#73

Buzz looks a lot like SunVox, which is also free.

3 Likes
#74

Another big Reaper fan here!
While the UI might not be super easy at the beginning, it does actually prove that on the long run it might be better to have something with a little more learning curve, than something super easy that will get you frustrated later on.
If you’re getting into Reaper, take your time. Make sure you read the manual and watch these videos:

4 Likes
#75

Add me to the Reaper love fest. Quick and simple recorder on the surface, super deep and powerful workhouse underneath.
I appreciate and try to support business models that price accordingly and don’t overinflate normally and deflate when Black Friday rolls around, doesn’t tie you in to their access portals ect. For that reason, in addition to Reaper, I love Tokyo Dawn and Klanghelm. Not only are they affordable, but do excellent work.

6 Likes
#76

I first picked up Reaper to create Morphagene reels, but I’m thinking it will become my primary DAW. When I primarily worked ITB I used Ableton, but since I’ve transitioned to recording unquantized audio I’ve found it lacking (granted not what it is designed for). As has been said Reaper’s UI is not as nice as other commercial DAWs, but it is great for editing audio (the way you can draw in fades is so nice).

I did some recordings with Garageband this year and it’s perfectly fine for basic recording. Cheap if you already have a Mac!

6 Likes
#77

Valhalla too. 50 for a reverb or delay can seem a bit much as we are discussing full-blown DAW which costs only a bit more, but they are stellar quality and don’t require any bloat software to authenticate and use.

7 Likes
#78

Since this is slowly driting into being a Reaper thread, I’ve started a new dedicated one, so the discussion here can continue about the original topic, i.e. more ways to keep it cheap.

All you Reaper fans, follow along here:

7 Likes
#79

For those who enjoy high quality emulations of classic studio gear, Black Rooster has a great Covid promo right now. All their plugins for $95.

#80

my personal goto cheapo devices are mainly little electronic components. you can get-recycle them even from old or unused devices:

  • dc motors + cell phone vibrators + computer fans (adding speed controllers to them)
  • piezos+ guitar coils + turntable cartridges (the worst sounding ones, the better)
  • collected found objects i attach or solder inside wood-metal boxes
  • old turntables with variable speed (especially with 16rpm)

you can get interesting, funny and unexpected sounds when using basic materials such as paper, plastic, metal, cardboard interacting with all these things i mentioned above.
yep, kinda koma fieldkit, but even more cheaper

keep it cheap = keep it simple. it works for me.

13 Likes
#81

If I for some reason was forced to go super cheap + super minimal, the following combo would keep me entertained:

  • reaper for recording audio + deliberate sequencing
  • orca for generative sequencing
  • vcvrack and pure data for audio generation
  • probably some kind of thing to touch/interact with
10 Likes
#82

Does anyone have any recommendations for inexpensive monitors? And I do mean inexpensive :slight_smile:

I really don’t need/want mastering quality speakers, just something which I can use to listen to the modular and get out from under the headphones, but which aren’t total plastic crap.

1 Like
#83

I really like my IK iLoud Micro Monitors. There are a few B-stock ones on Reverb now for around $250/pair, but I think I got mine for more like $200. They’re tiny and sound really good, to my unprofessional ears. (Cheap is of course relative here…)

5 Likes
#84

I have a circa 14 year old version of these that do the job well and never let me down.

#85

I got Presonus Erises - nice and cheap and small.

6 Likes
#86

Yeah, just spotted these on Amazon - they’re very highly-rated, and CHEAP ;p

The specs look good; my only concern with them is that they presumably only go down to 80Hz - @kriskeyser how do you find their bass reproduction?

EDIT: Oh, specifically the 3.5" - I don’t know which ones you have…

#87

In that price range the M-Audio AV-42 are ok… (I have a pair on one computer) - they’re pretty good for the price. (I dont have fancy monitors - the only others I have are Adam T5V which I am really happy with - spent a lot of time auditioning them against other monitors)

#88

I have the 3.5 and I think the bass is a little lacking but it’s hard to beat at the price range.

1 Like
#89

I’m surprised pawn shops/thrift stores haven’t come up more. Granted they’re a bit labor intensive but you can occasionally find a few gems. My wife is an avid thrifter (or was at least before the present madness) and once found me a Yamaha SY22 AND a Casio CZ1000 for like 40 bucks. Had to scavenge a couple power supplies but working in IT means I had what I needed in the old “miscellaneous parts drawer” next to an old IDE cable and 128mb stick of RAM.

14 Likes
#90

old pa speakers, no shortage of them, and you can run sound at your own backyard show.

1 Like
#91

I feel like this is REALLY dependent on where you live. Here, Copenhagen, DK, it seems like every and all thrift, second-hand and garage sale now knows how to check Ebay, vintagesynth.com, etc. Not expecting a mint 909 for pennies, but maybe a portasound or something like that :slight_smile:

3 Likes
#92

I have the Fostex PM0.3dH, 140 euros a pair, not incredible, but very cheap