Macaw is a realtime music/audio composition environment featuring synthesizers, an Audio/MIDI sequencer and a sampler. The sequencer plays audio and events direct to plugins in the synth and external MIDI devices.

Besides being a VST Host, Macaw can also be used to make VST plugins. And in addition to the VST plugin support, there are also many native plugins and some custom plugins and plugin templates.

The built in plugins and synth in Macaw can handle custom samplerates as high as the Megahertz range if a PC can support it, and this can be done in either the 32, 64 or 80 bit versions of the program. The 64 and 80 bit versions of the program use higher quality audio samples for processing. A sample that starts off 80 bit stays 80 bit until it reaches the soundcard when using built in plugin chains. The 64 and 80 bit versions are available from the Macaw website as separate installers. You must have the 32 bit version installed to run them.

The sampler is basically the same as a soundcard that loads and plays Soundfonts, but with all the advantages of being virtual(in pc memory), so theres no limits on the sound effects and you can control the sound more easily using a lot of parameters that hardware cannot expose easily. Another advantage of the virtual Soundfont solution is that loaded Soundfont settings are stored in the project file so you never need to mess around with re-configuring the Soundfont setup as you do with a soundcard.

A music and sound tool for...
1. Composing and sequencing
Create music, radio jingles, film scores and soundbytes with unlimited tracks, Audio and MIDI clips and unlimited plugins.

2. Audio editing
Record and edit OGG, MP3 and WAV files. Use Audio files as clips in the Macaw sequencer.

3. Live Performance
Macaw can be setup as the ultimate effects and sound processing rig for your live performance needs, whether you play instruments, sing, or comedy jam.

4. Custom MIDI device creation
Setup the synth in Macaw as a multi channel MIDI device and use virtual MIDI cables to play the synth using an external sequencer or keyboard.

The license of this software is Free, you can free download and free use this audio utility software.