. Looped triangle rings, as well as tambourine and shaker shakes. Dry samples, for maximum flexibility Tech Specs: - SFZ Format (Level 2.0) - 48 kHz, FLAC, Mono - 16.2 MB on Disk Works in most DAWs and notation software using Plogue's sforzando, a free SFZ player that functions as both a standalone player, as well as a VST/AU/RTAS/AAX plugin.
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.
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.
Have
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.
Free Tambourine Vst
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.
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.
The marimba is a pitched keyboard percussion instrument(similar to a xylophone) that resides in symphonies, percussion ensembles, orchestras, commercial music, and more.
Finding an excellent-sounding marimba VST isn’t a walk in the park — many sound cheap. Not to worry, as I have discovered five exceptional libraries that I will share with you today.
Table of Contents
- Things to Consider When Looking for Marimba VSTs
1) Vital Series: Mallets (Paid)
I’ve already mentioned Mallets in a previous post (xylophone VSTs), but it happens to fit perfectly with marimba VSTs.
Vital Series: Mallets is an excellent pitched-percussion plugin from Big Fish Audio, the creators of Electri6ity, Mojo 2, and Apollo: Cinematic Guitars.
The plugin includes patches for marimba, xylophone, bells, chimes, vibraphone, and others.
The sample quality is incredible — when I listened back to my studio monitors, I felt like I was listening to real performers.
Vital Series: Mallets comes with multiple mallet types allowing for more flexibility and better dynamic emulation.
Mallet types included are as follows:
- Soft
- Medium Soft
- Medium Hard
- Hard
- Rods
- Bow
Vital Series: Mallets is available at Plugin Boutique.
2) Marimbaphonic (Free)
For all the composers and producers looking for a free option — rejoice. Marimbaphone is a surprisingly decent-sounding free marimba plugin.
The instrument contains 122 samples from the University of Iowa Electronic Music Studios public domain library.
The most disappointing flaw in this marimba VST is the limiting two velocity layers(hey, what can you expect, it’s free?).
Here are Marimbaphone’s main features:
- 122 mono 24-bit samples
- Two velocity layers
- Release time control
- Amplitude dynamic range control
- Basic reverb
Free Tambourine Vst Plugin
3) Short Marimba VST/AU from Flintpope (Free)
Here’s an interesting (and free) marimba VST from a website called Flintpope.net.
The Short Marimba is a cool-sounding free instrument that won’t stand up to significant orchestral recordings but does work for many styles like pop and hip hop.
Have a listen below:
4) Soniccouture Grand Marimba (Paid)
I have a hard time distinguishing between Grand Marimba and Vital Series: Mallets’ marimba. They both sound so unbelievably realistic.
Grand Marimba is a fantastic marimba VST that features a 5-octave Yamaha 6100, designed with the legendary Keiko Abe.
The 6100 is a flagship instrument with precision tuning, Honduran Rosewood bars, and welded resonators (rattle-free).
Grand Marimba is a Kontakt Player instrument, meaning you do not need the full version of Kontakt to use it in your DAW.
5) Marimba by Frontline Producer (Paid)
Marimba by Frontline Producer is a great-sounding, and very affordable, marimba VST from Producer Loops.
The significant difference from the others on the list: it includes loops. Frontline Producer includes 343 marimba loops at tempos between 100 and 127 (which can be warped to your liking).
In addition to loops is a software sampler patch, which you can use to create your parts and melodies.
Marimba by Frontline Producer is available at Plugin Boutique.
6) Fine Mallets Bundle from Cinematique Instruments (Paid)
Fine Mallets is an armory of seven mallet percussion instruments including marimba, vibraphone, metallophone, glockenspiel, kalimba, and more.
The marimba patch sounds much dryer than others I have previously listed in this article.
There is also much less sustain, but I think it still sounds excellent and has commercial production potential.
The articulations included for the marimba patch include hard mallet, felt mallet, and big-soft mallet.
Note: the full version of Kontakt is required to use Fine Mallets.
Fine Mallets is available at Plugin Boutique.
Things to Consider When Looking for Marimba VSTs
Depending on your production, you may pick a different plugin. Some digital audio workstations even have marimbas and other percussion instruments included with the software.
Using Marimba VSTs in Pop and Hip Hop Music
Free Tambourine Vst Plugin
Because you’re working in pop or hip hop music, you may not need the highest quality samples. A free option may work just fine.
I use Cubase, and it comes standard with Halion Sonic SE 3 — a VST sampler and sound creation system.
Halion Sonic SE 3 isn’t the full version of Halion, but it does come with some decent marimba patches. The included presets work fine for pop and hip hop music.
Check if your DAW includes some free virtual instruments and see if they’re any good!
Using Marimba VSTs For Orchestral and TV/Film Composition
Composition for film, TV, and video games requires next-level libraries — your competition will be using them.
Tambourine Vst Plugins
Blowing away music supervisors right from the get-go is imperative, as you may only get one chance.
Using high-quality instrument samples is, unfortunately, a must when working in the TV and film industry.
For orchestral music, quality is also crucial. Unless you plan to hire out an entire orchestra to play your piece and record it, you may want to save up for the best virtual libraries you can afford.
Compatibility of Marimba Virtual Instrument Plugins
Most digital audio workstations today support VST (virtual studio technology) — VST is the most common format today.
However, if you use a DAW like Pro Tools, you may have to use a format known as AAX or RTAS. There are workarounds, but they are obnoxious, requiring you to use Reaper inside Pro Tools to host VST plugins — a total headache.
Fortunately, most plugins today come in different formats.
- VST (Virtual Studio Technology)
- AU (AudioUnits)
- AAX (Avid Audio eXtension)
- RTAS (Real-Time Audio Suite)
- TDM (Time-division Multiplexing)
Read your DAWs manual to see which format it supports.
Conclusion
Vital Series: Mallets remains to be my favorite mallet VST plugin bundle, though I have to say, Grand Marimba is coming in at a close second.
My best piece of advise when working with any plugins and instruments is to keep amassing them until you have an extensive library — like a painter’s color palette.
The “best-sounding” marimba VST may not always be the best application for a given style of music, like hip-hop, lo-fi, or pop.
If you’re interested in recording and production, specifically relating to drums and percussion, check out some of my other roundups:
Have you tried out any of the marimba VST plugins I’ve listed here? What do you think? I’d love to hear from you in the comments down below.
Please share this article with your producer friends if you found it helpful.
Thanks for reading.