Suggestions On Extra Free, Good Quality Virtual Instrument Plug-Ins For Reaper??

MikeF · 03-01-2015, 01:47 PM

Hello Again:

Hey, do any of you have suggestions to which free, good quality software plug-ins are available to download for use within Reaper?? I realize Reaper provides tons already, but I'm always looking for others. Not necessarily sound effects plug-ins, dynamics plug-ins, or other utilities.

I'm thinking mostly of free VST synthesizer plug-ins besides the several that Reaper provides. Like for guitar, bass, keyboards, strings, etc. You know, virtual instruments to include in Reaper. Any links to these free, good quality virtual instruments would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Mike

xpander · 03-01-2015, 01:57 PM

Check out the constantly updated topic Going all freeware (well... almost) by technogremlin.
http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=52382

SonicAxiom · 03-01-2015, 01:59 PM

Mike, please do a forum or Google search on this topic (searching for "best free vst instruments", etc.) because there are already countless threads on this subject (in this forum and those of the other daws).

It'll be much quicker than rewriting everything again ;-)

Have a look at DSK and GTG VSTi's ...

MikeF · 03-01-2015, 02:05 PM

Appreciate the responses. I'll go with both of your suggestions and see what happens.

Mike

pattonfreak1 · 03-03-2015, 05:24 AM

Avoid DSK. The guy does some shady practices.

Anyways here's what I'd consider the best free vsti's:

Green Oaks Crystal
All the U-He plugs
Synthmaster Player
Alchemy Player free (if you can still find it)
Dexed
Enzyme Player
And
MTPowerDrumkit2

moonfiremusic · 03-03-2015, 07:11 AM

You can get some nice plugins (and many of great effects) with Computer Music Magazine. If you buy the latest edition, you get access to their vault which contains a zip file with all the CM plugins.
Check this playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...0EC6DE32E81D76

Besides that, you should look at:
Charlatan
Monolisa
Synth1
Swierk
TAL Noise Maker
TAL Bassline
TX16Wx Sampler

SaulT · 03-03-2015, 09:25 AM

What does DSK do that is shady?

jens · 03-03-2015, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeF

see what happens.

What are you expecting?

Fergler · 03-03-2015, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pattonfreak1

Avoid DSK. The guy does some shady practices.

No idea what you're talking about with DSK but the DSK SF2 player is awesome.

DarkStar · 03-03-2015, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaulT

What does DSK do that is shady?

http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=139885

alex1073 · 03-03-2015, 12:54 PM

Everything's well covered. I only miss a couple of my favorites:

TyrellN6
FireBird 2
Sforzando

Cheers,
Alex

MikeF · 03-03-2015, 06:04 PM

You highlighted a comment from me on this thread that says "see what happens." I don't see those words from me on this thread (check my thread). So what do you mean on your comment? Just curious how you came up with that.

Mike

MikeF · 03-03-2015, 06:10 PM

Or your response "What are you expecting?" Sounds like a weird comment. I'm not expecting anything (just asking for some advice on good plug-ins). I guess I'm "expecting" some good plug-ins to work well and sound great! Don't we all??

Is that what you mean by "expecting?" You got me on this one!

Mike

MikeF · 03-03-2015, 06:14 PM

Hey, buddy, thanks a million (or in Reaper terms, "thanks a terabyte" Ha-ha).

Seriously, great advice on where to go. That's what people on this forum need from those who seek help: well, actual HELP!!

Thanks!!

Mike

MikeF · 03-03-2015, 06:18 PM

Well, what a creative user name (sounds so God-like).

Thanks for your suggestions. Like I said to some others, you answered my question with great suggestions. For those who try to get to technical, END OF STORY..

Mike

joelsampson · 03-03-2015, 08:59 PM

I'm working on a set for my book I call "Core 64" of what I think are essential free VST/VSTi. I have some directories up now at my website with some good links. The specifics are not uploaded yet, but are still in progress.

And as mentioned, the current Computer Magazine has some great freeware suggestions with tutorials on the DVD.

Reaper has enough effect to master with, but some VST are fun to play with. With a few free synths, a sound font player and a collection of free sound fonts (Google free SFZ) you are set!

MikeF · 03-03-2015, 09:03 PM

Hey Joel, thanks for responding. I'll be checking out your link. It's great what you're doing with your book!! Such a great idea!!

Hey, are you a pro record producer or audio engineer? Sounds like you know your stuff and are very involved in the business (even outside of Reaper).

Mike

ponk · 03-03-2015, 09:38 PM

The Bedroom Producer's Blog has a very good, curated list of free plugins - for instruments, Synth1 and anything from TAL are musts, but really can't go wrong with any of these recommendations.What kind of music do you like to create?

moonfiremusic · 03-03-2015, 10:41 PM

Also check this blog:
http://bigcatinstruments.blogspot.ro/

Pianos, guitars, bass and many other acoustic instruments in Kontakt format.

mschnell · 03-03-2015, 11:11 PM

Kontakt format instruments never are really "free".

Either you need to pay for the instrument itself, and the instrument's provider needs to pay a fee to NI, or they don't run in Kontakt player but only in the payed full Version of Kontakt.

A great free instrument I use is "Dexed" a virtual 100% DX7 emulation.

-Michael

bigcat1969 · 03-04-2015, 03:44 AM

For folks without Kontakt I tried to make some free VSTis. Some folks liked them, some not so much...
http://bigcatinstruments.blogspot.co...ize-vstis.html

whiteaxxxe · 03-04-2015, 03:59 AM

get all off the list(s) of the 10 best free plugins for every category from bedroomproducers.com and you are set for the next 10 years.

Magicbuss · 03-04-2015, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponk

The Bedroom Producer's Blog has a very good, curated list of free plugins - for instruments, Synth1 and anything from TAL are musts, but really can't go wrong with any of these recommendations.What kind of music do you like to create?

Seriously how does anyone with a DAW not know about this site??? Its the best of its kind on the web and its as comprehensive a list of GOOD free plugins (no need to sift through dozens of poor quality VST's) as you will find.

pattonfreak1 · 03-04-2015, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fergler

No idea what you're talking about with DSK but the DSK SF2 player is awesome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaulT

What does DSK do that is shady?

http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=47953

My opening post from that thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by pattonfreak1

I ask you this because Viktor (DSK VSTi mastermind) has partaken of some very shady business practices:

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewto...er=asc&start=0

I know the thread is 20+ pages long but if you suffer thru it you'll see what I'm talking about.
Long story short:
Viktor had put his source code for his vst's up for sale saying the money from it would go to charity. He then "sold" the code (at various priced bids) to multiple buyers under the pretense that whomever had bought the code would be the sole owner and could do what they like with it. He then (speculation) pocketed the money then turned around and stated he was closing up shop and offering the exact same code (with the exact same download links) for free. He is now playing the victim (notice his english comprehension gets worse and worse till he makes no sense when he posts) and refusing: a) to give all parties even a partial refund and b) giving proof that the monies went to charity.

Some of the parties that were "swindled" are very gracious, hardworking, and all around generally nice and helpful people. One of them being my friend Guenter Hager (better known as HG Fortune). Guenter works very hard developing stellar VSTi's and makes very little profit from it. He needs his money no matter how big or small the amount may be.
After reading the entire thread I immediately deleted all DSK vst's from my PC and backup memory sticks. I ask that if you feel the same way to do the same.

(R.I.P. Guenter

)

bigcat1969 · 03-05-2015, 05:01 AM

Sorry I didn't know he passed away. There is a very nice legacy collection of his work available for free.
http://www.hgf-synthesizer.com/nfg---pro-vsti-free.html

pattonfreak1 · 03-05-2015, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigcat1969

Sorry I didn't know he passed away. There is a very nice legacy collection of his work available for free.
http://www.hgf-synthesizer.com/nfg---pro-vsti-free.html

Yeah he just took ill suddenly and poof... he was gone.
And yeah his vst's are amazing for creating sounds capes and atmospheres.
Plus, he was the nicest guy. He gave me an endorsement after I jokingly asked.

I miss him

joelsampson · 03-06-2015, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeF

Hey Joel, thanks for responding. I'll be checking out your link. It's great what you're doing with your book!! Such a great idea!!

Hey, are you a pro record producer or audio engineer? Sounds like you know your stuff and are very involved in the business (even outside of Reaper).

Mike

I don't know what I want to be when (if) I grow up. And don't claim to be an expert in anything. However, I have been doing this a long time, before computers could record audio and we used MIDI. And synths were not multi-timbral. And we all ran DOS. And that's the way we liked it. . .

I was one of two MIDI wholesale distributors in the US in the 90's (just me here in Dallas and Thinkware in San Francisco). The technology was all very new then. I sold thousands of $100 Music Quest MIDI interface cards to music dealers. I presented dozens of MIDI clinics from Dayton, OH to West Texas and did cold sales calls in every most every music store from Ohio to California. I also developed some software and data along the way. I was the first to put drum patterns on a computer disk (now available free at http://fivepinpress.com. We had a booth at COMDEX and NAMM many times.

I've been working as a visual artist and am now working in this project. I play jazz flute and sax, but have made a living playing bass in a hard rock band and solo piano on the Holiday Inn circuit.

I have a very checkered past. But I don't think I'm wanted in any states. My art is at http://www.joelsampson.com . I'm sorry more than you or anyone ever wanted to know. . .

ivansc · 03-06-2015, 06:22 AM

Joel - you sure that wasn`t the 80`s? I was working with midi stuff back in the 80s in Nashville. What a pain! MT32 and one of those godawful non-standard disk storage thingies from Alesis. But used it live with my band 1987 onwards after we put out an album with all midi drums and keyboards, just live bass, guitar and vox.