|
AUDIO
SOFTWARE GUIDE:
|
|
=Recording
Software=
|
|
Reaper
($50 noncomm license)
The best recording software
known to man. Get it now.
Fully functional demo version available here:
http://www.cockos.com/reaper/
A few good things about Reaper:
No dongle
Portable
Price
Regular updates
Fast / Light
Great user forum
Dependable
Hardest working programmers ever.
|
|
|
|
FREEWARE
PLUGINS
|
|
|
|
Cockos
(ReaPlugs
Suite) ($0)
This is a bundle of a few of the world
class plugs that come with Reaper, usable in any VST capable
host program
ReaComp: sidechain
capable compressor
ReaGate: a very flexible gate
ReaFIR: EQ, dynamics processor, noise removal and analysis
tool
ReaEQ: a fast, unlimited band, IIR EQ
ReaXcomp: an unlimited-band compressor
ReaDelay: an unlimited-tap delay
Get them here: http://www.reaper.fm/reaplugs/
|
|
BlueNoise
My Drumset ($0)
Simple, self contained multimic samples in a nice VSTi
with very adaptable mixer section (freeware)
|
|
|
|
S.I.R.
($0)
Convoloution
File VST Plugin (see sidenote about impulse response files)
|
|
|
|
Bootsy's
Plugins: ($0)
Density: Fantastic and colorful compressor
TesslaSE: Analogify your tracks
BootEQ: Great musical EQ
Rescue: Super Analogify and widen your stereo tracks.
Un-digify your tracks with
these fantastic plugs!
A great reverb plugin is soon
to be released as well
|
|
|
|
HQ
PAID PLUGINS
|
|
Stillwell
Audio ($25-$60)
These are the finest, best sounding plugins that will ever
grace your ears for a fraction of the price of other "big
name" plugs.
The Rocket:
Event Horizon 2
BadBussMojo
Fully functioning demo versions
available at
Stillwell
Audio.com
|
PSP
(Vintage Warmer) ($150)
Top notch Analogifier. Aids in the
fight against digital sounding tracks.
|
|
|
|
Amp
Simulators (freeware)
|
|
Recording / playing a real
amp isnt always possible, and these do a hell of a job sounding
like the real thing.
Simulanalog
Guitar Suite ($0)
Not much to look at, but probably
the best freeware amp sims out there. They sound really good
and are easy on the CPU. Twin Reverb, Marshall, and overdrive
/ distortion box simulations
FreeAmp
3 ($0)
.A little heavier on
the CPU use, but sounds really good, especially the bass amps
Voxengo
Boogex ($0)
Another great one... easy to tweak with drawable
EQ bands, and you can roll your own cab simulations or use
the many great sounding ones that are included.
Juicy
77 ($0)
Killer highgain amp simulator!!!
Really great, good cab impulses included.
One weird thing is that it doesnt show up in the host app
as "Juicy77" it is listed as "High Gain Amplifier"
|
|
large
file transfer (free)
|
yousendit.com
($0)
Its a online transfer station for large
files... When you want to send big files that your email server
cant handle, and you dont have your own server, this is a
really handy thing.
|
|
|
|
remote
backup (free)
|
iDrive
($0)
Free online backup of up to 2GB of
data...
|
|
|
|
FREEWARE
UTILITIES
|
|
=File
Mangement=
|
xplorer2
(lite
version $0)
Managing files and manually backing
up files and directories to other folders is enough of a pain
in the ass without using the miserable and embarassing "Windows
Explorer". This sumbitch is a two paned file management
swiss army knife. I wish that I had this from day one.
|
pathsync
($0)
If you make manual backups of your
data, this is indespensable. It can compare files and directories
and returns a easily comprehended list of files that are different
between them so that you can syncronize easily... By the folks
who brought you winamp and reaper. Freeware.
|
|
|
|
=System
Monitor / Troubleshooting tools=
|
Process
Explorer ($0)
When using the computer as a recording
device, you have to tell it: "please try and pay attention
while I am talking to you, sir" This revved up version
of the Windows task manager (ctrl+alt+del) really lets you
see what your computer is doing in the background, and what
might be taking its attention away from the task at hand.
|
DPC
Latency Checker ($0)
Another great utility. It is basically
a scrolling graph that monitors CPU/system spikes that might
affect your computers ablility to record and playback glitch-free
audio with a recording app.
|
|
|
|
=Audio
Tools=
|
cdex
($0)
Freeware CD ripping, mp3 ripper and
format conversion utility.
|
foobar2000
($0)
Super configurable and format friendly
audio player... can also play internet radio streams
|
audioshell
($0)
Add on for Windows that allows robust
editing of the tags and properties of audio files through
the "File>Properties" dialog in Windows
|
|
|
|
=cd
burning=
|
dp
simple burner ($0)
Great freeware for burning data CD's
... doesnt make audio CD though.
|
|
|
|
|
|
=irc=
|
icechat
($0)
Nice freeware IRC client
|
|
=text
editor =
|
editpad
lite ($0)
A great alternative to the Windows
Notepad app. Freeware.
|
|
=mind
mapping=
|
freemind
($0)
My visualization skills are um... less
than adequate at times, this app lets you create and look
at ideas and tasks in a flowchart type setting that sometimes
helps to see the "big picture"
|
|
=Other
stuff=
|
|
skype
($=super cheap)
Well, youve probably hear of this 'eh? Call
anywhere, all over the world for pennies a minute. I used
this last time I went to Europe on tour, and it saved me a
sh*tload of money and worked really well. I feel a little
weird wearing a headset though...
|
