Chapter 15: MIDI and Software Instruments —What do I need?
Hardware
The hardware of the MIDI and Audio Systems discussed in this chapter overlap significantly with the hardware from Chapter 7: Audio—What do I need? and the MIDI hardware was discussed in Chapter 9: MIDI Hardware.
Software
- DAW/Sequencers
- Software Synths
- Music Programming Applications (from Ch. 14: Beyond the DAW/Sequencer)
- Performance Apps (from Ch. 14: Beyond the DAW/Sequencer)
- Software Samplers
Sequencer/DAW Software
Most of the DAWs discussed in the Audio section also have the ability to sequence MIDI data and host software synthesizers and samplers. Here is a representative list:
- Cakewalk Bandlab (free; Windows only)
- Cubase
- Cubasis for iOS and Android
- Digital Performer
- GarageBand for Mac
- GarageBand for iOS
- Ableton Live
- Logic Pro X
- Avid Pro Tools
- Reaper
- Reason
- Sequel (from Steinberg, makers of Cubase)
- Sonar
Software Synthesizers
Freeware Analog-modeling SoftSynths
- Crystal Synth by Green Oak is a very useful analog-modeling softsynth [freeware]
- Crystal Synth by Green Oak for mobile (inexpensive)
- SuperWave P8 (Windows only)
- Triple Cheese (Mac/Windows/Linux) by U-He software
Other Freeware SoftSynths
- Komplete Start from Native Instruments [freeware]
- Oxe softsynth (Windows/MacOS/Linux) is an FM-based softsynth [freeware]
Demo SoftSynths
- Native Instruments' demos including Reaktor, Absynth, Massive, and FM8 (demo limitations)
- FabFilter One analog-modeling synth (30-day demo)
- Minky Starshine additive synth (times out after 15 minutes)
Additive Synthesis SoftSynths
- Minky Starshine additive synth
- Alchemy (multiple synth techniques) part of Logic Pro
- Cube 2 "resynthesis" using additive analysis/resynthesis techniques
- Zebra (multiple synth techniques) by U-He software
Subtractive Synthesis/Vocoder SoftSynths
- Crystal Synth by Green Oak is a very useful analog-modeling softsynth [freeware]
- Crystal Synth by Green Oak for mobile (inexpensive)
- Thor subtractive synth in Reason
- ES2 subtractive synth in Logic Pro
- BV512 vocoder in Reason
- EVOC 20 vocoder in Logic Pro
Frequency Modulation SoftSynths
- FM8 by Native Instruments (extended recreation of Yamaha DX7 sound engine)
- Sytrus in FL Studio
- Operator synth, part of Ableton Live
- EFM1, part of Logic Pro (Mac only)
- Thor and Subtractor synths in Reason have FM components
- Thor FM tutorial part 1 and part 2 on Propellerheads' website
- Oxe softsynth (Windows/MacOS/Linux) is an FM-based softsynth [freeware]
- Crystal Synth by Green Oak has FM features [freeware]
- Crystal Synth by Green Oak for mobile has FM features (inexpensive)
- All of the software below in Alternative and Non-Commercial Softsynths
Physical Modeling Synths
- AAS Chromaphone
- AAS Strum GS
- Audio Modeling SWAM Engine Instruments
- Sculpture softsynth, part of Logic Pro
- All of the software below in Music Programming Applications
Granular Synthesis/Processing SoftSynths
There are few commercial softsynths that use actual granular synthesis though there are several that use a limited form of it. All of the synths listed in Music Programming Applications allow for various forms of granular synthesis.
- The Malström synth in Reason using a form of granular synthesis for the oscillators called "Graintable" synthesis
- The Granulator II Max for [Ableton] Live device
- The Granulizer 2 from Intertia Sound Systems
- The Straylight from Native Instruments
- The Ribs from Hvoya Audio
- The Emission Control granular synthesis app from Curtis Roads
- An extensive software list at granularsynthesis.com
Music Programming Applications
Some of this software requires a greater investment of time and energy in order to begin making music, but it's all incredibly powerful and most of it is free.
Boxes-and-Lines
- Max: a commercial product by Cycling74 that can be programmed at a very deep level by graphically connecting icons representing individual components. Any of the techniques discussed here can be realized in Max/MSP. Also does video processing using the Jitter add-ons. They have also created Max For Live that allows users of Abelton Live to program Max/MSP patches in the Live environment.
- PD (Pure Data): the open-source, free software discussed in the text was created by Miller Puckette and is similar to the audio side of Max (Puckette invented Max at IRCAM in the 1980s). A very useful tutorial is available at pd-tutorial.com.
- Reaktor: a commercial product by Native Instruments that can be programmed at a very deep level by graphically connecting icons representing individual components. Many of the techniques discussed here can be realized in Reaktor. Also comes with substantial "pre built" library and can be used as a plug-in for sequencer host such as Logic, Live, Pro Tools, etc.
Text-based
- Csound: the open-source, free text-based software synthesis language discussed in the book was created by Barry Vercoe at MIT in the 1980s. Any of the techniques in this chapter can be realized in Csound. The CsoundQT "front end" to Csound is very useful and there are a variety of examples and tutorials available at csounds.com.
- SuperCollider: open-source, free text-based software synthesis lanaguage created by James McCartney. A useful guide is A Gentle Introduction to SuperCollider by Bruno Ruviaro
- ChucK: a free, real-time text-based software synthesis lanaguage created by Ge Wang.
Performance Apps
- TouchOSC: by Hexler is an app for creating custom control interfaces for DAWs, softsynths, etc.
- FaceOSC: a free program that tracks the movement of facial features and outputs values via OSC for use by DAWs and Softsynths
- OSCulator: a MacOS app that maps incoming OSC messages to MIDI messages that can be understood by DAWs and Software Instruments
- Samplr: an iOS app that provides unique multi-touch controls for sample playback
- TC-11 synth: an iOS app from BitShape Software that provides unique multi-touch controls for its built-in synthesizer. They also make a control-only app with the same unique performance interface TC-Data synth
Software Samplers
Freeware Samplers
- Vienna Symphonic Library Free Instruments
- Independence by Magix
- Poise and Grace sampler software from One Small Clue
- TX16Wx
Soundfile Resources
- University of Iowa Musical Instrument Samples: though this is not a finished sample library (keymapped, etc.), it is a great resource for experimenting with creating your own libraries from raw recorded materials
- Other free sample files can be found on the Audio: Suggested Actvities page
Software Samplers
- Sampler, part of Logic Pro, by Apple Computer
- Halion by Steinberg
- Kontakt by Native Instruments; Kontakt Player is a free player that can load third party sample libraries
- MachFive by MOTU
- NN-XT, part of Reason
- SampleTank by IK Multimedia
A Few Sample Library Companies (there are many)
- Vienna Symphonic Library
- Big Fish Audio: wide variety of commerical sample libraries
- Cycles by Cycling74: specialty sample libraries by the makers of Max/MSP
- East-West Samples: wide variety of commerical sample libraries
- Garritan Libraries: wide variety of commerical sample libraries
- Ilio: wide variety of commerical sample libraries