Best free plug-ins this week: Bias FX LE, RS-MET ToolChain, One Track Orchestra, HY-TP2
Hey there, want to grab some free plug-ins to tinker with during the week? We got them right where you want them – lined up in our weekly round-up and ready to be downloaded onto your laboring hard/flash drive. This week, we get a taste of Bias FX with its LE version available as a gift from the good people at Propellerheads. We also get a multi-effect processing plug-in for those who like chains… processing chains, to better clarify. Finally, HY-Plugins made a simple and great-sounding tremolo effect that’s fully painted in yellow. Interested? Read along!
Bias FX LE guitar effects plug-in
Positive Grid Bias FX LE · Source: Positive Grid
Bias FX is among the better guitar amp and effects simulations out there, featuring a comprehensive arsenal of enough toneful toys to please even the most discerning guitar players. If getting the full version of Bias FX isn’t in the cards for one reason or another, go and register yourself at Propellerheads to download a free copy of Bias FX LE until January 31! With a selection of three amps and six effects, Bias FX LE gives a small, yet pleasant taste of the full version’s capabilities. Not only it has the same sound engine, it also offers custom BIAS Amp Match models and dual signal chain processing, in addition to integrating with Positive Grid (the developer)’s ToneCloud platform for preset sharing.
Bias FX LE is a plug-in like any other and is going to work in virtually every VST/AU/AAX host out there. Download the software here.
RS-MET ToolChain
RS-MET ToolChain · Source: RS-MET
ToolChain is a peculiar processing plug-in that acts as an environment for chaining an arbitrary number of effects in series. At the moment, there are 9 available processors and more are scheduled to come in the near future. It is also possible to put instruments at the front of the FX chain to obtain a different sound. RS-MET’s interface is fairly lab-like, but the cool visualizations make up for it, even if they don’t make the plug-in any easier to use. Ah, well, some of you like a challenge!
RS-MET supports Windows and Mac computers, running as a VST and AU plug-in. Download here.
One Track Orchestra
One Track Orchestra · Source: makesomemusicnow.com
One Track Orchestra is a sampled symphonic orchestra instrument based on the well-familiar VSCO Community Edition sounds. So if anything about the plug-in sounds vaguely familiar, you are no longer left to wonder why. The user interface is fairly uncomplicated, with a single reverb slider and the output volume sliders acting as your sole options for control over sound. As far as orchestral instruments come and go, it couldn’t possibly get any more plug-and-play than this, which is exactly what many musicians out there want.
OTC is laid out as to let you access multiple instruments by pressing the keys on your MIDI controller at different velocities, instead of having to stop playing and switch to them. This is where its name probably comes from – you literally get multiple instruments on a single track, which may or may not be a hindrance depending on how you like this approach.
One Track Orchestra is up in 32 & 64-bit VST formats for Windows only. Download here.
HY-TP2
HY-TP2 tremolo plug-in · Source: Варна, Младост 108
HY-TP2 is a tremolo and auto-pan effect from well-regarded developer HY-Plugins. It stands for an updated version of HY’s original tremolo plug-in, with changes including a pair of additional LFO shapes, removal of the envelope follower, and the soft clipper’s disappearance. The user interface remains as simple and pleasant as we’d expect from a HY plug-in, giving out an adequate degree of control over the effect’s important rate, depth, and width controls. The tremolo section is complemented by a modulation wave on the left and a pair of filters (LP & HP) on the right. Simple and to the point, a no-frills yellow tremolo that may or may not earn a place in your plugin stash, for there are simply too many decent tremolos out there.
HY-TP2 is available for Windows and Mac computers in both 32 & 64-bit configurations. Download here!
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One response to “Best free plug-ins this week: Bias FX LE, RS-MET ToolChain, One Track Orchestra, HY-TP2”
Bias FX LE: total BS, I have to install the entire package (700MB) just to run a partial version of it? No go.