LABS – Instrument Update
The last time we wrote about Spitfire Audio’s Let’s All Be Something (LABS) free instrument series we covered their Electric Piano. Well, it’s been a few months and they’ve been churning out instruments since then. In this article, we’ll cover the latest in a series of instruments from the plugin maker. Charango The first instrument to come after the LABS Electric Piano was Charango. The Charango is a stringed instrument similar to a guitar, but native to the Andean culture. It is in the lute family of stringed instruments. It has ten strings that come arranged in five groups of two. This charango — an Andean guitar-like instrument — was recorded back in 2006 by Christian Henson on a KM184 mic in his Soho flat, played by his brother Joe. This was the instrument that inspired Christian and Paul to create Spitfire Audio. It plays quite smoothly for a stringed instrument which can always be tricky …
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Free Mellotron Choir Instrument Rack | Beat Lab Exclusive
The mellotron is now a classic, vintage instrument that made its mark on legendary tracks like The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" and David Bowie's "Space Oddity". The instrument had a spacey and haunting vibe that hadn't been heard before in the 1960s. It behaved like a pre-cursor to our modern samplers as well. Sound was created by a section of magnetic tape connected to the keys that would playback when a key or keys were depressed, and playback would then stop when the keys were released. This allowed for a variety of sounds depending what instrument or sound was recorded onto the magnetic tape. The mellotron was designed to replicate the sound of the original instrument, but replaying a tape created minor fluctuations in pitch and amplitude.
So a note sounded slightly different each time it was played. How hard a player hit a key affected the sound as well. Another distinction in the sound of the mellotron was that each "sampled" note was recorded in isolation and so the sound had hints of being natural and unnatural at the same time.
2016 KVR Developer Challenge – Submissions Released (41 Freebies)
2016 KVR Developer Challenge – Submissions Released (41 Freebies) It’s that time of the year again! The 6th annual KVR Developer Challenge has published the submissions for their annual contest. The challenge receives submissions from sound designers and engineers around the country looking to release their software creations upon the world. Submissions include VST/AU plugins and sound ware products. The best part is, they’re all free to download. This year’s lineup features an array of plugins, from death metal vocal sound banks to psychedelic dub effects. Here are some we think are worth checking out. divider style=”clear” Lagrange This is an excellent granular reverb delay effect. By using granular techniques and firing each grain from a different point in the delay buffer, you can easily create vast soundscape and other worlds echoes. Use feedback to build droning soundscapes or shorten the delay to create a metallic-like chorus effect. Play around …
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Substance by Output: A New Breed of Bass
Substance by Output: A New Breed of Bass Substance is a heavily produced bass engine that combines processed electric and acoustic basses, full live brass sections, huge polysynths, the dirtiest analog synths, insane sound design and much more into single patches. While realistic emulation is possible, it is not the focus of this engine. Substance gives you the ability to create new, boundary-pushing, high-quality bass sounds by easily blending 3 layers of sound. Output’s powerful engine has an endless list of sound sources that are combined with FX, filters, and modulation. Each preset has its own advanced arpeggiator, flux control, and front page macros. The clean, simple look and functionality of the preset browser allows for more playing and less clicking. Bass is one of the trickiest things to get right in your mix, and it is often the foundation of people “feeling” your track. On top of that, creating …
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Remidi T8 – The Wearable Instrument
Remidi T8 – The Wearable Instrument Remidi has began a Kickstarter project with the goal of creating a fully wearable instrument. The T-8 is a pair of gloves with ultra sensitive sensors placed in 8 different spots around your hand, and two motion sensors placed on your wrist. By doing this you have the chance to program the 8 pads with sounds, and add effects to the motion sensors. The T-8 detects what to play based of what they call Air Modulation, which is pretty self explanatory. You are able to modulate your sound through air, by simply moving your hands with easy motion. The T-8 is also capable of switching between preset chosen scales which allows seamless transition from song to song. The only thing you need to play is a surface and some space. The T-8 is currently available to those who back it on Kickstarter, so go …
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Motus- The Instrument that Moves
Motus- The Instrument that Moves Movement, motion and music all combined into a sleek handheld device. Motus is referred to as a “creative motion enhancer,” which you can use as a dancer, artist and musician. Your motion influences how your sound is articulated which allows for a wide range of expression. Motus is compatible with Ableton live, so you are able to choose from a number of instruments and record your production. You are also able to create your own unique instruments which can come in handy if you are interested in sound synthesis. The Motus integrates your movement in three different ways, highlighting the key points to your movement: velocity, dynamics, and displacement. What Motus doesn’t rely on is optical sensors, which has been shady technology for a while now. By honing in on these three components the Motus makes for smooth motion integration. If you choose, you can …
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