For a limited time only, Splice is offering a free Audio Damage Basic virtual analogue synthesizer license ($39 value) to all of their old and new registered members (registration is free) who invite two of their friends to the platform.
Splice launched a similar promotion last October when they were giving away free copies of VolumeShaper 3 (an awesome amlitude modulation tool by Cableguys). During the aforementioned promotion, the participants were required to invite five of their friends to join this interesting online collaboration platform. Things are a lot easier this time around, as you only need to invite two friends to sign up in order to receive a free copy of Basic.
Basic is an interesting virtual analogue synthesizer (32-bit and 64-bit VST/AU plugin format for Windows and Mac OS) developed by Audio Damage. Priced at $39 and offered as a digital download on the developer’s website, this deceptively simple looking virtual instrument packs a rather characterful subtractive synthesis engine into a streamlined and easy to use package.
See also: Free Virtual Analogue Synthesizers (VST/AU)
The feature list certainly won’t make you have to pick your jaw up off the floor, however Basic has a different set of tricks up its sleeve. Basically speaking (cringewothy pun alert!), the oscillators and the filters (especially at higher resonance settings) sound absolutely lovely and they’re enough of a reason for me to want to have this instrument. Adding to that, Basic also features a built-in distortion effect which adds a nice bit of dirt and character to the mix, along with a standard set of ADSRs and LFOs which work as internal modulation sources (paired up with the modulation wheel, velocity and aftertouch).
To put things into perspective, if you already own a decent virtual analogue synthesizer and if you’re generally happy with your arsenal of bread and butter VAs, then you probably don’t really need Basic (even for free). But if you’re still looking for your subtractive synthesis weapon of choice or if you’re an obsessed virtual analogue synthesizer collector such as myself, trust me when I say that you really, really need this one. It packs tons of mojo and it is a real joy to use with that lovely looking interface you can see in the screenshot and in the demo video.
Oh, I almost forgot about the presets! The factory preset collection features 48 patches in total and they’re all really well programmed and pretty much ready for use in various genres of contemporary electronic music.
Get Your Free Copy
I was expecting a somewhat complicated procedure, but getting your free copy of Basic is actually really simple. It took me less than 15 minutes in total to register for a free user account, invite two friends, wait for them to register and then download the free instrument.
To sign up for a Splice account, you only need an email address, a couple of friends and a few minutes of your time (email verification is not required). Once you’ve signed up, you will get an invitation code which you can share online or send directly to your friends. As soon as two new users register with your invitation link, you will receive a free Basic license via email and the download link will be waiting for you in your user area. It’s easy as that!
For more info about the offer, visit the Audio Damage promo page at Splice.
12 Comments
k
onawesome I always wanted this. thank you.
Tomislav Zlatic
onCheers and thanks to Splice and Audio Damage for the awesome offer.
Joshua Jones
onThe waiting for the friends is the hardest part! Geez HURRY UP!!!
Tomislav Zlatic
onThey don’t understand the urgency of grabbing a nice free synthesizer! :)
cync
onHow does this stack up against Charlatan? Charlatan is my go to for getting quick basic sounds, but the demo sounds pretty good..
Tomislav Zlatic
onCharlatan is a favorite of mine when it comes to basic VA stuff and that hasn’t changed. ;)
Brendan
onI love Charlatan as well, and it has the edge on Basic due to it being polyphonic. However, Basic is a fantastic synth with a sound and feel all its own and an extremely low CPU hit. Charlatan can definitely get up there in the mid-to-higher CPU. Basic’s GUI wins for sure and it’s so easy to make it scream. I have to say overall I prefer Basic (though I do wish it had at least 4 note poly) ! :)
Friends?…
I like the look of that GUI.
Brendan
onNo friends huh? :(
Filthyweeb
onI hope I can get a few of my friends to join. I’ve had my eye on this plugin for quite a bit.
Tomislav Zlatic
onThe installer is around 1.2 MB in size.
Kneebone77
onSimply Lovely…