Spitfire Audio releases LABS Mandolin for FREE

Spitfire Audio has released LABS Mandolin, a free mandolin sound library for the freeware LABS sound module plugin capturing the full tonal range of a classic mandolin.

The samples were recorded at Spitfire HQ studios, including a variety of articulations. The library features picked and fingered playing styles, along with tremolo and ensemble.

It seems that the samples weren’t processed apart from standard editing, so you’re getting a clean and completely natural mandolin sound.

You can download LABS Mandolin for free from Spitfire Audio’s website. Be sure to install the LABS plugin, too. It is available in 32-bit and 64-bit VST and AU plugin formats for compatible host applications on Windows and macOS.

More info: LABS Mandolin (compatible with Spitfire Audio LABS)

Valhalla Space Modulator is now FREE as a bird

The Valhalla Space Modulator plugin was originally released back in 2016. Until recently, it was offered as a free download to existing ValhallaDSP customers only (you had to purchase another product from the developer first). As of now, anyone interested can download it and use it completely free of charge.

Valhalla Space Modulator features eleven modulation algorithms and an intuitive set of controls to shape the depth and type of modulation that is applied to the signal. The user can adjust the modulation rate and depth, the feedback amount, and the mix of dry and wet signals. It is also possible to add a fixed pre-delay to the modulated signal. The eleven included algorithms are accessible through the Mode selection menu, and each mode includes a brief description that explains its modulation type.

 
 

Valhalla Space Modulator is available for free download from the product page – no registration or activation is required. The software is available in VST, AU, AAX, and RTAS plugin formats for compatible DAW software on PC and Mac. Both 32-bit and 64-bit plugin hosts are supported.

More info: Valhalla Space Modulator (2.66 MB download size, ZIP archive containing EXE installer, 32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU/AAX/RTAS plugin format for Windows & macOS)

Fed up of struggling with unorganised projects? Template them

Until I discovered Post Haste I created the framework for each new project folder by folder. Using Post Haste from Digital Rebellion has saved me about 15 minutes for each new project.

Post Haste is a free project management tool for PC or MAC that allows you to setup file and folder templates for audio, video, graphic design, web design or client management projects. Then, with a few mouse clicks your folder structure is organised ready for you to start work including any standard files that populate specific folders.

You can create an unlimited number of templates for different project types and name them appropriately such as "Youtube HD", "Motion Graphics" or "Website".

It is the perfect tool to keep your project and assets organised.

Overview

The first thing to do is to create templates for the types of project you are going to need.

In the left pane use the 'Add' 'Remove' buttons to maintain projects and in the right pane you can maintain the folder structure, adding new folders and including files used for each new project e.g. a DaVinci Resolve template to start a new video editing project.

Export your Davinci Resolve Template to get a DR project file (.drp file) which you can then place into your Post Haste template folder structure

In the New Project tab you can define the parameters used to build the project name. An example of the project name is shown at the bottom. Blank fields are unused and the order can be changed as required.

You can specify where new projects should be created.

In this pane you can change the order (small up/down arrows) of the project naming parameters, request a sub-folder before a selected parameter, etc.

This is a great little tool. Watch out, the user guide is from 2014 and includes some features which were clearly too ambitious and have now been removed, but it's all fairly self explanatory.

More info: Post Haste (1.47 MB download size, Zip file, formats for Windows & macOS)

Caelum Audio free cassette tape emulation

Caelum Audio has introduced Tape Cassette 2, an updated version of their freeware tape emulation effect in VST3 and AU plugin formats for DAW software on PC and Mac. The software is also available as an app and AUv3 plugin on iOS and iPadOS.

 
 

Since version 1 Caelum have added a Type 1 Cassette Impulse Response (IR) and improved the saturation algorithm, wow & flutter engine and implemented real sampled tape noise, giving a wonderfully warm vintage sound.

More info: Tape Cassette 2 (4.99 MB download size, EXE installer, 32-bit & 64-bit VST3/AU plugin formats for Windows & macOS)

Ton-Geraet 1 (SyS TG1) is now freeware!

Ton-Geraet 1 (Sound Device) was a big hit 10 years ago because of its unconventional feature set. Now the VST plugin for Windows-based DAW’s is being given away completely free of charge.

The instrument features a dual-voice architecture and a beautiful wave-morph sequencing which draws inspiration from the legendary SID sound chip which was used in Commodore 64 home computers.Other features include a 12-bit low-pass filter inspired by the Akai S-1000 hardware sampler. A dual LFO unit is installed for handling modulation, along with per-voice DADSR envelopes. Things get even more interesting with the Kraftwerk inspired Stoerstrahlung (Interference or stray radiation) button (found on the Setup page) which emulates the unstable behaviour of analogue gear.

Kraftwerk used to leave their analogue synthesizer gear running whilst they went out to the cinema. After they returned to the studio, due to the slow internal heating of the analogue circuits, they found the sound to have changed, sometimes drastically.

More info: SyS TG1 (12.9 MB download, ZIP archive containing EXE installer, 32-bit & 64-bit VST plugin format for Windows)

Oblik Lines releases free Reaktor synthesizer - Misty Valley

Misty Valley is an unstable synthesizer inspired by Boards of Canada, Aphex Twin, Rival Consoles, and similar artists. Pitch modulation, layered noise, and a few other sound design techniques are employed to generate sounds that can be described as being more organic and “human” than what you’d typically expect to hear from a synthesizer.

Presets

Misty Valley, includes 75 presets that are split into 4 sound banks:

  • Blurred noises: an overload of noisy sounds

  • Unstable textures: dreamy / soaring sounds with a touch of noise

  • Almost clean: classical analog sounds with some noise

  • Noise beds: atmospheric noise pads

Misty Valley takes inspiration from the analogue synths from the late 70s/80s and uses subtractive synthesizer with just two oscillators. Other functions within modules are then added to emphasize this blurring effect. These include: the Drifter, which replicated the pitch instability of tape machines; and the Tape Sampler to add tape noise in the signal chain to reinforce the LoFi/Organic feel. (62 MB download size, ZIP archive, requires the full version of Native Instruments Reaktor)

Misty Valley can be downloaded completely free of charge via Gumroad. Name a fair price of your choice and proceed to checkout. There is no minimum required amount to complete the checkout process.