by Native Instruments

The 100 best free Kontakt instruments in 2024

As the industry’s leading instrument-building tool, Kontakt is your gateway to the widest collection of sampled instruments available anywhere.

But more than a sampler, this shapeshifting platform has powered two decades of blockbuster film scores and chart-topping hits, plus thousands of incredible instruments. And with hundreds of officially licensed instruments available from NI and other leading manufacturers – alongside thousands more from boutique developers, sound designers, and composers – you’ll never run short of inspiration.

Whether you’re just starting out with Kontakt, or looking to add some additional flavor to a well-seasoned library of your own, here are 100 free Kontakt libraries and instruments for your sound sculpting collection.

Download Free Kontakt 7 Player

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Synth Plugins and VSTs

1. Wavesynth EP Glow

With three wavetable-based electric pianos and 14 different types of wavetable algorithms, the Wavesynth EP Glow from Karanyi Sounds isn’t messing around. Sensuously sampled on a Sequential Prophet 6 and tastefully transformed into a rollicking Rhodes-like patch, this lushly sentimental instrument is perfectly primed for retro-future fun.

Download Wavesynth EP Glow

2. SYNTH-1 Mini Collection

The SYNTH-1 Mini Collection from Karanyi Sounds packs an army of archetypal 80s tones carefully cribbed from 6 iconic analog synthesizers. Processed through equally iconic hardware at a price tag that beats the small fortune you’d have to spend hunting these vintage tones in the wild, this collection is the perfect pairing for nostalgic sonic explorers.

Download SYNTH-1 Mini Collection

*The SYNTH-1 Mini Collection is currently unavailable. Please check in at a later date for updates. 

3. LMFree

Faithful, fully-functional, and fantastically free, Beaotic’s reproduction of the legendary 80s drum machine the LinnDrum LM-2 is a revelation in sentimental sonic expression: Control the start position of your samples via key velocity; add subtle pitch with the Oscillator Drift; or tweak individual edits in pitch, volume, and panning to sculpt unmistakably 80s sounds.

Download LMFree

4. Commodore 64 Sessions Deluxe

The Commodore 64 Sessions Deluxe from Rhythmic Robot Audio features 30 superbly sampled patches from three different iterations of the iconic home computer. With an authentic SID Chip sound and a stylish and authentic UI design, this instrument can crank out everything from chip-tune drum kits to fat bassline synths, making it a must-have VST for crafting vintage 8-bit hits.

Download Commodore 64 Sessions Deluxe

5. Wavetable Experiment Mini-Pack

This experimental pack features seven authentically 80s-inspired wavetable synths. Unlike sample-based synths, which read a static waveform, wavetable synths allow stacked frames to morph from one wave shape to another as you play, resulting in harmonically rich asymmetrical sounds with a deeply textural and dynamically morphing quality – perfect for sculpting sci-fi patches, pads, and drones.

Download Wavetable Experiment Mini-Pack

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Vocal VSTs

6. Jacob Collier Audience Choir

Jacob Collier Audience Choir brings performances to life with audience samples captured from 22 different cities across the globe during Jacob Collier’s Djesse world tour. Get instant harmony with the chord generator function, blend different vowel types with the Vowel Morph pad, and conduct your own choir by recording custom motions in real time.

Get Jacob Collier Audience Choir

Piano Plugins and VSTs

Whether you’re looking for a heavy hitting sound or a delicate touch with your piano VST, we have some great free choices below.

7. Foundations Piano

Designed as a sound canvas for cinematic composers, this inspiringly lush piano from Heavyocity highlights the softer dynamics of a grand piano. These gentle notes form the basis of a textural sound design layer that can be manipulated to produce rain-like droplets or vibraphone-esque oscillations among even more unusual effects. An essential addition to any modern composer’s toolkit.

Download Foundations Piano

8. The Felt Seiler

Strezov Sampling’s Seiler was sampled from an upright piano with a layer of felt between the piano hammers and strings, giving it a warm and intimate tone. With a little massaging, the three different synth layers can be mixed and individually reversed to create otherwordly sounds and uncommonly wistful tones.

Download The Felt Seiler

9. The 88E

Ever wondered what it might sound like if you tuned every single one of a piano’s 88 keys to “E” and played them all at once? Then Impact Soundworks has just the instrument for you. You can even stack up to three voices together, resulting in a truly massive sound that covers wide-ranging timbres from horror stabs to subterranean pads, and more.

Download The 88E

10. Preparato Piano

Recorded in a Roman church, Xperimenta Project’s prepared piano samples are a celebration of imperfection. This experimental library boasts diverse tones from foreboding string scrapes to delicate repetitions and everything inbetween. For especially chilling ambiences, try layering convolution reverbs from both real-world and fantastical spaces and enter a rabbit-hole of sound design possibilities.

Download Preparato Piano

11. The Lobby Piano

Pianobook’s Lobby Piano is a small grand piano recorded with a variety of techniques to create sculpted layers of creative sound design picks and plucks. With 10 mixable articulations from hammers to mutes, it’s easy to combine the sounds to create your own bespoke timbres – or you can take inspiration from almost 30 presets that showcase the versatility of this uniquely playful instrument.

Download The Lobby Piano

Percussion Plugins and VSTs

12. Jacky

Rhythmic Robot Audio’s Jacky features five combinable transistor rhythms with a warm, slightly gritty tonality. With five grooves to choose from and a simple two knob setup (one for distortion and another for compression) it’s vibey, minimalist, and great for copping those vintage rhythm machine sounds from old Shuggie Otis and Sly and The Family Stone records.

Download Jacky

13. Taiko

The Taiko is a traditional Japanese instrument whose percussive sound is so powerful that it was historically used to intimidate enemies during battles in feudal Japan. Prisma Sounds’ Taiko brings these 6th century sounds into the 21st century with a 3 band EQ, ADSR filter, and an FX tab loaded with distortion, saturation, compression, and delay – all of which make this an exceptional instrument for driving, cinematic soundscapes.

Download Taiko

14. Heritage Percussion

Recorded in painstaking detail with crisp 24-bit fidelity, Heritage Percussion is a free collection of 13 heirloom hand percussion instruments from Impact Soundworks. Create your own custom drum mapping with djembe, rattles, shakers, cowbell, cork drums, and clavs – each with adjustable tone and envelope settings, including open, muted, and rim strike articulations for the djembe.

Download Heritage Percussion

15. Thunder X3M

Strezov Sampling’s latest entry in their Taiko Thunder series lets you assemble a diverse tonal palette from the twelve programmable percussion zones and tweak them individually or as a whole mapped ensemble using the pitch knob and transient controls. The impressive new engine also features multiple dynamic layers, round robin sample playback, three mic positions, and two custom vintage analog hardware chains – all of which can be seamlessly blended in for thicker and punchier sounds.

Download Thunder X3M

16. XoX Drums

Based on samples of iconic vintage drum machines, Autodafe’s XoX Drums features five vertical slots, each with different selectable kits of sounds. Boasting a jaw-dropping collection of kicks, claps, cymbals, cowbells, and toms, this free drum machine boasts an abundance of options for countless colorful combinations.

Download XoX Drums

Guitar Plugins and VSTs

17. 8dio Songwriting Guitar

8dio’s cleverly constructed library was recorded with an ESP LTD Deluxe, an Epiphone Custom, and a Fender TexMex Strat, all plugged into a 1962 Drawmer preamp. It lets you trigger major and minor chord loops in all 12 keys, with four keyswitching strumming rhythms and 12 keyswitching effects. Ostensibly intended as a pre-production tool, its stellar sound and sonic versatility make it a great fit for any project.

Download Songwriting Guitar

18. Impact Soundworks Shreddage 3

Capturing a Fender Stratocaster in four articulations (Sustains, Palm Mutes, Release Noises and Chokes) over three octaves, and with up to three dynamic layers and four round robins, Impact Soundworks’ Shreddage makes writing mix-ready lead and rhythm parts a breeze. Up to 16 effects can be racked up from a library of 30 guitar-orientated modules, and the TACT page facilitates customization of the Sustain and Mute articulation mappings.

Download Shreddage 3 Stratus Free

19. Pettinhouse Funky Guitar

The free predecessor to Pettinhouse’s Funky Guitar 2, this instrument works 450MB of Fender Stratocaster loops and one-shots into three separate KONTAKT instruments: Funky Guitar, Funky Guitar Strum and Funky Guitar Muted. The scripted interface common to all three instruments offers six different amp models along with EQ, overdrive, mod wheel-controlled wah-wah, and one-knob reverb, delay and phaser effects – everything you need to create vibey rhythm guitar tracks perfectly tailored to fit your mix.

Download Funky Guitar

20. KONTAKT’S Band Ensemble

Our own KOMPLETE START package nets you a couple of tasty free guitar libraries alongside a wealth of other sampled instruments, synths and effects. And there’s plenty of sound sculpting available via the Tone and Pickup controls, alongside powerful effects (like one-knob wah-wah, distortion, overdrive and compression modules, master reverb, and three-band graphic EQ), and fret and string noise for heightened realism. An excellent option for quick and easily adaptable guitar parts.

Download Komplete Start

21. Samplephonics Ronroco

Though technically not a guitar (the Ronroco is an Andean mandolin), this inspiring emulation from Samplephonics features a sizable collection of tempo-synced loops in six distinct styles and a comprehensive array of chords at your fingertips for user-configurable MIDI triggering. Its distinct sound and exquisite quality make it a must-have for authentic South American rhythm and solo guitar lines alike.

Download Ronroco

Creative Effects Plugins and VSTs

22. The Drill Drop

Looking for a legendary lead to pump up your tracks? Look no longer! Boasting high-quality samples nudged to neverending sustain, this ambitious instrument offers up a wide palette of tonal options – with Cutoff, Resonance, ADSR and Filter Envelope controls, and independent volume controls for each layer – all perfectly packaged in a strikingly psychedelic interface.

Download The Drill Drop

23. MS20 Drums

If you’re in search of seriously vintage vibes, pianobook has you covered. This creative kit is actually two instruments in one: the first is packed full of the monstrous high-octane distortion that put the Korg MS20 mini on the map, while the second is flush with subdued sonics for lush low-key soundscapes – and both feature cutoff filter, saturation, reverb, and delay to take your effects-laden expeditions further.

Download MS20 Drums

24. GR808 KICK

Finally, an 808 that covers your ambient needs. Painstakingly processed through the Little Labs Voice of God Bass Resonance Tool, this avant-garde instrument adds an explosive, saturated quality to each 808 note while simultaneously generating celestial sounds in the lower resonating frequencies.

Download GR808 Kick

25. Signal Free

Test drive the world’s most powerful pulse engine! This slimmed down version of Output’s groundbreaking rhythm instrument combines fat analog synths and exceptional effects that are perfect for sculpting assertive arps, powerful plucks, and everything in between.

Download Signal Free

26. 99 Sound Effects

Experience the motherload of cinematic sound effects – from domineering drones and bellicose braams to action-packed impacts and newfangled noises. This colossal collection comes fully loaded with retro-inspired SFX sourced from vintage analog synthesizers, and it’s top to bottom tailored for trailers, film scores, offbeat excursions, and cutting-edge sound design.

Download 99 Sound Effects

27. Rigid Audio - Rigid Grand

Rigid Grand

A grand piano instrument with a polished sound and a very straightforward interface that offers Release Volume and Reverb parameters, plus an Octave Blend control that mixes in a lower octave for a fuller sound. For a simple, quick piano sound without too many complications this is a great choice.

Download Rigid Grand

28. Rigid Audio - Shimmer Strings

Shimmer Strings

Shimmer Strings gives you simple sustained bowed violin notes with a touch of ever-present vibrato. The mod wheel can be used to fade the instrument in and out, and Reverb and Octave Blend controls are also on offer to offer some sonic fine-tuning. Ideal for adding an organic layer to chord progressions.

Download Shimmer Strings

29. 8Dio - 1928 Steinway Piano

1928 Steinway

Recorded from an original 1928 Steinway with its original strings, this fully-featured piano instrument includes Pedal and Release Volumes, a visual Velocity editor, convolution reverbs and effects plus some abstract morphing patches that take it into more esoteric sonic directions.

Download 1928 Steinway Piano

30. 8Dio - Polyphon

Polyphon

A five octave antique music box, Polyphon has a unique vintage tone that can be sculpted with Attack and Release controls, Low, Mid and High EQ, and a selection of seven effects. The instrument also features eight presets that can be accessed quickly from the main panel, making it quick and easy to get an inspirational sound.

Download Polyphon

31. 8Dio - Free Radicals

Free Radicals

A selection of dark and twisted sound sounds, Free Radicals includes bizarre ambiences, disturbing vocal effects, menacing hits, surreal risers and a selection of other off-the-wall timbres and rhythms. An ideal download for getting an edgy sound quickly.

Download Free Radicals

32. 8Dio - Free ASMR

Free ASMR

Prepare to have your ears tickled by a huge pack of closely recorded, detailed sounds covering whispers, living creatures, foley, field recordings and ambiences. The quality of the samples is impressively high, and the nearly 4GB of content will provide you with a noise for every possible circumstance.

Download Free ASMR

33. 8Dio - Free Home

Free Home

Domestic found sounds abound in this collection of percussive, melodic and atonal sounds recorded by the 8Dio user community in their homes. This instrument includes over 800 sounds and five Kontakt instruments, making it a substantial resource for sound design and straightforward foley sounds alike.

Download Free Home

34. 8Dio - Ambient Guitar

Ambient Guitar

Dreamy drones are the order of the day with Ambient Guitar, a vast smörgåsbord of ambient timbres created with a selection of effects to bring out the mysterious side of the instrument. With tones ranging from ethereal atmospheres to morphing soundscapes and beyond, Ambient Guitar is a unique collection of organic sounds suitable for a variety of applications.

Download Ambient Guitar

35. 8Dio - Smiley Drum

Smiley Drum

A tonal percussion instrument recorded with mallets, Smiley Drum is akin to a mellow take on a steel drum sound. With twelve separate Kontakt instruments included, covering FX patterns, rolls, hits, slaps and wet sounds, there’s plenty to make you smile if you’re looking for a chilled-out tuned percussion sound.

Download Smiley Drum

36. 8Dio - Free You

Free You

Abstract layered sounds are abundant with Free You, which features more than 300 presets each with three layers that can be balanced with the included mixer parameters. Free You includes rhythmic pads, textural melodic tools, stuttery rhythms, and other sonic delights that are sure to provide inspiration for those looking for something a little different.

Download Free You

37. 8Dio - Cajon and Bongo

Cajon and Bongo

Extensively sampled percussion sounds are available for free with Cajon and Bongo, which features recordings from small medium and large bongos, and snare and non-snare cajon. This meticulously produced instrument features recordings taken in two studios, with various mic placements to give you a supremely flexible percussion sound.

Download Cajon and Bongo

38. 8Dio - Copperphone

Copperphone

Recorded from a custom-made copper pipe instrument, Copperphone has a sound midway between bells and a metallic marimba. 8 round-robins are used to give the patch a natural, organic feel, and a bonus set of ambiences created with the instrument are included too.

Download Copperphone

39. 8Dio - Mini

Mini

Featuring more than 5000 samples, Mini is a huge collection of small sounds. Paper, hoses marbles, bubble wrap and dozens of other objects were used to create this library, which also includes a bonus set of ambiences and Impulse Responses for you to do with as you will.

Download Mini

40. 8Dio - Hybrid Rhythms

Hybrid Rhythms

Packed with epic and cinematic rhythmic sounds, Hybrid Rhythms is perfect for adding an edgy energy to your projects. The seven included each have ten rhythms that can be swapped between on the fly, and the instrument can be played by either triggering all the rhythmic elements together, or individually to customise the sound.

Download Hybrid Rhythms

41. ProjectSAM - The Free Orchestra

The Free Orchestra

With sounds taken from ProjectSAM’s Symphobia series, The Free Orchestra has limited control options, but a broad array of instruments including basses, horns, strings, winds and everything else you could need for an authentic orchestra feel.

Download The Free Orchestra

42. ProjectSAM - The Free Orchestra 2

The Free Orchestra 2

The follow up to The Free Orchestra includes new sounds such as tutti crescendos, dystopian bows, and warm ensembles, and at the time of writing its still being added to, so who knows what else you’ll find in there! The interface has also been enhanced to give you more control over the sound, making this an essential download even if you already have the original Free Orchestra.

Download The Free Orchestra 2

43. Soniccouture - RMI Rocksichord

RMI Rocksichord

The Rocky Mount Instruments Rocksichord is an electric harpsichord, used by the likes of The Beach Boys, Genesis, Dr. John, John Lennon, Sun Ra and Terry Riley. This virtual version includes all original stops and accents to give you the most flexible timbre possible, and a full effects section means you can tailor these tones to perfection.

Download RMI Rocksichord

44. Soniccouture - Thunder Drum

Thunder Drum

Thunder Drum was recorded from a drum with a spring attached to the skin, which results in a continuous resonance through the body of the instrument when it’s shaken. This creates a noise that sounds like thunder, and in this Kontakt instrument every possible permutation of shaking, hitting and slapping has been sampled to give you a wild array of ways to create organic-sounding atmospheres.

Download Thunder Drum

45. Soniccouture - Music Boxes

Music Boxes

Including samples taken from two music boxes, this instrument gives you Mix controls for both, allowing you to dial in the perfect sonic character. The patch also includes a filter with its own dedicated envelope, an amplitude envelope, and cathedral reverb with its own Mix control to get an expansive or intimate sound.

Download Music Boxes

46. Soniccouture - Tape Choir

Tape Choir

Inspired by the tape-based proto-sampling of 10cc’s “I’m Not in Love”, Tape Choir is a Mellotron-esque instrument based around samples of three male vocalists singing notes in unison. The result is an organic but uncanny choir sound that is perfect for creating angelic pads amongst other ephemeral sounds.

Download Tape Choir

47. Cinesamples - Create Series Kalimba

Create Series Kalimba

Also known as a thumb piano amongst other names, the kalimba is a westernised version of a traditional Malawian and Zimbabwean instrument. With its soft, pleasant sound this virtual kalimba is a great source of an exotic yet comforting sound, and it includes a built-in reverb and compressor to help you get the most of it.

Download Create Series Kalimba

48. Cinesamples - Mister Rogers' Celeste

Mister Rogers' Celeste

Sampled from the very instrument used in the theme tune to the popular US children’s television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, this virtual celeste has an enhancing, delicate sound. Perfect if you’re looking for an alternative to a regular bell or electric piano.

Download Mister Rogers’ Celeste

49. Sonokinetic - Tutti Free

Free Tutti

Packed with hits, stabs, textures, crescendi and glissandi, Tutti Free was recorded by a full symphony orchestra and has a powerful sound that makes it ideal for adding a dramatic edge to your music. Predominantly an atonal instrument, this is the ideal accompaniment to more traditional chromatic orchestral patches.

Download Tutti Free

50. Sonokinetic EMP Mark II

EMP Mark II
EMP Mark II

This electric piano patch offers an authentic sound with delicate softer notes, becoming richly harmonic at higher velocities. It includes customisable Tremolo, Drive, Chorus and Room effects, plus dedicated controls for Hammer and Release and some simple EQ settings.

Download EMP Mark II

51. Sonokinetic Vivace Legacy

Vivace Legacy

An orchestral library with a huge amount of content, Vivace Legacy features 11 instrument patches covering chords, runs, crescendos, stabs and plenty more besides. Vivace Legacy gives you plenty of options to sculpt the sound by turning individual orchestra elements on and off at will, and also includes keyswitch options for getting a nuanced performance.

Download Vivace Legacy

52. Sonokinetic Sleigh Bells

Sleigh Bells

A festive collection of tempo-synced rhythmic and one-shot samples, Sleigh Bells is a surprisingly sophisticated instrument. Featuring recordings of six types of sleigh bells from individual bells to a 25 bell stick, Sleigh Bells will add a wintry feel to any project with ease.

Download Sleigh Bells

53. Sonokinetic Hurdy Gurdy

Hurdy Gurdy

Take yourself back to mediaeval times with this drone instrument that played an important role in musical styles from Europe, Eurasia, and large parts of the Middle East. Providing a rich bed for melody instruments to perform over, the hurdy gurdy has a distinctive sound brimming with historical flavour.

Download Hurdy Gurdy

54. Sonokinetic Carousel

Carousel

Bringing you all the fun of the fair, Carousel is an authentically recorded fairground organ instrument with an unexpected amount of depth, giving you control over the ten registers with level settings, octave offsets and a tutti mode to give you the pipes of your dreams.

Download Carousel

55. Strezov Minimalist Violins Legato Free

Minimalist Violins Legato Free

Easy to use but with a great deal of control, Minimalist Violins Legato Free has a polished sound and allows you to mix three microphone sources to get just the right tone. Delivering both fantastic legato lines and chords, this is a great download for realistic-sounding strings.

Download Minimalist Violins Legato Free

56. Strezov The Creative ToolboX: Steinway Grand Piano

The Creative ToolboX - Steinway Grand Piano

A beautiful, crystal clear-sounding Steinnway with an unfussy interface, The Creative ToolboX: Steinway Grand Piano nevertheless gives you a good deal of control over its sound with three sets of microphones to mix, plus EQ, pedal noise, stereo width and room reverb controls.

Download The Creative ToolboX: Steinway Grand Piano

57. Strezov The Creative ToolboX: Drums and Percussion

The Creative ToolboX - Drums and Percussion

A useful collection of bread and butter drum and percussion sounds, this instrument features three patches: a Roland TR-808 kit, a drum kit, and a full-featured set of percussion sounds. These all offer comprehensive mixing controls and their straightforward presentation makes them easy to use.

Download The Creative ToolboX: Drums and Percussion

58. Strezov Diamond Jazz Trio Free

Diamond Jazz Trio Free

Offering piano, double bass and two alto sax instruments (sustain crescendo and legato flutter), Diamond Jazz Trio Free is a convenient one-stop-shop for jazz sounds. The double bass is arguably the best instrument on offer here, with a rich, punchy sound that sits great in the mix.

Download Diamond Jazz Trio Free

59. Strezov JADE Ethnic Orchestra Xiao Free

JADE Ethnic Orchestra Xiao Free

The xiao is a Chinese vertical end-blown flute, and this free version from Strezov’s JADE Ethnic Orchestra is very straightforward, with Legato, Overlap, Release and Reverb controls, plus the ability to mix three microphone sources.

Download JADE Ethnic Orchestra Xiao Free

60. Strezov BALKAN Ethnic Orchestra Duduk Free

BALKAN Ethnic Orchestra Duduk Free

The duduk is a double-reeded woodwind instrument originating from Armenia, and this free instrument brings its evocative sound to your DAW. Offering sampled phrases that can be played chromatically, this instrument has limited flexibility, but it sounds beautiful.

Download BALKAN Ethnic Orchestra Duduk Free

61. Embertone Ancient Voices

Ancient Voices

An uncomplicated male choir, Ancient Voices has polyphonic and legato modes, plus a Dynamics control and settings for Close and Stage mics and Reverb level. With just a two-octave range it’s not the most expansive instrument, but it has top-notch sound quality and is quick to use.

Download Ancient Voices

62. Embertone Intimate Strings LITE

Intimate Strings LITE

Intimate Strings LITE gives you three elementary string patches, a legato string, plus sustain and sordino polyphonic. The instrument has a limited three-octave range, but the variety of patches gives it some flexibility, and its sound is excellent.

Download Intimate Strings LITE

63. Embertone Gobbler

Gobbler

Let’s talk turkey: Gobbler is a very simple novelty instrument that features up to five human voices impersonating our chunky feathered friends. You can turn each voice on and off, and there’s a Verb mixer for getting the perfect level of avian ambience.

Download Gobbler

64. Embertone Harmonette

Harmonette

Capturing and subsequently mashing up the sound of a vintage recorder/melodica hybrid, Harmonette isn’t an instrument for everyone. However, if you’re after unique tones its eleven varied instrument patches will bring you unexpected sounds that might just fuel your imagination.

Download Harmonette

65. Embetone Atmoraffe

Atmoraffe

Created using the unforgettable sounds of a squeezy toy giraffe, Atmoraffe is a light-hearted and extremely specific instrument that might be just what you need in some very specific use cases. It also includes a bonus patch Where Animals Go To Die, which features the sounds distorted to an ear-piercing degree.

Download Atmoraffe

66. Embertone Jug Drum Free

Jug Drum Free

An improvised drum instrument created with water jugs, Jug Drum Free has a big, tactile sound that could be employed to create dramatic drums, enhance rhythmic parts, or to beef up impacts. The patch features four octaves of sounds and a Reverb button.

Download Jug Drum Free

67. Embertone Ivory Wind

Ivory Wind

An unforgettable vintage tenor recorder instrument, Ivory Wind offers legato, vibrato, Round Robin and Stage reverb options. Both mono and poly modes are available for all your playing needs, making it a great choice for those after authentic recorder sound.

Download Ivory Wind

68. Embertone Canjo

Canjo

A Canjo is a single string musical instrument made from a can, and is held like a guitar but may also be played on a table or lap. This virtual version gives you its authentic sound, and includes an arpeggiator for rhythmic can-based action. The download includes 14 patches, giving you more canjo than you ever knew you needed.

Download Canjo

69. Embertone The Keyboard

The Keyboard

With its vague name, you might suspect there’s something mysterious about The Keyboard, and you’ be right. Originally an April Fools prank, this instrument features sampled sounds from an unplugged MIDI controller. So, if you’re after plastic tapping and scraping noises, The Keyboard has everything you need.

Download The Keyboard

70. Embertone The Kitchen

The Kitchen

The Kitchen delivers the most dramatic kitchen foley sounds you’ve ever heard over its 14 discrete instrument patches. Everything from processed oven door slams to arpeggiated lamp hits is here, taking everyday household objects to strange new sonic places.

Download The Kitchen

71. ETI Roads MK II

Roads MK II

This 9GB download is substantial to say the least, but as long as you’ve got the bandwidth it’s worthwhile thanks to Roads MK II’s incredibly authentic recreation of the classic Rhodes MK II electric piano sound. The incredible range of velocity layered timbres its provides put it on-par with the best commercial electric piano instruments, making this an essential download.

Download Roads MK II

72. VSTBuzz LO.VE. Piano

LOVE Piano

Prepare yourself to fall in love with this soft and inanimate piano which uses 12 velocity layers to get its delicate sound. Including 18 IR convolution reverbs, LO.VE. Piano is ideal for creating romantic moods and perfect for creating soulful soundscapes.

Download LO.VE. Piano

73. Cinematique Instruments Korn

Korn

A granular sample playback instrument, Korn allows you to twist the 20 included samples or whatever else you like into eerie soundscapes with its comprehensive controls. Ideal for creating drone music or soundtracks.

Download Korn

74. Cinematique Instruments Zement 3

Zement 3

A pattern generator that triggers tenor ukulele, xylophone and guitar harmonic samples, Zement 3 creates complex harmonies and features a Randomize button for when you’re low on inspiration. With spooky-sounding Hall reverb and Delay, Zement 3 will take you for a walk on the aural wild side.

Download Zement 3

75. Cinematique Instruments Mad Libs Xmas

Mad Libs Xmas

An instrument dedicated to making abstract soundcapes, Mad Libs Xmas allows the user to pick two sound sources from a pool of 14, and combine them with EQ and Church reverb to create otherworldly tones.

Download Mad Libs Xmas

76. Cinematique Instruments Landscape

Landscape

Make a drone of your own with Landscape. With seven layered source sounds and eight effects, this instrument has the potential to create sonic vistas beyond your imagination. If you’re struggling for inspiration, it features randomization features, plus an ‘Infinity’ mode that creates endless, forever-mutating soundscapes all by itself.

Download Landscape

77. Cinematique Instruments Colors Free

Colors Free

A bite-sized box of ambiences, pads and textures, Colors Free includes ten sound sources that can be mixed together to create haunting leads and chords. There’s also a dedicated source for noises, and a small but powerful effects section with Drive, Filter, Chorus, Reverb and Delay effects.

Download Colors Free

78. Samplephonics Leeds Town Hall Organ

Leeds Town Hall Organ

Leeds is a town in the English county of West Yorkshire, and as its name suggests this instrument was recorded from the Town Hall’s imposing organ. 3.5GB it’s pretty weighty itself, and it features six presets that range from a modest sound to literally pulling out all the stops. For striking organ sounds, this is a no-brainer.

Download Leeds Town Hall Organ

79. Bunker Samples Gongster’s Paradise

Gongster S Paradise

Tuned Vietnamese gongs are the order of the day here, with a detailed interface that allows you to mix between mallet and stick sounds, add up to three syncable feedback delay lines, convolution reverb with 26 impulse responses to pick from, chorus and transient shaping.

Download Gongster’s Paradise

80. Bunker Samples Scary Viola Pizz

Scary Viola Pizz

Spooky pizzicato plucks haunt this free Kontakt instrument, featuring a Density slider that when turned up transforms the patch into something truly uncanny-sounding. A useful tool for adding a disturbing edge to soundtracks.

Download Scary Viola Pizz

81. Bunker Samples Ext.Har

Ext Har

Standing for Extra Harmonics, Ext.Har is a library made from viola harmonics that can be played chromatically. Described by its creators as sounding like a mix between a flute, an organ and a cello, Ext.Har. is a good choice for those after an alternative to tried and tested traditional string or woodwind sounds.

Download Ext.Har

82. Global Audio Tools Trap Gods

Trap Gods

Trap Gods is a quick way to get a bunch of workhorse trap sounds including Roland TR-808-inspired drums (naturally including big 808-style basses), plus leads, keys, pads, plucks, strings and more.

Download Trap Gods

83. Global Audio Grand Sounds From The Streets

Sounds From The Streets

A convenient collection of urban-style kicks, snare, hats and percussion samples, Sounds From The Streets is a quick and streamlined way to make trap and hip-hop beats fast, and the quality of the drum hits themselves is great.

Download Sounds From The Streets

84. Global Audio Galaxy

Galaxy

As well as a selection of typical trap drum sounds and 808s basses, Galaxy also includes 10 ‘beat starters’, instrumental, drum-free loops at various tempos designed to give inspiration to start your own track.

Download Galaxy

85. Rhythmic Robot Audio NanoMod 7

NanoMod7

A gritty, primitive-sounding synth, NamoMod 7 allows you to morph between detuned multi-voice analogue oscillators and an early digital synth waveform that can provide you with a respite from the polished gloss of contemporary soft synths.

Download NanoMod7

86. Sonuscore Free HD Orchestra Chords

Offering a unique take on orchestral chords, this instrument features a full orchestra sound with optional extra low and high strings. The unusual part is that the chord played is either major or minor depending on note velocity. This can lead to some interesting results, and the chord samples themselves are big and beautiful.

Download Free HD Orchestra Chords

87. Rhythmic Robot Audio PatchVault Taster

PatchVault Taster

PatchVault Taster offers a simple polysynth patch with filter, chorus, tube, amplitude envelope and tilt EQ options to sculpt the sound to your taste. To add expression you can adjust the modwheel LFO rate, and activate glide mode for portamento lead lines.

Download PatchVault Taster

88. Rhythmic Robot Audio Doctor 33

Doctor 33

Recorded from an analogue metronome, Doctor 33 features four extremely lo-fi but charming percussive analogue splats, bleeps and ticks. The instrument includes a Tone control that can be used to filter these sounds to interesting effect, and it’s perfect for getting an old school analogue feel.

Download Doctor 33

89. Rhythmic Robot Audio PanaRhythm

PanaRhythm

Sampled from an extremely venerable analogue rhythm machine, PanaRhythm uses round robin samples to maintain analogue authenticity, and includes three sounds: a kick, a hat, and a snare that can be played chromatically over an octave.

Download PanaRhythm

90. Native Instruments Hypha

Hypha

An exploration into nature-inspired acoustic-electric hybrid sounds, Hypha is optimised for polyphonic aftertouch and includes organic textures, atmospheric keys and mysterious soundscapes among its presets.

Download Hypha

91. Native Instruments Analog Dreams

Analog Dreams

The synth sound of the 1980s is brought up to date with this preset-packed instrument. Dozens of synth-based plucks, basses, leads, FX, and pads are included, making Analog Dreams ideal for synthwave, techno, and anything else with an electronic edge.

Download Analog Dreams

92. Native Instruments Ethereal Earth

Ethereal Earth

A meditative collection presets divided into chords, FX, metallic, natural, pad, sequenced and synthy categories, Ethereal Earth is the perfect instrument for creating chilled soundscapes and relaxing ambiences.

Download Ethereal Earth

93. Native Instruments Irish Harp

Irish Harp

This state-of-the-art instrument features a meticulously-sampled 34-string Irish harp complete with a swathe of keyswitches and performance phrases that will have you sounding like a Gallic musical genius at the press of a button.

Download Irish Harp

94. Native Instruments Yangqin

Yangqin

The yangqin is a traditional Chinese hammered dulcimer, and this virtual version includes advanced scale, mixer and mapping controls, plus myriad keyswitching capabilities and built-in performances.

Download Yangqin

95. Heavyocity Foundations Nylon Guitar

Foundations Nylon Guitar

Foundations Nylon Guitar provides a great clear acoustic guitar sound with a clean interface, and if you’re looking for more esoteric sonic inspiration it can handle that as well. With atmospheric reverb and delay effects plus an additional texture layer that can be dialed-in plus an arpeggiator, this is a fun instrument that more than fulfills its remit.

Download Foundations Nylon Guitar

96. Impact Soundworks Cinematic Synthetic Drums

Cinematic Synthetic Drums

Ideal for hybrid electronic-orchestral scores, Cinematic Synthetic Drums is crammed with epic percussion hits and devastating drum sounds. FX keyswitches are available to help you create the perfect feel, and an Ensemble mode allows you to increase the size of your sounds.

Download Cinematic Synthetic Drums

97. Impact Soundworks Super Audio Boy

Super Audio Boy

Inspired by a certain popular handheld gaming device from the late 80s, Super Audio Boy includes classic chiptune waveforms such as pulses, triangles, saws, and four separate voices to play them back with. Wave waveform can be tailored with pitch, amplitude and filter modulation, and there’s also an FX section with a reverb inspired by a famous home console.

Download Super Audio Boy

98. Impact Soundworks The Stroh Violin

The Stroh Violin

The stroh violin is a self-amplified variation on the classic violin design with a resonating metal body and horn. This Kontakt version includes three custom-mapped articulations, with dedicated step sequencers for velocity, step length and attack offset. The perfect instrument for creating unique, rhythmic string tones.

Download The Stroh Violin

99. The Alpine Project

The Alpine Project

An orchestral library created from public domain samples, The Alpine Project serves to complement other orchestral libraries by focusing on a wide variety of expressive solo instruments. With more than 1.5GB of samples included, The Alpine Project offers a comprehensive collection of brass, woodwind and string patches.

Download The Alpine Project

100. AVA Music Group PRISM Drums - Lite Edition

Prism Drums Lite Edition

PRISM Drums – Lite Edition includes six drum kits: Modern Pop, Retro Pop, Trailer, Urban Legends, Taped Drums, and Lofi Drums. Featuring a straightforward interface with Compression and “Sauce” sliders, PRISM Drums – Lite Edition is a handy way to get some slamming drum sounds into your mix quick.

Download Prism Drums – Lite Edition

Looking for even more free instruments? Check out our list of free VST plugins.

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