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/

[Luci Holland]

My setup isn't great. Windows 7, not sure about ram and HD but it's limited (saving to upgrade)! I write for live performance (Sibelius) so I'm hoping to get to grips with DAWs once I have the necessary setup (tinkering with Ableton at the moment). Last interface was an inexpensive USB to midi interface that I got off ebay, generic model. After much faffing discovered it was faulty. Controller is a Fatar (super old school model).

 Sorry for vagueness, I'm a bit of a digiphobe... Trying to get to grips with everything! 

[Kimaël Larive]

Nice thread! I think it's possible for starters to make some nice music for free, as long as you know what you're using.

If I had to start from the beginning once again, I'd start with the free Kontakt player. You can't go wrong with Kontakt instruments quality-wise, even the free Kontakt instruments are great. I'm not a big fan of Intimate Strings however. They sound great, but they can't be used anywhere (unlike Session Strings). IMO, Intimate strings sound very ''emotional', they are more fit for sad, slow and melancholic music.

For drums, I know there's not much great free VST so I'd go with some sample packs (there's lots of great, free ones) and use them in a drum machine.

For synths, I'd start with Zebralette for sure. It sounds great and you can create your own sounds. However, just like Zebra, it sounds rather dry.

There's also some good instruments on DSK instruments website. Sadly, I think DSK instruments cost too much CPU for the sound quality they have (they sound good, but not great either).

Luci Holland >  I had this kind of problems with my first computer. I had a mediocre computer and everything was getting messy very quickly. Here's a technique I was using, it was very helpful.

First, try as much as possible to write your whole song on paper or on some tab software (you're using Sibelius so it's perfect). Once your song is done, open your DAW. Let's say the instruments of the song you composed are : Piano, Violin, choir and Cello.

So once your DAW is opened, only open the piano VST first. Write the whole piano part and export it (as a MP3 or WAVE file). Then start a new project, load the violin VST and write the whole violin part and then export it. do this with every instruments.

Once this is done, start a new empty project on your DAW and drag all your instrument tracks on your playlist ( the piano track, then the violin track, etc.. ). Now, your whole song will be there. Audio tracks use no CPU so you'll be able to hear the whole song without annoying lag. Then you'll have to mix but you shouldn't have any CPU problems with instrument effect plugins (unless you're using some insane high quality stuff). I hope it helps. :)

[Tsuki No Mayu]

Anyone have suggestions in regards to headphones?

I'm currently using Audio Techinca ATH-Pro700 headphones. I like them but am wondering if there are better headphones out there. Which, I'm sure there are.

[Paul Jaye]

Kimaël Larive said:

Nice thread! I think it's possible for starters to make some nice music for free, as long as you know what you're using.

If I had to start from the beginning once again, I'd start with the free Kontakt player. You can't go wrong with Kontakt instruments quality-wise, even the free Kontakt instruments are great. I'm not a big fan of Intimate Strings however. They sound great, but they can't be used anywhere (unlike Session Strings). IMO, Intimate strings sound very ''emotional', they are more fit for sad, slow and melancholic music.

For drums, I know there's not much great free VST so I'd go with some sample packs (there's lots of great, free ones) and use them in a drum machine.

For synths, I'd start with Zebralette for sure. It sounds great and you can create your own sounds. However, just like Zebra, it sounds rather dry.

There's also some good instruments on DSK instruments website. Sadly, I think DSK instruments cost too much CPU for the sound quality they have (they sound good, but not great either).

Luci Holland >  I had this kind of problems with my first computer. I had a mediocre computer and everything was getting messy very quickly. Here's a technique I was using, it was very helpful.

First, try as much as possible to write your whole song on paper or on some tab software (you're using Sibelius so it's perfect). Once your song is done, open your DAW. Let's say the instruments of the song you composed are : Piano, Violin, choir and Cello.

So once your DAW is opened, only open the piano VST first. Write the whole piano part and export it (as a MP3 or WAVE file). Then start a new project, load the violin VST and write the whole violin part and then export it. do this with every instruments.

Once this is done, start a new empty project on your DAW and drag all your instrument tracks on your playlist ( the piano track, then the violin track, etc.. ). Now, your whole song will be there. Audio tracks use no CPU so you'll be able to hear the whole song without annoying lag. Then you'll have to mix but you shouldn't have any CPU problems with instrument effect plugins (unless you're using some insane high quality stuff). I hope it helps. :)

Thanks so much for all the info, Lucy. I downloaded the Sonatina Symphonic software that was recommended here, but didn't know if you might have some suggestions as to how to best utilize it. The sound quality of the samples is very good, and I'd like to use them in my recordings, but don't know how to access it to do so. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks! --Paul

[Tsuki No Mayu]

Thanks for the heads up. Taking the Bluetooth route is now officially off my list.
 
Jon Corelis said:

All I can say is don't get Bluetooth phones.  My desktop computer came with Bluetooth capability, and I got some Bluetooth headphones.  After a few weeks, the Bluetooth mysteriously stopped working, then it mysteriously came back several weeks later, then it mysteriously stopped working again, apparently for good.  The computer's customer service was worthless.  A search on the net revealed this is an extremely common problem.  I found dozens of suggested solutions for it, but none of the ones I tried worked.

[Raymond Kemp]

I added a couple of software synths.

[Chocolatedog]

Computer Music Magazine is a great resource for free goodies. Everymonth the DVD comes with Free AU.VSt and samples. If you get the IPAd version the files are downloadable. Most of the stuff is EDM based but for the rpcie you really cant go wrong. 

[Chocolatedog]

The SampleLogic pack has a few nice programs in it. Worth the Download
Bernard Duc said:

I continue...

 

VSTi

Sample Logic Trypack : More than 500 mb of sounds from AIR and SINERGY.

Superwave P8 : It's a wonderful virtual analogue synthetizer. The sound is very beautiful!

String Theory : It's a flexible physical modeling synth which is capable of a very wide range of plucked strings, atmospheric pads and ambiences, and unique hybrid synth sounds.

G-Town Sampling Church : Percussions and some other instruments...Not many instruments but an excellent quality!! I've heard it was used by Danny Elfman in some movies.

 

Effects

SIR : It's a very good IR reverb. You can find the IRs here :  http://irlibrary.org/ and on other websites.

 

Others

SFZ Player : The best free soundfont player. Download your soundfonts, load them in the player and let's play! It's very simple to use. Built-in effects, adjustable CPU/quality settings to adjust it to your hardware, fully multi-timbral operation and several loading modes including direct-from-disk streaming

 

And look at KVRaudio.com  The search engine is very practical and you can find all the freeware VSTs.

 

[Raymond Kemp]

I forgot about the sfz player, thanks for the reminder. I've added it to the list above.

[jessica severin]

My recommendations for freeware not yet on the list

Salamander Grand Piano Samples: Yamaha C5

http://wootangent.net/2010/05/the-salamander-grand-piano-and-linuxs...

http://rytmenpinne.posterous.com/pages/salamander-grand-piano-46556

Uhe TyrellN6 synth. 

http://www.u-he.com/cms/tyrelln6

Uhe Bazille (0.5 beta) synth (berlin modular). Uhe will release the final commercial version this year, so it is uncertain if he will still maintain this free beta-test version. 

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=258683

A little hard to find, but DUNE BE (Beat magazine edition) or DUNE CM (Computer Music editions). Usually on a free DVD when you buy a copy of the magazine.

For DAW I also can recommend FL Studio "fruity edition" for $99 (lifetime free updates). The only thing really missing in the "fruit edition" is the ability to record audio directly into the DAW (their edison plugin). But you can use other external recording tools/plugins and still be able to work with audio/wav files in this version.  Windows only though.

http://www.image-line.com/documents/editions.html