The KVR Audio Developer Challenge is a competition for developers of audio software that is run every 2-3 years. The challenge is to create and release a brand new free audio plug-in, application or sound library that will benefit the community at large.
The earlier editions of the competitions has seen some amazing new plugins being created. Focusing mainly on software for guitar/bass some examples are: the Ignite Emissary that was a entered to the developer challenge in 2014, the ProF.E.T another contribution from the same company in 2018. Youlean Loudness Meter. Acon Digital Multiply in 2016. Azurite by Distorque in 2012. And the list goes on..
Now all submissions for the DC21 are entered and are downloadable and the voting has started. The submission list is long but here are some of the entries that could be interesting for guitar & bass.
Note: since most of these are still in the early stages of their development don’t be surprised if you find the odd bug or glitch. If you want to help – report bugs you find to the developer.
More by Modsounds
A distortion plugin labeled a “the one-knob distortion plugin with too many knobs”. Check it at KVR..
The King by Evil Sound Lab
Here the goals were to reject conservative guitar pedal controls and to implement sound design tricks and mixing approaches in the one plug-in to give the user most flexible tweaks from guitar sound perspective. Check it at KVR…
NB-01 Distortion/Sustainer by Noizebox Industries
A modern take on a circuit from an ancient guitar pedal that was originally intended as a soft-distortion-sustainer for guitars. Giving that singing sustain without a lot of harsh distortion. Check it at KVR…
Chameleon by GuitarML
Amp sim using machine learning and neural networks to simulate three channels of a vintage style tube amp. Open source. Check it at KVR…
See all the DC21 entries
The list of software entered to the KVR DC21 is long and there are a lot of other interesting entries. Head over there and check them all out! If you find something you like give us a tip in the comments below – and don’t forget to vote for your favourites!