Livid step standalone screenshot

The fellas at livid instruments, creaters of the Block and OHM 64, have very kindly created a standalone version fo the thier livid step Max for Live device. The standalone version allows users who don’t have Max for Live to use livid step. Although it’s only in beta and mac only, windows versions are due very soon.

The standalone version looks very useful all livid step users

• All of the 8 sequences are in the one app
• Sync the sequencers clock to Ableton Lives tempo and use stop and start messages
• Send bank and program changes to plugins and instruments
• 32 presets to store sequences and all other settings

More info at the Livid step wiki.

What is Livid step

Livid step screenshot

Livid step is a powerful step sequencer created solely for the Livid  Ohm 64 and Block controllers. Each device uses 8 steps and will take up a row on the block or Ohm 64. If you want to fill the whole grid simply add 8 midi tracks and 8 instances of livid step.

Some features of Livid step

• Global & track modes
• Add manually or record steps
• Random step generator
• Curve mode, sequence accelerates towards end of steps
• Forward, reverse, palindrome & sine playback directions
• 1/1 to 1/32 quantisation speeds including triplets and dotted notes
• Transpose sequences up or down in half steps
• Edit the pitch, velocity, duration and chance of each step
• Zoom in on individual steps
• Muting of steps
• skip steps and control over how they skip
• Ohm 64 knobs auto mapped to parameters of device

Videos

Heres a quick video showing you how to set it up.

Download

Download the standalone verison (Mac only)

Download the Max for live version

Free software, Max for Live, Midi controllers, Plugins, Sequencers, Software block, download, Livid, Livid step, Max for Live, midi, Midi controllers, Ohm 64, plugin, Plugins, Software, standalone, step sequencer, Video

Free Reaktor module from Akai for LPD8

Akai are feeling generous and have released a free module for Reaktor designed to work with Akai’s LPD8 drum pad controller. The module comprises of analog drum machine samples and is quite good so go download it for yourself and have some fun.

Free software Akai LPD8, analog, drum machines, free download, module, Reaktor

Nomome - Launchpad as monome

Well the internet moves fast! While I was sleeping Novation anouced the release of the programmers reference, a break down of how the launchpad handles midi. Within a couple of hours there was a post on the monome forums by Matt DiFonzo introducing the nomome. The nomome is a monome emulator for the launchpad, allowing you to use the launchpad as, you guessed it, a monome.

The nomome is in early development but if your the proud owner of a new launchpad download it and try it out. Don’t forget to rep Matt DiFonzo and send him any bugs you get. You need max/msp runtime and a virtual midi port to run it. All available for free.

Have fun.

Zander

Free software, Midi controllers free download, Launchpad, matr, monome, Nomome, Novation

Proteus VX 2

E-mu are currently giving away their Proteus VX 2 synth, all you have to do is sign up for  thier newsletter. Spam email address at the ready. Well worth a gander I think.

Proteus VX 2 is a sampling synthesizer so it could be useful for making some cool sounds. It runs in standalone and VSTI modes and comes with a composer bank with plenty of presets to get you going.

Click here for the free synth

Free software E-mu, free download, proteus VX, sampling, synths

Tal bassline screenshot

I’ve just upload a review of Togu audio line’s Tal bassline synth for your reading enjoyment. Tal bassline is an awsome synth that somewhat resembles the Roland SH-101 and is capable of some great baseline sounds. Its a stable plugin too which would make it great for live work and best of all it’s availble for free!

Thanks Togu audio line

Zander

Free software, Live, Plugins, Software, review free download, Plugins, soft synth, synths, Tal bassline, Togu audio line

Hey all

I’ve just finished a new review of DSK’s wicked mini drumz 2 plugin here . It includes a download. Very cool plugin.

DSK mini drumz 2

Zander

Free software, Software drum machines, DSK mini drumz 2, free download, plugin, review, Rompler, Software, vintage

It’s nice to see a big music software company showing a little bit of Christmas generousty and in this case it’s Native instruments. They have relesed the Kore sound pack compliation Vol 1 which you can download for free. To use it you’ll need the free Kore 2 player which also has some sounds bundled with it. The sounds range from synthesizers, acoustic instruments, percussion, groove construction kits and multi-effects patches and are taken from 12 different Kore packs.

Kore free player

Although you might not like the sounds this will be a good way to test out Kore 2 which is aimed to be used live.

Download Kore sound pack Vol 1

Download free Kore player 

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Mr Ray 73 screenshot

Emulating the Fender Rhodes piano is never an easy job but GSI have surpassed themselves and challenged the leaders in the market with this tasty offering. Article includes free download of plugin.

Read the full article

Free software, Plugins emulation, Fender, Free, free download, keyboards, live performance, Midi controllers, Mr ray 73, Rhodes, Software, vst, vst instruments

Watkat screenshot

GSI’s Watkat is a free plugin which emulates the classic sound of the Watkins Wem copicat tape delay. This plugin is a must for serious delay and lo-fi haeds. Article includes free download of plugin.

Read the full review

Download Watkat

Free software AU unit, Delay, Free, GSI, plugin, review, Universal binary, vst, Watkat, watkins copycat, Wem copicat

Metrobus

Metrobus is a software plugin metronome which syncs to your sequencer or host tempo and then provides a click or metronome track.

Read the full review

Free software Ableton live, Free, live performance, Metrobus, metronome, plugin, review, vst