Software Instruments for your Home Music Recording Studio

FXpansion BFD Drum Instrument
Complete software instrument package Native Instruments Komplete 3
Software symphony orchestra The Miroslav Philharmonik
Propellerhead Reason Instruments and Sequencer Program

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Software instruments are increasing in popularity as computers increase in power. What they are is in fact programs that send sounds to your sound card to play the music you program and record. In the past, software instruments were mediocre at best, as processing speeds and file sizes were pushing the machinery to the limit. It was easier to send MIDI data to a hardware instrument, keyboard or sound module. Now, realistic audio samples are accessible in software that were once the province of high budget recording studios.

There are a number of types of software instruments. The one most sound cards have is a simple set of sounds that are mapped accoring to the general MIDI system (i.e. channel 1 is an acoustic piano, 2 is a bright piano, etc..). Independent software sound sets are available of a higher quality, depending on budget.

Going one step further, there are software synthesizers. These are programs that not only have their set of sounds, but allow you to edit, tweak, and even create your own. Closely related are software samplers, where you can record an acoustic sound and create a software instrument from it.

Similar to software sound sets are what are called VST instruments. These are plug ins that are used with multitrack sequencer software. They come as .dll files which are put into a folder - as determined by the sequencer software - and show up in the program as possible outputs for the midi tracks. Unlike the above programs, VST instruments do not require installation as such, only placement in the VST instruments folder of whichever program you use that is compatible with them.

And then there's Reason. This is a combination player, sampler, synthesizer and sound bank all rolled into one. The other types of software instruments cannot play themselves. They need a sequencer to do it. Reason, and all reasonable facsimilies, can play MIDI files in whichever internal sound you choose. Becuase it's all under one roof, so to speak, it's quite popular. It can also be used as a simple software instrument, like the others, that can be played from a sequencer such as Cubase. That is accomplished by a technology called ReWire, which makes that connection.

There's a lot to choose from, so keep your focus on getting the best sounds that you can work with in your set up. Enjoy.

Software Drum Kit

FXpansion BFD Drum Instrument

BFD gives you your own drum studio, with complete control of 7 real drum kits plus additional hats, snares and cymbals. Every drum is recorded from eleven different mics positioned around the kit and room so you can mix your drums by blending the mic sources just like in a real studio. BFD's high quality drum sample library has an unparalleled degree of realism. For each type of drum type in each kit, there are a number of different styles of " hits" . Each of these " hits" is sampled at up to 46 velocity layers, resulting in drum parts of superior detail and expressiveness.

BFD was recorded in the drum room at a top Californian recording studio by professional engineer Steve Duda (NIN, Pitchshifter, A Perfect Circle) using over $50,000 worth of microphones from Neumann, Sennheiser, AKG and others. The drums used range from the 1920s to 2002, and include both classics and rarities.

Not only useful as a sound source for your own drum programming, BFD also incorporates a comprehensive library of ready-to-use MIDI Grooves with different styles, feels and time signatures. The library features both programmed grooves and MIDI recordings of real drummers, including top UK session drummer Chris Dagley (Jamiroquai, Lalo Schifrin, Ella Fitzgerald, Eric Clapton, Chaka Khan).

The advanced, integrated Groove Librarian allows you to drag and drop the included grooves or import your own MIDI grooves. You can then trigger them in realtime from a keyboard or let the BFD freestyle with the auto-shuffle and auto-fill features.

BFD's humanization functions inject that elusive 'soul' into your drum parts. The integrated swing controls make it easy to tighten or relax the vibe as much as required. On top of this, the sound of the Groove can be further humanized through the controlled randomization of velocity and timing.

BFD is perfectly suited to rock, jazz, funk, country, hip-hop, blues, drum & bass. In fact, anything that may require a real drumkit, from auto-accompaniment, traditional song-writing and recording, to newer techniques such as creating original drum breaks.

FXpansion BFD Drum Instrument

Complete software instrument package

Native Instruments Komplete 3

Appx. $1300

The ultimate software bundle for musicians and producers.

Contains Reaktor 5, Absynth 3, Guitar Rig 2, Kontakt 2, Battery 2, Elektrik Piano, Intakt, Kompakt, B4 II, FM7, Pro-53, Vokator, and NI-Spektral Delay... a mind-boggling collection of ground-breaking synthesizers, samplers, emulations, effects, and a virtual guitar studio.

Reaktor 5 is an incredibly powerful modular sound design studio that offers more than 20 unique synthesizers, soundscapers, samplers, sample transformers, drum machines, and effects, plus a collection of more than 30 classic Reaktor instruments. Exclusive access to more than 2000 additional instruments in the NI Online User Library ensure you'll find what you're looking for. In addition, Reaktor 5 allows users to edit the instruments or design and construct their own sound tools.
Absynth 3 is a semi-modular synthesizer with multiple synthesis techniques, sophisticated surround sound features, live input, extremely high-performance envelope control, and breathtaking sound spectrum.
Guitar Rig 2 is powerful software for guitarists and bass players that includes perfect emulations of the most popular amps, cabinets, mics and effects plus loads of special features such as loop machine, tapedecks, modifiers and 500 presets/setups.
Kontakt 2 lets you explore a whole new world of sampling combined with unprecedented convenience and flexibility. Kontakt 2 incorporates five different sampler modes, ranging from classic sample playback to real-time pitch shifting, time-stretching, and precise drum loop slicing.
Battery 2 is the ultimate drum sampler for creating and fine-tuning all of the percussive elements in any production. With a streamlined design for fast and intuitive control, generate perfect drums and percussion every time.
Elektrik Piano unites the four most beloved E-pianos of all time into one high-performance software instrument, which reproduces in exacting detail the sounds of the Fender Rhodes MK ITM and MK IITM, Hohner Clavinet E7TM, and the Wurlitzer A 200TM.
Intakt is a state-of-the-art sampler specifically designed for rhythmic loop playback, manipulation, and mayhem. Intakt's convenient one-screen interface features tremendous sound shaping abilities without disrupting the creative flow. Using multiple algorithms, Intakt automatically syncs to tempo, while an outstanding library of loops from Zero-G and East West provides sample source material for nearly any musical style.
Kompakt is a streamlined sampler that ships with a comprehensive library and can import the most common sample formats. Powered by the efficient Kontakt engine, Kompakt combines intuitive handling and a capable architecture with excellent sound quality. The vast factory library contains more than 200 instruments from the outstanding East West and Zero-G libraries, covering everything from acoustic and electric basses to synths, drums, percussion, guitars, loops, strings, organs, pads, effects, pianos, keys, vocals, woodwinds, and brass to exotic instruments.
B4 II is the perfect emulation of the most legendary organ ever with all the functions of the original, including the rotating speaker cabinet. Plus new features such as a tube amp and additional cabinets as well as the Vintage Tonewheel Collection.
The FM7 takes the legendary sound of FM synthesis to a new level. Not only does the FM7 read the complete sound library from the classic FM synths, but it goes far beyond emulation. It adds distortion and filter operators, extensive modulation capabilities, a comprehensive effects section, audio input and much more to the traditional FM architecture.
The PRO-53 carries on the tradition from the legendary days of vintage cult synthesizers.
Powered by an extremely high-resolution FFT spectral engine, Vokator defines a new standard for vocoding transparency, detail, and smoothness. In addition to an exceptional vocoder, Vokator boasts a sophisticated synthesizer and a granular sampler: a virtual sound-fusion laboratory.
The NI-Spektral Delay differs from the many other audio effects in that it uses real-time FFT (Fast Fourier Transformation) to split each channel of a stereo signal into as many as 160 separately modifiable frequency bands (even up to 1024 bands internally). The level, delay time and feedback amount for each of this bands can be set separately.

Native Instruments Komplete 3

Software Symphony Orchestra Instruments

IK Multimedia Miroslav Philharmonik Orchestra Workstation

Appx. $500

A legendary orchestra at your fingertips.

Miroslav orchestral and choir samples are some of the most playable and inspiring sounds ever produced for symphonic arrangements and composition. They've set the atmosphere of hundreds of movies and productions and have become the tool of choice for many Oscar winning composers. Contains some of the most beautiful and lush sounding orchestral samples ever recorded. Never before has so much feeling and emotion been captured in orchestral sampling. Miroslav was able to bring out the rich character of symphonic music with a special sound that is unique and powerfully expressive.

For incredible acoustic realism, the string, brass and woodwind sections have been captured in the proper acoustic orchestral positions in one of the most famous symphony halls in the world, the Dvorak Symphony Hall in Prague. No need for simulation with panning, just call up the elements of the orchestra and instantly sound like a symphony. These sounds have a texture, warmth, and beauty that is unique in the sample world.

The Miroslav Philharmonik's plug-in is based on an enhanced version of the SampleTank workstation architecture, offering 16 multitimbral parts, with full control over the tempo and pitch of the sounds. Each of the 16 multitimbral parts can be loaded by selecting one of more than 1,300 orchestral instruments included in Philharmonik. All of the instruments can be easily found in neatly organized folders within the browser window.

Miroslav Philarmonik's multitimbral parts can also be saved as combi ensembles, allowing you to load an entire orchestral set with one click. Additionally, each part also offers up to 50 sound shaping controls, for maximum flexibility over sound sculpture.

Miroslav Philharmonik also offers a master effects section with individual parts' send capability. These can also be selected among the 20 built-in effects. Another unique Miroslav Philharmonik feature is the inclusion of a high-quality master reverb in its list of 20 effects, with an easy-to-use version of IK's new CSR, Classik Studio Reverb.

Miroslav Philharmonik also includes other features that have made SampleTank the industry-standard sound workstation, including a search function, full MIDI controls of the parameters, zone editing, multiple outputs, and more.

IK Multimedia Miroslav Philharmonik Orchestra Workstation Features:

16-part multitimbral sample-based orchestral workstation
20 Classic DSP effects
4 insert effects per instrument
4 Master effects with separate sends
Hi-quality master reverb derived from CSR
Multiple synth engines including STRETCH and Pitch-Shift/Time-Stretch
Mix view allows full mix parameter control
Classical music-oriented parameter names make it easy to use
Zone feature for accurate single sample editing
Full MIDI control of performance parameters
Part preset and combi preset customization features
256 notes polyphony
Can be used as a VST, RTAS, DXi, AU plug-in for Mac OSX and Windows

IK Multimedia Miroslav Philharmonik Orchestra Workstation

Propellerhead Reason

Propellerhead Reason 3.0 Suite

New Reason 3.0 gives you one-step loading of complex, customizable instruments and effect setups, a new instrument-packed soundbank, instant integration with MIDI keyboards and controllers, a new intuitive file browser, plus a suite of mastering tools. For a pleasurable, performance-friendly Reason experience.

New in Reason 3.0

The Combinator

It's not an effect unit. It's not a synth. It sure isn't a sampler. It's... all of it. And more. The all new Combinator is a sophisticated device that allows you to build elaborate chains of Reason units - instruments, effects, pattern sequencers, you name it - and save as Combi patches.

The MClass Mastering Suite

Want big, tight, loud sounding tracks? Need extra stereo width, increased clarity, punchier bass? Say hello to MClass, the new mastering suite in Reason 3.0. MClass brings you four separate pro level mastering units designed to add power, presence and an overall professional feel to your Reason mixes.

Play your Reason System

Play your Reason system! Coupled with the Combinator, the new features in Reason 3.0 - a fresh sound library, an enhanced browser and the new Remote protocol - turns your rack into a very livefriendly, very playable instrument.

Remote

For those of you with a more hands-on approach to making music, the revolutionary Remote technology in Reason 3.0 will be a welcome new feature. True hardware integration!

3.0 Browser

With the Reason 3.0 browser, the task of finding and loading sounds and patches becomes just as smooth and intuitive as the process of making good music in Reason.

3.0 Soundbank

Reason's sound palette is getting bigger, better, wider and wilder. The new sound bank in Reason 3.0 adds huge quantities of instruments, sounds and patches to Reason's already massive library. Focusing on carefully sampled musical instruments and useful Combinator setups rather than loops and beats, the new soundbank takes a more playable, more performance-friendly direction.

Line Mixer 6:2

Line mixing, Combi mixing or regular submixing? Leave it to Line Mixer 6:2

Line Mixer 6:2 is a simple but effective 6-channel stereo line mixer. Built primarily for use in the Combinator, the Line Mixer 6:2 handles basic mixing and panning of Combi devices, but can of course be inserted anywhere in Reason: use it for submixing large drum kits, or to add extra mixer channels when Reason's main mixer is starting to fill up. Each of the six channels feature level and pan controls, mute and solo buttons plus an AUX send level control. Need more sends? Extra channels? Just create another Line Mixer.