In this article I’m going to list 5 great sources of free Kontakt instruments. These libraries will not only work in orchestral scoring - you can easily use them in electronic music or any other genre. I hope you’ll find something you like!
1. The Alpine Project
This website is entirely dedicated to free orchestral libraries. I think it’s the best orchestral library out there right now. Bear in mind that the patches are not velocity sensitive - for dynamics, you’re going to have to work the modwheel.
„Alpine Project” libraries are split into 3 categories - brass, strings and woodwinds.
The brass section responds very nicely to modwheel movements. The option to turn off legato is great - this way you can play multiple notes at once. My favourite patches here are the trombones and trumpets.
The string section is divided into 4 parts, like in a real orchestra. Unfortunately there’s no „ensemble” patch with all 4 in one, but if you really need that - this freebie does that. My main complaint is that all of these patches are monophonic - meaning that you can’t play more than one note at once.
All the woodwind patches have two versions, I like the ones labeled as „Try”. Some patches sound a bit unnatural at times, but some sound great. My favourite patches are the saxophone and the clarinets.
Demo: Brass - Horns, Strings - Violin & Bass, Woodwinds - Saxophone & Bass Clarinet
Ever wondered what VST instruments are the most popular? Find it out here.
2. Pettinhouse Audio
This site offers 5 stunning guitar libraries. There’s a beautiful acoustic guitar, electric guitar (labeled DG), classical guitar, jazz guitar and a bass. You can also find some hammond organ patches on the site.
Here’s a demo of the guitars: Acoustic, Classical, Electric & Bass, Jazz
3. Hugo Kant
This guy made a few awesome libraries and shared them for free on his website. There’s a little collection of world instruments, a rhodes piano, a bass guitar and a vibraphone.
Here’s a demo of the world instruments: Nanga, Banjo, Zither
4. Ivy Audio
On this website you’ll find 4 professional sample libraries - a grand piano, a vocalist, a trombone and a drum kit.
„Piano in 162” is a professional sampled grand piano, ready to use in a track. It includes two mic positions and sounds really great.
Btw, an alternative free grand piano is the "Amore Grand Piano" by Precisionsound.
Looking for more free pianos? Check out this article with top 5 free VST pianos.
„Clare Solo” is a solo vocalist patch. It sounds great in legato but allows unison as well. It’s very realistic and sounds professional. The modwheel response and reverb are also awesome features.
The „Carpenter Trombone” is very cinematic. Make sure to use the modwheel!
„Scott Drums” is a pretty standard drum kit. There’s some effects built in too, you can edit each sound individually.
Looking to improve your chord progressions? Check out this tip.
5. Bigcat Instruments
This is a blog run by Joe Stevens, a free sample library enthusiast. He’s got hundreds of free sounds, so I checked all of them and picked my favourites.
Natural Concert Guitar, Acoustic Nylon Guitar, Steel Guitar
Church Organ, Drawbar Organ, Percussive organ
Thanks for checking out this list, I hope you found something useful!
k-pizza
I’m a music maker who likes to share his experiences with other producers.
I regularly show up with tutorials, articles & project files at PML.
Skype lessons with me: http://bit.ly/pml_s_one2one