Click here to download the zip file (FreeSoundLibrary_02.zip) which contains the sounds in WAV format.

File Size: Somewhat over 5 megabytes

Short Description: The library contains 12 samples, each of which is intended for use as a "single sampled instrument" (by adjusting the pitch it can be used for multiple notes). I would suggest using the library with Cakewalk Sonar (TM) or some other program that allows for easy pitch-shifting, but if you are feeling ambitious you could always "hand tune" the pitch for even greater control. I have tried to select samples that translate well into useable sounds at a variety of pitches. Some, of course, sound better over a wider range than others.

Here is a basic demo I made (1 minute, 13 seconds) which briefly plays each instrument sequentially (ogg, wma, mp3).

Long Description/Notes: The 12 virtual instruments in the library are as follows:

• 1. This sound is loose and machine-like.
• 2. This sound resembles a snare drum
• 3. This one ranges from a whistle-like, somewhat harsh sound in the lower notes to a more staccato, clipped sound at the higher end.
• 4. This one has a bit of a piano sound to it, with a dark and distorted sound in the lower pitches and a more upbeat, dramatic sound in the higher pitches.
• 5. This is another snare drum like instrument. It has a somewhat narrower effective range than the second sample, but within that range it has a punchier, more juicy sound.
• 6. This one is somewhat melodic and particularly at the upper ranges, very staccato.
• 7. This instrument resembles a quacking duck.
• 8. This one has is a boomy, somewhat distorted sound.
• 9. This one has a light, loose sound, somewhat like sandpaper.
• 10. This is a snare/voc instrument. The "voc" aspect is particularly strong in the midrange.
• 11. This is a rather melodic instrument with some resemblance to a timpani.
• 12 . This one combines multiple elements for a crunchy/sci-fi sound.

Of course, as with any virtual instruments, you can adjust a lot more than the pitch to get even more variety. Various types and amount of reverb, equalization, and other effects can all be used. Have fun!

Attribution: The Creative Commons license under which these sounds are licenses states that:

You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).

This does not have to be anything fancy. A link to www.GoodChimes.com from your web site, a mention on your CD notes, or a line in the credits of your video or game would all be fine. For phrasing I would suggest:

This work includes sounds from Ted Kuik's Free Sound Library #2 by Theodore D. Kuik

or something similar. Please direct any attribution links to the main site url, www.goodchimes.com, as subdirectories and page names might get changed and no longer be valid. Thanks.

How the Sounds were Created:

The initial sounds were generated primarily with the DreamStation 1.0 synth, a free (and excellent) synth from Audio Simulation. A lot of the process involved using the "randomize sound" feature repeatedly until I got something that sounded interesting. In many cases I mixed in a few sounds I recorded from various household objects (which I used as PCM waveforms for DreamStation's oscillators).

I then took this "raw material" and did all sorts of things to it with Sonar by Cakewalk, VSampler by Maz Sound Tools, and the aforementioned Audacity to it to get the sound I wanted (pitch shifting, slicing and re-combining, adding effects, etc.)