If you’re doing scoring or sound design, you’ll have difficulty without percussion. This article shows you the best percussion libraries available for Kontakt in 2024.
Quiet cymbals or loud and massive drum hits like thunder are indispensable if you’re making music for movies , trailers , commercials , or similar productions. Luckily , plenty of libraries can provide you with such instruments . Let’s take a look at a list that can meet your needs.
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NI Session Percussionist is an intelligent library designed to effortlessly craft dynamic drum and percussion rhythms.
With a vast array of over 2,000 patterns performed by top session musicians packed in a massive 57 GB instrument, this plugin allows for seamless integration into your projects. From intricate ensembles to simple solo beats, you can easily find, customize, and make authentic rhythms that elevate your music creation.
Key Features:
NI Session Percussionist features a diverse selection of 58 meticulously sampled percussion instruments, including shakers, tambourines, congas, and cajones. Each instrument comes with multiple mix variations, enabling you to create authentic performances swiftly. You get curated ensemble presets with up to five playable instruments, allowing for individual or simultaneous expression.
The innovative search engine allows you to input specific rhythmic requirements, quickly locating loops and patterns that align with your tracks. You can easily audition suggested patterns and drag-and-drop them into any of the five interchangeable slots for swift arrangement creation. The plugin allows you to customize these patterns using the built-in step sequencer to edit notes, change velocities, and more.
With a user-friendly browser, you can easily navigate ensemble presets and explore various kits paired with relevant sound presets. Search and filter sounds based on genre, instrument type, or tempo to efficiently find the perfect fit for your project.
With this plugin, you can personalize your sound using the mixer interface, where you can apply EQ, compression, reverb, and delay effects. Route individual signals to direct outputs for distinct processing and use the articulation filter to eliminate unwanted frequencies. Adjust pitch, timing, and stereo width, then position each instrument player within a virtual space using the intuitive X/Y pad for a cohesive mix.
Compatibility:
NI Session Percussionist is compatible with free Kontakt 7.7.0 (or later) players/engines. It requires you to have Windows 10/11 or macOS 11 (or later) operating systems, along with DAWs that support VST, AU, and AAX plugins. It’s also available in a standalone version of Kontakt.
Discover wonderful exotic rhythms with the West Africa Percussion Library from Native Instruments.
It’s no secret that African motifs are trendy in music . The fact is that their nature is danceable, and they quickly make the body move. Native Instruments has created an excellent library , which will help us easily use African percussion’s authentic sound in our music production .
This library includes samples of percussion and melodic instruments from Mali and Guinea . In general, solos and percussion ensembles , strings , mallets , and flutes are available here. The cherry on the cake is the unique groove generator , which will provide you with the desired rhythm in no time .
Key Features:
The number of tools in this library is impressive . For example, you will have 7 different Djembe samples , 4 Dunubas , 4 Kenkenis , and 4 Sangbas . Also, there are three different Balafons , 2 Fula Flutes , and other melodic instruments.
At the bottom , you will see the Pattern Player , which allows you to create ready-made rhythms . Here you can adjust the tempo, and whatever triggering will be – through the notes or host. But besides that, you can press the Edit button , enter the special pattern editor , and affect the rhythm more specifically .
You will also have a small ensemble mixer at your disposal , with the faders of all your instruments will be displayed here . In addition, panning settings and the ability to route them to the individual channels of your DAW.
You will see other Swing , Feel , Intensity , and Reverb settings in the lower right corner . For example, the Feel parameter will add random velocity , which will give more gumming to your sound , while Intensity will affect the overall velocity level of your groove .
Clicking on each tool will open its editing window . Here you can change samples , adjust tuning and groove . In the latter case, you can choose whether specific beats are slightly before or after the grit.
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt Player or Kontakt , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX formats .
Summary:
West Africa by Native Instruments is a beautiful library that gives you the excellent sound of samples of African instruments . The company has tried to make the sampling as detailed as possible .
You can get your ready-made grooves here and edit them as you like. In addition, influence the intensity and character of the performance to get even more to the sound you have in mind.
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An excellent library that gives you the powerful sound of orchestral percussion is True Strike from ProjectSAM.
The True Strike library is pretty old. The first copies came out on CDs. It started to be used in Kontakt Player as time went by, but the interface was still the same old one. The creators realized that the library is still in demand and needs to breathe new life . That’s why they updated the design and added more great features .
You get just a vast amount of quality-sounding orchestral percussion in this library . To name a few, there are Timpani , Cymbals and Gongs , Drums and Toms , Melodic and Small Percussion , as well as Miscellaneous percussion .
Of course, these are just categories. Therefore, you will find several types of instruments in each category. Now let’s see what the updated True Strike is capable of.
Key Features:
The developers have implemented a particular browser here to help you easily select the tools you want , as they are all sorted by name , type , material , or style of play . Once you choose one, you will put it in one of the slots at the bottom of the window. You can add multiple instruments to the slots and build your custom kits by switching to multi-mode.
You will also have a very easy-to-understand Mapping Bar at your disposal , which is located at the bottom of the window . You will see sections such as rim , sticks , flam , roll , hit , tremolo , and phrases . As you navigate through these, you will notice a yellow color on the keyboard, which will tell you where the specific articulations are located.
In the middle of the window , you will see the Positioning Stage . A small dot will point to a specific tool. Move it around the field to bring the sound closer , or further away , or point it sideways . If you have several instruments selected at once, you can easily adjust the stereo picture of the whole ensemble.
You will see a small control panel for each percussion sound on the right . There you can set the attack time , decay , reverb send , and limiter with it. A cool feature is that you can control the dynamics on the fly, thanks to the modulation wheel.
You’ll have a relatively advanced set of effects that you can apply to each instrument . It includes saturation , filters , EQ , reverb , delay , stereo imager , and limiter . Some kits already have effects, but you can always customize your options here.
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt 6.5.3 , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX format .
Summary:
A great classic orchestral percussion library with a completely updated face and rich functionality – that’s how we can characterize True Strike 1 from ProjectSAM .
You get many instruments , a handy browser , a microphone setup , and plenty of effects . The interface of this software is quite friendly and easy to use.
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The Epic Percussion V3 library lives up to its name and is perfect for film soundtracks.
If you want to have a library in your arsenal suitable for both dynamic trailers and quieter soundtracks, Epic Percussion V3 is what you need. You can change the sound from acoustic to synthetic with a single knob . But even so, you’ll have plenty of other settings as well.
In general , you will create music thanks to seventeen solo instruments and three drum kits . As for loops, which will help you compose your arrangements faster, there are 560 of them. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages of this library.
Key Features:
If you know which instrument you want to use , the library will give you a choice of 17 options . For example, they include bass drums , toms , marching drums , snares , Cuban drums , sticks , bells , tambourines , cymbals , and more. But in addition, there are also three drum kits , the Marching KIT , the Epic KIT , and the Ethnic KIT .
It is the most significant regulator you will see in the library’s center. The Epicness slider will add more heat to your sound . At the bottom position, the percussion sounds natural, but it will become saturated and almost synthetic as soon as you move it up . The cool thing is that you can automate this parameter.
You will have the ability to adjust the levels of three different mics : Close Mic , Room Mic , and Hall Mic . It is a handy tool to help increase or decrease the space in your sound. For instance, use a Close Mic to make your percussion more transparent and expressive or a Hall Mic to add ambiance .
The library has a separate section where you can adjust the sound placement from the listener’s perspective . Here you will see a virtual room with monitors and a mic icon. Just move it around to find the ideal position of your sound in the panorama .
If you feel that something is missing or need to polish the sound, even more, you can always use the Effects section . There you will find all the necessary EQ , compression , delay , and reverb settings .
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt 5.8.0+ , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX formats .
Summary:
The Epic Percussion V3 library from Splash Sound gives you plenty of options for writing your drum or percussion parts for movies . You’ll have the ability to choose between both individual instruments and drum kits .
An excellent feature of Epic Percussion is the Epicness control , which turns the sound from ordinary to the most saturated . Likewise, you can immerse yourself even more in the sound thanks to the necessary effects settings.
Related Reading:
Percussion Essentials X3M by Strezov Sampling is a library with a simple interface and high-end sound quality.
Percussion Essentials X3M is a compilation of the best sounds included in the previous Strezov Sampling libraries . In addition, several new instruments and the renewed X3M Engine have been added here.
You will not be confused because this library consists of only one window, where all the necessary settings are . The developers assure that this software is perfect for veterans who want to expand their instruments and beginners who have just started writing music for movies .
In general, the library is suitable for any situation. Let’s take a closer look at its main features.
Key Features:
Your keyboard will be divided into 12 zones . You can assign individual samples from the categories provided to all of them . For example, the blue group of keys will be responsible for samples of The Mandarin, and immediately after that, the red group will be accountable for Low Tom Ensemble 8.
On the right side of the window, you will see a set of knobs responsible for adjusting your effects . For example, there are 3-band EQ , Transient Attack and Sustain Control , Saturation , Pitch , Offset , and Release controls .
You will control three microphones : Close , Decca, and Hall . Namely, turn each of them on or off or balance their volume. The developers also added a new feature called Align , which allows you to adjust the offset differences between these microphones .
Next to each microphone control, you will see small icons with circles , which will allow you to adjust the stereo width of each microphone . Experiment with this as you like. For example, you can make Hall in stereo and Close more mono for a wide picture.
You will see settings at the top of the window that will help you work with the presets as quickly as possible . For example, click New to load a blank template. You can also load or save your presets here. And all this with just a few clicks.
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt Player 5.7.1+ or Kontakt 5.7.1+ , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX formats .
Summary:
Pretty simple library with a large variety of samples and all the necessary settings – that’s how we can describe Percussion Essentials X3M by Strezov Sampling .
This software provides a convenient keyboard layout , divided into zones, which you can assign to individual groups of samples. It also has three microphone emulations with excellent sound and EQ and stereo width settings .
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If you want modern trailer percussion, the Ferrum library from Keepforest is the perfect solution.
Keepforest Labs has created a library that can be aggressive sounding . But that’s not strange because that’s precisely the factor that will help this percussion cut through the mix in the best possible way. As a result, you’ll have everything you need to provide modern and dynamic sounds to your trailers .
The interface of this library is quite intuitive . There is a 3D rendering of the panorama , sliders , and knobs . Everything is shown in calm gray tones and won’t be tiring to the eyes.
All in all, you get 23 patches with the most varied sounds , including cymbals , bells and shakers , metallic trailer hits , super snare drums , and more. Let’s dive into the features of this library to see what it is.
Key Features:
It is a fantastic feature that will help you create percussion patterns . You’ll find it in the Rhythm section . It opens a window with eight notes , which you can customize as you like with a duration , velocity , pitch , panning , filters settings , and more. Thanks to this, the sequence will be played only when a single key is pressed.
This feature is located in the center of the main library window. You can quickly and easily move your sound around in 3D space with it . When you do this, you’ll see that your microphone sliders will move automatically based on the position you’ve chosen .
On the left side, you will see the sliders that will be responsible for the balance of your microphones – Close and Reverb . It will automatically select the Fixed Sound mode. In this case, the sound will not be affected by the position of your sound in the 3D interface. You can also influence such microphone parameters as Envelope and Stereo Width .
The library will work with four playback modes : Mono , Stereo , Doubling , and Ensemble . For example, in Doubling , you get a sound with a slight delay between the left and right channels , which you can also adjust separately. Ensemble mod will allow you to play whole layers of notes from 3 to 16 .
Click the Effects tab to open the FX Rack window . There will be seven slots in which you can add one effect at a time . We should note that there are enough of them here. For example, you can choose between Distortion , Compressor , Limiter , Cabinet , Saturator , Delay , Reverb , and Flanger . In total, there are almost 30 pieces .
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt Player or Kontakt 6.0.2+ , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX formats .
Summary:
This excellent library allows you to create massive and perfect percussion sounds for trailers . On the one hand, Ferrum has a relatively simple interface . But in fact, “under the hood,” there’s a lot of customization that allows you to influence the sound the way you want it.
For instance, you can apply different effects , change the position in space , or create entire percussion patterns with the Step Sequencer .
Related Reading:
The Lightning X3M library from Strezov Sampling will help if you need a massive amount of high-frequency percussion.
This library contains more than two hundred instruments . And along with the usual percussion , there’s a lot of specific ones , which means a variety of sounds of clicks , crackles , ticks , and everything in the high-frequency spectrum .
The creators assure us that some of these things have never been recorded.
You’ll be able to use three microphones and comfortably set up your keyboard layouts . What makes this library even more functional is selecting the number and length of round robins .
Let’s look at the features in more detail.
Key Features:
I t is one of the most crucial features of this library because it includes pretty specific percussion that you would be hard-pressed to find in any other library . Namely, these are different clocks , buttons , and knobs , sounds of coins , typewriters , metronomes , and guitar cases .
In addition, you’ll have an assortment of more ordinary sounds like cymbals , shakers , ethnic metals , and o rchestral percussion .
Your keyboard will be divided into 12 individual zones to assign individual instruments. Select a specific zone and assign to it what you want .
Close , Decca and Hall are the three microphone positions you will be able to work with . You will have the ability to turn off the ones you don’t need or combine them all, adjusting the balance. You also can influence the stereo width of each of the microphones .
The library will allow you to customize the sequence of the robin rounds as you like or to remove specific ones from the list altogether . If you want a precise series of them, you can choose which ones to sound.
You can also change the sound of your instruments with the Pitch , Transient Attack , and Transient Sustain settings . In addition, you’ll have control over treble , midrange , and bass frequencies . All of this will apply to individual zones.
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt 5.0+ , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX formats .
Summary:
Out-of-the-box percussion that you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else is what makes Strezov Sampling’s Lightning X3M library special . You’ll get the sounds of ticking clocks , pencil strokes , guitar case clicks , typewriter keys banging , and more.
This library could be a real boon for sound designers. Plus, it has quite an arsenal of tools to sharpen the sound to your tastes and mix needs.
Related Reading:
The Symphony Series: Percussion library from Native Instruments is perfect if you’re looking for the most realistic orchestral percussion sounds.
This library is part of a separate Native Instruments symphonic series that includes brass , strings , and woodwind . As for percussion, it includes samples of more than 50 instruments that creators recorded in a first-class studio in Budapest . All in all, they have covered all possible percussion that can be used for cinematography .
To be more specific, the library includes timpani , orchestral drums , mallets , symbols , gongs , and many more. On top of that, there are even some specific cinematic percussion instruments like anvils , celesta , and lo piano hits .
You can play them both individually and together. Let’s break down the features of the library in more detail.
Key Features:
The large knob in the center of the window controls how dynamic an instrument sounds . Turn it to the limit to get the loudest and most vital hits . You can also automate this knob to achieve different dynamics and influence the song’s mood. In addition, you’ll have manual control over Attack , Release , Tune , and Velocity .
The available articulations are based on the specific instrument you have chosen . To summarize, the available percussion articulations include hits, crescendo rolls , tremolos , FX articulations , and edge variations .
The creators of this library included the unique Drumhead Resonance technology . It recreates the changing tonal qualities of a drumhead based on the intensity with which it is played . It means you can get the most realistic sound from your percussion.
You can open the mixer to adjust the balance between the microphones at any time with the Stereo , Close , Mid , Far , and Spot faders here. It allows you to fine-tune how you want to hear the percussion – whether it’s wide in the stereo picture or the opposite – narrowed .
At the bottom of the Mixer section , you will see all the possible effects you can use . These include EQ with bass , midrange , and treble controls . In addition, there is Reverb , Compressor , and Filter .
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt Player or Kontakt , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX formats .
Summary:
The Symphony Series: Percussion library from Native Instruments might appeal to you if you’re looking for quality orchestral percussion samples . The Drumhead Resonance technology here will surprise you with its realistic sound .
Experimenting with different microphones and thereby influencing the stereo picture is also a great feature. In addition, this library has all the effects you will ever need.
Related Reading:
The epic Hans Zimmer Percussion from Spitfire Audio is a library that can whisper or be as loud as thunder.
The following library on our list may well cover all your film scoring needs as far as percussion is concerned . And it is not strange, because it was created as a collaboration between the famous English company Spitfire Audio and one of the most famous composers of our time, Hans Zimmer .
This virtual instrument included the maestro’s sounds with musicians and was used in real work on blockbusters .
You get a mix of both solo instruments and ensembles with the ability to play them from three different room perspectives . Speaking of their variety, this includes both standard and very unusual solutions .
It’s also worth noting that all these sounds were produced entirely and mixed personally by Hans Zimmer .
Key Features:
Once you load the library, you’ll see the main window with a set of squares – these are the different instruments and effects you can use . These include Taikos , Paper Djunts , Low Booms , Surdos , Brass Drums , Gongs , Dhols , Darbuka , Snare , Tombeks , Buckets , Boobams , Tamtams and Metal sounds .
You will see the available articulations for the selected tool in the right column of the main window . It is a kind of cheat sheet that will show you precisely what sounds each instrument or effect can provide. Just check with your keyboard layout and play what you want .
Play your sounds from three different perspectives . These are Close , Room , and Surround . The last one gives a more enveloping effect with a good ambiance. The cool thing is that you can turn on individual mics or all of them simultaneously and adjust the balance between them .
The library has several options to help you better polish the sound to your liking. For example, the Crack control is a high-pass filter that enables you to get the desired sound of instruments with an excess of high frequencies . Boom , on the other hand , is a low-pass filter .
You’ll also have ample opportunity to influence the expressiveness of your instruments , thanks to the Dynamics , Release , Expression , and Response controllers . Excellent options to get the sound out of your head.
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt Player or Kontakt 5.6.8+ , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX formats .
Summary:
Hans Zimmer Percussion by Spitfire Audio is an impressive library that brings you epic cinematic musical instruments and effects produced personally by the maestro .
You’ll get to experiment with three microphones , thereby influencing the perspective of the sound. Also, there are plenty of different articulations when the instruments are played, both solo and as an ensemble .
Related Reading:
You can discover Arabic, Turkish, and Persian musical traditions with the MIDDLE EAST library by Native Instruments.
Let us show you another great library that will allow you to use different Middle Eastern instruments . In all , there are more than two dozen percussion and melodic instruments that professional musicians in Berlin and Istanbul have recorded .
In addition, you will have the opportunity to play these samples individually or as entire ensembles .
This virtual instrument will also provide you with a large selection of phrases and patterns . In addition, there are ample possibilities for customizing your exotic rhythms . It is worth noting that the creators of this library have worked especially hard to capture the unique techniques and features of playing these instruments.
However , if you’re looking for something different , we can recommend another good-sounding Discovery Series library , the Spotlight Collection: CUBA . It can be your essential tool in creating warm and sunny Afro-Cuban motifs since it includes percussion and melodic instruments.
But let’s go back to the features of the MIDDLE EAST library for now.
Key Features:
The MIDDLE EAST library contains 25 instruments that include strings , melodies , and percussion . They are Darbuka , Doumbek , Bendir , Riq , Saz , Tanbur , and others, to name a few. They all have various articulations , velocity , and sample variations .
Each instrument includes a groove and phrase playback engine . It means that you get a finished tune almost immediately , which you can use in your music production and save yourself time . By the way, all of these tunes are generated on the fly but are fully customizable.
You can go into the virtual mixer and adjust the balance of your ensemble of instruments . This option gives you complete freedom over sound customization, as you have access to EQ , compression , ambiance level , tape emulation , reverb , and width settings .
An outstanding feature for those who do not like to spend a lot of time in the settings is using ready-made mix presets . You will find a list of them in the upper-right corner of the mixer. In particular, there are settings such as Classic , Modern , Vintage , Mono , Ambient , Upfront , Wide , Driven , Pop Mix , and Init .
Ornamentation is one of the main features of Middle Eastern music . And the good news is that the library will give you the ability to add them on the fly to your melodic instruments . Pay attention to the top left corner – you’ll see the corresponding slider there . Just pull it to the right to make it sound even more exciting .
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt Player or Kontakt , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX formats .
Summary:
MIDDLE EAST by Native Instruments is a powerful library that gives you realistic ethnic instruments . You can generate grooves and customize them as you like on the fly.
There are also ample possibilities to influence the sound in the mixer and the ability to choose ready-made settings in a particular style .
Related Readings:
With Percussion Elements from Splash Sound, you get a pretty simple but still workable free library.
Since this library is free , it’s clear that you won’t find a massive collection of instruments here . Still, there are three percussion kits here , and they can do the job entirely. There is the ability to control four microphones , several filters , and effects regarding features.
Also, you can handle the epicness of your sound thanks to a separate knob .
But there’s a small catch – it only works with the paid version of Kontakt . If you have a free player, it won’t work with this library. Still, regardless, let’s see what we can get out of this library.
Key Features:
With this library, you can use three patches – War Ensemble , Ethnic Ensemble , and Hi Percussion . The first has articulations such as Massive , Toms , and Snares Hits . The second has Soft , Hard , and Rim Hits , and the last has Hit , Hi-Hat , Shaker , Tambourine , and Sticks . In addition, they all have sets of loops that you can play by pressing a single key.
You will control four microphones – Close , OH , Room , and Hall . They all have faders with level and mute options. It is a pretty good feature, as in a free library.
Percussion Elements also has Low-Pass and High-Pass filters . In between will be a Mid knob , which is responsible for the midrange level . The nice thing is that you can automate these parameters and get an exciting sound.
A nice bonus of this library is also a built-in compressor that you can turn on or off. It also has some basic settings like Threshold , Ratio , and Mix . Use this to control the dynamics of your percussion.
The cherry on the cake of this free library is the Epicness knob . This effect is like a kind of mix of compression and saturation . Just twist it to the right to get a brighter and more expressive sound .
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt 5.6.8+ , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX formats .
Summary:
The Percussion Elements library won’t surprise you with the number of instruments , but still , it has enough features to get you through your work just fine . It may be suitable for those just starting their journey with virtual percussion instruments and those who already have the paid full Kontakt version .
Since, unfortunately, you won’t use it on the free player .
Related Reading:
With the Heritage Percussion library from Impact Soundworks, you get heirloom hand percussion, perfect for Latin American music.
If you’re looking for Latin American percussion and don’t have the money to invest , this library can bail you out . Although , this will only be possible if you already have the paid version of Kontakt . This library has 13 traditional handheld instruments of good sound quality because they were recorded with 24-bit accuracy.
So you can safely use them to create additional rhythm parts that will make an excellent atmosphere for your music .
Speaking of the library’s functionality, it leaves a pretty nice impression, too.
The developers put a new drum engine here. Also , you’ll be able to influence the character of the sound of each percussion . Let’s break down what’s here in order.
Key Features:
On the one hand, 13 instruments aren’t much, but when you take a look at precisely what these things are, you’ll realize that for a Latin American percussion , that’s quite enough . To be more specific, there are djembes and different kinds of rattles , claves , and shakers .
The library runs on a new Impact Soundworks engine called Cadence . It visually represents the instruments and gives you the ability to set the mapping yourself quickly. Select the desired key and assign it to the preferred instrument .
You will go into the library console to adjust the balance between the two microphones . In general, you will have two faders, Close and Room . You will also be able to adjust their panning .
Just click on the desired percussion, and the editing window opens in front of you . There you can adjust the volume , panning , tune , and pitch . There will also be an Envelope adjustment and several filters . But besides that, you can also influence the velocity curve .
The number of effects you get in this library is impressive. There are 40 of them , including analog and parametric EQ , Transient Designer , Compressors , Chorus , Phaser , Cry Wah , Saturator , and more. With them, you can transform percussion sounds into something new.
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt 6.5+ , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX formats .
Summary:
Heritage Percussion is a beautiful free library of Latin American percussion that you can use if you already have the full Kontakt version . It has all the percussion you need to create the atmosphere for your tracks. In addition, there is a straightforward and clear mapping and just a massive amount of high-quality effects .
Splash Sound’s Kid’s Percussion library can complement your tracks with the carefree and bright sound of toys.
A virtual instrument with toy sounds can be a real boon if you need to compose songs for children . Even beyond that, it can be helpful for simple acoustic tracks and add its exceptional bright sound to them .
The good news is that if you are a user of the full version of Kontakt , you can get such a library for free . And that’s Kid’s Percussion by Splash Sound .
This library is as uncomplicated and straightforward as possible . You will have only one window with a distinctive cartoon design . But still, you will get five different instruments and even a few settings to influence their sound slightly .
It is worth adding that the creators recorded all these instruments with a triple condenser stereo mic connected to a class A preamp . All these toys were personally provided by the son of the Splash Sound producer.
Key Features:
In general, you get Shaker , Castanets , Maracas , Tambourine , and a s teel one-octave Xylophone . They all have two round-robin layers . And, of course, you can adjust the volume of each of these toys .
The library has a built-in reverb . You can adjust the amount of reverb for each instrument separately.
In addition , each instrument in the Library has a separate panorama control . Therefore, you can control which channel each instrument sounds in.
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt 5.6.8+ , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX formats .
Summary:
The Kid’s Percussion library from Splash Sound brings you joyful and bright toy sounds that can quickly become the highlight of a children’s song or any acoustic track .
You won’t find many features here, but it’s not that important based on the nature of these samples. One thing we can say for sure – the quality of samples is pretty good , and the built-in reverb is the only effect you’ll need here.
The Percussion of Anatolia library brings the fantastic sound of West Asia to your studio.
This library is perfect for you if you want to have Arabic and Anatolian percussion in one place . In total, you get 60 different percussion and ten groups of instruments . The creators of this collection ensure that their rhythms are suitable for modern music – for example, Techno , House , Rap , HipHop , and Trap .
The interface of this library is quite simple . As soon as you load it, you will see a standard set of instruments and a multicolored keyboard layout , where each color will be responsible for a specific instrument .
But despite that, Ethnaudio has prepared enough features for you to work with this percussion on a professional level . Let’s see what we have got here.
Key Features:
In the main window of the library , you will see instruments such as Darbuka , Bendir , Talking Drum , Asma Davul , Sagat , and others. The cool thing is that the library offers several instrument types . You will just have to click on it and choose the one you want from the list .
Each of the instruments has its ADSR control . It means the Attack , Decay , Sustain and Release settings . So if you want to influence the fine-tune of a particular sample, even more, you can always play with these knobs.
You’ll get more than a dozen folders with different grooves divided by genres : Trap , Rap , Underground , EDM , Funk , Latin , Reggae , and others. In turn, in each folder, the grooves are divided by BPM. You can select the particular rhythm and drag it to the MIDI track in your DAW .
At the bottom of the main window , you will see a button to go to the mixer . There you will be presented with the faders of all your instruments so that you can adjust their balance. In addition, there are panning settings , EQ and compressor .
If you want to get more control over percussion mixing , you can always output these instruments as separate channels in your DAW and apply your favorite plugins . Just open the Outputs list in your Library and synchronize them with the channels of your workstation.
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt Player , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX formats .
Summary:
This library will provide you with great-sounding Middle Eastern style percussion . You’ll have enough instrument types to influence the sound the way you want and plenty of possibilities in the mixer. In addition, you’ll get many ready-made grooves for different musical genres , giving you the versatility to use this library.
If you want exotic rhythms in different styles, the World Percussion Creator from In Session Audio might be the right option for you.
This library is stunning in its diversity. It can be a real boon to those who write music for games or movies . And in general, if you’re looking for atmospheric percussion rhythms for adventure , ancient civilizations , dangerous , primitive tribes , faraway lands , and exotic wildlife , you’ll love it.
You will have more than thirty drums and as many small percussion instruments at your disposal . Thanks to them, you will be able to generate both solos and ensembles as you wish. You also get a fair amount of specific sounds like slams , booms , “ ethnic atmospheres ,” and profound impacts . It is beneficial for making an emotional impression on the listener.
Key Features:
Of course, the number of available kits will depend on the package you buy , but you get ten pieces even with the basic one . By their names, you can orient yourself to what they are suitable for. For example, there are options like Ancient Treasury , Antalya , Enter the Tomb , Pyramids , In the Jungle , and things like that.
At the bottom of the window , you will see a color-coded keyboard layout . These will be the available articulations that you can play . On the left side will be the low-sounding drums , and on the right side will be the higher sounds . The red area on the right side of the keyboard is responsible for the atmospheric FX sounds .
Reverb is probably one of the most critical factors that will give a particular atmosphere to your sound . There are such options as Splash Plate , Studio Slam , Wide Plate , Monastery Walls , Bunker , At the Altar , Thunder Temple , and others. A nice bonus here is the ability to adjust Pre Delay , Size , and Filter .
The library has a remarkable ability to assign multiple instruments to individual keys at once . Just choose which beats you want to have on the same key . You can also adjust their panning and tune volume or have the library select a random set of instruments . You’ll find these settings in the Groups tab .
World Percussion Creator will give you a huge number of ready-made grooves that you can drag and drop into your timeline . You can find them all in the MIDI section . So you’ll see categories by kit names and then subcategories by tempo . You’ll find all the possible song structures like intros , cores , fills , and endings in these.
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt Player or Kontakt 5.7.1+ , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX formats .
Summary:
World Percussion Creator by In Session Audio is a beautiful library that brings you exotic sounds .
You’ll have a large set of IR’s , the ability to assign groups of instruments to individual keys and manipulate the sound however you like. You can create an atmosphere of adventure , mystery , or primality thanks to it.
Strikeforce’s Cinematic Percussion library will give you a massive and modern sound that’s suitable for professional composers.
Cinematic Percussion is relatively easy to use , but it has plenty of features and a very high-quality sound . The library samples were recorded in Los Angeles in studios, tunnels, halls, and rooms with excellent sound. The creators assured us that they were all mixed with high-end quality equipment .
In total , the library includes more than a hundred instruments .
These include ensemble and solo percussion , tick-tocks , and all sorts of impacts , menus , and FXs . You’ll find everything you need for modern cinematography, from massive drums to anvil sounds and beyond.
Key Features:
Patches are the different sounds you can use in this library . If you divide them into categories, they are Big Ensembles and Solo Instruments , Small Drum Ensembles , Snares , Big Anvil Ensembles , Sub Booms , Clock Ticks , Short metallic sounds , Impact menus , and others.
The library has a relatively comfortable keyboard layout . A separate color is responsible for the instrument . As you move from left to right , you’ll hear your beats get stronger . It gives you the ability to create massive percussion parts very quickly.
You get control over the two microphones of each instrument , Close and Far . Each has pitch and ADSR settings . In addition, there is an attack level and a separate Blend section . Thanks to it, you will adjust the ratio between the microphones and automate it, which will be especially useful for individual creative solutions.
Another helpful option is the Velocity Response setting . For example, if one of your samples is quiet , you can balance it with another loud one and thus get a more consistent sound and exciting performance .
At the bottom , you will see a set of knobs , which will be responsible for the panning of individual instruments . Their number will be based on the selected one. Still, it’s a beautiful feature to provide a massive and wide sound.
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt Player or Kontakt 5.6.8+ , which works on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher , both 64-bit only . Kontakt comes in VST 2/3 , AU , and AAX formats .
Summary:
At first glance, Strikeforce’s Cinematic Percussion Library may seem too simple , but in fact, in that simplicity lies incredible convenience and functionality . You won’t have to spend a lot of time figuring out the settings because you’ll have r eady and high-quality sounds in no time at all.
The only thing is that you can play around with the microphone settings to bring the sound more to the needs of your situation.
The variety of percussion libraries available is fascinating. Let us give you some tips on not getting lost in it and choosing the right one.
If you are mastering scoring or sound design , you have a chance to try your hand with free libraries . But, unfortunately, it will be relevant if you already have a paid version of Kontakt . In that case, you can take advantage of the Percussion Elements by Splash Sound .
If you want to expand your scoring arsenal and invest in it , we suggest you look at Hans Zimmer Percussion by Spitfire Audio . A good choice for exotic percussion would be World Percussion Creator .
And if you want unique sounds of clicks, taps, crackles and other high-end percussion, the Lightning X3M bonus library from Strezov Sampling is an obvious choice .
Just figure out what you need and choose a suitable library. We are sure that they can give you many creative solutions and help you create new masterpieces . Best of luck!
Ilarion Ivanenko is a remote mixing and mastering engineer from Ukraine, a musician with more than 15 years of experience. Specializes in rock, metal, progressive and the other genres. He can’t imagine his life without music, as it is the biggest passion in his life
