- Jun 08, 2021 Available for both Windows and Mac OS, SL Drums 3 is a new virtual drum machine in Beatmaker‘s free drum VST and AU plugins arsenal. SL Drums’ rich collection of over 450 drum samples, 75 new drum kits, easy controls and redesigned GUI design will surely set tongues wagging. The best part isit’s totally free! 16) Drum Boxx by SonicXTC.
- VST-Mac Plugins Rough Rider. Free 16x Drum Machine With New To Market Sounds & Expansions. DrumTROOP. mvMeter2. Meter multivariable meter; 21K Views Rating.
These are the best free realistic instrument plugins for Windows and Mac!
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So, if you're looking for free virtual instruments that can be used for composing orchestral or realistic music, these 5 plugins will help you do just that.
And all but one will work on both Windows and Mac, but I do mention an alternative for the one that doesn't plus a bonus free sound library at the end.
Chart of the best free realistic instrument plugins
This table includes all of the free realistic instrument VST plugins that are mentioned in the article below.
| Plugin Name | Available Plugin Formats | Supported OS |
|---|---|---|
| LABS | 64 & 32-bit VST, AAX, and AU | Windows & Mac |
| Cloudrum | 64 & 32-bit VST, AAX (Mac only), and AU | Windows & Mac |
| Sonatina Orchestra | 64 & 32-bit VST | Windows |
| SSD5 Free | 64-bit VST, AAX, and AU | Windows & Mac |
| Virtual Playing Orchestra | WAVE & SFZ | Windows & Mac |
| (Bonus) Taiko Drum Samples | WAVE & SFZ | Windows & Mac |
1. Spitfire LABS
The first one I want to mention is Spitfire LABS, a great resource to get free orchestral instruments and they add a new one every month, at least that's what they say.
So hey, save the article and check back in a couple of months, they might have a new one available.
From this, you can use an array of different instruments like strings, guitar, piano, and choir that all sound great.
Each instrument allows you to control expression, dynamics, and reverb. Some even come with more control.
2. Ample Sound Cloudrum
The next instrument I'd like to highlight is Cloudrum by Ample Sound.
This one sounds pretty cool and is quite different from their regular approach to making plugins as they almost entirely stick to stringed instruments.
With this one being the only exception. Even though it's slightly out of their expertise, this one really hit the mark.
3. Sonatina Orchestra
Now if you're looking for a robust library of orchestral instruments including percussion, strings, and brass, you might really like Sonatina Orchestra.
Unfortunately, this is the one that doesn't work for Mac. But, is very similar to one that does, called VSCO2.
These two plugins seem to have a lot of the same instrument samples and you can find the free download link for VSCO2 in this article.
Check it out, I also demo how it sounds in a video available on the article.
4. SSD5 FREE
If you're looking for a fully functional deluxe drum kit, SSD5 FREE has many different drums for you to use.
With this plugin, you get more control compared to just using samples such as mixing directly in the plugin.
5. Virtual Playing Orchestra
The last one is a bit of a process to get set up but it does sound good and I suggest that you at least listen to the demo I made before you decide not to give it a go.
Free Drum Sampler Vst Mac
Virtual Playing Orchestra does require you to download the wave files, sfz scripts and a separate sfz player such as sforzando made by Plogue.
And there are other orchestral libraries that have sfz format so it won’t be a waste of your time.
6. (Bonus): Taiko Drum Samples
Finally, the bonus sound library. If you're looking for some free Taiko drum samples, you can get them from this pay-what-you-want resource.
If you feel that it's worth some money, the option is there for you but you can get them for free.
In this library, you'll find some nice drum one-shots to use in your music or even sound effects.
I hope these free plugins will help you make better orchestral music or just music in general.
Share it with someone so they don't miss out on these sweet freebies. As always, thanks for reading.
Free Vst Drum Machine Plugins
- Real-time groove composition using dedicated style and drummer modeling without any static patterns or loops.
- In-depth drummer limb simulation ensures grooves are always humanly playable.
- Allows layering of groove, accent and fill elements at will without any danger of creating unrealistic performances.
- Advanced feel modeling includes sound-specific pocket delays, power and timing variations and push/pull.
- Real-time fill generator produces unique fills that match the style and drummer in use.
- Streamlined interface with real-time 3D kit for editing and performance visualization.
- Part-based arranger with transition and repetition fill control, liveloop technology and MIDI export.
- Limb-centric bar editor allows fine-tuning of events without need for MIDI export/editing in the DAW.
- Extensive MIDI controller mapping offers in-depth remote-control of the style, drummer and mixer.
- Built-in mixer with compressor, drum-specific 3-band EQ and delay.
- Style models, drummer models and sounds can be added via expansions and MiniPaks.
- Supports VST and AAX plugin formats (macOS is currently in Beta as VST and AU).