DUY are offering their Z-Room Reverb plug-in for FREE in several formats including RTAS (PC), RTAS, VST and AU (Mac).

Simply go here, hand over your data and then you’ll be sent a link and a serial number.

We’ll post a video review shortly.

* Please note, these stories are offered as a news service to the community. We offer no endorsement or warranties implied or otherwise to products, services or policies of the brands.

One you might have missed from our FREE sample libraries. You just can’t get enough of these sample sets for use in Structure and Transfuser or your favourite sampler.

To ensure consistent bandwidth we only release them for a limited time. This is another dance classic, the Korg Electribe ESX. A few hundred more samples to add to your collection. Get them quick! 

Get them here

Ample Guitar M Lite aims to bring the Martin D-41 Guitar sound to your studio.

Ample Guitar Lite M is a 670MB reduced version of the 5.59GB Ample Guitar M virtual acoustic guitar.

It features:

• 668 samples in 16-bit / 44.1kHz 
• First four frets limit with fingerstyle - no strumming here. 
• 5 playing techniques are included; sustain, hammer on, pull-off, palm mute and popping
• Reverb and a stereo delay.

Ample Guitar M Lite is available in VST, RTAS and AU formats on Mac OS X and Windows 32 and 64-bits. You can download and compare it to the full version at www.amplesound.net.

Or check our FREE plug-ins database for all the FREE Pro Tools plug-ins

Our friends over at Time and Space have a killer offer until May 31st 2013.

Download both EZ Drummer and EZ Mix2 lite completely FREE.

More here

Russ takes a look at Camel Crusher - another FREE plug-in.

Get it here http://www.pro-tools-expert.com/free-pro-tools-plug-ins/

Russ shows how to get Killer Hip Hop Kicks In Pro Tools. All this is done using FREE stuff.

Today MusicTech release their 10th anniversary magazine which comes with not one, but two DVD front covers.

Pro Tools Expert, along with Groove 3 have partnered with MusicTech to give away over 10 hours worth of FREE content.

You’ll find hours of Pro Tools tips, tricks and tutorials, plus some of our best-of in-depth interviews from the podcast from industry experts.

The magazine is out today worldwide.

More here

Soundtoys are at it again !
At this years SXSW Soundtoys are giving out free codes to a new exlusive plugin totally FREE !

Click this link to go and get yours Have a play with it and tell what you think.

The redemtion code should already be filled in on the form but in case its not use this one:
 294-8052-721
You will need to have signed up for a Soundtoys account so if you dont have one make sure you do that too.

 The Plugin is RTAS/VST/VST3 format and requires you to create a Free Soundtoys account and to own an ilok.

Participants also have the chance to Win An original Eventide H3000 D/SE autographed by two of it’s creators, Ken Bogdanowicz, and Bob Belcher. 

Click to read more ...

Russ shows how to take Xpand and turn it into a really gutsy killer synth.

Members click the picture above to play or use our Pay Per View service to view it here

Our friends over at iZotope have produced an updated Mastering Guide for 2013.

The new 2013 Edition of our free guide, Mastering with Ozone, has arrived! Featuring fresh insights from Jonathan Wyner and other mastering pros, the revised guide covers a broad range of mastering principles and best practices, plus a healthy dose of Ozone 5 tips.

Download the PDF | Download the eBook via iTunes for iPhone/iPad

Our FREE plug-ins section on Pro Tools Expert is hugely popular, so my friends at Groove 3 asked me to create a video series showing how to create an entire mix using just FREE plug-ins. In their words…

Mixing music with plug-ins has become the norm these days, but is it possible to create a great sounding mix with plug-ins that offered for free? Well, DAW expert Russ Hughes says “YES” and shows you some great plug-ins that are available for free and how to use them on a mix. Russ even includes the audio file stems from the tutorials so you can practice mixing along!

Russ starts of with an introduction video explaining the series and what it will accomplish, as well as playing the song you’ll be mixing together. Next, he tackles the drums and percussion, showing you how to get super lows on the kicks and a nice top end using a collection of free EQ plug-ins. Bass guitar and piano are then looked at, and Russ explains how to get them to sit in the mix just right.

Acoustic guitar and synths are focused on and Russ demonstrates how to use a free delay plug-in to enhance the parts. Electric guitars and vocals are next up and Russ introduces amp simulations and reverbs to do the job. Lastly, Russ concentrates on the final mix, revealing how to “glue” the whole thing together.

If you’re mixing on a budget, or just want some more insight on mixing in general, this series is a must see! Join Russ and watch how to get the best bang without spending any money on plug-ins… Watch “Mixing with FREE Plug-Ins” today.

• 9 tutorials / Over 1 hour total runtime
• Audio stem files included so you can practice what you learn
• For all beginner mixers, engineers and producers
• Tutorials written by DAW master Russ Hughes
• Simple to use video control interface for Mac & PC
• Watch Online, Download, Stream to iPad, iPhone & iPod

More here

You may recall that we recently reviewed the plug-ins for Plug & Mix, we found them very good value for money, with a significant amount being AAX format.

Now they are running a promo offering a FREE plug-in of your choice, simply by Liking their Facebook page.

More info here

Loops are a two sided coin, one side inspiration and hit making, the other side derivative and over-used. So how can you make sure that when you use loops your coin lands on the right side?

Here are our top 5 tricks that will cost you nothing…

1. Slice and Dice
   If you have a loop then don’t settle for the basic loop you start with. You can slice them up and then rearrange them using two tools. First use the separate clip option and cut them up in grid mode. Then drag them into any version of Structure which gives you the ability to play them via MIDI, just like a REX loop. You can find separate clip in the Edit Menu.
2. Mash Them Up
   Try using Lo-Fi and Distortion, both FREE in Pro Tools to create some real beat-mashing effects such as lower bit sample rates and simple dirt. You’ll be amazed how you can take a pedestrian loop and in no time have it dirtier than rally car being driven in the rainy season by a hooker.
3. Filter, Filter, Filter
   Try using my all-time favourite plug-in Vintage Filter, depending on what setting you have you can give your loops serious warmth or shocking sizzle by using the filter - make sure you automate the filter to give it an added sense of interest.
4. Why Use One When You Can Use Many?
   Don’t settle for just using one loop - try stacking a few tracks of loops and then use the Kill-Eq plug-in to remove the kick from one, or the top end from another. Even better use all the tricks in 1,2 and 3 to really make them start to work together.
5. Mess With The Time
   The great thing about Elastic Audio is that you can pull in a regular 4/4 beat and soon have your loop as a 6/8 swing with an MPC Groove. Even better you can use the Real Time properties to text out different feels before you commit. Also remember that you can use Beat Detective to create feel from an existing drum part - spend some time doing this and soon your loops will be locked up tighter than serial killer in San Quentin.

If you need to get ahead on beats then why not check out this video series Pro Tools Beat Guru I made with Groove 3 (shameless plug) - and get some more cool ideas.

We have a lot of new community members who may have missed this old story, so we are running it again, it was first run in 2011. Yes you read it right; over 600mb of Orchestra patches, lovingly created by community member Rob Tate, completely FREE for all members, no strings attached. The Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra is a free orchestral sample library created/authored by Mr. Mattias Westlund

However, Rob has lovingly ported it to Structure and we are hosting it for those who want to download this amazing gift to the AIR Users community. Full information about the contents and the library are included with the download, as well as all the presets so you can audition the patches.

Thanks Rob

Download it here

Thanks to community member Shane Felton he’s created this Pro Tools drive icon and asked us to share it with the Pro Tools Community.

Simply download the icon image file here and then use it on your Mac or PC to have a very cool Pro Tools drive icon. If this file does not work and you prefer then simply use the GIF icon at the top and that will work too.

Please share with your friends or on Facebook, Twitter or Google+

Install info for Mac users from comminuty member El Sidius below;

After downloading or copying the custom icon file(s) to your computer follow these steps:
1. Select the desired icon in the Finder.
2. Choose Get Info from the File menu.
3. Click the icon that appears in the Info window.
4. Choose Copy from the Edit menu.
Note: Leave the Info window open.
5. In the Finder, select the application, folder, or document whose icon you want to change. Note that the Info window immediately updates to display the newly selected item.
6. Click the icon that appears in the Info window.
7. Choose Paste from the Edit menu.
8. Close the Info window.

Russ checks out one of over 50 FREE Pro Tools plug-ins and shows just how good some of these gems are. Get them now http://www.pro-tools-expert.com/free-pro-tools-plug-ins/

Sforzando is a Free SFZ Player. Simple but Powerful For Advanced Users. 

Sforzando is a free, highly SFZ 2.0 compliant sample player. Advanced sample hobbyists now have a powerful tool to experiment and share instruments without relying on proprietary formats. sforzando only has one instrument slot; no fancy UI, effects or mixers. Every tweak needs to be done at the SFZ file level, no cheating! More here

Drums are at the core of many tracks, be that dance, rock or jazz, but often bands struggle to get a great drum sound. Here are 5 tips for getting a better drum sound that won’t cost you a penny.

1. Find the right space
   Some of the most iconic drum sounds were reflections of the space they sat in, be that the drums on Whole Lotta Love, Smells Like Teen Spirit or the Funky Drummer drum break. So get out there and find spaces you can record the drums in - even if it’s a simple stereo recording, it may sound better than a sterile multi tracked drum kit. Use a school hall, church, factory, shed, in fact whatever works.
2. Use the space
   Take time to move the drums around the space you sit them in, you’ll be amazed how taking a drum kit and sitting it in a different part of the room can change the sound entirely.
3. Try different mics
   We spend a lot of time talking about different types of mics, we regard some as vocal mics, guitar mics and drum mics. However, there are no rules, so take some risks and try using the mics in different ways, after all the best mic for the job is the one you have, so stop wishing about owning mics and use the ones you have in new and creative ways. 
4. Move your mics and listen
   Take time to move the mics around the kit and around the room (remember if you’ve taken the time to find a cool room then capture it). Get the drummer to play in the room and then get outside and either use some monitors or headphones to hear what the mics are sounding like.
5. Performance is everything
   Spend time working with the drummer on trying different tempos, feel, and intensity - capture every version of those performances. Some drummers like working with a click and other drummers don’t - clicks can help later, but sometimes kill the performance, don’t just use a click because you can. It might also help to track the drums with the band, you might get some spillage through the mics, but if you get the performance then it’s worth it.

As you can see, all of these tips cost nothing, they just require some imagination and some risks - but try them and you’ll be smiling when you listen back to your drum tracks. Stuff sterile, in my book performance and sound win every time.