the Truths years before the A7 - kept them because I still like listening to music on them and think it´s really good to have more than just one set of monitors. Listening to mixes on different systems is something I´d highly recommend. They´re still a bargain and give most of the other speakers available in that price range a run imho.

31

hahahahahahaha
that is a really great visualization exercise.