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How to create a studio with zero budget ($0.00)

Hi guys and gals

 

I have been asked recently by two separate members in private messages how they can get their scores realized into audio with zero budget. One person was asking about creating good sounding audio from "Musescore notation program" and another without any notation software, just looking for the cheapest setup possible.

 

So I want to ask you all to contribute to this thread. Please include any ideas at all (that are LEGAL) to acquire and work on music with no budget whatsoever. I know we have had a few threads on freeware sample libraries that Simon and other folks have posted, lets talk about all freeware possibilities, used hardware possibilities, etc.

 

IMO Any composer setup must include the following:

- computer (recommended 64 bit OS, at least 8 gigs ram, at least 2 internal hard drives, but what can people scrape by with and still record)

- DAW (I use full versions of DP, Cubase and Pro Tools, but what are options for folks? I know we had a thread with a freeware DAW at one point. What about the really cheap versions of DAWs? I know Simon uses the lower level Cubase, how is that working for you mate?)

- notation software (many DAWs have some form of notation in them but generally arent as good as sibelius or finale. What are options in notation programs? What are the pluses and minuses involved with going cheap or free?)

- Sample libs (this obviously makes HUGE difference between sounding pretty real and totally fake. I am pretty snooty about it and I dont really have good suggestions for shoestring budget samples. But I remember something else Simon posted not too long ago with a free sample library, Simon you're the man!)

- convolution reverb and other effects/processing (I cant leave my Alti-verb at home, but I know there are freeware solutions, Ray has sent me links several places with freeware plugins that are pretty snazzy)

- MIDI controller/keyboard

- sound card

- speakers (and speaker amps if they are passive speakers)

 

what else? Lets make this the go to thread for zero budget studio ideas. Thanks folks! I know there have been lots of threads with pieces of this, so lets just put it all in one place, please any links, pics, ideas, etc

Current options are:

DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

http://studioone.presonus.com/free/   (this version does not support 3rd party vst)

http://www.reaper.fm/about.php   (relatively inexpensive)

http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/cubase/cubase_elements_6.html  (entry level)

http://www.apple.com/logicpro/top-features/  (for mac users)

Sample Players:

http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/kontakt-5-...    (some 3rd party libraries will time out)

http://www.uvisoundsource.com/uvi-workstation/article_info.php/arti...

http://www.cakewalk.com/Download/sfz.aspx

Software Synths:

http://www.camelaudio.com/AlchemyPlayer.php 

http://www.u-he.com/cms/zebralette

Sample Libraries:

http://www.embertone.com/freebies/intstrings-lite.php   (kontakt vsti)

http://freemusicsoftware.org/category/free-vst/exotic-instruments (vsti)

http://www.pettinhouse.com/html/download.html  (kontakt vsti)

http://rekkerd.org/freebies-for-native-instruments-kontakt/

http://www.hollowsun.com/HS2/freepacks/kontakt.htm

http://www.sampleoddity.com/peculiarpercussion/

http://audiogeneticslab.com/instruments/free/magnus-chord-organ

http://sonimusicae.free.fr/diato-en.html

http://www.embertone.com/freebies/jugfree.php#1[/url]

http://indiginus.com/freedownloads.html

http://indiginus.com/solidstatehome.html

http://samples.wavesfactory.com/?cat=47

http://www.asinusadlyram.com/pocketBlakus/

Audio File Editors:

http://www.wavosaur.com/

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

http://www.music-editor.net/index.html

FX vst:

http://www.voxengo.com/group/free-vst-plugins/

http://antress.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.vstplanet.com/index.htm

http://varietyofsound.wordpress.com/

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chris Alpiar on March 21, 2012 at 6:35pm

Oh and Ray, dont move to Hawaii!

Permalink Reply by David Prouty on March 21, 2012 at 7:45pm

Nice one! Thanks for this.

Chris Alpiar said:

Here is a new freebie! Pretty cool little tube-erizer plugin that is free from Sound Toys, click here to get it

https://www.soundtoys.com/sxsw2012/&rc=304-6307-717

Permalink Reply by Maksim Timashev on March 27, 2012 at 10:45am

NOTHING COSTS $0.00. ESPECIALLY STUDIOS.

Permalink Reply by Maksim Timashev on March 27, 2012 at 10:47am

Dreaming is depressing.

 

Permalink Reply by Calle Edlund on March 27, 2012 at 10:58am

Lol don't be so negative XD actually my "studio" (I'm not sure I can call it a studio though) costs nothing, but that's because my parents bought the computer, and I use only freeware.

Permalink Reply by Maksim Timashev on March 27, 2012 at 11:08am

If you cant call it a studio - it's probably not a studio ke-mo-sah-be. Freeware SOUNDS LIKE CRAP. Thus it is unusable for professional projects. And from what I've noticed, most of freeware is full of bugs and glitches.

Permalink Reply by Chris Alpiar on March 27, 2012 at 11:40am

This thread isnt about professional projects, its more about pathways to learn and explore what is out there at no cost. I dont use any of this crap, I use all pro (and expensive) gear and software. But I still want to know about what is out there, and to explore the more interesting ones. That, my friend, is the purpose of this thread, and to help the young and poor folks that want to work with something that cant afford the real deal ;-)



Maksim Timashev said:

If you cant call it a studio - it's probably not a studio ke-mo-sah-be. Freeware SOUNDS LIKE CRAP. Thus it is unusable for professional projects. And from what I've noticed, most of freeware is full of bugs and glitches.

Permalink Reply by Maksim Timashev on March 27, 2012 at 12:50pm

Hey Chris,

I agree. I am one of the poor folks :) It's just that I was always disappointed with free music software and things. It's really hard to write anything "good" with crappy sounds.

 

Max

Permalink Reply by Calle Edlund on March 27, 2012 at 3:09pm
Permalink Reply by Chris Alpiar on March 27, 2012 at 3:43pm

Yep. While its expressive, its all in that synth pop dance vein. That's going to be the farthest one can take music in this realm IMO. Definitely not my cup of tea but if it were I would be much more into doing it with authentic old analog synths and not samples of them (nice big old Arp A frame, Oberheim matrix and such!). Generally speaking, sticking with software tho, the pro software will still be lifetimes more efficient and easy to use. Thats not to say that the music is crap, but the tools still are respectively. Thats my opinion
 
Calle Edlund said:

Permalink Reply by David Prouty on March 27, 2012 at 5:37pm

It is amazing what can be done with just a Mic and something like Reaper. Here is some food for thought

http://vimeo.com/29273575

Permalink Reply by David Prouty on March 27, 2012 at 5:53pm

I don't think people get it. That first link Starshine was done on a computer with 8megs of ram total and no harddrive. For anyone wondering, it was an Amiga 500 by Commodore. We complain that we cant make good music as we sit on a computer with 8gb of ram and massive harddrives. Calle I totally agree with you.

Calle Edlund said:

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