Monday, August 18, 2014

Electric Pianos

One of the weaknesses of bigcat Instruments has been Electric Pianos. After extensive negotiations with Greg Sullivan (I emailed to ask if I could use his samples and he kindly said Yes.) three new pianos join the family. Having read that some EPiano manufacturers are a bit possessive of their brand and instrument names, I decided to use initials to identify the pianos. Better safe than sued.





The Y Piano is a personal favorite. Greg Sullivan sampled roughly every 4 notes and 4 velocity layers on this piano. Just about every pop and rock act in the mid-70s and 80s seemed to have one on stage as it was the closest you could get to a full Grand Piano without breaking the backs of a roadie army.



The H Planet S Piano has a unique sound thanks to its Sticky Reeds. The H is sampled roughly every 4 notes in two velocity layers. The H was on stage for many rock concerts for decades as it was portable and relatively inexpensive. Script and Shell by Mickaël Ménager.


The W Piano is one of the legendary instruments in modern music history. This piano is sampled at roughly every 6 notes in two velocity layers. The W samples are cited as a particular favorite of Tomislav Zlatic of the excellent Bedroom Producer's Blog.


Thanks again to Greg Sullivan for his excellent samples of these Electric Pianos and for permission to use them to create these Kontakt instruments. Feel free to use these instruments in any projects, but if you want to do anything with the samples directly (like make an instrument in another format) please contact Greg.


As bonus here is the Street Bumper Electric Piano from Sarcyan's Musyng Kite soundfont. It's a nice sounding instrument that was in competition with the W Piano for folks that preferred to go down that Road instead.  Script and Shell by Mickaël Ménager.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

GM Midi Instruments for Kontakt


 General Midi Sound Set
I'm a bit obsessed with making available all 128 instruments of the General Midi 1 Sound Set. This is the sound set that midi files use to recreate music, soundfonts traditionally revolve around them and if you get 128 voice keyboard these are generally the voices it has.  It is a standard to make sure that when Instrument 1 is called for it is always Acoustic Grand Piano and not bagpipes or a car crash.
Thanks to Sarcyan allowing me to convert his most excellent Musyng Kite Sound Font, I think all 128 sounds are now represented here at old bigcat Instruments and available for Kontakt 5.
Being me, getting all of the GM sound set as instruments for Kontakt calls for a list. A really long list. Initials at the front of the instrument name refers to the maker, see the key at the bottom. If there is more than one instrument that fits the patch, all instruments are listed side by side. Bonus instruments of similar type are included under the more general midi instrument.

Note that you'll need the full version of Kontakt for these to work.

  PIANO  
1    Acoustic Grand      *City Piano Warm  City Piano Clean  Maestro Concert Grand 
      continued...       Iowa Piano  MK Acoustic Grand  SSO Grand Piano  S Piano 
2    Bright Acoustic     Salamander Piano  Summer Piano  MK Bright Grand  
     Upright             VSCO 2 Piano Skerratt London  Beskhu Upright  Uncle Daves 
3    Electric Grand      The Y Piano  MK Electric Grand 
4    Honky-Tonk          Shoot the Piano  MK Honky Tonk 
     Intimate            The Whisper  Vospi's Whisper  MSLP Piano Grand Soft 
     Prepared            A Prepared Piano 
     Plucked             Beskhu Plucked Piano
     Toy                 MSLP Toy Piano  Beskhu Toy Piano  Poissonmort Toy Piano 
     Surprise            Surprise Piano  Not Quite Right Piano  Grandmither's Piano   
5    Electric Piano 1    The W Piano  Street Bumper Piano  MK R Piano 
     Detuned             MK Detuned EP 1 
6    Electric Piano 2    The H Planet S Piano  MK Electric 2 
     Detuned             MK Detuned EP 2  
7    Harpsichord         MK Harpsichord 
     Coupled             MK Coupled Harpsichord  
8    Clavinet            MK Clavinet

  CHROMATIC PERCUSSION 
9    Celesta             MK Celesta
10   Glockenspiel        MK Glockenspiel  SSO Glockenspiel
11   Music Box           MK Music Box
     Found               Finger Piano 
     Chimes              SSO Chimes  Selector Chimes
     Bells               Wuola Medieval Bells 
12   Vibraphone          MSLP Vibraphone  MK Vibraphone
13   Marimba             MSLP Marimba  MK Marimba
     Toy                 MSLP Toy Marimba  MSLP Broken Toy Marimba
14   Xylophone           MSLP Xylophone  MK Xylophone  SSO Xylophone
     Toy                 MSLP Toy Zylo  Beskhu Toy Xylo 
15   Tubular Bells       MK Tubular Bells
     Church Bells        MK Church Bells
     Carillon            Ghent Belfry Carillon  
16   Dulcimer            MK Dulcimer  MSLP Kantele
     Hammered Dulcimer   iternetcone Hammered Dulcimer 
     Toy                 MSLP Toy Zither 

  ORGAN
17   Drawbar Organ       MK Drawbar Organ 
     Detuned             MK Detuned Organ 1  MK Detuned Organ 3  
18   Percussive Organ    MK Percussive Organ 
     Detuned             MK Detuned Percussive Organ  
19   Rock Organ          MK Rock Organ 
20   Church Organ        MK Church Organ 1  MK Church Organ 2
     Pipe Organ          Bureu Organ  Saint Augustine's Organ 
                         Burea Funeral Organ  Prudhoe Organ
21   Reed Organ          MK Reed Organ 
22   Accordion           MK Accordion 
     Italian             MK Italian Accordion
23   Harmonica           MK Harmonica  Beeching Harmonica 
     Toy                 MSLP Hippo Harmonica 
     Melodica            MSLP Melodica  
24   Tango Accordion     MK Bandoneon 



  GUITAR
25   Nylon String        MF Natural Concert Guitar  Quartertone Guitar  MK Nylon Guitar 
      continued...       S Guitar  MSLP Acoustic Lil Nylon 
      Shell              DIY Philharmonic  Guitar (see here)
     Chords              MSLP Acoustic Guitar Chords 
     Ukulele             MK Ukulele 
26   Steel String        Project 16 Sherwood SH887 Guitar  FS Seagull Steel String Acoustic 
      continued...       FS Ibid Acoustic  MK Steel Guitar 
     12 Sring            MK 12 String Guitar 
     Mandolin            MSLP Mandolin Nillsson  MK Mandolin 
      Shell              DIY Philharmonic Mandolin (see here)
     Tiple               Tiple  
27   Electric Jazz       FS Mor Peter Neck  & Bridge  MK Jazz Guitar 
     Hawaiian            MK Hawaiian Guitar 
28   Electric Clean      FS Panther Both Pickups  FS Fender Telecaster Electric Guitar
      continued...       Cute Emily  MK Clean Guitar  S Jackson EMG
     Chords              MSLP Electric Guitar Chords  
     Chorus              MK Chorus Guitar  
29   Electric Muted      MK Muted Guitar 
     Funk                MK Funk Guitar  
30   Overdriven          MK Overdriven Guitar 
31   Distortion          MK Distortion Guitar 1  MK Distortion Guitar 2 
     Feedback            MK Feedback Guitar 
32   G Harmonics         MK Guitar Harmonics 
     G Feedback          MK Guitar Feedback 

  BASS 
33   Acoustic Bass       FS Washburn Acoustic Bass Guitar  MK Acoustic Bass 
34   Electric Fingered   FS Yamaha Electric Bass Guitar  Quartertone Bass  MK Finger Bass 
     Muffled             FS Ibanez Electric Bass Guitar  
35   Electric Picked     MK Pick Bass 
     Six String Bass     Pasta Bass  
     Variety of Basses   Project16 Bass - Version 2   Eight MSLP Basses 
36   Fretless Bass       FaireDesVague Fretless Bass  MK Fretless Bass 
37   Slap Bass 1         MK Slap Bass 
38   Slap Bass 2         MK Slap Bass 2 
39   Synth Bass 1        MK Synth Bass 1  MK Synth Bass 2
40   Synth Bass 2        MK Synth Bass 3  MK Synth Bass 4


  Mostly FULL ORCHESTRAS
     Sonatina WIPS      Strings  Brass  Woodwinds  Percussion +
     VSCO 2             Strings  Brass  Woodwinds  Percussion  Keys
     *Iowa Full         Tuned    WIPS   Electric   Ensemble
 
  SOLO STRINGS
41   Violin             Ldk1609 Violin  VSCO 2 Solo Violin  Kake Violin 
                        SSO Solo Violin MK Violin S Violin 
      Shell             DIY Violin (see here
     Violins            SSO 1st Violins - Take 2  SSO 2nd Violins - Take 2   
                        VSCO 2 Violin Section  Maestoso 18 Violin Ensemble 
42   Viola              *Iowa Viola  WIPS  S Viola  MK Viola
      Shell             DIY Viola (see here
      Country           Mystery Girl Viola
     Violas             SSO Violas - Take 2  VSCO 2 Viola Section 
43   Cello              Karoryfer Cello  MSLP Cello Lofberg   
      continued...      SSO Solo Cello  S Cello  MK Cello
     Celli              VSCO 2 Cello Section  SSO Celli 
     Viola Da Gamba     S Simple Viola da Gamba 
44   Contrabass         Karoryfer Meat Bass  D Smolken Double Bass  Chad's Double Bass Pizz 
      continued...      VSCO 2 Contabass  MSLP Double Bass Lofberg  MK Contrabass 
                        *Iowa Double Bass  WIPS
     Contrabasses       SSO Basses 
45   Tremolo Strings    MK Tremolo Strings 
46   Pizzicato Strings  MK Pizzicato Strings 
47   Harp               SSO Concert Harp  VSCO 2 Concet Harp  MK Celtic Harp 
48   Timpani            SSO Timpani  VSCO Percussion  MSLP Timpani  MK Timpani 
     Frightening Bows   Crotbow  Glockbow 

  ENSEMBLE
49   String Ensemble 1  bigcat String Section  MK String Ensemble
50   String Ensemble 2  MK Slow Strings
51   SynthStrings 1     MK Synth Strings 1  Mk Synth Strings 2
52   SynthStrings 2     MK Synth Strings 3  MK Orchestral Pad
53   Choir Aahs         SSO Male  SSO Female  SSO Mixed  MK Choral Aahs
54   Voice Oohs         Betsy  Joseph  MK Melodic Choir 
     Experimental       272 Merry Orks 
55   Synth Voice        MK Synth Vox
56   Orchestra Hit      MK Orchestral Hit 

  BRASS 
57   Trumpet            SSO Trumpet  Pablo Trumpet S The Trumpet MK Trumpet 
                        VSCO 2 Trumpet  S Bb Trumpet  *Iowa Trumpet  WIPS 
     Trumpets           SSO Trumpets - Take 2  Fortissimo Trumpet Ensemble      
58   Trombone           MSLP Trombone Knutsson  SSO Tenor Trombone  S Tenor Trombone 
                        VSCO 2 Trombone  *Iowa Tenor Trombone  WIPS 
     Bass Trombone      SSO Bass Trombone  S Bass Trombone 
                        *Iowa Bass Trombone  WIPS 
     Trombones          MSLP Trombone Knutsson Ensemble   SSO Trombones  MK Trombones
                        Fortissimo Trombone Ensemble 
59   Tuba               SSO Tuba  VSCO 2 Tuba  MK Tuba  S Tuba  Iowa Tuba  WIPS 
60   Muted Trumpet      MK Muted Trumpet 
61   French Horn        SSO Horn  VSCO 2 Horn  S Horn  *Iowa Horn  WIPS
     French Horns       SSO Horns - Take 2  MK French Horns  Fortissimo Horn Ensemble 
62   Brass Section      MK Brass Section
63   SynthBrass 1       MK Synth Brass 1  MK Synth Brass 2
64   SynthBrass 2       MK Synth Brass 3  MK Synth Brass 4

  REED
65   Soprano Sax        Iowa Soprano Sax  MK Soprano Sax
66   Alto Sax           Karoryfer Alto Sax Electric  Karoryfer Alto Sax WIPs
                        Iowa Alto Sax  *Iowa Alto Sax 2  WIPS
                        Club Alto Sax  Club Jazz Alto Sax  MK Alto Sax
67   Tenor Sax          Club Tenor Sax  MSLP Sax  MK Tenor Sax
68   Baritone Sax       Club Baritone Sax  MK Baritone Sax
69   Oboe               SSO Oboe  VSCO 2 Oboe  *Iowa Oboe  WIPS  MK Oboe  S Oboe  
     Oboes              SSO Oboes 
70   English Horn       SSO Cor Anglias  MK English Horn
71   Bassoon            SSO Bassoon  VSCO 2 Bassoon  *Iowa Bassoon  WIPS 
                        S Bassoon  MK Bassoon  Beskhu Fagott 
     Bassoons           SSO Bassoons 
     Contrabassoon      SSO Contrabassoon  
72   Clarinet           SSO Clarinet  VSCO 2 Clarinet  MSLP Sad Clarinet 
                        MK Clarinet Legato *Iowa Eb Clarinet  WIPS 
                        *Iowa Bb Clarinet  WIPS  S Bb Clarinet 
     Bass Clarinet      *Iowa Bass Clarinet  WIPS  S Bass Clarinet  
     Clarinets          SSO Clarinets   
     Crumhorn           S Crumhorn  Juskiddink Crumhorn

  PIPE
73   Piccolo            SSO Piccolo  MK Piccolo 
74   Flute              MSLP Flute Grbavac  VSCO 2 Flute  SSO Flute  MK Flute 
                        *Iowa Flute  WIPS  
     Alto Flute         *Iowa Alto Flute  WIPS  S Alto Flute SSO Alto Flute 
     Bass Flute         *Iowa Bass Flute  WIPS  S Bass Flute 
     Flutes             SSO Flutes    
75   Recorder           MSLP Recorder  MK Recorder 
76   Pan Flute          MK Pan Flute 
77   Blown Bottle       MK Blown Bottle MK Breathe 
78   Skakuhachi         MK Skakuhachi 
79   Whistle            MK Whistle 
80   Ocarina            MK Ocarina 
  
  TAYLOR SAMPLED SYNTHS with many leads. pads and effects
     80 Axis            Part 1  Part 2   Part 3
     Bender Roma Eq     Part 1  Part 2
     King One Many      Part 1  Part 2
     Newtron 5          Part 1  Part 2
     Janssen Havoc      Complete
     Payara Psia        Complete
 

  SYNTH LEAD
81   Lead 1 (square)    MK Square Lead 
     Lead 1.2 (sine)    MK AC Sine Wave  
82   Lead 2 (sawtooth)  MK Saw Wave
     Lead 2.2 (doctor)  MK Doctor Solo  
83   Lead 3 (calliope)  MK Calliope Lead 
84   Lead 4 (chiff)     MK Chiffer Lead 
85   Lead 5 (charang)   MK Charang 
86   Lead 6 (voice)     MK Solo Vox 
     Lead 6.2 (doo)     MK Doo Vox 
87   Lead 7 (fifths)    MK 5th Saw Wave 
88   Lead 8 (bass+lead) MK Bass + Lead 
 
  SYNTH PAD 
89   Pad 1 (new age)    MK Fantasia Pad 
90   Pad 2 (warm)       MK Warm Strings 
91   Pad 3 (polysynth)  MK Polysynth 
92   Pad 4 (choir)      MK Voice Pad 
93   Pad 5 (bowed)      MK Bowed Pad
94   Pad 6 (metallic)   MK Metal Pad 
95   Pad 7 (halo)       MK Halo Pad 
96   Pad 8 (sweep)      MK Sweep Pad 
 
   SYNTH EFFECTS
97   FX 1 (rain)        MK Ice Rain 
98   FX 2 (soundtrack)  MK Soundtrack 
99   FX 3 (crystal)     MK Crystal 
100  FX 4 (atmosphere)  MK Atmosphere 
101  FX 5 (brightness)  MK Brightness 
102  FX 6 (goblins)     MK Goblins 
103  FX 7 (echoes)      MK Echoes 
104  FX 8 (sci-fi)      MK Star Theme 
 
 
   ETHNIC
105  Sitar              MK Sitar 
106  Banjo              FS Golden Key Banjo  MK Banjo  MSLP Banjo 
      Shell             DIY Philharmonic Banjo (see here)
     Oud                Fantom57 Oud 
107  Shamisen           MK Shamisen 
108  Koto               MK Koto 
     Taisho Koto        MK Taisho Koto  
109  Kalimba            MK Kalimba  Beskhu SanzAnais
110  Bagpipe            MK Bagpipe 
111  Fiddle             MK Fiddle  MSLP Folk Violin Lofberg 
112  Shenai             MK Shenai 
     World Instruments  S 9 World Instruments 
     Kayageum           Spt3125 Kayageum 

 
   PERCUSSIVE
113  Tinkle Bell        MK Tinkle Bell 
     Jingle Bells       MSLP Jingle Bells 
114  Agogo              MK Agogo 
115  Steel Drums        MK Steel Pan  Steel Drums 
116  Woodblock          MK Woodblock 
     Castanets          MK Castanets 
     Maracas            MSLP Maracas 
117  Taiko Drum         MK Taiko Drum 
     Concert Bass Drum  MK Concert Bass Drum  
118  Melodic Tom        MK Melodic Tom  MK Melodic Tom 2 
119  Synth Drum         MK Snyth Drum 
     808 Tom            MK 808 Tom  
120  Reverse Cymbal     MK Reverse Cymbal 
     Tambourine         S Pink Tambourine 


   SOUND EFFECTS
121  Guitar Fret Noise  MK Fret Noise 
     Guitar Cut Noise   MK Cut Noise 
     String Slap        MK String Slap 
122  Breath Noise       Breathing Noises 
     Flute Key Click    MK Key Click  
123  Seashore           MK Seashore 
     Rain               MK Rain  
     Thunder            MK Thunder 
     Wind               MK Wind 
     Stream             MK Stream 
     Bubble             MK Bubble  Tverse Bubbles
124  Bird Tweet         MK Bird  SFX Goose
     Dog                MK Dog 
     Horse              MK Horse Gallop 
     Grasshopper        S Grasshopper  
125  Telephone          MK Telephone 1  MK Telephone 2
     Door Creak         MK Door Creak  Beskhu Cupboard Creaking 
     Door Close         The Doors  MK Door Slam
     Scratch            MK Scratch 
     Wind Chimes        Beskhu Windchimes  MK Wind Chimes  
126  Helicopter         SFX Helicopter 
     Car Engine         MK Car Engine 
     Car Stop           MK Car Skid  
     Car Pass           MK Car Pass 
     Car Crash          MK Car Crash 
     Siren              MK Siren 
     Train              MK Train 
     Jet Plane          MK Jet Plane 
     Star Ship          MK Star Ship 
     Burst Noise        MK Burst Noise 
127  Applause           MK Applause 
     Laughing           MK Laughter  
     Screaming          MK Screaming 
     Punch              MK Punch 
     Sword Fight        Christopher Derp En Guarde 
     Heartbeat          MK Heartbeat  
     Footsteps          MK Footsteps 
128  Gunshot            Gunshot SFX  MK Gunshot 
     Machine Gun        MK Machine Gun 
     Lazar Gun          MK Lazar Gun 
     Explosion          MK Explosion 
 
     Basketball         SFX Basketball Bounce
     Jew's Harp         Beskhu Jew's Harp
     Cartoon Boing      SFX Jawharp Boing 
     Vintage Game FX    BLamerichs 8 Bit FX
                        BLamerichs 16 Bit FX
 
 
  Drums 
1    Standard Kit       Quartertone Drums  SmithULTD/Evil Dragon Drums  MK Standard Kit 
2    Standard Kit 2     MK Standard Kit 2
     Snares             Sandyrb Snaradise 
3    Pop Kit            MK Pop Kit 
4    Jungle Kit         MK Jungle Kit  
9    Room Kit           MK Room Kit 
10   Room Kit 2         MK Room Kit 2
17   Power Kit          MK Power Kit 
25   Electronic Kit     MK Electronic Kit 
26   TR-808 Kit         MK US 88 
27   TR-909 Kit         MK US 99 
28   GORK Kit           MK Synth QORK  
33   Jazz Kit           MK Jazz Kit 
34   Jazz Kit 2         MK Jazz Kit 2 
35   Latin Kit          MK Latin Kit  
41   Brush Kit          MK Brush Kit 
49   Orchestra Kit      SSO Percussion  VSCO 2 Percussion 
                        MK Orchestra Drums  MSLP Orchestral Percussion
57   SFX Kit            MK SFX Set
81   Electro Kit        MK Electro Kit  
82   Dance Kit          MK Dance Kit    
83   Gabba Kit          MK Gabba Kit  
84   House Kit          MK House Kit 
85   Industrial Kit     MK Industrial Kit 
86   Rave Kit           MK Rave Kit   
87   Techno Kit         MK Techno Kit
105  Ethnic Percussion  MK Ethnic Percussion 
106  Africa Kit         MK Africa Kit 
107  Gamelan            Complete Gamelan  Delft Bonang Barung Pelog GMB Gamelan
128  CM Kit             MK Drum Synth 
 
 
* Certain instruments I have tuned to 440.
Certain instruments I've improved with a 'WIPS' script and other features and this download says WIPS. These have legato and vibrato, fake round robins, a smoother velocity scale and can be played using the usual keyboard or midi file, but also a wind controller if you have one.

The WIPS scripts created by Big Bob.
The Ensemble scripts created by Jay Bacal.
Electric Instrument scripts and GUI by Mickaël Ménager.
For these scripts, all rights are retained by their respective authors.
The basic bigcat instruments script was created through a community effort with Matt McKay creating the refinements for the second version. This script is public domain.

Many of these instruments are Creative Commons Attribution. Please credit the following.

MK & Street Bumper Piano - Musyng Kite by Sarcyan.
MSLP - MSLP project created by Erick Kvist.
SSO - Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra by Mattias Westlund.
VSCO 2 - Versilian Studios / Sam Gossner
VSCO 2 Piano - Simon Dalzell of Ivy Audio
Surprise Piano- Simon Dalzell and Alexander HolmFeel.
D Smolken Double Bass, Cute Emily, Pasta Bass, 272 Merry Orks - Karoryfer Samples.
Karoryfer Cello, Meat Bass & Alto Sax - Karoryfer Samples.
S - Sasje.
FS - Flame Studios.
Project 16 Bass & Guitar - Project 16.
Quartertone Drums, Bass & Guitar - Quartertone.
SmithULTD/Evildragon - Quartertone & EvilDragon.
Salamander Piano - Alexander HolmFeel.
Summer Piano - Zenph Studios.
Maestro Concert Grand - Mats Helgesson.
Y, W & H Planet S Electric Pianos - Greg Sullivan
Beskhu - Beskhu.
A Prepared Piano - Kurt James Werner.
Grandmither's Piano - Techsetsu
Uncle Daves - Goup_1.
Poissonmort Toy Piano - Poissonmort.
Finger Piano - Prent Rogers.
Bureu - Lars Palo. Scripting - Matt McKay.
Saint Augustine's Organ - Nick Appleton.
Burea Funeral Organ - Lars Palo.
MF Natural Concert Guitar -  Markus Fiedler.
bigcat String Section - Mattias Westlund and Erick Kvist.
Tiple - Andrés Cabrera.
Club Saxes - Clruwe.
Breathing Noises - The Baron.
The Doors - Sounds from FreeSound.org sampled by Anton, Leady, Ddohler, The Bizness, Lg, Matucha, Joe Deshon, Zabuhailo, Tiptoe 84, Baujahr 66, Ultra Dust, Simpsi, Omar Alvarado, Land Dub and Aiyuma.
Goose - US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Helicopter - Mike Koenig and Chester Barrett.
Gamelan - Akito Van Troyer.
GMB Gamelan - Anamorphosi.
Pablo Trumpet - rcasamajo.
Fortissimo & Maestoso Ensembles - Jasper Blunk.

Any corporate names used are simply those that the instruments were originally created under and the name has been retained to avoid confusion. No relationship, endorsement or connection in any way exists or is implied.

By downloading and using anything on this site you agree to this Limited Warranty & Liability

bigcat's Amazon ebook page

Friday, August 1, 2014

Sasje's Instruments

The fine instrument maker named Sasje has released a number of free Kontakt 5 instruments. Read about them here. She says "My health is seriously deteriorating and I won't be able to create something new or maintain them. Do what you want with them, as long as you don't sell them." So I've put them up on my mediafire account. God bless you Sasje and I pray your health is improving.

I can't emphasize enough, I didn't create these instruments Sasje did. I'm just trying to make sure they continue to be available for folks to download.

9 World Instruments
Crumhorn
Dark Drones
Grasshopper
Jackson Guitar
Lighter Glitch
The Pink Tambourine
The Trumpet
Simple Viola da Gamba
VI-Celestia Synthesizer

Orchestra 1 - Part 1 - Part 2