If you’ve already opened your last present here are a few freebies in case you really can’t stay out of the studio. We’ve tested them all and all are available as AAX, VST and AU plugins and are Apple Silicon compatible.
Cherry Audio Synthesizer Expansion Module
This recreation of the Oberheim SEM looks simple but it’s surprisingly flexible and sounds great. The original SEM was created by Tom Oberheim in the mid 70s at a time when early hardware sequencers, notably Oberheim’s own DS-2, were attracting attention but an alternative to tying up a ‘proper’ synth like a Minimoog or an ARP 2600 to sequencer duties was needed. The SEM went on to be the foundation of the mighty Four Voice and even mightier Eight Voice synths. The control set is quirky but the sound is glorious. Check this one out and you’ll see!
Installation:
Use the button below to go to the Cherry Audio website
Click Get It For Free
Click Add to Account
Create or Log into your user account
Download installer
Launch your DAW, instantiate Synthesiser Expander Module and use your account login details to complete installation.
Submission Audio - Lock On Free
If Synths aren’t your thing, maybe Lock On Free from Submission Audio will suit you better. It’s a guitar tuner plugin, but before you think that you’ve already got a tuner plugin and move on, maybe check this one out a little more closely.
Tuner plugins aren’t uncommon but their performance can vary. Lock On is an ultra-precision tuner in a minimalist package. Which is particularly good at tracking ultra-low pitch on stringed instruments quickly and accurately. If you’re a bass player who has had to get used to tuners getting ‘confused’ by your bottom strings this might be just the thing.
Installation:
Use the button below to go to the Submission Audio website
Click add to cart
Go to checkout
Supply an email and billing address
Click Access your plugins and serials
Download the appropriate Installer (10 Downloads Supplied)
Valhalla Supermassive - 2 New Modes
If you’re not a guitarist and aren’t really into synths, maybe this one will be right for you. Losing yourself in some lush delays which cross over into reverb territory is a fine way to spend a little downtime in my book!
You might well have come across Supermassive already, this delay/reverb is one of the very best free plugins out there. But even if you already have it, do you have version 3? This adds two new modes - Virgo and Leo:
Leo - Very long reverb/Very long repeating echoes/filtered decay/Slow attack
Virgo - Sparse filtered echoes, very low density
Respect to Valhalla for not just maintaining compatibility for a free plugin but continuing to develop new features.
Installation:
Click the button below to go to the Valhalla website
Click Go To Downloads and download the appropriate installer
If none of these appeal then take a look at these free plugins which have featured on the blog in the last few weeks.