Wednesday, April 28, 2021

SOUNDWARE DEMO VIDEO: Video Added For Zampler Flute Patches.

 



I've added a short demo video to the Youtube channel for the 'Project Zompler' flute patches for Zampler, alongside some general information on 'Project Zompler'. 

The main page and download information for the flute samples and patches can be found here:

Sunday, April 25, 2021

PROJECT ZOMPLER: FREE Flute Sounds for Beat.de Zampler (Free VST Sample Player/Synth.)

 



Project Zompler is my FREE soundware collection for Beat.de / Synapse Audio's Zampler. Zampler is a free VST sample playback instrument/synth which you can download here:


Project Zompler aims to equip Zampler with a full set of ready to play acoustic sounds and patches, making it ideal for use with free DAWs such as Soundbridge to provide a full set of everyday acoustic sounds. An 'essentials' collection if you like. 

Previous to this flute collection, I've developed sets of pianos/electric pianos, basses, solo and ensemble strings, and acoustic guitars.

This flute set consists of eight flute patches, and I think they sound pretty good.
The eight patches have different filter and effects assignments, but are based on the same basic samples. 

Technical Note: The samples here are quite long, but there does seem to be an issue sometimes when converting these soundfonts from one type to another (necessary for use in Zampler) in that they 'retrigger' at the end of the sample. In this case it's not a major issue as the sample are probably about as long as the typical flautist might reasonably be expected to hold a note, but thought I'd mention it just in case you think there might be an issue with your patches, your Zampler VST or your DAW. 

I've put together a quick demo video. 




Download Link:

Download your free Zampler patches using the following link. Just download the whole folder to your hard drive (the folder contains the patches and the raw samples) then load them into Zampler using the 'load patch' function. 



Why not follow my Facebook Page for loads more free samples, synth patches, VST instruments, technical information, news, cover versions, and some original music. 

Total number of Zompler patches now stands at 48.

Disclaimer:

The information contained within this blog post is offered on an informal basis and is correct to the best of my knowledge. I accept no responsibility for outcomes arising from the mis/interpretation or use of this information and/or associated download files. Always download files via security/scanning software.




Saturday, April 24, 2021

TECHNICAL: Using Soundfonts in BitWig

 




One of the things I often try when checking out a new DAW (digital audio workstation) is to see if there's an instrument available within the software that will allow the loading of soundfonts (sf2, sf3, or sfz) format sound files. 

And so it was with the latest version of BitWig. 

Whilst taking a look at the latest (3.3) version, I discovered that BitWig's imaginatively named 'Sampler' instrument was happy to load soundfonts from a collection I have. 
Strange thing is, manufacturers rrely seem to mention this capability in their literature or manuals. I could find no mention of it in BitWigs literature. A similar situation with Presonus Studio One when I discovered that their Presence instrument had the same ability, although the process on that occasion was not as reliable. 

Soundfont files (as with most sample based sounds) tend to be realworld recreations. Pianos, guitars, basses, strings, violins, those kind of things. I don't think it's unfair to say that BitWig is probably more aimed at the experimental/electronic side of things, so it maybe that people might say that there's a kind of 'creative mismatch' here. But hey, people may us a single DAW for different kinds of projects, or use it as a professional tool for creating many different types of music. So I think 'Sampler's' ability to load and reproduce soundfonts is a useful feature. 

The process is pretty straightforward. Open your Bitwig project and set up a track with the 'Sampler' instrument. Using BitWig's browser on the right hand side, locate the folder with your soundfonts and click. The list of soundfonts then becomes available in the lower section of the browser. Simply select the soundfont you require and drag it into the lower section of th escreen where the Sampler instrument resides. The hey......you should be able to play and hear your soundfont file. 

The soundfont standard is still a great way of distributing sampled instruments for a number of different instruments and platforms and are a great source for those 'everyday' real instruments we use all the time. 

Free soundfont files are available from a number of sources. Here are some of the more popular sites for them:





Disclaimer:

The information contained within this blog post is offered on an informal basis and is correct to the best of my knowledge. I accept no responsibility for outcomes arising from the mis/interpretation or use of this information and/or associated download files. Always download files via security/scanning software. 

Thursday, April 8, 2021

COVER VERSIONS/BACKING TRACKS: Crazy

 Another backing track for singers and vocalists. 

This time around it's 'Crazy'. This one is based loosely on the Alanis Morissette version with lots of heavy/stacked synthesizer arpeggios, a funked up electric bass line, and gospel organ. Still instantly recognisable, just add some vocals and maybe some 'wakawaka' guitar and you've got a really powerful danceable track to add to your set.

Here's the version with an instrumental 'vocal/topline', if you would like the 'pure' backing track version then please contact me via the details at the bottom of the page.





If you're a gigging solo or duo vocalist then you really should follow/like my Facebook Page for more backing track news and to get one free backing track every month. 


Feel free to contact me if you need any custom backing tracks or programming. 

Thanks for looking/listening. 

Email: simonthompsonmusic@outlook.com
Telephone: 07802 640373.


FREE BACKING TRACK. APRIL 2021: Higher Love.

This month's free backing track is an electronic version of Steve Winwood's Higher Love. Loosely based on the recent Whitney Houston/Kygo version but not really designed to be a 'carbon copy'. 
So why not add an exciting and original track to your live set or streaming channel and download from my hearthis channel. 
This version has an extended 'instrumental drop section' as an audience clap-along/sing-along section. 

As usual, I've posted two versions, one with an instrumental 'vocal/topline' so you know where the vocal lines and verses/choruses, etc are, and one is the 'pure' backing track without this. 

Both versions have download enabled so just click the little button with the down-pointing arrow to download to your device. 

Here's the version with the synth/vocal 'topline'. 




And you can play or download the 'pure' backing track version here.



Free versions are MP3 quality. If you'd like a high resolution .wav version then let me know. Contact details are at the bottom of the page.

If you like this then why not follow me at my Facebook Page for more backing track news and a free track every month. 

Contact me if you require any custom backing tracks or programming. 

Thanks for looking/listening!

email: simonthompsonmusic@outlook.com
Telephone: 07802 640373.