Free samples for sound design and experiments

Two very large and interesting archives of free samples that can be used for sound design and experimentation in apps like SoundScaper, FieldScaper, BeatCutter and even SynthScaper.

>>> FreeSound - A Collection of CC-Licensed Sound Effects

Freesound aims to create a huge collaborative database of audio snippets, samples, recordings, and all sorts of bleeps, ... released under Creative Commons licenses that allow their reuse. You need to register to download these samples.

>>> BBC Sound Effects

Explore a weird and wonderful collection of noises from the broadcasting behemoth. There can be few organizations that have used more sound effects than the BBC, but did you know that that the good old British Broadcasting Corporation has made more than 33,000 of its FX available for free download?

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How to download using the iPad Safari browser (step by step):

Click on image to enlarge

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BeatCutter - Rhythm slicing recombining

BeatCutter is an experimental multi-channel app for slicing and recombining sound based on rhythm. In the center of the app is a matrix of sample cells with smoothly reconfigurable recording, playback and control busses. This app is best for those who would like to experiment with long sound files or live instruments, creating chaotic constructions and patterns from sliced rhythm-driven samples.

>>> Get BeatCutter app on App Store

>>> More about BeatCutter (demo, reviews and guides)

>>> BeatCutter - A series of step-by-step tutorials

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FieldScaper - Sound warp field recorder and scape constructor

Advanced field recorder combined with a sound warp engine and a collection of ready to use dynamic presets for iPad and iPhone. Discover new ways to create and construct unusual and exciting sounds from any environmental audio recordings or samples recorded from other apps through Inter-App audio or Audiobus.

>>> Get FieldScaper app on App Store

>>> More about FieldScaper (demo, reviews and guides)

>>> FieldScaper tutorial (video)

Explore a weird and wonderful collection of noises from BBC

Did you know that you can download more than 33,000 BBC sound effect samples for free?

"Explore a weird and wonderful collection of noises from the broadcasting behemoth. There can be few organizations that have used more sound effects than the BBC, but did you know that that the good old British Broadcasting Corporation has made more than 33,000 of its FX available for free download?" - MusicRadar.

>>> BBC Sound Effects

Terence Dwyer: Composing with Tape Recorders

"Any Number Can Play. Composing with a tape recorder is a fascinating new line of musical adventure. Depending on the attitude and ability of the composer (and, it must be admitted, to some extent on the amount and quality of the equipment) it can be anything from an amusing hobby to an advanced art. The musically ignorant owner of a simple tape recorder can learn to record and organise sounds into real compositions, and gain much pleasure in the process. "

>>> Terence Dwyer: Composing with Tape Recorders (pdf)

BeatCutter app updated to version 1.6

This update adds a range mark for the automation indicator, fixes automation rate buttons value and fixes issue with 48k sample rate when standalone. Also a few small issues were fixed.

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This composition was generated by BeatCutter app from four sound sources in real time. The sound sources were four hardware synthesizers on which chord progressions were played. Additional output (channels 3,4) from the app was passed to the Classic FX app for processing, then mixed with main output.

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BeatCutter is an experimental multi-channel app for slicing and recombining sound based on rhythm. In the center of the app is a matrix of sample cells with smoothly reconfigurable recording, playback and control busses. This app is best for those who would like to experiment with long sound files or live instruments, creating chaotic constructions and patterns from sliced rhythm-driven samples.

>>> More about BeatCutter (demo, reviews and guides)

>>> BeatCutter - A series of step-by-step tutorials

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Learning Synthesis: Sequencers

Outside of the world of sound generators and noisemakers, few types of electronic music gear inspire as much excitement as sequencers. They come in many shapes and forms, sometimes as complex stand-alone units, other times as a feature in music-making hardware or software...and on the macro scale, they can be viewed as an electronic substitute for a composer’s old friends: staff paper, and a pencil.

>>> Learning Synthesis: Sequencers Part One: A Brief History of Sequencing

>>> Learning Synthesis: Sequencers Part Two: Basics and Beyond

Exploring Electronic Music and Karlheinz Stockhausen

In partnership with EMI and EMI Music Sound Foundation the London Sinfonietta worked with 7 schools from across the UK in March and April 2006. This project aimed to introduce the music of Karlheinz Stockhausen to students from KS4, preparing them for a concert by London Sinfonietta of Mixtur.

>>> SOUNDSCAPES: Exploring electronic music and Karlheinz Stockhausen (PDF)

Welcoming Recorded Music to the Public Domain

Approximately 400,000 sound recordings made before 1923 will join the public domain in the U.S. for the first time due to the Music Modernization Act (read more at copyright.gov). You can peruse about 38,000 of them in our collection of digitized 78rpm records.

>>> blog.archive.org

Movement of Time (BeatCutter)

This composition was generated by BeatCutter app from four sound sources in real time. The sound sources were four hardware synthesizers on which chord progressions were played. Additional output (channels 3,4) from the app was passed to the Classic FX app for processing, then mixed with main output.

>>> BeatCutter app on App Store

>>> Classic FX app on App Store

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AltiSpace 2 app updated to version 1.2

This update brings significant additions to the app. AltiSpace now supports MIDI controllers (also Bluetooth) for all parameters with learn mode or assigning CC / RPN controls manually. Added a parameter that sets the fade out point for a smooth end of the impulse response. Added the option to filter the list of presets by part of the preset name (search for a preset). When importing impulse response files, you can now select multiple files at once. Improved UI scaling when use as audio unit. Updated built-in app description.

All new features can be found in the built-in description. This description is available as a PDF file.

>>> More about AltiSpace

Free acoustic impulse responses for auralization:

>>> Open Air Library

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This demo shows the sound of different presets (impulse responses of real reverb devices) with different types of instruments. First, the original sample is played, then the same sample processed by the preset with the original impulse response, and finally the sample processed by the same impulse response, but with modified processing parameters. The result is two variant of sound with the same impulse response.

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Sense #6216. Hardware and apps together

This experimental chaotic ambient was made in home studio with using a several of my apps together with hardware audio equipment. When using high-quality external audio interfaces, many iPad apps provide great sound quality and can be used in both home and professional recordings. What were used:

Drum machine Hammond Auto-Vari 64 processed by SoundSaw app.

Chaotic rhythmic ambient generated by BeatCutter app from a many sound sources. Rhythm defines by drum machine.

Reverb output from BeatCutter processed by Classic FX app instead of internal reverb. BeatCutter app can use up to 4 external inputs and playback up to 8 audio files (without limit of file length). For external input / output was used audio interface Focusrite Scarlett 6i6.

Synth theme was played on a Korg MS2000 and processed by AltiSpace 2 app.

Mixed on console Allen & Heath GS3V. Main reverb AKG ADR68k. Group compressors DBX, final processing T.C. Electronic Finalizer 96k.

The final recording was done on the tape recorder Sony TC-510-2.

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