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Windows software that lets users produce and create music

Windows software that lets users produce and create music

Vote: (176 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: ExperimentalScene

Version: 5.5.0

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(176 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

ExperimentalScene

5.5.0

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Free software
  • Powerful, modular sound creation
  • Versatile pattern editor
  • HD recording

Cons

  • Not well documented

DarkWave Studio is a powerful modular synthesizer and beat sequencer available as a free download for Windows.

This full-featured software synthesizer and drum console has been around since the days of Windows XP and is currently on version 4. It comes as a free download that includes a modular node editor, drum pattern editor, MIDI sequencer and high-definition recorder. To use DarkWave Studio, simply unzip the downloaded file and double-click the EXE file. After unzipping the folder, you can customize your setup with VST plugins and software extensions that you can plug in by copying them to the VST or Plugins folders in the application directory.

As powerful as DarkWave Studio is, it takes some time to understand how to build custom synthesizers using the modular node editor. If you've never used a modular, node-based system before, the way it works is by connecting the output from one node to the input of another node. For example, you can connect the output of a sawtooth node to the input of a gain node to control the level and distortion of a sawtooth synthesizer. For beginners, this approach can be daunting because DarkWave Studio doesn't have much documentation.

The pattern editor is very intuitive to use and consists of a programmable loop editor such as the ones often found in electronic drum machines. To program a beat or a synthesizer pattern, simply click a note on the loop editor and drag the note to make it the desired length. You can make the pattern as simple or complex as you want it to be by choosing between 4 and 2,048 divisions for each beat. While 2,048 divisions is probably overkill, it could be useful for musicians who want to add a precise, computerized sound to their mixes. Most musicians will want to stick with 16 to 64 divisions, which results in the kind of music humans naturally play.

If it's confusing at first, syncing your programmed patterns using the sequence editor is worth the effort of learning, especially for a free piece of software. The sequence editor is where electronic musicians can track their MIDI mixes, which may consist of multiple synthesizer patterns and drum beats. After lining up your sequences, you can click on the Studio tab to add effects and work on mixing the actual sounds, levels and stereo panning. DarkWave Studio includes a loop function that helps you get your mix just right by repeating your track while you make changes to the mix.

Since DarkWave Studio consists entirely of virtual synthesizers, drum machines and mixing equipment, it doesn't take up a lot of hard drive space with samples or other large sound files. Therefore, the download size is small, but you need a fairly fast computer to get the best results.

Pros

  • Free software
  • Powerful, modular sound creation
  • Versatile pattern editor
  • HD recording

Cons

  • Not well documented