The main page shows a list of the latest additions, while buttons across the top lead you to the full lists of plug-ins (including soft synths), applications, and online instruments (in formats such as Flash, Java, and Shockwave). I personally like its list format, with a few sentences plus one tiny image of each release, which often leads you to finds that you might not otherwise have made. There are plenty of plug-ins and soft synths to explore here, and you can also find some intriguing stand-alone applications. If you're specifically looking for freeware, the best site I've come across in my travels is one called Database Audio ( which not only covers Mac and PC Windows offerings, but also Linux. It also hosts about three dozen forums supporting the users of products from a wide selection of the smaller developers. One of the best for soft synths and plug-ins is K-v-R ( which posts regular information about new commercial, shareware, and freeware music software releases of all types, and maintains a database of instruments, effects, and their host applications, with an advanced search engine to find specific types - so you can, for instance, choose 'synth (wavetable)' or 'Exciter/Enhancer' to narrow your findings. However, there are, fortunately, some Internet portals - web sites acting as themed gateways to many others - that can help us. With millions of web sites worldwide and the majority of freeware tucked away on its creator's personal pages, it's hardly surprising that many excellent releases go almost unnoticed. One of the biggest problems with freeware is knowing where to look for it on the Internet. So this feature will be a roundup of free PC software that doesn't quite merit a full stand-alone SOS review and doesn't fall neatly into Plug-in Folder, but deserves more than a quick mention in PC Notes. Certainly, while there are some freeware 'my first plug-ins' to be found that are likely to be quickly discarded by most people, there are also some absolute gems in the freeware world. Moreover, I've noticed a lot of snobbery about, of both varieties - some professional musicians look down their noses at freeware, dismissing it all as rubbish, while on the other hand there are beginners who use freeware downloads almost exclusively to get started, and who think the vast majority of commercial releases are not worth the money.Īs always, the truth falls somewhere in between these two extremes. There's an amazing selection of PC software available for free download, but with so much to choose from, and the fact that many musicians trying it don't have the chance to compare it with commercial packages, it's sometimes hard to tell what's good and what's not. We round up some of the best download sites and freebie programs. Thanks to the Internet and the generosity of talented programmers all over the world, it's possible to assemble a PC music software suite for no money at all. With sometimes stunning graphics and a huge range of possibilities, these are a few of my favourite stand-alone freeware VST plug-ins and instruments created using Jeff Mclintock's excellent SynthEdit.
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