Best Free Sampler Vst For Reaper

 
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Rhythmic elements like tambourines generally are added near the end of a song’s production. While we can record tambourine parts the old fashioned way, sometimes it’s beneficial and more efficient to use virtual instruments for auxiliary percussion.

Get the 200 best free VST plugins ever made. From synth VSTs and drum VSTs to VST effects, this huge list has only the best of the best plugins. These are the best free VST plugins you can download right now. What you’ll find below is a directory of high-quality freeware instruments and effects in VST plugin format for digital audio workstations on Windows and macOS. Jun 01, 2019 These are the best free VST plugins you can download right now.

Tambourine VSTs provide producers with readily available grooves in a drag-and-drop fashion. Today we are looking at six of the best tambourine VSTs you can utilize in your productions.

DSK Overture is a classic orchestra VSTi instrument available for PC. You can play full 4 layer sounds, or 4 different instruments in the same instance. 4 layer (40 instruments, 1 drum kit, 10 internal combos): Acoustic Piano, Harpsichord, Church Organ, Celesta, Glockenspiel, Vibes, Harp, Flute, Piccolo, English. The world of virtual samplers is reigned over by a handful of popular commercial products, but there are a few options on the freeware front. Thanks to SynthEdit and SynthMaker, the internet is peppered with free 32-bit, Windows-only sample-playback efforts, but there are far fewer coded-from-the-ground-up options. I’m building a collection of instruments and samples that I need in order to compose music on Reaper. The problem is finding a decent starter kit, percussion, wind, string, etc. I need somewhere to start and I’d appreciate some advice on where to start, either for free or for a low price. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Independence Free is available for Windows and Mac OS as a VST instrument for DAWs or a standalone sampler. In addition to sample formats that can be used in Independence, AKAI S1000, S3000 and SoundFont samples are also supported. Automatic Multi-Out in Reaper. 16 Assignable Pads. Use our built-in 808 kit or your own sounds. Each sample is analyzed for dynamics and pitch, which makes the controls more intuitive and musical. You can save the kits you create to your user kits library. VST, AudioUnit, AAX and Standalone.

Have an interest in virtual drums and percussion? Be sure to check out my other roundups:

If not, be sure to read on. Let’s get into the list.

Table of Contents

  • Things to consider when choosing virtual instruments

1) Sharine

Sharine is the ultimate tambourine VST, giving you many different types, as well as shakers.

The plugin runs inside of Kontakt. You need the full version if you don’t want the demo mode to time out (15 minutes).

Included are eight shakers and four tambourines recorded with three microphone positions.

Choosing an instrument is as simple as clicking on them.

Sharine’s shakes are ultrarealistic. I also love that the rhythms sound “humanized;” they’re somewhat unbalanced and “less-perfect” sounding — a plus.

2) David Oliver’s Rhythmic Odyssey by SoundIron

David Oliver is a well-known percussionist and composer who has worked on numerous award-winning films and TV shows.

While not a standalone tambourine VST, Rhythmic Odyssey is a loop-bassed percussion instrument that allows you to step into David Oliver’s world of percussion.

The library contains 100 percussion track loops with everything from traditional ethnic arrangements to driving “Hollywood” percussion grooves.

3) Spectrasonics Stylus RMX

Stylus RMX has been my “go-to” for years when it comes to tambourines and other textured percussion instruments. The library is massive and high-quality.

Included in Stylus is a massive 14GB core library with nearly triple the sounds of the original Stylus. There are 500 multi grooves and 250 kits.

The ease of use is another point: I love that you can drag and drop MIDI clips from Stylus into your digital audio workstation.

The only downside to Stylus is that it’s overused in commercial productions. I’ve heard many presets in indie films and television commercials.

I think this okay, though, since most people listening to your music will not have a clue!

4) IK Multimedia Cinematic Percussion

Again, Cinematic Percussion from IK Multimedia is not a standalone tambourine VST, but it does include them. Many percussion libraries will function this way, so be sure to keep that in mind.

IK’s Cinematic Percussion is “a producer’s treasure chest of sounds, loops, and patterns.” The library contains the actual instruments used in “Argo,” “Godzilla,” “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “Iron Man,” “Watchman,” “300,” “The Matrix,” and many others.

If you need lots of great-sounding percussion in addition to a tambourine VST, check out Cinematic Percussion.

5) Versilian Studios Miscellania II (Free)

Miscellania II is a free percussion sample pack from Versilian Studios. In addition to two tambourines, you get many more instruments:

  • Glockenspiel
  • Nepalese Bells
  • Triangles
  • Agogo Bells
  • Bell Tree
  • Brake Drum
  • Finger Cymbals
  • Roto Tom Rim
  • Sleighbells
  • Spoons loop
  • Tuba Mouthpiece Hit
  • Wind Chimes

The pack is licensed under CC0; feel free to use it in your commercial works.

6) Vintage Toy Tambourine from SampleHero (Free)

Here is a sample company I just discovered today: Sample Hero! The Vintage Toy Tambourine is an excellent free option for those looking to add rhythm and pulse to a production.

The sound is a bit more trashy, which I do love. Why not have another color in your sonic palette?

Things to consider when choosing virtual instruments

Kontakt may be a requirement

Many times, plugin developers use the Kontakt sampler. While it is a popular option, many young producers and composers don’t have Kontakt or the money to shell out for it. ($399.00).

Make sure you pay attention when buying virtual instruments as they are often non-refundable.

If you only have the free Kontakt Player, check if the plugin works with it and won’t time out.

For VIs without a Kontakt license, the free Kontakt Player will stop functioning after 15 minutes, and you’ll have to reload it, which can be annoying.

How to use Kontakt instruments for free

An easy workaround is to write your MIDI on a different instrument.

/hammered-dulcimer-vst-free.html. Once finished, load up the free player, find your preset or instrument, drag the MIDI over, and print the clip.

It’s not the ideal solution, but it does work if you’re trying to use the free version of Kontakt effectively.

Try recording it yourself

Even with all the most excellent libraries and samples in the world, sometimes you must record it yourself.

I find that often tracks can feel stale when using all programmed instruments and having a layer of human-played tambourine can work wonders.

If you don’t have access to a tambourine or a space to record one, use a VST.

Don’t go overboard

When using rhythmic elements from plugins like tambourine VSTs, it can be easy to overdo it. I used to be very guilty of this when using Stylus RMX.

Layer and experiment, but do your best to keep it simple. As a general rule of my own, I usually pull back one or two elements of production at the end, and the piece often gels better. Try doing that and see what happens on your next composition.

Have you used a tambourine VST? Which one(s) is your favorite? I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment down below and share this article with your producer buddies if you’d like!

Thanks for reading.

For any modern producer, a sampler is essential. However, if you’re strapped for cash or just starting out, it can be difficult to find good-quality sampler plugins that actually work and add to your beats.

Luckily, we’ve cut through the weeds and compiled 9 of the best free sampler VST plugins out on the market today.

Free Sampler VSTs

Without delay, here are our top picks. Sit back, relax, and explore these excellent samplers.

Grace Sampler by One Small Clue

The Grace Sampler is simple, sleek, and suited to synth users. The sampler has optional patches free for download on its website, most of which are for synths, but there’s also a couple for drum kits, keys, and bass.

This sampler comes in both 32 and 64-bit versions, so you won’t have to worry about compatibility from device to device. With most DAWS, you can drag and drop your samples right into the sampler, simplifying your workflow.

Grace Sampler comes with 2 step sequencers, 2 LFOS, and 4 different control pads. The sampler supports WAV, AIF, and SND formats directly which is impressive for a free plugin.

Grooove by BPB

If you’re looking to create some vibey drums, Grooove by BPB is a great pick. This drum sampler is perfect for techno and EDM musicians, looking to create catchy, unique loops.

The plugin has different slots in which 2 different drum samples can be layered and played simultaneously. The slots all have built-in LFOs for altering filter cutoff, sample delay, pitch, and standard attack, volume, pan, and start/end times. Luckily, the VST is supported in both 32 and 64-bit versions.

Grooove BPB is the free version of a full-on instrument, so if you like the notable sampling capabilities that come with the free VST, the purchased version by brunsandpork is a great step up.

TX16W Software Sampler

The TX16W software sampler has a wide array of features that usually only come with paid plugins. With this sampler, you can record samples directly and edit keyboard mappings making it a great pick for musicians looking to incorporate their DAWs into live performance.

As for modulation, the sampler has 2 LFOs and 3 step sequencers. Velocity and mapping can be handled by drawing a custom curve or using the integrated knobs. The plugin also acts as a bus so you can send in and out effects in real-time.

TX16W has 64-bit support and has a built-in arpeggiator, for a paid add-on, you can have time-stretch and pitch-bend modes. For free or otherwise, this plugin is no joke.

Sforzando by Plogue

Sforzando prides itself on its simplicity, with no graphic visualizer. There’s only one sample slot, with no effects or mixers.

The plugin simply consists of standard ADSR knobs, volume, pan, tone, and tune controls. Although this may feel limiting, for seasoned producers looking for a specific sound that doesn’t need a whole lot of extra fluff, Sforzando can be extremely helpful.

If anything else, the plugin works as a great ear-training tool and can train musicians to rely on their skillset rather than software. It comes with 64-bit support.

Best Free Vst For Reaper

Zampler by Plugin Boutique

Zampler by Plugin Boutique is an excellent add-on for electronic musicians as you can download drum & bass, hip hop, even dubstep expansion packs.

Free

The sampler has 3 LFOs and a large effects library including chorus, phaser, tube saturation, and many more. There are 2 sample banks and 3 ADSR envelopes for full modulation control.

Zampler has a step sequencer as well as sample oscillators for you to further tweak your sound. Unfortunately, Mac users only have 32-bit support. Windows has both 32 and 64-bit support, but any sample formats outside of sfz must be converted.

Paraphrasis by VirtualAnalogy

Paraphrasis helps you create those retro analog tones with any sample. Simply place your sample into the Paraphrasis sampler, and the modeling synthesizer will analyze the sound data to produce a more classic sound.
This VST is pretty simple, and the UI reflects that; there’s simply a pitch, resolution, analyze, and source toggle with no extra bells or whistles. There’s only one slot to the plugin, but on the upside, it doesn’t take up a large amount of CPU.

There’s also a handy reverse toggle, so you can reverse your sample before giving it that added analog touch. Some users had trouble using this plugin in 64-bit though it supports both versions, so make sure you’re downloading the proper .dll when acquiring this plugin.

Best free sampler vst for reaper guitar

XTT01 by Synthedit Labo Japan

The XTT01 has that classic rack-mount feel and is designed to give you a sound reminiscent of the past. This sampler is known for its signature glide function.

This VST is pretty bare bones. There are the standard ADSR knobs to toggle the filter and amp envelopes, and a built-in LFO with speed, PW, and depth knobs. You can also pitch shift by semitones within the sampler.

XTT01 has no visualizer, so it’s a great tool to use for musicians who are more auditory based learners. You can only load one sample at a time in this plugin. Unfortunately, this simple yet powerful sampler only supports 32-bit software, so it may not work for you if you have more modern equipment.

Bassje by Odosynths

Bassje by Odosynths is a great drum sequencer to give your beats the funky groove they’ve been missing. It’s loaded with 3 different toms as well, so if you’re just looking for a great tom loop generator, Bassje is a great addition to your library.

The plugin is separated into two main sections: An octave and filter sequencer. Nothing can describe the sounds you can get out of this puppy other than using is. Bassje has a volume, reso, and volume knob.

Its retro UI speaks to the nature of the plugin, as it’ll generate patterns very reminiscent of physical drum machines. For any musician trying to create retro-inspired music, Bassje is perfect.

Helios by TobyBear

Helios is an impressive audio sampler unit that is meant to be used during live performance. It has 8 different LFOs, including 2 that sync up to the sample’s tempo.

This plugin is able to tweak a sample is real-time with pitch-bending, looping, delays, and LFO filters. You can drag and drop wave files directly into the interface, making it ideal for DJs or musicians who have to improvise often. Unfortunately, it only supports a 32-bit connection so newer equipment may not work with this plugin.

What We Recommend

Any of these VSTs are excellent to try out but there are two that stand out in our minds:

Grooove BPB

Grooove BPB stands out in its flexibility and abundance of features for a free plugin. With 6 different drum slots and a variety of effects, it’s a versatile sampler that can act as an effect bus if nothing else.

Oftentimes rhythm is the core and soul of music production, so having a drum sampler to assist in that process is priceless (literally).

TX16Wx Software Sampler

This sampler is a full-on replacement for any stock sampler you may have, and then some. No other sampler can compare to this VST’s level of flexibility: With separate windows MIDI mapping, envelopes, modulation, arpeggiator, and samples themselves, it’s hard to believe that this plugin is free.

Another great thing about this plugin is the ability to record and drag samples directly into the interface. This may seem like a small factor, but for the right producer, it can significantly simplify your workflow.

Paid Plugins

If you’ve tried out a couple of these free options and you’re looking to take the next step, be sure to check out our guide on the best-paid sampler VSTs of 2019. Here are our two standout picks from that piece.

Phalanx by Vengeance Sound

Drum Pad Sampler Vst Free

Phalanx is an impressive sampler and sound effects generator that is very versatile in use. The plugin has a number of optional expansion packs catered to specific genres of music, so you’re sure to find one that works for you.

The plugin has a polyphony threshold at 256 notes, and 32 single samples can be played at once. In addition to its bevy of embedded effects, Phalanx holds its ground when used as a drum sampler.

Read more at Best Sampler VSTs

Polygon Sampler by Glitchmachines

Best Free Sampler Vst For Reaper Download

This sampler is relatively affordable, making it a great paid VST to consider in your transition. Although it is mainly geared towards electronic music, the unique user interface and 120 embedded presets make this a fun tool for any producer.

If anything else, this sampler surprisingly works well as a synthesizer with an impressive 8 LFOs. It has a lot of granular synthesis capabilities, making it a great way to boost your low-end frequencies without altering the timing of your samples.

Read more at Best Sampler VSTs

Synth Vst Reaper Free

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All in all, any of these options are great to test out considering there’s no upfront cost other than your time. Have creating exciting new beats using your free Sampler VSTs!