Top 40 Freeware VST Plugins Of 2014

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Electronic Music Composition

Key Signatures and Scales

Chords & Arpeggios

Chord Progressions

Creating Basslines

Advanced Chords

Rhythm & Melodic Riffs

Working with a Vocalist

Recording a Live Vocalist

Arrangement and Structure

Deconstructing Summertime Sadness

Using Maschine as a plug-in

Maschine Complete Guide Course Introduction

Controlling Ableton Live with Maschine

Controlling Ableton Live 9 with Maschine Studio

MFB Tanzbär Analog Drum Machine

MFB's Tanzbär drum-computer offers fourteen analogue percussion instruments as well as a synthesizer for bass- and melodic voices. Its integrated step-sequencer allows flashlight-programming and storage of up to 144 patterns. All parameters can be recorded per step! Because of its ability to control and call up all functions on the fly, while the unit is running, Tanzbär is ideally suited for live performances.

Using the fill-function, patterns can be chained for longer sequences. In addition, every pattern offers A/B variations that can be switched manually or automatically for further flexibility. Also, Tanzbär allows saving 16 flame and roll-variations.

The step-length is controllable per instrument, allowing easy creation of polyrhythmic structures. Possible resolutions are 32th and 16th steps as well as 16th- and 8th triplet-steps. The shuffle amount can be continuously controlled globally and per instrument.

Each instrument offers three accent intensities. Add the bend-function to create glides and LFO-like sweeps for bass drum 1/2, snare drum and toms 2/3.

In addition to the percussion-instruments, Tanzbär offers addressing external instruments using its two CV/Gate outputs; one being able to control dynamics via a third CV-output. The same tracks are routed to the internal bass- and melody-synthesizer voices. An ideal solution to pre-listen and program patterns without any need for external equipment.

The CV/Gate-sequencer offers a range of three octaves and is programmable using two methods. All parameters are output via MIDI, allowing control of external instruments. The drum-computer can be synchronized via MIDI- and clock-signals.

Finally, Tanzbär not only offers a master volume knob but individual level controls and mute-functions per instrument. The unit provides a stereo output as well as twelve individual outputs.

TANZBAER has the following dimensions: 330 x 170 x 60 mm. An external power supply is included.



Instrument parameters:

Bassdrum 1: Decay, Pitch, Pitch Modulation, Transient Level, Transient Type, Noise Level, Noise Filter, Distortion
Bassdrum 2: Decay, Pitch, Transient Level
Snare: Pitch, Detune, Noise Level, Noise Decay, Blend Tone 1/2, Decay, Tone Pitch
Rimshot: Pitch
Cymbal: Decay, Tone, Blend Ping/Cymbal
Open Hihat: Decay, Tone
Closed Hihat: Decay, Tone
Claves: Decay, Pitch
Claps (Stereo): Decay, Reverb Length, Clap Intensity, Clap-Number/Pattern
Low Tom/Conga: Decay, Pitch, Noise Level
Mid Tom/Conga: Decay, Pitch, Noise Level
Hi Tom/Conga: Decay, Pitch, Noise Level
Cowbell: Decay, Pitch
Maracas: Decay
Bassline: Filter, Pitch
Melody: Pitch

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Akai Pro Advance Keyboard

Akai Professional's Advance Keyboards are like nothing else you've ever played. The Advance Keyboards gives you unprecedented playability and unrestricted manipulation of any virtual instrument with our exclusive interactive, full-color display, complemented by performance-friendly hardware controls. Available in 25-, 49-, and 61-key sizes, the Advance Keyboards deftly fuse the power of software instruments with the live playability of a keyboard workstation, so you can create like never before. The dividing line between software and hardware instruments is finally gone!

The Advance Keyboards transform computer-based plugins into an entirely hands-on playing experience. The keyboard surface features an integrated high-resolution full-color 4.3-inch display, providing real-time control and feedback of all virtual instruments. The screen instantly adapts itself to the selected plugin's controls, delivering immediate 1:1 access to the instrument and various editable functions. Better yet, the Advance Keyboards work with any VSTi virtual instrument. Using the Advance Keyboard's custom-designed Virtual Instrument Player (VIP) software application, your entire VSTi library is controlled by one application. VIP operates as a plugin inside any major digital audio workstation (DAW) or as a stand-alone application on both Mac and Windows operating systems.

Advance Keyboards include Vacuum Pro, Loom, Hybrid 3, Xpand!2, Velvet and Transfuser by AIR Music Tech, Eighty Eight Ensemble by SONiVOX and exclusive artist launch packs from TOOLROOM RECORDS (downloads). Plus, there are 100's of other VI's and sounds from a growing list of partners, available for purchase, downloadable from the VIP Store.

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Elektron Analog Rytm

The Analog Rytm is a one stop solution beat machine. Distinguished by the power of analog drum sounds fused with samples. Perfected by the immediacy of drum pads coupled with Elektron sequencing.

It pushes the limit of what is possible to achieve with a single machine. The eight analog drum voices take advantage of several dedicated analog circuit designs, each of them fine-tuned for generating a distinct class of analog drum sounds. For ultimate percussive flexibility, every voice can also be spiced up with customizable samples. The perfect unity of analog drum sounds and samples simply goes beyond.

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Livid Base II

Base II puts your beats, synths, and effects under your hands, ready to tweak, play, and perform. It’s 32 pressure sensitive pads are built with a great feel for tapping out beats and delicate aftertouch for playing instruments. Nine sensitive touch sliders give you instant, responsive access to your effects. Onboard presets let you re-program the Base II on the fly and instantly re-map and update all the controls. Use the Base II Editor to make custom setting, maps, colors, and presets, no matter what software you use. Legendary Livid quality and a rugged build of aluminum makes sure your Base II works wherever you play. 

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Previous Version Live

Akai APC Keys 25

APC Key 25 is the first Ableton Live controller from Akai Professional that is equipped with a high-performance keyboard. Uniting the power of a clip-launching panel with a keyboard interface, APC Key 25 couples real-time control of Ableton Live with traditional composition tools: create melodies, compose bass lines, and play chords with 25 synth-action mini keys. Plus, dedicated buttons for Octave Up, Octave Down, and Sustain expand the expressive capabilities of the keyboard, enabling you to tap into the full melodic range and perform with classic piano-style sustain.

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Akai APC 40 Mk2

The new APC40 mkII incorporates five years of user feedback into its design. Almost every aspect of the original APC40 has been deliberated, reworked, and improved to provide extended controller functionality, countless musical capabilities, and a smarter workflow. In addition to its sleek look, veteran APC40 users will immediately notice the enhancements that include an RGB clip-launching grid, reinforced fader design, revised knob lay out, and much more.


More Info.........

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Dave Smith and Roger Linn - Tempest

 

The Beat of a Different Drum

Tempest is the brainchild of legendary instrument designers, Dave Smith and Roger Linn. It’s a professional drum machine that generates its sounds using six powerful analog synthesis voices, and uses an innovative, performance-oriented operating system that permits an extraordinary level of control to create, edit, arrange, and manipulate beats in real time without ever stopping.
The performance-oriented operating system, ninety panel controls, and bright 256 x 64 dot OLED display work together to provide a tightly integrated, non-stop workflow.

• Record a drumbeat in real-time
• Switch to another drumbeat and use the lit pads to record it using step programming
• Switch to another drumbeat and record tuned keyboard parts
• Use the two touch controllers to record real-time note sound animations or perform beat-wide sound changes
• Use the generous sound controls to edit any of the drum sounds
• Tweak the analog effects or drum mix
• Arrange beats in real time and record the live arrangement into a song
• And all of the above without ever stopping play

More Info...........

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Dave Smith - Sequential Prophet 6

The Prophet-6 is Dave Smith’s tribute to the poly synth that started it all—the Sequential Prophet-5. But it’s not simply a reissue of a classic. Rather, as Dave puts it, “It’s the result of our effort to build the most awesome-sounding, modern analog poly synth possible.” The Prophet-6 takes the best qualities of the original Prophet-5—true voltage-controlled oscillators, filters, and amplifiers—and adds enhancements such as studio-quality effects, a polyphonic step sequencer, an arpeggiator, and more. The result is pure, unadulterated analog tone with the stability and reliability of a state-of-the-art modern synth.

IN/OUT

• Left/mono and right audio outputs (2 x 1/4” phone jack)
• Headphone output (stereo, 1/4” phone jack)
• MIDI in, out, and thru ports
• USB for bidirectional MIDI communication
• Low-pass filter cutoff expression pedal input
• Volume expression pedal input
• Sustain footswitch input
• Sequencer start/stop footswitch input

 More info.........

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Moog - Minitaur + Ableton Live

Minitaur is a powerful, compact Analog Bass Synthesizer that features a classic one knob per function design. It is the first instrument in the Taurus family that does not have foot pedals. At only 8.5" x 5.25" and less than 3lbs, the Minitaur puts legendary analog Moog bass into a package designed to fit seamlessly into today's performance and production environments. There are no confusing or convoluted menus to dig through. Plug in a MIDI controller or hook it up to your computer and start playing immediately.

Don't be fooled by it's size. Minitaur delivers all the growl, snarl and low end associated with the Taurus family of Bass Synthesizers in a rugged performance package that is small enough to take with you anywhere.

• One knob per function interface for tweaking and creating new sounds on the fly. It also makes live performance a blast.

• Two oscillators with Sawtooth (Original Taurus) and Square wave-shapes for each VCO. Recreate sounds of the original Taurus with Sawtooth waves, or create new sounds with square waves or a combination of both.

• 2 Mixer VCAs for VCO levels control of Oscillators 1 and 2.

• Moog Ladder Filter with adjustable resonance delivers classic Taurus 1 and 3 bass and boom.

•Two Minimoog style ADSR Envelope Generators for modulating VCF and VCA. The Decay and Release segments are controlled by the Decay knob, while the Release segment is enabled or disabled via Release On/Off switch.

• Midi-syncable LFO with Controls for Rate, VCO LFO Amount, and VCF LFO Amount

• DIN MIDI and MIDI over USB offer complete control of the Minitaur's sound engine.

• Analog Control inputs for Pitch, Filter, Volume and Gate. Use an EP2 or CV to connect and control MInitaur with everything from Modulars to Moogerfoogers.

• External audio input for processing external audio through the Mixer and Filter section of Minitaur.

• Headphone output with 1/8" connection.

• Compact rugged steel chassis that is built like a tank.

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Novation - Launchpad Pro

Launchpad Pro is the simplest and best way to create dynamic, expressive performances in Ableton Live, or any music software.

We've given our iconic Launchpad a total overhaul. Enhanced with RGB LED feedback, and velocity and pressure-sensitive pads, Launchpad Pro brings limitless expression and creativity to your music.

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Roger Linn Design - LinnStrument MIDI Controller

Finally, a controller that unlocks the expressive potential of electronic sound generation

The promise of electronic sound generation was to produce any instrument sound you can imagine. However, if you've ever tried to play a convincing guitar, sax, violin, clarinet or cello solo on a MIDI keyboard, you've found it to sound static and lifeless because keyboards can't do much more than turn sounds on and off at different volumes. LinnStrument takes a new approach, capturing each finger's subtle movements in three dimensions for simultaneous fine control of note expression, pitch and timbre. With this level of expressive control, the promise of electronic sound generation is finally a reality.

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Arturia - BeatStep Pro

On stage or in the studio BeatStep Pro is designed to perform. Whether you work with MIDI, USB, CV/gate or DIN sync gear, BeatStep Pro is all about no limits and total creative control. With USB, MIDI in and out, CV/GATE outputs, and Clock in/out that can work as a 1:1 clock with an external clock generator or DIN sync, the BeatStep Pro goes well beyond any other step-sequencer on the market. You can use it with large modular synthesizers, current digital synthesizers, the computer.

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Namm 2015

Arturia - AudioFuse

AudioFuse is a revolutionary audio interface that sets a new standard in audio quality and workflow. Enjoy the superior sound of high-end studio consoles from a compact and carefully-built chassis. Explore the expansive connectivity AudioFuse brings: all the major connection types are supported. Take control over your sound and instantly access your audio streams through the well thought-out interface. 

The latest generation of Analog to Digital converters delivers sterling quality audio with amazing transparency. In conjunction with our advanced clocking system, AudioFuse guarantees stable and extremely accurate timing. Yes, Arturia takes sound quality very seriously.

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