[montydog]

Hi folks,

I'm looking at using some VSTs for my next project. I'm wondering which free VSTs you guys and gals can recommend. I'm looking specifically for strings, saxophone, woodwind, Hammond B3 organ, mellotron, sitar, banjo and fiddle. Is there a particularly useful website which reviews and rates free VSTs?

If someone can recommend an excellent VST that I really shouldn't be without (not drums or bass) which is not free, I would be interested to hear your experiences.

Many thanks

M

[Wicked Deeds]

Don't go there monty - you'll be seduced by the dark side 😍😱😄

I use Apple vst's and though I shouldn't always, I do so a little too often.  However, that's simply to communicate the full range of my ideas.  The trick is to make sure that you use enough live instruments to balance it out. The other guys might have a little more information than I but I think that by and large you get what you pay for.  There might be free vst's out there - certainly odd ones to wet your appetite before shelling out your hard earned cash. Using the apple vst's, I find that I get somewhere near the authentic sound but working at speed, I make that do.  By the way the clarinet is georgeous from Apple - notoriously expensive by the way. it will be interesting when I produce for you because I'm torn between my  older elaborate style of production and a realisation that sometimes less is more. Either way, it will all fit together nicely.  Good luck in your search!

Paul

[tone]

Personally, I'd avoid free if you can. Unless of course by free, you mean included in a package such as logic, in which case I'd say the sample instruments in logic are incredible value for money, and more than adequate for doing a song production.

However, it depends how far you want to take it. When I first started working on my instrumental album, the publisher I was working with instantly picked up on the low quality of my samples compared to their more established composers. Long story short, I spent about £350 on samples, and £400 on a new, more powerful computer so I could use them.

You get what you pay for on the whole. But if you pay for logic pro, I think you've got more than your money's worth and then some.

[Boydie]

KONTAKT is a good place to start - it comes with pretty decent sounds and it is a bit of a "standard" for additional sounds/libraries when you want something specific or a bit better

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/samplers/kontakt-5/

There are some good free Kontakt libraries out there but they usually need the full version of Kontakt rather than the free Kontakt player, which is also available

For a little more £££ you can get KOMPLETE 10 - which should deal with your vas (VST Acquisition Syndrome)

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/native-instruments-komplete-10/103130?gclid=Cj0KEQjwxpipBRCap8PR2Om7vq4BEiQA6V7OVfqjyuqZwM1kjtdqelq_KiQP5VdRbE9jhZBV1D3GwaUaAkdB8P8HAQ

This would keep you busy for a little while 

I have had KOMPLETE 8 for a few years and haven't scratched the surface!


If you really want to go nuts...

There is even a KOMPLETE ULTIMATE for Over £700 which has an incredible amount of toys!

http://www.gak.co.uk/en/native-instruments-komplete-10-ultimate/103128

[Neil C]

Alan,

There are free VST's out there. I used to search for 'best free xxxxx VST' and then read reviews.

In the end I used some, mainly keyboard vst's like organs and synths but the tend to agree the paid ones are better quality and more stable.

Here are a few links to start you off:
http://www.kvraudio.com
http://bedroomproducersblog.com
http://bedroomproducersblog.com/free-vst-plugins/

 
Neil

[montydog]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Paul, I'm only thinking of using a couple of VSTs at the most just to fill in some variety of sound. I like my recordings to sound as natural and rootsy as possible so I'm never going to be relying on them. As for your production style, I will trust your judgement.

Tone, I'm not looking at spending any money if possible. I have already spent mucho dinero on actual instruments so if I can't get the quality I want with free software, I won't bother.

Boydie, same applies to your advice really. Money really is an object 

Neil C, Yep, I've already done as you suggested. I thought it would be helpful if I could hear the experience of forum members rather than randoms on the internet!

Very helpful advice.

M

[seriousfun]

I am with Boydie, Kontakt is the swiss army knife for vst's.  Get their free version and the free sample packs they offer for it. You will not be dissappointed.