On this page, I'll include one or more sets of vst plugins that I have created and instructions that may help
others in their music production.
Tools and Materials That I Use
DAW - Sony Music Studio 7
Audio editor - Audacity, Wavepad
VST ceation - SynthMaker
VST GUI creation - Paint.NET, Skinman
Midi Controller - Casio CTK 533 keyboard with USB midi interface
On-Line Digital Audio Workstation and Music Creation Tools
Don't have a DAW or music software? Fortunately there are free on-line DAWs available. I have
used both of these. To save your work, you have to set-up an account. I get around that by just using the audio
editor, Audacity, and just record my music piece that I created with the online DAW through my sound card while playing it
back.
Click on the DAW titles below to go to that website.
Jam Studio is a slightly different DAW from Loop Labs. Jam Studio lets you create your music by selecting
keys and chords, and instruments. Follow the beginning tutorial when you first go to the web page. You can create
without registering. Just record while playing back.
Terminology
DAW - digital audio workstation - software used to create/compose music.
VST Plugin - virtual studio technology plugin: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Studio_Technology) is a progarmming language developed by the Steinberg company (http://www.steinberg.net) in 1996 that allowed creation of software based musical instruments and affects using principles of digital
signal processing (DSP).
Synthesizer terms (Oscillator, ADSR, LFO) - for definitions refer to wiki
Please Note: These vst plugins are for windows operating systems only (sorry). They
have been tested in Sony's Music Studio 7 and the vst plugin program Savihost. While they should work in most windows
based DAW software that have vst plugin capability, their behavior in other DAWs has not been tested.
You should always check any file your download, regardless of the website, with both anti-virus and anti-spyware/malware
software before installing to insure it is clean. To the best of my knowledge, there are no spyware or malware in
these files. Only Synthmaker is used to create the vst plugins, Savihost standalone vst host software for demonstration
purposes, and pdf of instructions are included in the files.
Also, since I am using a special version of SynthMaker software (SynthMaker CM), it requires that a "made
with SynthMaker and Computer Music" logo to be automatically included with the compiled plugin. That logo is a clickable
link to the Synthmaker website.
9/17/12 Added new wave table creation tool
I added a new tool called Single Cycle Wave Morpher. It allows creation of wave tables for use in
vsti synths that can import wave tables. It is available at the Box.net link below
A stereo guitar amp vst effect plugin created in SynthMaker CM software. Features tone controls
for treble, mid, and bass; Overdrive; Distortion; Presence; Brightness with lead and bass guitar switching; reverb; filter
with lowpass, highpass, bandpass, band reject, and peaking filters and frequency readout; master volume control and bypass
switch.
Tested in Sony Music Studio 7, MS Windows XP SP3. Preset manager allows saving and reloading
presets.
12/18/11 - Added New SynthMaker vsti plugin Thumb Piano
I have added a new vsti I created in SynthMaker. It is a Thumb Piano, aka Mbira and originates from
Africa. I used a photo of the actual instrument I have, recorded and edited the actual notes to use with the vsti.
I have added some sound shaping tools (ADSR, chorus, and pitch shifter) as well. You can down load the free vsti plugin
dll at box.net by clicking on the image of the thumb piano below.
Final Version of Dark Moon vsti plugin Available for Download
I have finalized the vsti. Click on the picture to download a free copy at Box.net
11/21/11 New free vsti plugin available at Box.net - "Dark Moon"
I have uploaded a new synth I created in SynthMaker CM software. Click on the link to down load a
copy to try out free.
10/1/11 Current vst effect work-in-progress Guitar Amp
Using Synthmaker CM and Paint.Net graphics software programs, I have created a Guitar Amp. It is based
on several others work at the Synthmaker forum and I had some help with the VU meters and the vacuum tube graphics from people
at the forum. Others have created amp vst effects plugins, but I am proud of this one and have put a lot of work into
it over time. I do not have it ready as a vst plugin yet, but the Synthmaker osm file is available at the link below
(click on the Guitar Amp pic to go to box.net to download it)
Guitar Amp
The guitar amp has an overdrive for distortion, a cabinet size adjustment, animated vacuum tube (in lower
bottom left in the grating) that "warm up" when the power switch is turned on and "cool down" when it is turned off.
It also has the standard flanger, reverb, and filter to further warp the sound. I also have a randomizer module on the
Cab size adjustement that when turned on, modulates the sound. It needs more work.
9/11/11 - Created vst Effect plugin - Low High Filter
Inspired by the simple two knob filter effect created by Arctican called, "The Pilgram", I used SynthMaker
CM to attempt to create my own version. You can download a copy at my Box.net page by clicking on the link.
Added a new vst plugin created in SynthMaker CM. It is a sound FX type vst plugin to use in your DAW,
game creation, or movie. It is capable of simple synthesizer sounds to sci-fi phaser and distorted spacey sounds.
You can download a free copy at www.box.net free file sharing website at the following link:
7/3/11 Added New VST Instrument Plugin-"Synthsation"
Added a new vst plugin. A simple two oscillator synth with filters. 31 preset sounds are included
as a starting point for sound creation. Click on the figure below to download a copy from Box.net.
Synthsation VST Plugin
Click on figure to download at box.net website
6/23/11 - New vst plugin "Kick In-hancer"
I created this vst plugin to enhance kick drum sounds based on a tutorial at the AudioTutsplus website.
It was created in SynthMaker CM and uses a 50 Hz sine wave.
I added a new synth I created in CM SynthMaker program using all standard modules. It is nothing really
special, more of an experiment in creating a GUI panel. It does have a nice super saw sound with a filter and reverb
effect. You can upload your own wave file and have the synth play a totally different sound.
I also included the SynthMaker osm file incase you want to see how it was put together. A pdf description
document is in the zipped file located at the free file storage website - Box.net. Below is a picture of how the synth
looks:
It is zipped. Just unzip into a folder. The zipped file contains three files: a Gynth VST
plugin dll, a Savihost executable, and a Gynth Instruction pdf. Savihost is a stand alone vst plugin host which allows
you to try it out with out having a sequencer, digital audio workstation (DAW), or other music vst software.
Another vsti plugin I have created is War Drums. It uses sampled sounds. I could not find a
free version of the type of drums, particularly the taiko drum sound, so I made one to use in dramatic or cinematic music.
A picture of it is below.
It is a zipped file. An Instruction pdf is included in the zip file.
Below is my attempt at creating a bagpipes vsti plugin. It still needs a lot of work. I would
prefer to make it with fully synthesized sounds instead of sampled. That would cut down on the file size of the plugin
and allow more flexibility in manipulating the sounds. It can be downloaded at the following link. The file is
zipped containing 3 files: Piper dll, Piper executable (Savihost), and an instruction pdf. just unzip into a folder,
read the pdf, and double click the Piper.exe file to use. To use in a DAW just copy the dll into your DAW vst folder.
Here is a simple two oscillator vst plugin I created in SynthMaker from readily available modules posted
in the forum, so I can not take any credit for it. The modules were not optimized so CPU use goes up considerably (15-30%)
when in use. I used the graphics program Paint.Net to create the brushed semi-metallic purple GUI and the module graphics
are standard SynthMaker modules.
Below is one of my recent SynthMaker creations - a simple one oscillator vstplugin synth. While it
is simple, it allows flexibility in sound creation by use of the Step LFO and Filter. You can down load a copy to try
out from the link below at www.box.net. Also, the instructional pdf doc can be viewed and down loaded from this website before down loading the
actual synth.
My most recent SynthMaker vsti plugin is the Harmonizer. It is a simple two oscillator synth
with a Moog filter. To download a copy to try just click on the graphic.
Harmonizer Synth
Click on the graphic to download a copy at box.net
If you would like to read the instruction pdf document before actually downloading the synth to try out,
please click the link below.
