Let’s go techno :
Phutura VSTi : the free Alpha Juno !
http://phuturetone.com/phutura.php
Hoover !!
A nice clean interface, and a good sound. This is the only free “Alpha Juno” VSTi that can do a decent “hoover”. It can do hoover but not only ! There are some great bass and cool sounds in the factory presets.
Some free VSTi try to emulate (more or less faithfully) the sound of the Roland Juno‘s synths (Juno 60, Juno 106 & Juno 6). All these synths were and are still popular. The Juno 106 were used by Acrid Abeyance and can also be heard in countless techno trax.
Get ready for fat chorus ! here’s a selection of freeware plugin :
TAL U-NO-62 VST
DL : http://kunz.corrupt.ch/products/tal-u-no-62
Available in 32 & 64 bit for Windows and MAC OS X (in VST & AU format).
The best VSTi to get Juno60ish sounds, trust the chorus ! trust the chorus.
dont forget to check out the other plugins by TAL, the chorus is available as a separate VST effect !
Check the “power pad” preset : the sound is full.
Great for bass and pad, few controls for easy tweaking. Pump up the bass!
Back to the 70’s !
EMS created the VCS3 (also called ‘the putney’ ), then, based on the VCS3, the Synthi A and Synthi AKS. A portable synth in a suitcase ! A James Bond suitcase.
Some VST plugins (freeware) tried to recreate the original semi modular design of this synth, here’s the list :
Cynthia VST
Cynthia is a free EMS VCS3 VST emulation. It was developed with Synthedit, so it’s for Windows (32 bit) hosts.
Don’t forget to read the manual it’s clear and instructive.
The Cynthia VST come with two dll files : it can also be used as effect, for processing your audio input.
The Minimoog ! one of the synth that had the biggest impact in history of synths.
This is a difficult task to emulate the moog sound with virtual synth, you have to take care of the electronic components and their characteristics.
Let’s start the dance :
MinimogueVA : free miniMoog VST emulation!
Download and information : Gunnar archive site
Based on the Richard Brooks synthedit sources of “mogue”, this is a very nice VST emulation of the famous miniMoog synthesizer.
It’s a Synthedit creation : It works for Windows and 32 bit VST hosts.
You can also found a polyphonic version (MinimogueLuxus VST).
The three oscillators are here, and the filter does the job.
A simple arpeggiator is also a nice addition.
Strawberry Fields for ever !
more music, less talk :
Redtron VST
https://sites.google.com/site/artifakelabs/
This is a Synthedit VST, so it should work in 32 bit hosts on Windows.
It’s based on these samples : http://leisureland.us/audio/MellotronSamples/MellotronSamples.htm
Don’t hesitate to browse the artifakelabs site, as you also have the Redtron 400 version and the Redton MKV for emulating the Mellotron MKV.
listen to the demo and compare:
The Yahama DX7 synthesizer ! The sound of the 80’s.
Released in 1983, the DX7 presets were used in countless songs, like these : http://bobbyblues.recup.ch/yamaha_dx7/dx7_examples.html
Famous for his e-piano sound, and bells, marimba and other metallic or crystal clear sounds.
It was used and still can be used in any music genre, from pop ballad to hard techno.
I digged into the many free FM VST plugins, searching for those who are able to recreate that clean 80 FM sound.
Here’s 4 free VSTi that can stand for the title of “best free DX7 VST emulation” :
Dexed free fm synth
https://github.com/asb2m10/dexed
This VSTi is freeware and available for Windows and Mac OS X.
It can import / export original DX7 sysex, so you can use it as a DX7 editor.
The project is alive and recent, and it sounds very nice ! All FM lovers must try it.
The scaled-down version of the Arp 2600 ! the famous Arp Odyssey appeared in 1972.
Some free VSTi try to recreate the analog sound of the Arp Odyssey, with its funky modulations.
Here’s a selection of 4 freeware plugins.
Come on now !
OSDay Free VSTi
Free download and infos : http://www.elektrostudio.ovh.org/index.php?go=odsay
The guys from Elektrostudio did it again!
The VST is souding good. It also adds a chorus and a delay that are not present in the hardware model.
here’s a bank of 128 presets for ODsay VST : download now !! Chris bank for ODsay
sample & hold pad
The famous Linndrum LM-1 drum machine !
Here’s a selection of 3 free VSTi that try to emulate the sound of the LM-1.
JM-1 Drum computer VST
Info & download : http://www.aaa-int.or.jp/jfactory/projects/VST/
A Synthedit creation with good quality samples. It’s Windows only and 32 bit.
There is a volume and a pan control for each element.
These VST plugins are not really “close emulation” but all these VST synths are inspired by the Roland JP-8000 and try to emulate the famous “supersaw” sound.
Let’s go trance :
Superwave P8 : jp-8000 emulation for free
Freeware download : http://www.superwavesynths.co.uk/product_p8.htm
The best free VST synth for supersaw like sounds, the good old Superwave P8.
Don’t forget to check out the presets : Yazoo Synth, Jean Michel Jarre creamy pads, Van Halen Jump sound, Europe Final Countdown Lead, Chariot Of Fire Synth , they’re all here!
Trance demo:
The famous Fender Rhodes Mark II stage 73 electric piano!
Essential if you plan to do funk-jazz, deep house, or any soulul music.
The Rhodes keys can be heard on countless tracks, from Herbie Hancock to Stevie Wonder, the Doors & Ray Charles, Chick corea & JojoLapin.
It’s funky, soulful, deep, smooth, jazzy, lounge, groovy.
Here are the best FREE VST emulations of the e-piano:
Mr Ray 73 VST Rhodes piano plugin
MrRay 2.2 ! rhodes 4 ever
http://www.genuinesoundware.com/?a=showproduct&b=37
These two VSTi are donationware.
and they are pure synthesis, no sample involved.
The sound is very good, Mr Ray 73 VST gives you that funky feeling when you play it.
Mr Ray 22 has more parameters and some good classic effects : a chorus, a wah wah, a tremolo/autopan, a distortion and a stereo delay.
Mr Ray Charles:
stormy !
straight Rhodes e-piano
soft deep house chords
Rhodes piano through wah wah effect!