You’ve come to the correct spot if you’re still debating whether to incorporate Marimba sounds into your music. I’ve put together a brief history of the marimba and the Top 10 Marimba VST Plugins & Kontakt Libraries, both commercial and free.
Any de xylophone variation is known as a marimba. For example, one of several names given to the xylophone in Africa is the marimba, and because marimba-sounding instruments usually feature a tuned gourd resonator for every wooden bar, some ethnomusicologists use the word marimba to differentiate the resonator gourd from other xylophones.
The xylophone was brought to Latin America by enslaved African people (or possibly originated through pre-Hispanic contact). It took on the name marimba and remained a well-liked folk instrument throughout Central America. The wooden bars are either hung from the player’s waist or fastened to a frame supported by legs.
Let’s explore what marimba plugins are available in 2023:
Top 10 Marimba VST Plugins & Kontakt Libraries
1. Native Instruments Sequis (Marimba & Other Instruments)
Tools for orchestra from Native Instruments Any contemporary media composer should use Sequis, a sophisticated, organic-sounding sequencer.
It’s more common than you may expect for a word or compositional notion to be used in a sequence. Sequences are often imagined as groups of MIDI notes that loop, cycle, and repeat.
However, the attractiveness of repeated phrases predates the first pattern sequencing, and it may have been more well-known as a legitimate style of music in the 1960s, thanks to minimalist composers like Steve Reich.
This pattern sequencing is celebrated in Sequis, a Kontakt-hosted instrument created in collaboration between Orchestral Tools and Native Instruments.
It strives to make it simple for you to set up and create symphonic sequences by providing an easy interface that allows you to program steps for up to four instruments at once and includes a large variety of samples from various instrumental and vocal groups.
Key Features:
- Sequence
Each Sequis patch combines up to four instruments, each capable of playing a unique pattern. This pattern is fundamentally rhythmic, which translates into whatever note you play to activate it. - Samples
SEQUIS samples require roughly 4 Gb of download space when using Native Access from NI. However, the application is simple to install, and I could start using it in less than ten minutes, which is impressive considering the region has enormous sample sets that may take up to a day to download. - The Perform Mode
There are various helpful choices in Perform mode. One is the option to modify the sequence’s playback speed, which can range from half to twice the DAW’s pace. Another is to turn off the playback mode loop so that playing ends when the sequence is complete.
Active layers can also be managed through the mode wheel or note polyphony. Layers 1 through 4 are activated in order as the number of notes played concurrently increases. I mostly used the Mod Wheel control option because it was a little too random for my tastes. - The Edit Mode
The second page after Edit Mode is where you may change the internal workings of the different tools. I wasn’t initially anticipating a high degree of customization from such a straightforward and sparse interface, but I was pleasantly pleased by SEQUIS’s array of practical possibilities.
Each of the four layers has areas for processing sound effects in addition to instrument and articulation assignments, volume, and pan levels. A swing vibe may also be applied to the sequencer for a Janzen look, making for an astounding array of modification choices overall.
Compatibility:
The full version of Kontakt 5.8.1 or higher is needed. It runs on macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only).
Summary:
I’d recommend Orchestral Tools’ SEQUIS to anybody interested in adding layers of rhythmic activity to their compositions since it has a straightforward and understandable user interface, a flexible and highly useable collection of structured presets, and a concentration on high-quality musical samples.
Related Readings:
Top 9 Sequencer & Arpeggiator KONTAKT Libraries
2. Native Instruments Mallet Flux (Marimba & Other Instruments)
The award-winning SONUSCORE team, which has worked on more than 2,000 projects in the video game, TV, and film industries, collaborated to develop MALLET FLUX.
The majority of pounded instruments sound fantastic. More than that, MALLET FLUX features exquisitely sampled marimba, xylophone, and vibraphone, but its inventive sequencer and playback engine are what make it such a special instrument.
You may quickly generate ideas with the assistance of this seamless blending of rhythm, melody, and sound, converting even the smallest riffs into moving compositions for musicals, scores, and other uses.
Key Features:
- Scoring
You may find what you need by choosing the note values and time signature. Then, use the advanced automation engine to create one-of-a-kind, customizable patterns by playing notes or chords.
Complex effects chains are used in flow and drone sequences to create heavenly sounds and creative textures. The mode wheel may be used in morph scenarios to change rhythms dynamically. Finally, you may alter the scene’s settings to make something unique. - Mix
Use the five perfect samples of symphonic percussion made by SONUSCORE’s sampling specialists to mix seamlessly. Change how close and far the microphones are mixed. Add REPLIKA delay, a plug-in based on the REPLIKA XT, and choose from various delay options.
To set your instruments in the ideal sound environment, select from a variety of high-quality room, hall, and board reverbs. Use effects and articulations to your advantage to produce alien sounds. Finally, choose “flow” settings to explore new acoustic terrain. - Komplete Kontrol Keyboard
When used with a Komplete Kontrol keyboard, Mallet Flux comes to life. Play chords as they are altered completely by the streaming engine. You can dial in the appropriate sound with all settings already linked to the eight display buttons. And see pre-made scenarios come to life on the light guide for a seamless gaming experience that emphasizes inspiration. - Sequencer
Each of the five velocity sequences in the Mallet Flux sequencer runs concurrently, one for each loaded mallet instrument in the ensemble. You may build two sets of velocity b sequences with two sequencer lanes. Utilizing the modulation wheel, you may change various speed settings while utilizing the Dynamic Mode function. You may band personalize sequences with additional instructions in the Sequencer, which enables you to make incredibly complex patterns. - Scene Browser
You may select from more than 250 distinct Scenes in the Scene Browser, each representing a special musical pattern or phrase that can be fed into the Sequencer. Simple notes, fascinating multi-arpeggios, simple patterns, and complicated sound configurations are all included in the scenarios.
Compatibility:
The full version of Kontakt 5.8.1 or higher is needed. It runs on macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only).
Summary:
It is a plugin that expertly blends the marimba, vibraphone, and xylophone sounds. It contains a strong sequencer and an arpeggiator that give you many options.
NI consistently provides high-quality, simple-to-integrate solutions, despite its rather high price. Considering that the plugin already has mixed effects, it will undoubtedly find a home in your composition.
3 Soniccouture Grand Marimba
A full Balinese gamelan, the beautiful Array Mbira, a set of glass instruments, and a Cumbrian lithophone are all included in the catalog.
Array Mbira, a group of glass instruments, and Cumbrian lithophones are some of the unique percussion tuned to Soniccouture. Grand Marimba, their most recent composition in this style, is a thorough investigation of the instrument that initially appeared in symphonic works in the middle of the 20th century and is now a mainstay in both orchestral and out-of-the-box pop compositions.
Key Features:
- Bowed Samples
Although their upper range is constrained by the thin, narrow bars inside the top 2 chords that steadfastly refused to release a viable note, bowed samples perform well for somber, melancholy, pipe organ-like chord pads. Additionally, gentle single-note rolls performed repeatedly conjure up a carefree, sunny Caribbean vibe, and a clever script creates believable tremolos between note pairs. - Articulations
Mallet’s primary articulation and most typical marimba sound. The recording process employed five distinct types of hammers to maintain a constant tone over the instrument’s whole range. Roll seems to be a roller that has been performed, recorded, and looped from the marimba player’s actual performance. Contrast this with a tremolo. Marimba players don’t often use rolls, so this is somewhat of a unique effect. Stick is made by striking the marimba with the hammers’ handles instead of their heads. This is a type of unique effect you may discover in the marimba repertoire of the present day. “Rattan” is another name for this sound. A cello bow is used to bow a marimba. A sound similar to a pad that is maintained. - Edit
A few surprises may be found in the sound design area, like the pulsing, which is a groove-building inspiration, and the fascinating polyrhythmic arpeggiator patch dubbed “Auto Reich.” You can change these patterns once the Kontakt editor is opened. - Tremolo Module
Tremolo is a very popular marimba method. A unique Kontakt module by Soniccouture was created to imitate this kind of performance accurately. It will intelligently remap tremolo in real-time based on incoming MIDI or your playing and can easily accommodate 1 to 4 harmony voices. Tremolo Using a MIDI controller, You can modify speed and velocity in real-time. - Octaves
Soniccouture understood they wanted to discover a 5-octave concert model when they decided to sample a marimba. A full-size model’s massive bass notes have great quality. So the obvious choice seems to be the Yamaha 6100, developed in conjunction with famous marimba icon Keiko Abe. The Marimba 6100 is the pinnacle of technology, including Honduran rosewood frets, welded resonators for rattle-free playing, and a unique precise tuning system that guarantees accurate pitch and a rich tone.
Compatibility:
The full version of Kontakt 5.8.1 or higher is needed. It runs on macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only).
Summary:
I truly like marimbas, and this one is faultless in every way. Therefore it will now have a permanent spot in my Favorites folder. This marimba is magnificent and belongs in Soniccouture’s Hall of Percussion Tuned Percussion.
Related Readings:
Top 10 Percussion KONTAKT Libraries (And 3 Freebies)
4. Spitfire Audio Riccoti Mallets
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
An extensive collection of hammered instruments, skillfully recorded in the room at Spitfire provides you with a variety of sound options. The Spitfire Audio Riccoti Mallets plugin offers unheard-of capabilities.
Frank Ricotti, an all-around percussionist and jazz vibraphonist, has had a distinguished career as a composer and session musician. He has contributed to countless records and film scores, including those for Inception, Skyfall, Interstellar, and the Bourne series, to name a few.
You can hear the guy doing straight hits, rolls, and slides on marimba, glockenspiel, crotales, and xylophone using Spitfire Audio’s Ricotti Mallets. The xylophone has been added to the first three instruments, originally offered as special items and combined into one set.
Key Features:
- Marimba
The xylophone’s immediate descendent, the marimba, is similar to that instrument. Even though composers have written a lot for this instrument since the 1950s, it has only lately started to shine as a member of the modern orchestra. The softer and deeper sound of the marimba gave rise to a new kind of music, even though the playing style is the same as that of the xylophone. - Glockenspiel and Crotales
Glockenspiel is difficult to capture properly or create convincingly, so you have more possibilities with our wide selection of microphones than with plugins to achieve the sound you want, from delicate and bell-like to brilliant and sparkling. Small bronze discs called crotales are stacked like keys on a piano to generate chromatic tones. They will cut through even the greatest orchestral arrangement for moments of enchanted beauty since they are one of the brightest percussion instruments.
- Xylophone
A Marimba-like instrument with wooden bars and a brilliant tone. A collection of mallets would be lacking without this primary rhythm section, whether used to scale a ladder in a Tom and Jerry cartoon, provide the high end for an incredible system percussion session, or convey deeper malevolence in a Jon Brion composition. - User Interface
The primary interface for melodic instruments is the overview panel. The primary feature controls and a straightforward microphone mixer are included in the default layout, which also shows all playback options. The General Control Panel offers more comprehensive instrument control, displays all accessible signals and feature controllers, and allows the user to delete procedures from memory to save system resources. Additionally, The Ostinatum’s pattern sequencer allows you to add notes, choose the key it triggers, and play to create an ostinato instantly. It is comparable to a synthesizer’s arpeggiator.
Compatibility:
The full version of Kontakt 5.8.1 or higher is needed. It runs on macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only).
Summary:
Spitfire Audio Riccoti Mallets is providing a wide variety of rhythm patterns, the plugin broadens the expressive potential of music beyond the conventional harsh and brittle sound found in orchestral compositions. I enjoyed the hard and soft roll possibilities, enjoyed the mid-soft beaters’ tone, and found the glissando performances to be the ideal foil for cartoon comedic pratfalls.
Related Readings:
Top 11 Spitfire Audio Libraries & Plugins
5. Orchestral Percussion X3M (Marimba & Other Instruments)
Looking for a bundle of authentic-sounding orchestral percussion? If so, the Orchestral Percussion X3M could be the ideal choice for you.
The idea behind the ORCHESTRAL PERCUSSION X3M is to introduce many kinds of recorded orchestral percussion into a dry yet lively environment and enable more uncommon combinations of instruments and some new improvements to how it looks at sounds and effects.
Their major goal was to record various symphonic rhythm sets that would work well for all kinds of dynamic music, but notably for music for filmmaking.
Key Features:
- Engine
Simple in design, their engine comprises 12 zones to which you may apply various patches. Once you’ve selected your template, all that’s left to do is plug it in and start using it. All of the samples in your workstation’s samples folder are loaded when Orchestral Percussion X3M is launched.
However, the instruments are designed so that you have a single patch with all the percussion kinds you could need and a patch that is optimized and kind to your RAM capacity. - Pitch Knob
It allows you to change the sample pitch. Very helpful for changing the height of one of the zones after uploading a single tool twice. For instance, you might load a Taiko solo on zones, then completely reduce zone pitch. Now that the taiko sound is thicker switch on the sub diffuser for even more magnificence. - Mapping
In Timpani Set 1 & 2 Patches, each individual hit is assigned to one of two keyboard regions so that it may be played with both hands as a real percussionist would. Regardless of the location in which it is played, every shot on the same note, performed in either zone, will play this particular note sequentially round-robin. - Transient Controls
Attack amplifies the wave file’s beginning, while sustain can move the sample tail up or down. Transient attack and sustain function like a compressor. These are excellent for creating even louder sounds.
Compatibility:
The full version of Kontakt 5.8.1 or higher is needed. It runs on macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only).
Summary:
Because of how well the mapping technique works, I’ll probably pick and choose which instruments to map and then add those instruments, along with any other percussion libraries you use, to your percussion folder.
Layering, combining, and blending instruments from various libraries is something I enjoy doing. And with the Orchestral Percussion X3M, it’s especially simply because the recording environment and microphone settings allow you to switch from a very dry to a huge and expansive sound.
Related Readings:
Top 12 Orchestral VST Plugins & Kontakt Libraries (+ FREE Plugins)
6. 8Dio Glass Marimba
New features and an improved user interface are advantages of 8Dio Glass Marimba. Also, it reproduces the most popular marimba sound.
The Glass Marimba is a modified version of the traditional marimba and a special 8DIO instrument. The primary distinction is that glass bars have replaced traditional hardwood bars. To create musical tones, mallets are hit against the bars.
As a result, the tone range of this instrument is larger, warmer, and lower than that of a xylophone. The marimba is not African in origin, despite what would seem to be the case. Instead, its roots are in Guatemala and the Mayan civilization.
Key Features:
- Articulations
This library’s recordings were made with two different kinds of sticks. The latter delivers a brighter sound with more presence, while the former has a silky tone and a smooth assault. Each note has eight speeds, and each has been sampled individually for richer tone and performance. There are no artificially stretched samples. - User Interface
The user interface for Glass Marimba is entirely new. Numerous quick-to-use effects and features are included in the revised skin. Two primary patches make up the library. Access the main patch’s soft mallet, hard, sound, and touch samples, as well as the numerous environmental articulations and FX. - Presets
Numerous custom settings in the update give the sound a completely new depth. In addition, 30 unique presets of sounds, pads, and trance effects are available. They are welcome if you wish to explore the plugin’s potential. - Chaos Fx
The innovative Chaos FX system is mounted in the Glass Marimba. You may experiment with transform and eq, degrader and phaser, design a filter sequence, and add distortion, reverb, and delay.
Compatibility:
The full version of Kontakt 5.8.1 or higher is needed. It runs on macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only).
Summary:
This plugin is pretty simple to find. When you first learn about the plugin, it provides you with many helpful presets. It should be noted that the effects rack contains several intricate modifications. This plugin undoubtedly satisfies the demands of all users.
Related Readings:
The 8 Best 8dio Kontakt Libraries (Various Plugins)
7. Vir2 Instruments Vital Series: Mallets
Up to eight symphonic mallet instruments can be overlaid with various instrument-based mallet kinds using The Vital Series: Hammers.
This group of Kontakt-hosted instruments contains eight instruments and is dubbed essential tuned percussion. One straightforward GUI, which is significantly larger than was previously allowed with Kontakt libraries, contains all eight instruments and their settings.
By default, the instruments are programmed to play within the performance spectrum of their biological equivalents, but by using a switch, the range may be expanded to the entire octave. As you layer various combinations, the instrument range will first be displayed on the keyboard.
Key Features:
- Mallets
Mallets are highly responsive. However, the reel builder is a really helpful tool. The roll builder assumes that you want two mallets to alternate when you hit a note.
In addition, roles may be assigned a certain tempo sync rate. Because of the terrible MIDI quantized machine gun sound, programmed rolls usually give me a little anxiety, but with this collection, you’ll need to modify a few presets to get that effect. - Humanize Knob
A button on mallets “humanizes” the roll. This button, in essence, randomizes the time of the speed and tempo, such that at a low percentage, you get a more humanized performance of a metered run, while at a high, you get a random chaotic effect that can be beneficial for random sections. - Presets
This library’s ease of mixing and matching various instruments to produce new sounds is one of its best qualities. The collection also includes two preset folders with layer choices, one called Organic Layers and the other Processed, in addition to the freedom to build your sounds. There are some extremely fascinating textures on the Processed bench. - Effects
A “roll” generator with speed and humanization controls is also present to manage the dynamics of the rolls. Rolls only affect two or one note, assuming that your virtual mallet player has only two hands. Additionally, four separate tempo-syncable LFOs may be applied globally to the whole sound combination, along with a filter with cut and resonance controls.
The requirement for running two instances of Mallets would be eliminated if each instrument could have been routed separately through filter and LFOs, allowing, for example, modulated vibraphone to be stacked with unmodulated crotales.
Compatibility:
The full version of Kontakt 6.8.3 or higher is needed. It runs on macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only).
Summary:
The reactivity and adaptability of this resource astonished me. I admit I was let down since it lacked the glitzy aesthetic appeal many new libraries have. But I discovered that appearances may be misleading, as is sometimes the case, and that this tool’s capability greatly exceeded my expectations.
Because each instrument has a unique set of hammers and knobs to control ADSR, EQ, and Delay, the interface is extremely vast. Switching between instruments and combining various sounds is simple when you have all these possibilities in one patch.
8. Producers Vault – Marimba Latina Virtual
Traditional music, commercial music, and other genres are all played on the Virtual Latin Marimba, an imitation of a traditional Central American marimba.
This is an excellent recreation of the original marimba sounds from Central America, including Nicaragua and Chiapas, Mexico, which are employed in cumbias, pop, and other genres.
Recorded using two Neumann U87 microphone pairs, two Sennheiser MD 421 microphone pairs, and two Neve 1081 and Eq preamps. With much appreciation to Elias Santander Central MARIMBERO, we focused our efforts on three marimbas during these studio sessions.
Key Features:
- Presets
Ten distinct Marimba sounds are included in Marimba Latina Virtual, along with various traditional and modern instruments from Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, and Chiapas, Mexico. - Interface
It is really simple to use, and you feel prepared to start writing as soon as you open the interface. Effects include pitch, release, sustain, reverb, and decay. With all of this, you may operate the Marimba as you choose and get the assistance you require.
Compatibility:
The full version of Kontakt 5.8.1 or higher is needed. It runs on macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only).
Summary:
Utilizing Marimba Latina Virtual is simple. Even by today’s standards, you can notice the superior sound quality of this plugin as soon as you load any of their professionally recorded samples, which is an important characteristic of this plugin, given that it is five years old.
Related Readings:
Top 6 Plugins For Latin Music (And 4 FREE Tools)
9. Karanyi Sounds Budapest Abstract Marimba
Karanyi, in contrast to conventional marimba libraries, emphasized rich, vibrant transient sounds and also incorporated additional synth and atmospheric underlays to accommodate any genre.
Contemporary Sound from Budapest Marimba was created to bends and quick sequences of current sound production. Karanji concentrated on rich, vibrant transitory sounds as opposed to standard marimba libraries, and he also incorporated some synth and ambient underlays to match any genre, from electronica to jazz to film themes.
He has been a percussionist with the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra, the symphony orchestra conducted by renowned pianist, composer, and conductor Zoltán Kocsis, for over 20 years. Weisz is a well-known character in the Hungarian music scene with years of expertise performing jazz and classical music.
Key Features:
- User Interface
Although the UI is abstract, it is incredibly user-friendly. Mix choices, Expression, Brush Attack, and release are on the right side. Effects like Eq, Wow, Dimension, Space, and Glue are listed at the bottom. All these affect the sound and include the marimba the way you wish. - Articulations
We observe that it also includes an additional layer, the Brush layer, which lets this plugin replicate the sound more authentically. We have six articulations, ranging from gentle to medium to short sticks. - Mics
Three microphone locations were employed in this plugin, with a Shure SM57 used for transient-rich sound sampling and an AT35 doubled for the mid-mic. The producers employed these 3 placements of the microphones to record these sounds utilizing a Universal Audio Apollo X interface.
Compatibility:
The full version of Kontakt 5.8.1 or higher is needed. It runs on macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only).
Summary:
An affordable but incredible instrument for experimental sound design and natural sound production. I particularly appreciate the percussive choices for short notes by adding brush sounds and the lengthy, unfolding natural notes like bowed vibraphone or marimba tremolos.
10. Cinematique Instruments Fine Mallets Bundle
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
The Fine Mallets collection from Cinematique Instruments combines excellent samples with distinctive treatments that may be utilized for anything from solo tracks to powerful underlining.
A media composer’s toolkit must include mallets, which are ideal for underlining. The Fine Mallets collection from Cinematique Instruments combines excellent samples with specific treatments that may be utilized for anything from solo tracks to powerful underlining. These hammer tools are great.
Key Features:
- Marimba You may choose between “Hard,” “Medium,” and “Soft” in the interface to play the marimba with one of three distinct mallet styles, which correlate to playing the marimba with a Hard, Felt, or Big Soft Mallet, respectively. The marimba now has a strong percussive assault.
In the interface, you may select “Hard,” “Medium,” or “Soft” to play the marimba with one of three different mallet styles, which correspond to playing the marimba.
The Hard was produced by pounding the marimba repeatedly with a solid plastic mallet. Now marimba has a strong percussion assault. The “Medium” boasts a traditional felt that skillfully balances a percussion attack and a warm, rich tone. - Vibraphone
Like the marimba, the vibraphone produces sound using metal bars with resonator tubes. It contains a pedal-operated motorized tremolo that you may use to ring or damper the metal bars. This vibraphone can play up to four round robins and four velocity layers and has a range of four and a half octaves. “Mallets” includes both open and silent, while “Bowed” and “Prepared” are the other two basic options.
The instrument will default play with muted samples when you press the pedal control. Turning on the sustain pedal and presto, You receive consistent samples. When the pedal control is engaged, notes initially appear yellow and turn orange to represent sustains. - The Glockenspiel Box
Since the Glockenspiel Box is essentially several instruments in one, it may even merit its evaluation. You may choose between a Metallophone and Glockenspiel by clicking on the instrument picture in the center of the screen. I wasn’t expecting to get all five tools in this patch, so this was a welcome surprise. Each instrument is also offered in a variety of articulations. - Effects
This tool includes a variety of effects, including Reverse, Tone, Color, and FX, as well as Chorus, Noiscape, Rotary, and Distortion. The worldwide Reverb and Delay offered here are excellent once more. This is a great single patch with lots of diversity and tone change.
Compatibility:
The full version of Kontakt 5.8.1 or higher is needed. It runs on macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only).
Summary:
A fantastic set of mallets is included in the Fine Mallets Pack. Complaining is difficult when you receive seven instruments coupled with 30 articulations. Cinematique Instruments did an excellent job sampling these instruments, providing a wide variety of articulations to pick from and putting it all together in a simple, user-friendly interface.
Related Readings:
Top 7 Plugins For Game & Film Scoring (+ Kontakt Libraries)
3 Best Free Marimba Plugins 2023
1. BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover – Spitfire Audio (Marimba & Other Instruments)
The amazing BBC Symphony Orchestra sampled orchestral collection from Spitfire Audio pushes both technological and budgetary limits while offering a lot in return.
Spitfire relaunched the original collection as the “Pro” edition and created two more levels, Core and Discover, with more streamlined feature sets and more reasonably priced rates. Unfortunately, while BBC SO offered good value, its price made it a hefty commitment.
Key Features:
- Articulations
The settings and articulation techniques differ depending on the DAW you use. Babylonwaves produced logic Articulation Sets and free Cubase Expression Maps to assist people who have trouble using these components in Discover. This may be helpful for understanding and learning how to employ articulation, and the shortcut should enhance creativity rather than seem like a separate and laborious effort. - Playing techniques
Each instrument has several playing styles, including extended vibrato, spiccato, pizzicato, and tremolo on all strings. Long or staccatissimo is a feature of brass and wind instruments. Each instrument is played using practical skills from the percussion department. - User Interface
The Discover UI is fairly straightforward. There is a line of information at the top, and in the upper half of the display, you can choose between using the drop-down browser or just clicking on the colored orchestral plane to choose a patch. Controls for changing the volume and level of the internal reverb are located in the lower half of the visibility.
Compatibility:
It is available as VST2, VST3, AAX, and AU. It runs on macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only).
Summary:
The BBC SO Discover by Spitfire Audio is excellent; it is cost-free, portable, and has amazing sound quality considering its small size. Although numerous free and affordable orchestral sounds are available, Discover raises the standard. Not at all, and it’s great for anyone who wants to learn more about writing for a big orchestra.
Related Readings:
30 Best Free Plugins For DnB, EDM, EBM, IDM & Experimental Music
2. SampleScience Marimba Renaissance (FREE)
Marimba Renaissance, a free virtual instrument based on a damaged marimba recording that has been repaired, has been released by SampleScience.
According to SampleScience, the Marimba Renaissance plugin was created from a broken marimba recording that has been repaired utilizing several audio engineering methods, such as spectrum correction.
Unfortunately, they didn’t explain why they didn’t just utilize a marimba recording that wasn’t damaged, which is presumably easy to locate. Despite the mysteries, this is a practical tool that will deliver some rich, percussion-based tunes appropriate for organic electronics, similar to the Bonobo.
Key Features:
- Effects
It would be best if you weren’t hesitant to utilize the incorporated extra effects because this plugin has low CPU utilization. In addition, the plugin offers features like Multi-LFO, Lowpass, and Highpass filters for room reverb, among others. - Instruments and Articulations
There are two distinct marimba sounds in Marimba Renaissance. Standard and space are examples of these in the program interface. In addition, of course, we also have polyphonic, monophonic, and legato voice styles.
Compatibility:
It is available as VST2, VST3, AAX, and AU. It runs on macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only).
Summary:
The fact that the developers have repaired an ancient, broken marimba and that it is a high-quality plugin that produces a realistic marimba sound leads me to believe that music composers would be drawn to this enigma.
Related Readings:
20 Best FREE Kontakt Libraries For Various Categories
3. Noiiz Grand Marimba
More Info & Download
Noiiz Player’s Grand Marimba is a fantastic new instrument that puts the exquisite Concert Grand Marimba at your fingertips.
This equipment is a wonderful and accurate recreation of a lovely marimba available for play at your fingertips. You’ll find extraordinarily clear, mellow, and pleasant tones with subtle transients that delightfully waft through your mix because they were expertly recorded with forensic attention to detail.
Key Features:
- Instrument
The 4.3 octaves of rosewood bars on aluminum resonators make up the Musser Grand Concert Marimba, produced in the 1970s. Gregory Knowles, a percussionist, played it as it was being tracked by Noiiz’s skilled engineers utilizing a stereo pair of Neumann U87s. - Samples
There are 1000 genuine, individually recorded samples in Noiiz’s Grand Marimba. That much Marimba is a lot. The Marimbas’ sound may be changed and altered for your composition with Noiiz Player’s integrated FX, and Velocity’s organic layers make arrangements seem natural to the ear. - Effects
This plugin includes rapid effects, including pitch, filter, drive, delay, and reverb, to let you manipulate your sound in a much more realistic manner.
Compatibility:
It is available as VST2, VST3, AAX, and AU. It runs on macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only).
Summary:
This marimba will always have a spot in my Favorites folder since I like marimbas and can’t find any issues with it. This marimba is magnificent and belongs in Soniccouture’s Hall of Percussion Tuned Percussion.
Conclusion
We learned a little history of mallets through this top and information on marimba sounds and other things. In the realm of virtual instrument emulation, we have experienced several strategies that we have already explored and brand-new integrations.
Although it is commendable that some developers have included the marimba sound in their plugin, which contains a variety of sounds, other developers who have focused solely on the marimba sound have elevated the sounds to a higher plane.
Spitfire Audio Riccoti Mallets had well-rounded musicianship in the development of the plugin. In addition, this plugin includes a wide variety of rhythm patterns, which makes these sounds only good to integrate into orchestrations. To mention those glissando effects which are ideal for cartoon music.
Native Instruments Sequis and Cinematique Instruments Fine Mallets Bundle are two simple plugins. The renowned developers also took advantage of the chance to shine this time. They gave us several excellent plugins that were also quite simple to use. It should be noted that although the plugins are not excessively pricey, their effects are only effective when the instrument is mixed.
Finally, this top provides you with practically all of the available instruments in case you change your mind and decide you want to include the marimba in your work. It is commendable how the offered free plugins operate and get the job done. Because the marimba is a versatile instrument, I hope you find yourself at this top and include the marimba sound in your music.
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Death metal enthusiast here. I am a Romanian musician and producer with over 13 years of experience in the music industry. I’ve experienced all types of Metal up until now, playing Melodic Death Metal, Brutal Death Metal, and Black Metal with different bands. Learning by doing is my base principle, which is why I’ve been drawn to sound design from an early age. Read more…