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

[Chris Alpiar]

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/

[Caj Ilotuuli]

Great serie ! I don´t know if Glaceverb :http://dasample.com/   and  HybridReverb : http://www2.ika.rub.de/HybridReverb2/  

have been mentioned . I like them and use them often .

[David Prouty]

Thanks for the links Caj.

[Bernard Duc]

Embertone Intimate Strings Lite is a free strings VSTi, really impressive for free stuff! It has true legato and 3x roud robin but you need the full version of Kontakt (4.24+). It's here: http://www.embertone.com/freebies/intstrings-lite.php

[Raymond Kemp]

Instead of members trawling through all the pages hear I'll try and place current special offers up top. Shout in with anything I should add there. I've started with the Studio One DAW.

[David Prouty]

I just grabbed this thanks for the link.

Bernard Duc said:

Embertone Intimate Strings Lite is a free strings VSTi, really impressive for free stuff! It has true legato and 3x roud robin but you need the full version of Kontakt (4.24+). It's here: http://www.embertone.com/freebies/intstrings-lite.php

[Alexander Norman]

Thanks for the great info, I normally am quite dumbfounded at how most virtual composers are able afford the software to create these brilliant epic tracks and it's nice to see how to do this with zero budget :D 

[Paul Jaye]

Hi, Bernard -

Thanks for all you posted. But I'm a bit new at all this tech stuff...How do I use the short samples in Sonatina S.O., for example, in my recordings? I have a Yamaha keyboard hooked up to my Vista computer, with Mixcraft recording software loaded (it's similar to Garageband). I have a library of sounds in Mixcraft, but their orchestral sounds (violin, cello, clarinet, etc.) tend to be pretty unrealistic.

Thanks for your help with this!

----Paul

Bernard Duc said:

Ok...

 Instruments

Orchestral

_ Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra : It's a very nice and totally free library made with many soundfounts. sfz format.

_ Symphonia : It's a free orchestral VSTi.

_ Ixox Flute : Not bad! with three choices of articulation : normal stacc and percu.  There are  other nice vsti on this website.

_ Piano : The Maestro Concert Grand v.2  More than 337 Mo of samples...

 

Other

_ Nanotron : A Mellotron with three sonorities : choirs, orchestral strings and flute.

_ Artifake Labs : two mellotrons, a fantastic Hohner Pianet N and other instruments.

_ Symptohm:Melohman Performer Edition : free version of the Symptohm Melohman. Very nice synth!

 

VST effects

_ Antress Modern : Fabulous for freeware! Many effects...

_ Variety of Sound :BootEQ mkII :The BootEQ mkII is an equalizer and pre-amp simulator combination which provides some nice and musical signal coloration effects.

                               Density mkII : The ultimate compressor! Like a Fairchild emulation but it goes further!

                               Rescue AE : Mide/Side treatment "analogic"

_ ReaPlugs : The vst bundle from Cockos (developer of REAPER). You need it absolutely! It's really essential!

_ Blue Cat's : chorus, flanger, phaser, analyse tools, EQ, gains... Very nice pack!

 

And many others... for later!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Paul Jaye]

Hi, Chris -Thanks for all you posted. But I'm a bit new at all this tech stuff...How do I use the short samples in Sonatina S.O., for example, in my recordings? I have a Yamaha keyboard hooked up to my Vista computer, with Mixcraft recording software loaded (it's similar to Garageband). I have a library of sounds in Mixcraft, but their orchestral sounds (violin, cello, clarinet, etc.) tend to be pretty unrealistic. Thanks!

[Raymond Kemp]

Paul,
Let me answer your question by saying, Sonatina may be a usable freebie but it can never be realistic. I would put it this way, the best and usually most expensive virtual instrument sample sets can sound musical but never real.
I assume that many sight reading members of this forum allow their inner ear to lie because their real hearing should be telling them the truth. If it sounds bad it is bad.
-Ray

[David Prouty]

pocketBlakus - Emotional Cello Freebie (Kontakt 4.2.3+)

A slow moving, expressive solo cello. This one is worthy.

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

[Luci Holland]

Really helpful topic, thanks so much for posting. I am struggling with the gear I have at the moment so this is so useful in helping me set-up. Does anybody have any tips for an affordable midi interface? I got ripped off with the last one I bought and can't afford a pro one.

Cheers!

[Raymond Kemp]

Luci,

What's your setup now computer wise? OS, amount of ram, HD space etc.

and,............ what was the last interface that was no use to you?