Now you’ve got to understand that I was born in the 50’s, grew up in the 60’s, and played in a rock band 5 nights a week all through the 70’s. So guys like Rick Wakeman (Yes) and Keith Emerson (ELP) were my influences as were bands like Gentle Giant and Genesis. I’ve been searching for VST instruments that emulate keyboards like the Mellotron, Rhodes, B3, Clav, Minimoog, etc, that I use to own and play.
Here is a list of VSTi’s that you can buy that emulate those classic synthesizers:
- Moog Modular: Moog Modular V from Artruia
- ARP 2600: ARP2600 V from Arturia
- Minimoog: Minimoog V from Artruria
- Mellotron: M-Tron from GForce
- Hammond B3: B4 Organ from Native Instruments (discontinued)
- Sequential Circuits Prophet 5: Pro-53 from Native Instruments
- Fender Rhodes: Lounge Lizard EP-2 from Applied Acoustic Systems
Here is a listing of some FREE VSTi instruments to use with ACID Pro or any VSTi compatible host. I found most of these through K-v-R web site which is an excellent directory of everything VST.
- Mellotron: Tapeworm from Tweakbench has strings, voices, flues, brass
- Fender Rhodes: Mr.Ray 2 or 4Front Rhodes, Piano, Bass, E-Piano – Some exceptional pianos
- Tonewheel Organ (B3): ORGANized trio
- Multi-sound: SampleTank 1.1.9 FREE
- Polyphonic Analog Subtractive Synthesizer: LinPlug FreeAlpha
- Polyphonic Analog Subtractive Synthesizer: Superwave P8
Soundfonts
SynthZone Soundfont Resources is an outstanding resource for soundfonts.
VST Effects
ACID Pro 5.0 now supports VST effects. Here is a list of some great free VST effects:
- Kjaerhus Audio Classic Series (Chorus, Compressor, Delay, EQ, Flanger, Phaser, Limiter, Reverb)
- Voxengo has some great VST effects both for free and for a fee.
Control Devices
You will need some way of controlling your VSTi synths. There are both hard wand software solutions available:
- M-Audio has an excellent line of MIDI Keyboard Controllers. I use the Axium 61 and I love it.
- Frontier Design Tranzport is an excellent transport controller for recording and playback.
- Bome’s Mouse Keyboard is an excellent software keyboard for those times when you don’t have hardware available.
John Rofrano is a Senior VASST Trainer and the author of Instant ACID, a book on Sony ACID Pro software, from CMP Books. He is also the developer of Ultimate S Pro, Vegas Pro Production Assistant, Mayhem, and other software plug-ins including the FASST Apps for Sony Vegas Pro NLE software. John has been a performing musician, singer, songwriter for over 40 years, and programmer and computer architect for the past 28 years. He is also a forum moderator at the Creative COW.