99Sounds vs Wave Alchemy

99Sounds is an independent sound design label and free sound effects repository launched in 2014 by Tomislav Zlatić. Its collections include cinematic effects, drum samples, field recordings, rain sounds, loops, and other categories. Audio files and plugins are royalty-free for personal and commercial projects, including music, video, game development, podcasts, and sound design, and attribution is not required. The license does not permit selling or redistributing downloaded audio, either separately or as an attachment to work. It also bars use of the sounds in noise, white-noise, sleep-sound, or similar apps. Free instrument plugins are listed in VST, VST3, and AU formats. The maker says its instruments work with VST and AU hosts on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows and macOS, but not macOS Catalina. Drumplayer includes twelve kits, eight slots, stereo and multiple mono outputs, channel volume and pan, and pitch-modulation LFO. Upright Piano includes four sampled notes per octave, six dynamic layers per note, and adjustable envelope, tremolo, filter, and reverb. Sound and plugin downloads cost nothing.

Wave Alchemy makes virtual instruments, effects plugins, drum samples, music loops, and sound effects for macOS and Windows. Its Triaz drum-production plugin combines sequencing, layering, mixing, and sound design, with 15,000 samples and more than 700 presets. The sequencer supports polyrhythms and per-step pitch, chance, repeats, and note offset; its Motion Sequencer modulates parameters. Users can import and organize personal samples, then export audio stems, full mixes, one-shots, and MIDI to a DAW. Triaz costs 79.00 GBP once and comes with a 14-day fully functional demo that has fewer samples and presets. The free Triaz Player includes 4,000 samples and 200 presets, but does not allow sequencer editing, Sound Browser use, or personal sample loading. Magic7 is a free reverb plugin with 11 reverb types and 234 presets. Listed plugins use AU, VST3, or AAX formats and offer native Apple silicon compatibility. First authorization requires an internet connection; after successful serial entry, the plugins can be used offline. Instruments and effects can be activated on up to five computers, with one running at a time.