I decided that it may be wise to invest in some sound designing software, as I am discovering this to be somewhat of a hidden talent.
I currently am pretty much using a life hack when it comes to sound design.
I love creating sounds real-time, so I use a combination of Minihost (a realtime vst host) by Tobybear, and Chainer vst by Xlutop.
Using these 2 tools, I can load any combination of vst instruments and effects and warp them and tweak them as I record (using the record window in Minihost).
However, this can be a daunting task, and is sometimes hard to do in general.
I’ve had my most success in sound design when using this method, however, I’m sure there’s a better way.
I’ve heard about using Reaktor, or Max. However, as I have read about Bidule by Plogue, that has intrigued me the most.
Do you guys have any suggestions of methods/programs/vst which are great for sound design? (sound effects, soundscapes, and so on).
They can be free of paid. I would like to keep it under 150$ for now.
I guess it depends on what type of sounds or design you are doing. Here are some ideas for you within budget;
Zero G (Tons of reasonably priced good quality effect packages) - http://www.zero-g.co.uk/store/
These are probably to go-to company for range and price. Outstanding in my eyes.
I think Impact Designer looks really interesting.
Most of what I see, however, is stuff where you are just getting another sound designer’s sound.
I guess I’m looking more for programs where you can take your own recorded samples, or a combination of synthesizers and effects, and make your own custom sounds.
Basically, I want to create what those sound designers are selling in your links.
I’m not sure if it’s okay to take what they have made, then make my own sound effects and sell them as individual sound effects. Or am I wrong? Certainly you can use them in your music, but is it okay to make custom sound effects from another person’s custom sounds and sell them as your own?
I think Impact Designer looks really interesting.
Most of what I see, however, is stuff where you are just getting another sound designer’s sound.
I guess I’m looking more for programs where you can take your own recorded samples, or a combination of synthesizers and effects, and make your own custom sounds.
Basically, I want to create what those sound designers are selling in your links.
I’m not sure if it’s okay to take what they have made, then make my own sound effects and sell them as individual sound effects. Or am I wrong? Certainly you can use them in your music, but is it okay to make custom sound effects from another person’s custom sounds and sell them as your own?
I really appreciate the posts, thanks!
Camel Audio Alchemy allows you to import your own sounds. It is an amazingly powerful synth.
Have you ever tried a convolution reverb as tool for sound design? Load up a wav-file - long, short, drumloops, complex textures - into the IR-Reverb of your choice and use it as a “reverb” for any source.
I think Impact Designer looks really interesting.
Most of what I see, however, is stuff where you are just getting another sound designer’s sound.
I guess I’m looking more for programs where you can take your own recorded samples, or a combination of synthesizers and effects, and make your own custom sounds.
Basically, I want to create what those sound designers are selling in your links.
I’m not sure if it’s okay to take what they have made, then make my own sound effects and sell them as individual sound effects. Or am I wrong? Certainly you can use them in your music, but is it okay to make custom sound effects from another person’s custom sounds and sell them as your own?
I really appreciate the posts, thanks!
Camel Audio Alchemy allows you to import your own sounds. It is an amazingly powerful synth.
I think Impact Designer looks really interesting.
Most of what I see, however, is stuff where you are just getting another sound designer’s sound.
I guess I’m looking more for programs where you can take your own recorded samples, or a combination of synthesizers and effects, and make your own custom sounds.
Basically, I want to create what those sound designers are selling in your links.
I’m not sure if it’s okay to take what they have made, then make my own sound effects and sell them as individual sound effects. Or am I wrong? Certainly you can use them in your music, but is it okay to make custom sound effects from another person’s custom sounds and sell them as your own?
I really appreciate the posts, thanks!
Camel Audio Alchemy allows you to import your own sounds. It is an amazingly powerful synth.
I use Reaktor, very flexible to form a sound. Also I think not bad idea for sound design material is to walk with recorder to the nearest machinery plant
You can drop any piece of music into it, and instantly make a 30 minute soundscape (although I would recommend to use it more creatively, eg. to create interesting pad sounds for your sampler, and layer it with other sounds.)
The freeware “Fauna VST” http://www.kvraudio.com/product/fauna-by-xoxos is quite good for making animal vocalizations, but again I would recommend not to use presets but to experiment, and add some rich reverb, good for scary monster sounds.
Thanks everyone!
I do love Alchemy, and currently have the free version. Perhaps I will try doing some sound design with it, and maybe think about investing in the full version.
Reaktor is also great, at least what I have been able to find out with the free version.
I tried Helix, it was a pretty cool synth, and certainly has some good features for sound design, but it just doesn’t seem to be my style.
The SoundMorph bundle for $99 looks very intriguing to me (found using AMV’s link http://designingsound.org/resources/sfx-independence/). There’s a timestretch/morpher,
a swoosh/whoosh/etc. creator, and an interface creator. Sounds perfect for just creating those specific sounds.
I love the free paulstretch tool, and have used it quite a lot --what’s great is that is doesn’t just stretch, it has quite a lot of options for warping and altering the sound, including pitch shifting, and harmonic manipulation --quite useful.
I have also done some experimentation with IR vst. That has yielded some interesting results indeed
There are many great ways to make sound.
I really appreciate everyone’s input. I still have not decided my next purchase though lol
Anyone is welcome to keep posting. I am still waiting to see if anyone has any experience with Bidule by Plogue (as far as sound design goes).
Image Line’s Beta testing something called Minihost Modular!
This brilliant little program is almost exactly what I have been looking for. It is very similar to the tobybear minihost (just a lot better), but with no real time recording capabilities (at least none that I can find).
I hope image-line allows it to be used commercially, or if not, that they will release it and then allow it. I load it in Tobybear’s Minihost. So it’s a Minihost within a Minihost
You can also load Minihost Modular within Minihost Modular. With a certain combination of vsts and hosts, the possibilities are almost limitless --it would just be a matter of the RAM of your computer
