Results for open source

Nucleus SoundLab has announced the release of the Open Source Drumkit, a truly public domain drum sample library created by Real Music Media.

The kit contains a kick, snare, hihat, ride, crash, 3 toms and a gong. Nucleus SoundLab has brought this kit to the Propellerhead Reason 5 ReFill format, of course as a 100% free product.

The Open Source Drumkit is heavily velocity-layered, with upwards of 20 layers on many of the kit elements. Of course, we’ve mapped these kits in Kong, for ease of use and great sound quality. Additionally, the OSDK has been sampled with a dry, unprocessed feel which is great for using Reason’s excellent effects to produce your own unique kit. We’ve also got some patches to get you started with unique kits, since the OSDK ReFill includes some incredible customized Combinator kits by Lewis Osborne. Additionally, there is a template kit with all the samples mapped – meant as a great starting point for your own patches.

Open Source Drumkit ReFill features

• 300+mb of raw 24-bit 44khz drum samples (compressed to ~150mb inside the ReFill).
• 755 wav files.
• 22 Custom Combinators by Lewis Osborne.

Note: This ReFill requires Reason 5+ in order to use the Combinator patches. Older versions of Reason can still load up the samples in NN-XT/19/Redrum.

The Open Source Drumkit is available to download at no cost by signing up for the Nucleus SoundLab newsletter.

More information: Nucleus SoundLab / Open Source Drumkit ReFill

Partikkel Audio has released the Hadron Particle Synthesizer, a free granular synthesis tool.

Partikkel Audio Hadron Particle Synthesizer

It can be used as a synthesizer or an audio effect. It can also seamlessly morph between different sound processing methods, so you can take the plugin gradually from being a synthesizer to an audio effect for live input. This self-modifying morph behavior might give you an idea of exactly how different this plugin is.

Its synthesis and processing engine is extremely versatile. In fact Hadron is such a complete implementation of granular synthesis we’ve renamed the technique to particle synthesis. Once you come to terms with the operating concepts of Hadron, vast new territories of sound transformation opens up.

Hadron is available as a free download (open source) for Windows and Mac, currently in Max For Live format, and as a Csound orchestra. A VST version can be expected during 2011.

Partikkel Audio has also released Time Dilation Effects, an expansion pack for Hadron consisting of reverbs, time freezing effects, pitched delays and more.

This expansion pack contains a number of hadron state and preset files. The focus of this pack is on using Hadron as an effects processor for live audio input, expanding the number of effects available.

The states in the expansion may easily be combined with previously installed Hadron states. Even though the states have been specifically designed for use as audio effects, the user is encouraged to experiment combining them with states designed for other purposes (e.g. synth states), as this kind of combinatorial abuse may reveal unexpected and unheard sounds.

The Time Dilation Effects expansion pack is available to purchase for 29 EUR.

More information: Partikkel Audio

Sonic Visualiser, an application for viewing and analysing the contents of music audio files, was recently updated to version 1.8.

The aim of Sonic Visualiser is to be the first program you reach for when want to study a musical recording rather than simply listen to it.

Changes in Sonic Visualiser v1.8

• Sonic Visualiser now registers as a file type handler on OS/X, providing better integration with the desktop generally (Dan Stowell).
• There is a new function to toggle all Time Rulers at once (key #).
• The CSV import dialog has been overhauled, allowing more flexible selection of purpose for each column.
• Text overlays are now easier to read on dark backgrounds.
• Hidden layers are now ignored when exporting an image (Dan Stowell).
• A crash when starting a new session or exiting the application after loading a session with saved alignment data has been fixed.
• The duplication of right-button menu functions when multiple files were loaded has been fixed.
• The layer-add menu functions now have shortcuts (Dan Stowell).
• The codebase has been reorganised into libraries and a configure step added. It should be easier to build and maintain on OS/X and Linux than previously, although it won’t make much difference on Windows.
• A Czech translation is now included (thanks to Pavel Fric).

Sonic Visualiser is distributed under the GNU General Public License (v2 or later) and available for Linux, OS/X, and Windows.

More information: Sonic Visualiser

Martin Zuther has released version 1.22 of K-Meter, a free software tool for metering and monitoring audio levels.

Implementation of a K-System meter according to Bob Katz’ specifications.

All meters and counters have been thoroughly validated. So far, K-Meter only supports mono and stereo signals, but I have added experimental support for surround sound. I’d love to get some feedback on this.

The K-System average meters register RMS only, but support of ITU BS.1770-1 loudness weighting is planned.

Changes in K-Meter v1.22

• Windows: run-time dynamic linking to FFTW, releases include FFTW DLL.
• Windows: stand-alone application (ASIO, DirectX).
• Manual with full documentation.
• Another complete re-validation of K-Meter.
• Validation is now possible directly from within K-Meter.
• Wave files and instructions for validation of peak meter, overflow counter, phase correlation meter and stereo meter; corresponding fixes.
• Experimental support for 5.1 surround sound.
• Changed overflow detection.
• Notify host of plug-in latency.
• Silenced output for unsupported sample rates.
• Fixed a few memory leaks and some minor bugs.
• Streamlined code and started commenting the code.
• Beautified meters.

K-Meter is available as a freeware effect released under the GPL license. Linux and Windows VST plugin versions are available to download, as well as a standalone version for Linux and the source code.

More information: Martin Zuther

Andyware has announced that Analog Box 2 is now available as open source software.

Analog Box is an open-source, circuit based, modular software synthesizer. You put sound objects on the screen, connect them together, listen and adjust. When you find something you like, you can record it to a wav file, or just save the circuit and play it again later.

ABox is somewhat like the vintage synth’s of the ’70′s in that there are separate modules with lots of patch cords, knobs, buttons and displays. But you also get the computational ability offered by modern CPU’s. Features like FFTs, Differentials and Digital Control open up realms of sound design never dreamt of before. With the advanced capabilities offered by VSTi, USB/HID, MIDI and Directshow you could conceivably play your favorite video soundtrack through a plugin adjusted by a glove controller.

Analog Box 2 is available under the GNU GPL v3 license.

More information: Analog Box

The Mixxx development team has announced the release of Mixxx 1.9.0, an open source DJ software for Windows, Mac & Linux.

The Mixxx 1.9.0 adds several major new features including Shoutcast support, direct deck outputs for external mixers, and ReplayGain normalization. We’ve also added many enhancements to the library, a revamped default skin, and more!

Mixxx features

• Advanced database-powered library.
• iTunes library access.
• Support for over a dozen DJ MIDI controllers.
• Precision pitch/speed adjust, crossfader, channel faders, and high fidelity DJ equalizers.
• BPM detection with auto sync.
• Headphone cueing with any external USB soundcard.
• Key-lock for adjusting the speed without changing the pitch.
• ReplayGain volume normalization.
• Supports MP3, FLAC, OGG, M4A, and WAV playback.
• Crates and playlists.
• Simple automixing.
• Shoutcast and Icecast broadcasting.

Mixxx is available as a free (open source) download for Windows, Mac and Linux.

More information: Mixxx