MPaint

Name: MPaint
Author: UnplugRed

by UnplugRed · Sampler · Video-game music maker sampler

Not rated yet

MPaint is a free, open-source instrument from UnplugRed that recreates the sampler from a classic video game's music maker.

It keeps the original's voice limits and uses samples recorded through reproduction soundcard hardware.

Best for: Keys & Synths, Sound Design. Genres: Lo-Fi, Electronic & EDM.

Keywords: sample-based, film & game audio, nostalgic, open source, classic, sound design, free, freemium, lo-fi, simple.

What it does

MPaint is a free sampler that recreates the sampler in a classic video game's built-in music maker, one from the developer's childhood. It "attempts to preserve the unique voice limitations of the original sampler" rather than modernising it.

Authentic samples: recorded through a high-quality reproduction of the original console's soundcard, to keep the artifacts of its digital-to-analog conversion.
Voice limits: keeps the original sampler's voice limitations as part of the sound.
Instrument plugin: plays the game's sounds from MIDI inside your DAW.
Open source: the code is released under GPL 3.

Version 1.0 is free; the free version shows a small banner. The developer's pages do not name the game or list the controls.

Source: UnplugRed product page

When to use it

MPaint is a free, nostalgic instrument for one specific video-game sound set, not a general sampler. Compared with TAL-Sampler or RX1200, which recreate vintage samplers you load your own sounds into, it plays only its built-in samples and keeps the original's limits. Unlike Kontakt 8 or TX16Wx, it offers no mapping or editing to speak of. Its appeal is the authentic console character at no cost.

Best for: chiptune and video-game style melodies, nostalgic novelty parts and sound design.
Genres: chiptune, lo-fi and electronic.
Look elsewhere if: you want to load your own samples; TAL-Sampler or TX16Wx are proper samplers.

What producers say

Users treat it as a fun gimmick, which most see as the point.

Plugins4Free users rate it 3.5 out of 5 from 6 votes; one called it "fun, simple, stupid and nostalgic".
Criticisms: some dismissed it as just a gimmick, while others replied that this is intentional.

Plugins4Free page and user comments

Where to buy

UnplugRed: Free

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