We're currently living in the age of digital audio. Generator is an incredibly powerful tool that is essential to any music producer.

But there are so many different Generator plugins in the music production landscape, so we decided to create the ultimate list of the top Generator plugins today that will help you find the perfect fit.


Metrum

Generator by Vengeance Sound



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Description


Important Note: You must have an eLicencer dongle to use Vengeance Sound products.

A kick is like a person's first impression: it can elevate your track to a highly tempting tune. However, designing the perfect kick requires quite some skills - which is why Vengeance Sound assembled all their experience in this little, powerful tool: the Metrum kick synthesiser. Full control over the top, middle and bottom part of a kick including the final, perfect compression and so much more delivers all your needs to your fingertips. Kick it!

Features

  • VST / PC & Intel Mac VST / AU & RTAS/AAX - runs in all compatible hosts
  • 330 Kick Drum Presets / over 1800 Attack Samples / over 150 Sine Oscillator Presets
  • Ability to integrate own WAV samples (via drag and drop or internal browser)
  • Realtime & smooth graphic envelopes, showing exactly what you do
  • Flexible pitch & velocity routings / play tonal kicks!
  • Huge mod matrix with every parameter of Metrum usable
  • Every presets comes with assigned modwheel and 3 GUI controls
  • Expand your kick library with Metrum Expansions
  • 6 high quality effects built in / 2 filters for every layer / 3 drive distortion models
  • 2 band parametric Equalizer
  • Randomizer function - a lot of fun!
  • All of Metrums parameters are automatable (host)
  • Output limiter (you can turn it off if you want)
  • 100% timing accurate

Our Installer Contains

  • 32Bit & 64Bit versions
  • VST2 and VST3 versions
  • AU version
  • AAX version



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Rating


Value For Money

Sound Quality

General Ease of Use

Number of Presets


Windows:

  • Pentium III 800Mhz
  • 2GB RAM
  • Windows Vista/Win7/Win8
  • VST 2.4 compliant host
  • eLicenser USB dongle

Mac:

  • IntelMac 1.5Ghz
  • 2GB RAM
  • Mac OSX 10.8
  • VST 2.4 or AU compliant host
  • No Power Mac supported
  • eLicenser USB dongle

Important Notes:

  • This product requires a Syncrosoft / eLicenser USB dongle
  • An eLicenser USB dongle is not included when purchasing this product and this needs to be bought separately!

OS Compatibility



Modular Add-On: Buchla 259e Twisted Waveform Generator

Generator by Softube



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Description


This product is an expansion for Softube Modular. If you do not currently own Modular, you can purchase it HERE.

How twisted can things get? With Buchla 259e, the answer is—pretty twisted! This coveted dual oscillator module is the first-ever officially licensed plug-in version of a Buchla product. While the unit can be used for traditional synth patches, its unusual inner workings makes Buchla 259e excel at metallic, cold, harsh, digital and screeching sounds. Buchla 259e is an add-on module for use with Modular.

The Buchla 259e Twisted Waveform Generator plug-in for Modular features all the digital waveshaping, aliasing noise and foldover frequencies of the original hardware. Enjoy the self-modifying, screeching, snarling responses from the original’s downright odd inner workings. The 259e is a unique addition to the Modular ecosystem.

What Is a Twisted Waveform Generator Anyways? 

The 259e consists of two separate oscillators—Principal and Modulation—where Modulation can be used either to modulate the Principal oscillator or as a separate generator of audible notes. Furthermore, the sine wave generated by the Principal oscillator is simultaneously applied to two of the eight available waveshape tables. A morph voltage pans between the two tables and a warp voltage varies the amplitude of the sinusoidal (driving) waveform. Both these functions can be modulated by the Modulation oscillator.

Here's Where it Gets Really Twisted 

Three of the waveshape tables are actually not tables in the classical sense—they are simply portions of the 259e operating program, full of unpredictable noise and frequent silences. This is the innovative Mem Skew mode, possibly the most unique feature of the Buchla 259e. When these tables are selected, the FM controls are re-assigned to table scanning functions and the FM inputs become table modulators.

To sum it up, while the Buchla 259e can certainly be used for more traditional sounds, it excels at creating otherworldly twisted digital sonic landscapes. Which is why it is one of the most coveted synth modules on the market.




Features

  • Unique and desirable oscillator
  • Perfect for screeching, harsh and digital sounds
  • Can also be tamed to sound quite smooth and organic. Can morph smoothly between these softer sounds and the more in-your-face sounds
  • The digital parts are ported from the hardware line by line, the wavetables byte by byte, and the analog parts are modeled component by component
  • The first-ever officially licensed Buchla plug-in
  • Requires Modular

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Rating


Value For Money

Sound Quality

General Ease of Use

Number of Presets


  • Mac OS X 10.13 or newer (older OS versions will not work) (64-bit only).
  • Windows 10 64-bit (older Windows versions may work but are not tested) (64-bit only).
  • Mac: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon - M1 support pending.
  • Windows: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon / AMD Quad-Core or newer.
  • Screen resolution 1280x800 or larger.
  • Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo.
  • 8 GB RAM or more is recommended, as well as at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation (individual plug-ins take less space, while sample libraries may require additional disk space).
  • A Softube account is required to register and install the software.
  • An iLok account is required for authorisation of the software.
  • Internet access for downloading installer and managing licenses.
  • iLok generation 2 and up, if you intend to use a physical iLok dongle for authorizing your plug-ins (note that an iLok dongle is not a requirement).
  • In theory, any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work.
  • The most recent maintenance release of the DAW application is recommended.

However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs - and Softube's own rigorous testing standards - Softube only officially test their plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, Studio One, Digital Performer, Reaper and Sonar. Softube plugins are not tested in the non-listed systems, but they most likely work as long as the system requirements are met.

  • Softube Modular is required to run this software.
  • Make sure that you always use the latest iLok License Manager. It is not included in the Softube installer but can be downloaded from www.ilok.com​

OS Compatibility



PunchBOX

Generator by D16 Group



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Description


The Best Choice for Designing Top-Quality & Dancefloor-Crushing Kicks

PunchBOX is a virtual instrument designed for creating high-quality kick drum sounds. It comes with a vast, exquisite library of presets & sounds created by industry-standard sound designers Sounds of Revolution and CFA-Sound to get you started in no time.

A Sampling & Synthesis Handshake

PunchBox is the best of both worlds: expressive synthesized sounds fused with the richness and complexity of real samples bring you top-notch, unheard-of kick sounds that set themselves apart. Each included sample is its own little masterpiece, crafted with professional experience using top-shelf instruments through the best vintage studio analog gear. The kick sound synthesizers, originating from D16 highly acclaimed emulations of the classic Roland drum machines, were taken to the next level and customized to perfectly fit the purpose of PunchBox.

At the heart of PunchBox is four sound generators, each a key component of your final kick sound. Factory settings were created as a jumping-off point to get started in a unique, intuitive and inspiring way.

Vast Factory Library of Quality Content

Sounds of Revolution and CFA-Sound prepared an arsenal of 1100 samples and 800 presets covering the gamut of virtually all contemporary subgenres of electronic music. It's never been easier to keep up with & trailblaze your own music production trends while maintaining a high-quality standard. Organized using the reknowned D16 tagging system, browsing for that perfect sound is as smooth as a 60hz sine wave.

You'll Get a Kick Outta This FX Rack

Fulfilling the demanding needs of producers when it comes to taking a kick sound to the next level quickly drove the PunchBOX dev team to create an effect rack with unsurpassed versatility. Reordering modules by simple drag'n'drop? Wet/dry knobs and selectable Mixdown After option? Independent sends from any sound generator to any effect? Instantly render your final kick sound as a drag & drop audio file? Done.

Intuitive & inspiring workflow

The PunchBox dev team worked hard to offer you an interface that knows what you want. You'll immediately see how simple it is to just activate/deactivate/level the building blocks of your signature kick sound – with a couple mouse clicks, knob turns and level changes. Creative juices not flowing today? No problem, just browse through the cleverly tagged presets or smash the Random button!

Features

Sound Source

Up to 4 generators, operating in parallel, activated/deactivated independently

  • Click - Sample-based, produces Kick accent
  • Tops - Sample-based, produces e.g. hi-hats, percussion and noise
  • Tools - Sample-based, produces almost full Kicks without sub
  • Kick - Sample-based or Synth-based, produces the Kick's body. 4 synthesis engines for Synth Mode to select from:
    • 909 Kick model
    • 808 Kick model
    • 606 Kick model
    • Sine wave based Kick model
  • Audio-to-Effect Send Per Generator
  • 1 voice of polyphony
  • Optional MIDI velocity sensitivity and pitch tracking

Built-In Effect Rack

  • 5 high-quality algorithms operating in series, may be independently turned on/off and reordered by drag 'n' drop
    • Equalizer
    • Bit Crusher
    • Distortion
    • Filter
    • Limiter
  • Controllable Connection Point in the Effect Chain for the Generators’ Direct Output (Mixdown After)

Samples and Presets

  • Vast factory content designed by CFA-Sound and Sounds of Revolution
    • 800 presets
    • 1100 samples
    • Suitably tagged
  • Tag-based Preset and Sample browsers
    • Preview option
    • User may import own samples
  • 7 preset categories (hierarchically ordered)
    • Global / Master presets
    • 909 Synth engine
    • 808 Synth engine
    • 606 Synth engine
    • Sine Synth engine
    • Bitcrusher Effect
    • Distortion Effect
  • MIDI Learn option
  • Flexible Randomizer
  • Direct Export function (export your final kick as WAV file)



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Value For Money

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General Ease of Use

Number of Presets


Windows

  • Windows 7, 8 and 10 (32 or 64-bit)
  • CPU - 2.0 GHz with SSE (Multicore system 2.4 GHz recommended)
  • RAM - 4 GB (8 GB Recommended)
  • Software - VST compatible host application (32 or 64-bit)

Mac

  • Mac OS X 10.7 - macOS 10.15 (32 or 64-bit) (The product isn't yet compatible with macOS 11 Big Sur or macOS 12 Monterey)
  • CPU - Intel-based 2.0 GHz (2.4 GHz recommended)
  • RAM - 4 GB (8 GB Recommended)
  • Software - AU / VST compatible host application (32 or 64-bit)

Please note: This is not a standalone program - a host application (DAW) is required to use it.

OS Compatibility



RAW-Kick

Generator by Rob Papen



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Description


RAW-Kick is a product developed in conjunction with DJ Free-K and DJ Promo. Based on the legendary RAW synthesizer, RAW-Kick includes neat features and focus specifically designed for today’s demanding producers!

RAW-Kick offers three individual layers to design and build up your Kick drum sound, which is a common method often used by producers. But now, instead of using three separate products, you can use this method within one product. Each layer offers two modes. You can select a dedicated kick synthesizer model or use a sample-based layer. The ‘Kick Model’ type offers some new and unique features, for instance, the RAW amount. You can also control the harmonics which can have a firm impact on the sound, especially in combination with the many included distortion FX on board. 

The ‘Sample’ type also has to offer some neat features like a multi-mode analogue modelled filter, two EQ sections and many FX algorithms with several types of distortion and other top-quality FX.

The Master section of RAW-Kick finishes it all off with an additional double EQ section and the MONO/STEREO FX to make your kick tight in its low end and wide in the mid/high range of the spectrum!

The Master section also offers you some neat control over all three layers at once, for speeding up your workflow creating the perfect RAW-Kick!

Industrial Strength Samples have created an Expansion for Raw-Kick which can be found on Loopmasters.

Now NKS Compatible!



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Value For Money

Sound Quality

General Ease of Use

Number of Presets


PC

  • Windows 7/ Windows 8/ Windows 10 (32 & 64 bits)

Formats:

  • VST
  • AAX (Note: PC AAX for PT 12 or higher)
  • Compatible with NI NKS system

Mac

  • OS-X 10.9 - 10.15 (64 bits only)

Formats:

  • AU
  • VST
  • AAX
  • Compatible with NI NKS system

Notes:

  • Serial/licence system with activation whilst registering the product
  • 2nd serial for a secondary computer/laptop is available after you have registered the product’s original serial/license.

OS Compatibility



Quadrant

Generator by Glitchmachines



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Description


Quadrant is a Modular Sound Generator and Effects Processor Geared Towards Experimental Sound Design and Electronic Music Production

Quadrant’s open-ended graphical patching system and diverse set of modules give you access to a highly customizable processing environment capable of a broad range of effects. Quadrant’s intuitive workflow and vast sonic potential will inspire you to push the envelope, while its flexible architecture invites you to try imaginative new routing scenarios.

160 factory patches were specially designed to showcase Quadrant’s capabilities both as an effects processor and sound generator. To take things even further, put Quadrant in a processing chain along with any of our other software tools. Generate vivid electronic tones or process your drums, synths, sound effects and hardware to explore endless possibilities.


At the heart of Quadrant, you will find a selection of modules you can freely configure by populating up to 8 slots. Once populated with a module, a slot will give you access to up to 4 input and output nodes, which you can freely connect via Quadrant’s virtual patch cables. Nodes are configured to have the ability to send and receive multiple signals at once, making very complex modulation scenarios possible. Quadrant ships with 36 modules ranging from oscillators to effects to utility, with additional modules planned for future updates.

Quadrant’s unique workflow and interface will change the way you think about modulation and signal processing. The plugin makes it possible to set up completely self-generating patches, making it equally capable as a sound generator and effects processor. Our designers have crafted a variety of external and internally generated effects patches to show what the plugin is capable of. Quadrant also includes a large modular synthesizer sample pack comprised of more than 1500 samples.




Features

  • Fully Modular Hybrid Plugin
  • Signal Processor & Generator
  • 36 Flexible Modules
  • Open-Ended Signal Flow
  • Graphical Patching System
  • Real-time Signal Visualizers
  • 160 Factory Patches
  • 1500+ Modular Synth Samples

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Value For Money

Sound Quality

General Ease of Use

Number of Presets


Mac:

  • OS X 10.8 + (32 & 64-Bit / PPC not supported)
  • Approximately 1.5 GB of hard drive space
  • Minimum 2 GB RAM
  • Minimum recommended CPU: Core 2 Duo, 2GHz
  • CPU with SSE2 support
  • Broadband Internet connection required for product download
  • VST/AU host such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, etc.

Windows:

  • Windows 8 + (32 & 64-Bit)
  • Approximately 1.5 GB of hard drive space
  • Minimum 2 GB RAM
  • Minimum recommended CPU: Core 2 Duo, 2GHz
  • CPU with SSE2 support
  • Broadband Internet connection required for product download
  • VST host such as Ableton Live, etc.

OS Compatibility



Oscar

Generator by Digital Brain Instruments



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Description


Multi Oscillator & Noise Tool

Complex tone & noise generator for testing, analysing and audio related purposes.

Oscar is a standalone anti-aliased tone and noise generator with adjustable wave shape and noise type standalone software (64 Bits). It has been conceived for analysing and testing purposes or for any audio tone related purpose, as chladni patterns or binaural beats.

  • 3 oscillators with adjustable shape
  • Noise generator with adjustable noise type
  • Programmable frequency change
  • LFO with adjustable shape
  • One-click fixed frequency panels
  • Outputs routing to several soundcard outputs
  • Recording
  • Output routing to daw or audio editor. Rewire
  • Midi matrix. Control oscar via your midi device
  • Keyboard shortcuts



Features

  • Oscillators

  • 3 Oscillators 0Hz-20kHz
  • Sinus, Triangular, Raw and Square wave shapes.
  • Link Oscillators.
  • Automatic frequency change programs.
  • Set frequency dial audio range 0Hz to 20kHz for more accurate control.
  • Increase/decrease frequency tones using keys.
  • LFO with adjustable shape sinus,/triangular/raw/square on each oscillator.
  • Fixed frequency panel: chose up to 10 fixed frequencies to set in one-click.
  • Link fixed frequency panels.
  • Oscillator portamento between selected frequencies.
  • Noise Generator

  • Pink and white noise.
  • Set specific audio range.
  • Route oscillators and noise generator audio outputs to up to 6 soundcard outputs depending your needs.
  • WAV or AIFF files. Up to 192kHz / 32 Bits (depending your soundcard)
  • Preset Manager

  • Create your own presets. Store and recall the whole session data.
  • MIDI Matrix

  • Control Oscar via your midi device.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts

  • For better and faster user experience.

Video


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Value For Money

Sound Quality

General Ease of Use

Number of Presets


Mac

  • macOS 10.11.6 or later (Intel) (64-bit only)

  • macOS 11 or later (M1 Apple Silicon) (64-bit only)

  • Minimum 2 GB RAM

PC

  • Windows 8 or later (64-bit only)

  • Minimum 2 GB RAM

OS Compatibility



BigKick

Generator by Plugin Boutique



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Description


BigKick - Kick Drum Synthesiser

How many hours have you wasted searching through samples for the right kick? Or have you layered kick drums together and still not got the result you were after?

Do you want complete flexibility over the low end and attack of your kick?

The drums are the rhythm and groove of any track. And, the kick drum is the heartbeat of that groove. So you know how important it is to get the kick drum right in the mix. Big Kick was created with the sole intention of allowing you to achieve the results you have always wanted.

BigKick gets rid of the frustration and makes kick drum design easy and enjoyable. Download the demo now and discover how quickly you can get great professional results.

  • “As powerful a kick drum instrument as you’re likely to find” – Music Tech Magazine
  • “…the range of sounds it can produce is superb … for anyone involved in dance music it is a must …” – Sound On Sound review August 2014

Benefits:

  • Achieve great bottom-end: design a drum that fits perfectly with your bass
  • A quick and frustration-free solution: cut out hours of hunting through samples
  • Get more out of your existing kick drum sample collection
  • Start from scratch or use presets from D-Product, the Freemasons, Kris O'Neil and many more



Features

  • 64 crafted kick drum presets
  • 32 attack hits
  • 32 attack presets
  • Simply load in your presets with the new BigKick Preset Manager

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Value For Money

Sound Quality

General Ease of Use

Number of Presets


Mac

  • OS X 10.6 or later (M1 Apple Silicon compatible) (64-bit only)
  • VST 2.4, AU, AAX

Please Note: AAX Format requires Pro Tools 10.3.6 and later.

Windows

  • Windows XP SP3, Windows 7 and above (64-bit only)
  • VST 2.4, AAX

Please Note: AAX Format requires Pro Tools 10.3.6 and later.

Important Notes:

  • BigKick is compatible with most major DAWs and is available for both Mac and PC computers.
  • The plugin is 750 pixels high; as a result, may have minor issues in some sequencers on some netbooks or very low-resolution monitors.

OS Compatibility



Punch-BD

Generator by Rob Papen



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Description


For a limited time, receive PRISMA (instrument layering plugin) and RP-AMOD (multi-effect) plugins FREE!

Based around the BD module of the multi award winning Punch virtual drum synth, Rob Papen delivers a creative module to help you to produce the fattest sounding bass drums for your music.

Stacking bass drums is a popular technique used by today's music producers and Punch-BD gives you the ability to stack up to 6 in total. Divide the 6 BD pads over the keyboard or use them 'stacked' in tuned mode to produce creative new BD sounds for all styles of contemporary music.

Punch-BD delivers synthesized drums in the finest audio quality or you can choose to load in your own samples for complete flexibility. Each pad has its own distortion module with several distortion types as well as its own 3 band graphic EQ. What's more, each individual pad also has its own preset section next to the overall 'BD kit'.

Like its big brother, Punch-BD features four FX units each with many 31 types of top quality FX plus further filters, envelopes, modulation routings and more for crafting your own unique sound.

From Electronic Dance and Hip Hop to Soundtrack projects, Punch-BD provides a solid speaker-busting sound for your productions.




Features

  • Punch-BD is a bass drum synthesizer and sample player. With up to 6 pads that can be combined / stacked in several ways including tuned keyboard playing
  • 6 Drum-Pads Offering Each:

  • Each pad can be used in drum synthesis or sample mode
  • 4 different synthesis models and built in 4 classic electronic BD samples and 31 punch samples
  • Dual Sample slot, each with there their own amp / pitch envelopes & filter and filter envelope
  • Each drum has it's own 'easy controls', distortion (20 different models)and output destination (to dry or any of the 4 fx channels)
  • 3 bank graphic EQ per pad with frequency, bandwidth and gain control
  • Tune bypass button per pad to avoid keyboard tuning response in 'Tuned Stack' or 'Tuned Seq' mode
  • Easy bypass button per pad to avoid response of the sound in the EasyPage
  • Each drum can be previewed and selected by clicking in the Drum Preview Pad
  • Each drum pad has solo and mute
  • Each drum pad has right mouse menu command functions
  • Stack mode: stacking up to 6 BD pads
  • Tuned Stack mode:  stacking up to 6 BD pads responding to keyboard notes played
  • 6 notes mode: from the central note 6 separate notes representing each one BD pad
  • Seq mode:  Up to 6 pads play in sequential order
  • Tuned Seq: Up to 6 pads play in sequential order, responding to keyboard notes played
  • Central note: for selecting the central note. Default is C3
  • Fine-tuning control for the whole preset
  • Semi-tuning control for the whole preset
  • Modulators:

  • Punch has 2 envelopes, 2 LFO's and 8 modulation slots , which allow you to use a wide variety of modulation sources to control Punch-BD's parameters
  • A full screen shows the volume & panning of all the controls , plus the FX mix & panning, allows you to easily mix the drum sounds.
  • EasyPage, which uses sliders to allow altering of the main controls on the fly during use.
  • All are available for Midi-latching with your MIDI controller.
  • FX Section:

  • 4 FX, each with 32 different type of FX.
  • Mono Delay, Stereo Delay, Comb Filter, Reverb, HQ Reverb, Chorus, Chorus/Delay, Flanger, Phaser, WahWah Delay, Distort, Low Fi, Amp Sim, Waveshaper, Widener, AutoPan, Gator, Ring-Mod, Filter, Equalizer, Compressor, Noise-Gate, Ensemble, Cabinet, Multi Distort, AutoWah, Tape delay, Tape flanger, Analogue phaser, Clipper, Parametric EQ
  • FX can be routed in 5 different paths. In the multi-channel version of Punch-BD, these FX are output to the different output channels.
  • Manager Screen:

  • Big manager screen, which displays all banks and presets, allows you to Load , Save , Copy & Paste them and much more. Also icluding the powerful find function
  • Now NKS Compatible!


Video


Rating


Value For Money

Sound Quality

General Ease of Use

Number of Presets


PC

  • Windows 7/ Windows 8/ Windows 10 (32 & 64 bits)

Formats:

  • VST
  • AAX (Note: PC AAX for PT 12 or higher)
  • Compatible with NI NKS system

Mac

  • OS-X 10.9 - 10.15 (64 bits only)

Formats:

  • AU
  • VST
  • AAX
  • Compatible with NI NKS system

Notes:

  • Serial/licence system with activation whilst registering the product
  • 2nd serial for a secondary computer/laptop is available after you have registered the product’s original serial/license.

OS Compatibility



Noize 2

Generator by denise



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Description


What is Noize?

Producer Jamie Boyle from Sweden won denise’s 2018 plugin contest. Based on his idea, denise created an adaptive noise generation plugin that takes noise generation to the next level. Noise is a secret weapon used by many professional producers to enhance and flavour their tracks: for example by making digital samples and synths sound more natural, adding grit and power to bass synths, leads and paths, and adding character and sustain to drums and beats. It turned out a huge success and almost a year later, after gaining lots of users and feedback, denise now introduces the Noize 2.0.

What is Noize 2?

The Noize 2.0 introduces three new noise types and the option to load and edit your own noise profiles - features that have often been requested by the community. When denise actually tested the plugin, it turned out even more creative and versatile than they could anticipate. For example, they found out using a reversed vocal sample on drums and rhythmical synths have a surprisingly great effect.




Features

  • 8 Built-in Noise Types - Choose between eight types of noise and apply additional filtering.
  • Load & Edit Your Own Samples - Load your own sounds and apply filters and pitch control embedded in the sample editor window.
  • Real-time Adaptive - Generate noise that adapts to the volume of your track, in real-time.
  • Solo Mode - Isolate the noise signal and apply additional effects.
  • Easy to Tweak - Optimize the behaviour of the noise by tweaking the rise and fall time.
  • Fully resizable interface.
  • How do you use Noize 2?

  • There are many ways to use adaptive noise to enhance your tracks. Working strictly in the box, you can use Noize 2.0 to add power and aggressiveness to tight bass lines, add analog flavour to pads, lead-synths and percussion loops, create vintage sounding vocal parts and manipulate the attack and sustain of any element in your mix. If you are working on studio recordings instead, you can use Noize 2.0 to add width and depth to cleaned-up drum and percussion parts, add rome-tone from scratch and enhance the presence of guitars, strings and vocals.

  • Noize 2.0 makes this all very easy. Load Noize 2.0 on a track and mix in your favourite kind of noise with the adaptive mode turned on. You can then use the rise, fall, HPF, LPF and stereo features to tweak the behaviour and flavour of the adaptive noise. Using custom samples and combining the Noize 2.0 with additional effects, such as bit crushing, flanging, tap-delay and reverb, gives you many more ways of adding a creative touch to your music. To facilitate this, Noize 2.0 has a solo option that mutes the source signal so you can route the generated adaptive noise signal to an effects bus for adding any effects you like.

  • The real question is: when NOT to use noise.


Video


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Value For Money

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Formats:

OSX: 

  • OSX 10.7 or newer (Catalina included) (64-bit only)
  • VST, VST3, AU, AAX


Windows: 

  • Windows 7 or newer (64-bit only)
  • VST, VST3, AAX

OS Compatibility



Spinnin' Records BASE

Generator by Prolody



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Description


The balance between kick and bass is one of the most important aspects of dance music. Getting them to work together perfectly is a challenge for many beginning producers, and we have figured out a way to make it much, much, simpler:

BASE is a synthesizer that generates both a kick and a bass sound. They are linked in terms of volume, spectrum and timing so they work together perfectly in your mix. 

Don't be fooled by the simple interface: it's optimized towards getting a good bassline as opposed to tweaking your sounds endlessly. Use the soundsets as your starting point and make some tracks!




Features

  • Change the timing of the bass through the sidechain slider from 1/64th note to dotted 8th note to go from almost simultaneous to super late. The sidechain is connected to your DAW’s tempo and can be normal notes, dotted and triplets.

  • Increase the bass presence through crunch and overtones with the color slider. 

  • Determines the note length from punchy short to infinite. Length is connected to your DAW’s tempo and can be normal notes, dotted and triplets. 

  • Split MIDI and Split Audio

  • There are two extra control settings in the plugin: SPLIT MIDI and SPLIT AUDIO.

  • On the default setting SPLIT MIDI and SPLIT AUDIO are turned off, meaning both kick and bass are triggered on every midi event, with the kick synced to the note of the bass. This is great for when you just need a simple four to the floor bassline to get your track going.

  • SPLIT MIDI offers full flexibility in composing more fancy basslines by literally splitting the midi into three octaves: C-2 for sidechain, C-1 and 0 for kick and C1 and 2 for bass. 

  • SPLIT AUDIO splits the audio into two mono tracks: one for the bass and the other for the kick. Allowing different processing and routing on each instrument. 

  • The bottom slider determines the volume mix between kick and bass. 100% bass still uses the kick as sidechain information.

  • Determines the output volume of the plugin 

  • The meticulously crafted kick and bass soundsets are the core of what the plugin is about. Use the arrows to switch through them to get inspired, or click on the soundset name to open the menu: they’re organised by artist, genre and vibe. You can also combine a kick and a bass from different sets by clicking the LINK button.


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General Ease of Use

Number of Presets


Mac (64-bit only)

  • VST3
  • AU

Windows (64-bit only)

  • VST3

Important note: this software is 64-bit compatible only and will not function on 32-bit systems.

OS Compatibility



Noize Retro

Generator by denise



Images



Description


Noise is a secret weapon used by many professional producers and sound designers to enhance and flavour their tracks and sound effects. Noise can be used in many ways, for example:

  • Making digital samples and synths sounds more natural.
  • Adding character and sustain to drums, beats and percussive elements.
  • Adding grit and power to bass-synths, leads and paths.
  • Making vocal recordings sound vintage.
  • Adding an aggressive layer to a built-up section or riser.

If you want to know how the Noize Retro can improve your mixes, listen to these audio examples created by producer nrec. The first two examples come from the 2019 album The Fire by the New York based artist Kendra Black. It showcases how to use the Noize Retro adaptive mode to enhance a snare drum in a modern EDM production. The third example uses a track by nrec himself called Dust and showcases both the Noize Retro and the Space Invader used on a snare drum and synth. Check it out!

What makes the denise Noize different?

Swedish producer Jamie Boyle won the denise 2018 plugin contest. Based on his idea, denise created a plugin that takes noise generation to the next level:

  • A switch to generate noise that adapts to the volume of your track, in real time.
  • Mute the original audio to isolate the noise signal and apply additional effects.
  • Optimize the behaviour of the noise by tweaking the rise and fall time.
  • Choose between five types of noise and apply additional filtering.
  • Additional plugins that compliment the Noize: Bite and Space Invader.
  • Low CPU load.

What is special about the Noize Retro limited edition?

The Noize Retro is a limited edition version of the Noize plugin that features one unique adaptive noise type modelled after the noise produced by old-school Retro system boards, used for many popular Retro games since the 70s. The noise generated by Noize Retro sounds dark and gritty and has a lot more character than regular noise types like white noise. It can make all kinds of sounds - for example bass, drums, synths and vocals - sound retro and edgy, and enhance their presence in your mix.

How to apply adaptive Retro  noise in 5 steps:

  • Load the Noize Retro on your track.
  • Turn on the adaptive mode.
  • Mix in the adaptive noise.
  • Shape the noise behaviour with the rise and fall features.
  • Shape the noise sound with the hpf, lpf and stereo features.



Video


Rating


Value For Money

Sound Quality

General Ease of Use

Number of Presets


  • OSX: VST, VST3, AU, AAX
  • Windows: VST, VST3, AAX

OS Compatibility



El Clapo

Generator by Boz Digital Labs



Images



Description


Handclap Generator

El Clapo creates authentic-sounding handclap tracks with full control of crowd size, timing, dynamics, mic positioning, and more.

Handclaps remain a staple of popular music and film post, but in drum emulation software, synthesizers, and sound libraries, handclaps are treated as an afterthought. To get them to sound close to realistic, you have to go through a lot of complicated processing, sample layering, and track nudging. El Clapo is a one-of-a-kind plugin that can generate ultra-realistic handclap tracks, from a single intimate-sounding handclap to a raucous mob of 150 head-bangers. El Clapo even lets you control how sober or intoxicated the crowd is with adjustable round-robin timing control. It also features three mic adjustable positions with control of close/mid/room blend and width. Mic position controls also feature solo buttons and FX buttons that give you access to full-featured compressors and equalizers. El Clapo also features MIDI velocity control, panning, and a step sequencer with 12 editable patterns.

El Clapo is the first in a series of samples designed to make it simple to create clap tracks of any size. From a single clap to an entire crowd, you determine how the claps sound.

Realistic Claps

You determine the group size. You determine how sloppy they are. You control the microphone mix. Boz Digital Labs sampled multiple clappers at multiple layers and a bunch of round robins, from 3 different mic perspectives. The result is natural-sounding claps no matter how large the crowd.

Built-in Step Sequencer

Control with MIDI or the built-in step sequencer that lets you automate between 12 user-created patterns.

Cracking the Code

To create the plugin, Boz Digital Labs put a tremendous amount of thought into the process of recording and the way crowds time their handclaps. It came clear that having three microphones (close, mid, and room) was critical in terms of creating the difference between an intimate handclap track and a huge crowd. The plugin also takes into account the various types of processing that music or film-post mixers would use to make tracks fit in context. The end result is natural-sounding handclaps regardless of the size of the crowd, plus the ability to custom-tailor those tracks to suit the creative needs of any genre of program material you put El Clapo to work in.

Sound Engine

The ability to play 150 samples with multiple mic positions ran the risk of making a massive hit to CPU resources. To solve that problem, El Clapo does some work in the background. As the crowd size gets larger, rather than just playing back a large number of samples, El Clapo builds a new set of samples, which can be played back with low CPU usage.




Features

  • Easily generate ultra-realistic handclaps, from an intimate-sounding single clap to an out-of-control mob of 150.
  • Great for music and film post-production.
  • Three adjustable mic positions; close/mid and room.
  • Close and Room mic controls each feature a fully adjustable compressor with mix knob, 4-band EQ, and width control.
  • "Slop" control lets you adjust how tight or loose the claps are.
  • Simple, straightforward interface with access to advanced controls including velocity-sensing MIDI curve control, panning, timing, layer, and CPU-saving round-robin settings.
  • Built-in step sequencer with 12 editable patterns and adjustable speed.

Video


Rating


Value For Money

Sound Quality

General Ease of Use

Number of Presets


Mac

Formats:

  • AAX
  • AU (Audio Units)
  • RTAS
  • VST
  • VST3

Windows

Formats:

  • AAX
  • RTAS
  • VST
  • VST3

OS Compatibility



Le Snappet

Generator by Boz Digital Labs



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Description


Realistic Finger Snap Generator

Le Snappet, like its brothers El Clapo and Das Boot, enables you to create ultra-realistic finger snaps, from a single snap to a smoke-filled club full of beat poet aficionados showing their appreciation, now that snapping is the new clapping (you can’t hold a beer and clap at the same time). Snap lets you control how intoxicated your crowd is via the Slop control, and also provides essential mix features, including front-to-back placement via mic blend and positioning controls for front, mid, and room mics. Plus, you don’t have to load up on processing plugins thanks to built-in compressors, EQ, and width control. Snap also features  MIDI velocity control and a step sequencer with 12 editable patterns.

Le Snappet is designed to make it simple to create snap tracks of any size. From a single snap to an entire crowd, you determine how the snaps sound.

You determine the group size. You determine how sloppy they are. You control the microphone mix. We sampled multiple snappers at multiple layers and a bunch of round robins, from 3 different mic perspectives. The result is natural-sounding snaps no matter how large the group.

Control with MIDI or the built-in step sequencer that lets you automate between 12 user-created patterns.




Features

  • Easily generate ultra-realistic finger snaps, from an intimate single snap to a crowd of new bohemians.
  • Great for music and film post-production.
  • Three adjustable mic positions; close/mid and room.
  • Close and Room mic controls each feature a fully adjustable compressor with mix knob, 4-band EQ, and width control.
  • “Slop” control lets you adjust how tight or loose the snaps are.
  • Simple, straightforward interface with access to advanced controls including velocity-sensing MIDI curve control, panning, timing, layer, and CPU-saving round-robin settings.
  • Built-in step sequencer for easily creating complex (or simple) patterns.

Video


Rating


Value For Money

Sound Quality

General Ease of Use

Number of Presets


Mac

Formats:

  • AAX
  • AU (Audio Units)
  • RTAS
  • VST
  • VST3

Windows

Formats:

  • AAX
  • RTAS
  • VST
  • VST3

OS Compatibility



Das Boot

Generator by Boz Digital Labs



Images



Description


Realistic Stomp Generator

Like its brothers, El Clapo and Le Snappet, Das Boot can generate super-realistic foot stomps, from a single spoiled baby to a stadium filled with sports fans waiting for Queen to rock them. Meticulously recorded with three mic positions and packed with the same powerful features found in El Clapo and Le Snappet, Das Boot gives you full control of mic placement, width along with compression and EQ. Of course, there’s the ever-popular Slop control that lets you adjust how tight your loose your stomping will be. Das Boot also features a CPU-saving round-robin setting and a 12-step sequencer that lets you create up to 12 patterns.

Das Boot is designed to make it simple to create stomp tracks of any size. From a single stomp to an entire crowd, you determine how the stomps sound.

You determine the group size. You determine how sloppy they are. You control the microphone mix. We sampled multiple stompers at multiple layers and a bunch of round robins, from 3 different mic perspectives. The result is natural-sounding stomps no matter how large the crowd.

Control with MIDI or the built-in step sequencer that lets you automate between 12 user-created patterns.




Features

  • Easily generate ultra-realistic foot stomps, from a single angry baby to a stadium filled with sports fans.
  • Great for music and film post-production.
  • Three adjustable mic positions; close/mid and room.
  • Close and Room mic controls each feature a fully adjustable compressor with mix knob, 4-band EQ, and width control.
  • “Slop” control lets you adjust how much beer your sports fans have had.
  • Simple, straightforward interface with access to advanced controls including velocity-sensing MIDI curve control, panning, timing, layer, and CPU-saving round-robin settings.
  • Built-in step sequencer for easily creating complex (or simple) patterns.

Video


Rating


Value For Money

Sound Quality

General Ease of Use

Number of Presets


Mac

Formats:

  • AAX
  • AU (Audio Unit)
  • RTAS
  • VST
  • VST3

Windows

Formats:

  • AAX
  • RTAS
  • VST
  • VST3

OS Compatibility