What are bells used for in music?
Bells are used to create different musical soundscapes, depending largely on their size. Bigger bells evoke epic and grandiose sonorities, while smaller bells, like chimes, can be delicate enough to enrich your Christmas-themed track, for example.
These are multiple uses for bells, and there are many more situations where it’s relevant musically. Iconic pieces, like Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” implemented bells as instruments centuries ago, proving their musicality. It can also be included in modern music as well, as seen in examples such as AC/DC’s “Hells Bells,” Pink Floyd’s “High Hopes,” and Siouxsie and the Banshees’ “Cities in Dust.”
For all it’s worth, bells are excellent instruments that add a perfect feeling to any song or film score. For this reason, we’ve gathered the top eight bell & chime virtual instrument plugins for music production available in 2023.
Top 8 Bell & Chime VST Plugins For Music Production 2023
1. Strezov Sampling – KAMBANITE Church Bells (Bells From All Around The World)
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Every kind of bell you could need is included in this library.
George Strezov is the mastermind behind Strezov Sampling and the responsible for KAMBANITE. The name comes from a monument in Sofia, Bulgaria, with an impressive bell-like, hollowed structure representing the world’s seven continents united in peace. Aside from that, it’s considered a common “home” for bells worldwide, donated by their governments as a sign of peace. To symbolize that, you can expect to find most of these unique bells in KAMBANITE Church Bells.
Key Features:
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- Patches
To better organize the bells into their countries of origin, there are seven patches – “Africa,” “Asia,” “Europe,” “Middle East,” “North America,” “South America,” and “Misc.” Loading the patches will reveal the various models available, separated by countries in each respective continent, from Brazil to Tanzania. - Interface
The user interface is very candid and self-explanatory. To the left, you have the effects that can be a nice addition to your final sound and, to the right, their respective parameters to be tweaked. The center position is reserved for a stunning bell illustration that houses the different patches below it. - Delay
With a subtle addition of delay in your bell sound, you can quickly make the bells more interesting. This is defined by parameters such as “Time,” “Damping,” “Pan,” “Feedback,” and “Wet,” which can make the final sound huge or very scattered, depending on the values configured. - EQ
Using the built-in filter equalizer can be crucial to define which frequencies are worth keeping in your bells. Although the bell’s size and materials define such an aspect, you can tame the exact frequencies you wish to explore by cutting or boosting them by frequency range. - Reverb
The ambiance is everything in an instrument, especially in bells. They ring clearly and can be heard from miles, depending on their size. To nail the ambient you want the bell to resonate properly, Strezov Sampling added a convolution reverb, which brings more realism to the ambiance by setting an impulse response relative to a chamber or large hall that’s very faithful to reality. - Presets
You can create your own presets and save them on the go. Just head into the upper-left symbols and click the small disk button to do this. You can store any set of configurations and combinations in a matter of seconds, with the same easiness for loading them up later.
- Patches
Compatibility:
This library is available for macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in the free Kontakt Player and Kontakt, version 5.7.1 or higher.
Summary:
This complete and comprehensive collection houses common bell sonorities and unique variations from worldwide cultures. This can be crucial to enrich your beats and tracks with new, interesting instruments and sonorities. The clean interface is friendly, and all parameters are easy to understand and experiment with. In addition, the sample files provide satisfactory audio quality, perfect for any professional production.
2. Ethno World 6 Complete
For over 16 years, Ethno World has been steadily expanding and improving, culminating in Ethno World 6 Complete.
The sample library Ethno World bills itself as the “ultimate collection of ethnic instruments and voices from around the world.” By “ethnic instruments and voices,” You can take it they mean anything you won’t hear in a standard western classical orchestra or your run-of-the-mill rock, jazz, or electronic band.
Given the immensity of the Earth, it is not unexpected that the library is over 22 terabytes in size, with 28,479 samples and 310 separate sound sources.
Key Features:
- Instruments
The array of instruments in Ethno World 6 is vast: you can expect to find bells, chimes, bowed, stringed and key instruments, woodwinds, brass, gongs, metals, construction kits, world drums and percussions. - Quick Edit Tab
- The presets in the library are labeled as Hazy Piano, GoTo Piano, Arcade Piano, Icy Piano, Glass keys, Dream Keys, twilight keys, etc. There are 151 presets like these, with 106 sounds and preset categories.
- Microtuning
Microtuning enables the user to fine-tune each note and to create, load, and save customized microtonal profiles. This is a game-changer for world instruments, giving them the punch they require to offer a more authentic feel to tunes that need it. - Interface
The new version features a graphical interface that has been rethought from the ground up to provide lightning-fast response times.
There is a wide variety of customization options and cutting-edge features. Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol keyboards and NI Maschine can be tagged and interacted with in ETHNO WORLD 6 Complete thanks to compatibility with the Native Kontrol Standard (NKS). - Information Database
Access to the comprehensive IDB-INFO is a standout feature of ETHNO WORLD 6 Complete, as you can access it from any instrument or voice.
In the “IDB-INFO” section of the site’s navigational menu, you’ll find pictures of the instruments and extensive information about their histories, cultures of origin, and distinctive playing styles. There are also instructions on using key switches to produce believable results with the matching instrument. - Loops/Phrases
The instruments are both multi-sampled instruments and instrument effects, and they have a wide variety of performances (loops/phrases) synced to the pace. Most instruments have a nice presence and liveliness during playback. Including each instrument as a multi-sample instrument and the phrase/loops allow users to bring their world or ethnically colored music to life.
Compatibility:
The library is available for Kontakt 5.7 or higher (NOT the free Kontakt Player). Kontakt 5.7 is available for Windows 7 or higher 32-bit and 64-bit and macOS 10.10 or higher 64-bit. It comes in VST 2, AU, and AAX formats.
Summary:
A superb collection of ethnic instruments, Ethno World 6 excels by delivering a nice collection of such instruments allied with relevant parameters and controls. The functionality of this library is very intuitive, and the most difficult part is deciding which instrument sounds best. We can safely say that its samples were carefully recorded and provide a great quality, especially if deeply explored with the built-in effects and general settings.
3. Orange Tree Samples Angelic Chimes
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The dream-like tones of chime bells are contained inside this plugin.
Chime bells, or chimes for short, are distinctive instruments regarding sustain and delicate tone. In addition, they can ring longer than other bells, which is essential in crafting the perfect soundscape in your song, film score, or beat. No matter the size or quality, Angelic Chimes will provide you with the best chime bells at any time.
Key Features:
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- Sets
The chimes are divided into six different sets according to their sonority: “Bass,” “Baritone,” “Tenor,” “Alto,” “Soprano,” and “Sopranino.” As a result, they can vary in the overall frequency response, size, and sustain. - Mic signals
Common to many libraries, some different microphone signals are to be explored. They can also be viewed as positions and are imperative in the final sound of your instrument, whether a bell or not. You can set the “Close,” “Mid,” and “Far” mics via dedicated volume faders, mono/stereo switches, mute/solo buttons, and a custom output. - Play modes
Angelic Chimes contains some play modes that can be very useful for your MIDI controller and workflow experience. For example, in “Keyboard,” the entire user experience is set considering you’re a keyboardist, with a similar response to a piano with the possible inclusion of the sustain pedal, and in “Chimes,” the user can experience the bells as if they were positioned in a normal configuration, for instance. - Techniques
Various techniques were also explored to present the best sonorities in chime bells. For example, you can use mallets, which are ideal for muting your velocity response and providing an adjustment of that same velocity value. Tremolo is another addition to this palette of techniques, with the same velocity variations. - Mappings
The way you use chime bells can be varied with the mappings included in Angelic Chimes. For example, the “All” option lets you combine the six ranges of the chime sets into a single playable range, whereas the “Individual” option isolates each set of chimes into a different keyboard region. - Perspective
Another cool feature present in Angelic Chimes is the “Perspective” adjustment. This allows for the left and right channels to be switched between each other – thus, providing a different perspective as to the “musician’s position” in an imagined stage. You can switch between the “Audience” and “Player” perspectives seamlessly, which does not affect any other alterations you make inside the library.
- Sets
Compatibility:
This library is available for macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs only in Kontakt version 5.5.2 or higher and comes in VST, AAX, and AU plugin formats.
Summary:
The specific chimes in Angelical Chimes are the definitive collection of delicate and resonating bells. They sound pristine and clear and can be varied in multiple ways, mainly regarding their ambiance and techniques. A good feature lies in the play modes, mainly the “Keyboard” option, which translates the entire perspective of having six chime sets alongside your entire keyboard’s octaves.
4. Sonokinetic Sleigh Bells II
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Your Christmas vibe is guaranteed with this collection.
Sonkinetic is renowned for its excellent sample libraries, and Sleigh Bells II is no exception. The first installment had some nice samples available, but the second version comes with expanded, upgraded, and recaptured sets of sleigh bells natively.
Key Features:
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- Grouping
As soon as you enter the main user interface screen, you’ll see some nice colored divisions. They are related to the different segments available in Sleigh Bells II: you have “Sequence,” “Clusters,” “Singles,” “Play Mode,” “Many Bells,” and “Fewer Bells” sections, each designed to tame a part of your final sound. - Mic selection
Aside from simply leveling their volumes and panning settings, you can take full advantage of each of the 1o microphones used to record the samples in Sleigh Bells II. They included multiple microphone types that can be freely repositioned and set with the help of impulse responses, each relative to a specific model. - Play mode
The “Play Mode” segment houses two distinct ways to play your sleigh bells: you can hear them in a chromatically tuned setting or a ‘natural’ tuning option, in which the notes were manually tuned in post-editing processes. Switching between these modes can make your sounds more uniquely on their character, with further possibilities of edition available. - Tail length
The main interface in Sleigh Bells II allows editing the length of release tails instantly. The key switches can help you with that, but feel free to manually adjust between “Full Length,” “Bit Shorter,” “Shorter Yet,” “Even Shorter,” and “Just A Clank” settings. - Key switches
The key switches are useful shortcuts in your MIDI keyboard, and Sleigh Bells II includes some useful ones. For example, you can select the main group of bells, select the subcategory or the articulations of a specific group, or set the appropriate playable range seamlessly.
- Grouping
Compatibility:
This library is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in Kontakt or Free Kontakt Player version 5.7.1 or higher.
Summary:
Sleigh Bells II features a cool set of sleigh bells that can be manipulated at will, thus providing a clear and meaningful user experience. Of course, these bells are mostly used in Christmas-related productions, but it’s nice to know that at least one software is dedicated to providing a true, legit sonority with exquisite samples.
5. Sonokinetic Toll Bell (Historical Bells)
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The best historical bells sample collection you could ever find.
One more time in our list, Sonokinetic excels in delivering meaningful sample libraries that bear loads of significance and value to them. Toll Bell is like that, delivering an awesome collection of bronze cast bells used as old as a thousand years ago straight to your DAW.
Key Features:
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- Bell categories
There are four main bell categories in Toll Bell: “Carillons,” “Historical Bells Collection,” “Silk Road Bells Collection,” and “Tower Bells Collection.” These include different bell models, like old European bells from the 14th century up to the 20th, South East Asian ceremonial bells, and some tower bells, including St. John’s Cathedral bells. - Impulse responses
IR-loaded effects are guaranteed to provide meaningful and authentic results regarding ambient-related characteristics. For example, the ambiance in Toll Bell features four impulse responses entitled “Chapel,” “Cathedral,” “Temple,” and “Summit.” - Samples
The best audio sample files were captured in Toll Bell to ensure that every single bell model’s characteristics would be rightfully recorded. There are over 600 sample files, totalizing about 3.3GB of uncompressed space, in .WAV format. - Bell models
The bell models available in Toll Bell are “Carillon Hard,” “Carillon Soft,” “Silk Road I,” “Silk Road II,” “Cathedral Bell,” “Tower Bells,” “Historical I,” and “Historical II.” Each bears a specific sound character and profile attached to the main categories division aforementioned. - EQ
If you hold your left mouse button, you’ll see an option to adjust the low, middle, and high frequencies. In addition, the equalizer in Toll Bell has four bands and can display a detailed graph showing the overall changes made to the frequency spectrum.
- Bell categories
Compatibility:
This library is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in Kontakt or Free Kontakt Player version 5.7.1 or higher.
Summary:
Apart from the simple looks and intuitive controls, Toll Bell brings a concise collection of multiple bells that resonate like no other. The amazing selection that Sonokinetic has made with these different models proves that these sounds can be very beautiful and could easily be included in most songs. The best part about this plugin is how swiftly the equalizer can be activated anytime.
6. Soundiron Luminabells
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This especially percussive library is experimental but highly functional.
The idea behind Luminabells comes from the gentle sounds one can achieve by gently tapping a lightbulb. That’s where Soundiron began thinking about this project, which has since evolved substantially: can you imagine how many articulations are necessary to express fully the sounds hidden in a simple lightbulb? Lucky for us, the answer lies in this library.
Key Features:
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- The bulbs
The main idea behind using lightbulbs is that they can convey a bell-like sonority, and Soundiron wanted to explore that. You can use tuned and unturned dings, rings, pops, cracks, and other varied transient interactions from 40 lightbulbs of all sizes and shapes. - Patches
To expand this peculiar sonority even further, there are 20 included ambiance patches created from the lightbulbs, which are immersive and almost impossible to imagine coming from something as simple as a lightbulb. They are perfect for drone-line textures that demand a nice ambient setting. - Effects
Effects are a good feature, even more on refreshing libraries like Luminabells. Eighteen built-in effects help make your lightbulbs sound even more distant from their origin, with options as varied as distortion, delay, amp simulator, reverb, filter, cabinet simulator, flanger, compressor, and much more. - Arpeggiator
Yes, you can add an arpeggiator to your lightbulb tones! This feature ensures maximum customization within any audio demand, and lightbulb bell tones are no exception. For example, the simple yet highly functional “Arp” section in Luminabells has “Swing,” “Randomize,” “Duration,” “Direction,” and “Beat” knobs that offer serious rhythmic variation, aside from the four steps that you can modify freely. - LFO
The LFO segment may appear too simple, but it’s more than enough to keep exploration evolving around the beautiful tones in Luminabells. So feel free to select the best waveform, set the target, and control parameters like “Time,” “Intensity,” and “Fade.” And, of course, it all can be activated via dedicated key switches.
- The bulbs
Compatibility:
The library is available for macOS 10.9 or higher and Windows XP or higher. It comes in VST, AAX, and AU plugin formats. The Free version of Kontakt Player is supported.
Summary:
No one could imagine something as simple as lightbulbs could be very musical. Soundiron produces nice sample libraries, and successfully capturing the bell-like tones hidden inside lightbulbs is genius. These sounds can be great for experimental genres or add a pinch of ambiance to your film score, with extended articulations and effects to make it truly unique.
7. AudioThing Bells
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A set of different good-sounding bells, from big to small ones.
After a visit to Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli, located in Agnone, Italy, Audiothing’s team became impressed with this very old company, totally specialized in crafting and selling bells. This inspired the idea to craft a library with the most diverse bell models, including a sample bell from Agnone and a classic school bell, for instance.
Key Features:
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- Sets
The thing behind Bells is that the multiple bell sets tend to be distinct, providing a more diverse range of instruments. So you can pick “Agnone Bell,” “Cowbells,” “Hotel Desk Bell,” “Perko Fog Bell,” “School Bell,” and others. - Envelope
Setting the envelope parameters accordingly can be crucial to determine how your bell will resonate and for how long. You only have “Attack” and “Release” knob controls to tweak to keep things as simple as possible. This way, you can expect a diversified response in terms of the amplitude of your bell’s sound, something crucial for its sonority. - Equalizer
There’s an “EQ” segment next to the envelope parameters. Featuring only two knobs, “Bass” and “Treble,” this is the perfect and most guaranteed way to tame the frequencies in Bells. Roll these knobs to the right to add or boost said frequencies and roll the other way around to cut them effortlessly. - Arpeggiator
The most comprehensive section in Bells is the arpeggiator, with multiple configurations available. For example, you can set the steps from two up to 32, define how many octaves are being used (two above and two below), set the appropriate rate for it, and finally set the order for this sequence to roll on. - Doubler
This small section is a nice way to make experimental noises. You can detune your bell sounds – perfect for creepy and eerie atmospheres! – and set every sound one full octave below what you’re playing.
- Sets
Compatibility:
This library is available for macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs only in Kontakt version 4.2.4 or higher.
Summary:
The great variation in bell models in AudioThing Bells is the strongest point of this library. This can be reliable for any producers looking for a concise selection of these instruments, with possible features that can make them sound out of this world and simultaneously make them relevant for any audio production.
8. Andy Drudy BELLMASTER
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The most immersive selection of tubular bells that’s available today.
Tubular bells are, as expected, a set of bells shaped in tube forms. However, they can vary in size, thickness, and material used in their fabrication, resulting in different sounds. Therefore, Andy Drudy opted to focus solely on these instruments to deliver a meaningful and concise selection that could simultaneously be very reliable and good sounding.
Key Features:
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- Sample sets
Containing five sample sets, BELLMASTER gathers different tubular bells configurations within its interface. The first and second sets were played using different mallets, the third and fourth were played out of their rack and individually to capture each bell’s sonority fully, and the fifth added a damper pedal to the bells on their rack. - Mallets
Mallets are essential for any percussive instrument, and bells are also included in this category. They come in “Hard” or “Soft” characters in BELLMASTER, which can define how strong the tubular bells will ring. - Velocity layers
There are three velocity layers in BELLMASTER. As tubular bells do not have a significant dynamic response, these velocity layers help expand it to fit your musical ideas better and can help tame the aggressive resonations these instruments constantly make. - Effects
Although not as immersive as other items on this list, BELLMASTER does include some effects to help expand its sonority. For example, you can use a stereo reverb, a chorus that helps widen the stereo image, and a “Mute Release” that acts directly on the damper pedal and can be activated anytime.
- Sample sets
Compatibility:
This library is available for macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs only in Kontakt version 5.8 or higher.
Summary:
Tubular bells are a bliss to listen to but can be somewhat difficult to record properly. Gladly, Andy Drudy has done the hardest part and captured everything in great-quality sample files, showcasing how beautifully these instruments can resonate. The instrument can be difficult to tame regarding dynamics, so the included effects and parameters are meaningful and helpful to aid in that part.
Best Free Bells Plugins 2023
1. Noiiz Tubular Bells
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Be ready to add color and character to your productions with this library.
Noiiz brings a freeware collection capable of transmitting the vibes that only tubular bells can. This specific set is from Musser, one of the best manufacturers of these instruments, which were sampled extensively to fit your most diverse musical needs.
Key Features:
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- Bass chimes
This unique set of tubular bells includes a bass chime, which can be hard to find elsewhere and provide a delightful low-end to your bells sounds and some interesting frequency tones. - Recording
The samples were captured at Skinny Farm Studios with a pair of Neumann U87 microphones, arguably the best condenser microphone in the world. This ensured every sample would sound as perfect as possible, with every nuance fully captured digitally. - Effects
To set your sound the way you want, some meaningful effects were added to Tubular Bells: you can add pitch, filter, reverb, drive, and delay for a revamped alternative of the same bells you’re used to, with as much audacity as you’d like. - Octaves
Noiiz sampled three full octaves of tubular bells, giving you a substantial amount of regions to play with. In addition, some extra notes were resampled and later added to compensate for the entire keyboard range.
- Bass chimes
Compatibility:
This plugin is available for macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in the free Noiiz Player.
Summary:
As straightforward as possible, Noiiz delivers a reliable collection of tubular bells that can be used and explored for free. They can be modified with the help of effects, but the samples sound great on their own, too. Although it’s limited to its sample player, it’s worth giving a shot at this awesome tool.
2. BellsEButh
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The most diversified orchestral bells collection you’ll find for free.
The orchestral bells are the modern incarnation of the classic Glockenspiel instrument and can also be known as tubular bells. This simple yet fully functional collection brings the most diversified sounds to your DAW.
Key Features:
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- Samples
This collection is a rendition of varied samples in the University of Iowa Electronic Music Studio’s public domain library, conveniently gathered in a single bundle for easy access. There are 40 sample files in total. - Envelope
A genuine feature that helps set the perfect sonority in your bells, the “Sustain Level” and “Release Time” knobs are meaningful and respond instantly to your adjustments. - Master volume
You can set the overall volume of these bells with the master “Volume” knob control, which can be the perfect way to make the instrument as a whole sound more or less present in the mix.
- Samples
Compatibility:
This plugin is available for macOS 10.7 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows XP or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST and AU plugin formats.
Summary:
Simplicity is the main definition of BellsEbuth, which can be a fun software to mess around with. Unfortunately, the sounds are from an existing sample collection, so this software format is nothing more than a convenience. Even so, the samples could sound better overall, but it’s worth trying to ensure that it fits your production.
3. Spitfire Audio LABS Hand Bells
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One of the nicest free collections available these days, with bells.
Spitfire Audio’s LABS series is widely recognized for making many instruments available for free so that multiple musicians and producers may benefit from their sounds. Going further than most libraries, LABS offers unique choices, such as Hand Bells, in excellent quality and presentation.
Key Features:
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- Easy controls
LABS Hand Bells have only three main adjustment tools: one fader on the left segment of the interface screen that sets the instrument’s volume and another fader on the opposite side that tails the dynamics and specific articulations to the instrument. Lastly, the big knob located center screen is responsible for housing the FX menu and its items. - Recording process
All the sample files in LABS Hand Bells have outstanding recording quality, with extra care paid to subtleties and nuances. This may not be as significant in previous series volumes, but in Hand Bells, you’ll receive all of the smoothing tones and delicate dynamics this instrument combo offers. - Intuitive interface
The different products in the LABS series have a basic design interface that allows you to stay on the right track: adjusting the tones you want without being distracted by distracting visuals. In addition, the plugin is fairly light and suitable for most users with limited CPU power, producing similarly decent sound quality.
- Easy controls
Compatibility:
This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 to 10 (64-bit only). It comes in VST, VST 3, AAX, and AU plugin formats.
Summary:
LABS Series’ legacy remains undisputed with Hand Bells. The same quality, attention to detail, and professionalism seen and heard in other instances are also present here. The smaller size than most common sample libraries is attractive to both newcomers and experienced users since it’s assured it will run smoother than most similar software.
4. Quilcom B-2 BELLY
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A synthesizer focused on delivering bell-like tones.
The freebies provided by Flowstoners are varied and can offer multiple configurations and sounds, but B-2 BELLY is the most relevant to our list. There are multiple parameters to set the perfect bell tone in your track.
Key Features:
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- Sample usage
With B-2 BELLY, you can add virtually any sample audio file and further edit it until it becomes suitable for your needs. This means you can generate a signal with this synth and simultaneously load any audio files you wish. - Envelopes
As with most synthesizers, B-2 BELLY comes with multiple envelope modules, each designed for a specific dynamic: short, medium, long, and even a “Strike” envelope related to how hard you hit the bells.
- Sample usage
Compatibility:
This plugin is available for Windows XP or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST plugin format.
Summary:
Although it’s not suited for a perfect recreation of a bell sound, B-2 BELLY is a synthesizer that gets close to it. The amount of controls is substantial and may seem confusing due to the poor choice of colors on the main interface screen. It’s also Windows exclusive and is somewhat limited by it, presenting some crashes along the way.
5. Versilian Studios Miscellania II: Holiday Bells
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A meaningful free collection of rattling sounds that’s responsive and intuitive.
Versilian has some nice audio software for virtual instruments, with varied options that may meet your needs. Miscellania II does something similar to previous plugins and brings a collection of tones that evoke bells and chimes.
Key Features:
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- Bells
The instruments included in Miscellania II can be diverse, but the relevant ones include “Glockenspiel,” “Nepalese Bells,” “Agogo Bells,” “Sleigh Bells,” and “Wind Chimes.” - Envelope
Containing all four essential controls to set a proper envelope amplitude, Miscellania II boasts the “Attack,” “Sustain,” “Decay,” and “Release” knobs that help set the perfect dynamic variations within the included instruments. - Pan control
An individual “Pan” knob will allow you to fine-tune the panning of your sound. Working with multiple instruments simultaneously requires an established sound atmosphere and stereo projection to make it easy to distinguish each, which is what panning helps to achieve.
- Bells
Compatibility:
This plugin is available for macOS 10.11 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It comes in .XRNI, SampleTank, and .WAV sample formats.
Summary:
Since of Versilian Studios’ ability to bring great orchestral libraries to life, this is one of the most interesting freeware alternatives to bell sample libraries to investigate. However, suppose you’re searching for a library specializing in bells. This is not a viable option because it also includes other similar percussive instruments, which may be too many for a specific need.
6. Bigcat Instruments Sonatina Chimes
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Simplistic looks that deliver good sounds are the main appeal of this collection.
Sonatina Orchestra is a tubular bells sample collection that delivers detailed results.
Key Features:
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- Samples
The sample files in Sonatina Orchestra were collected from public domain libraries, thus being nothing more than a selection of the best audio files that could evoke the tubular bell sonority. - Envelope
The classic “Attack,” “Decay,” “Sustain,” and “Release” controls are present in Sonatina Orchestra, being a nice inclusion to help tame the dynamics and sound dissipate over each of the tubular bells configurations. - Pan knob
The panning of any instrument is essential to enrich our perception of its sonority, and Sonatina Orchestra includes this alongside a master volume control. In addition, taming the two knobs can be your precise tool to make these samples sound more realistic and convincing.
- Samples
Compatibility:
This plugin is available for macOS 10.7 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows XP or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST and AU plugin formats.
Summary:
This freeware sample collection is very straightforward and may initially seem too simple. However, the small knobs may trick you, as they work organically and offer an intuitive response to the overall tubular bell sounds. It’s not the most reliable software, but it’s also not the worst. Worth checking out.
Bonus:
Embertone Infinity Bells
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Gentle bell sounds that can be relaxing are present in this library.
The gentle and delicate bell sounds in some Asian cultures can be essential for a meaningful meditation session or even a religious performance and prayer. Of course, they can vary in size and sound, but even so, Embertone captured them beautifully in Infinity Bells.
Key Features:
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- Instruments
There are two main instruments, or bells, in Infinity Bells. They can be used interchangeably and provide a delicate sonority resembling a kalimba or a child’s piano. The main difference between the two main instruments is that one is restricted by a muting damper pedal, while the other uses full sustain to ring the notes. - Edit page
By pressing the “Edit” button on your main user interface screen, a new window with additional configurations will pop up. These configurations are useful to further expand the sonority into shapes and forms never imagined, pushing your imagination toward its limit. - Humanization
With variable velocity patterns, two main controls set how “Humanized” the bells are being played in Infinity Bells: the “Velocity” control on its own sets the percentage of such parameter, while the “Tightness” refers to how dynamic each note will resonate in its final form. - Arpeggiator
It goes without saying how important it is to have a step sequencer in a sample collection like Infinity Bells. Gladly, the arpeggiator included here is very capable of doing what it promises, with “Steps,” “Rate,” “Strike,” and “Swing” parameters available. - Charity funds
The price tag in Infinity Bells might differ from other products on this list, as it retails for only US$ 5,00. The best part? All funds will go directly to Global Fund For Children, an outstanding organization that advocates for children’s rights all over the globe. It’s nice to contribute to a noble cause while creating awesome soundscapes.
- Instruments
Compatibility:
This library is available for macOS 10.4 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows XP or higher (64-bit only). It runs only in Kontakt version 4.2.4 or higher, in standalone mode, and comes in VST and AU plugin formats.
Summary:
It can be inspiring to have a library such as Infinity Bells nearby. The gentle sounds can be the ultimate inspiration for a well-thought film score, the touch you may need in your song arrangement, or simply perfect for ambiance sonorities inside any beat. It’s a straightforward collection that delivers what it promises with exceptional attention to detail.
Conclusion
Bells are uniquely good-sounding instruments, and it’s all thanks to their magnificence. It doesn’t matter if they are big or really small; the percussive aspects behind them can help bring the perfect ambient soundscape to your productions and arrangements.
Our list sought to gather the best examples of collections that faithfully recreate and translate that feeling into a digital format with varied models and features to help make it sound as you imagined. Some are extensive collections, and others focus on delivering a specific sonority.
In each case, some of the best choices were collections like Sonokinetic Toll Bell, which has a serious contender for the best item on our list. There’s a large collection of bell models used throughout history, and they all elude character and personality. Another great choice is AudioThing Bells, with a similarly large quantity of models and features that can make it reliable as your ‘trusted’ bell plugin virtual instrument.
Considering the freeware options, the best item, in our opinion, is Versilian Studios Miscellania II: Holiday Bells. The name may indicate a specific theme, but don’t be fooled: different bell models can be very hard to find elsewhere, with the addition of relevant percussive instruments. Although not entirely focused on bells, it’s a nice option nonetheless.
Be aware that the most reliable way to choose a virtual instrument sample collection is by testing it whenever possible. So make sure to do that and enjoy your awesome new bell tones.
See you next time!
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Eduardo Cardoso is a musician and audio producer based in São Paulo, Brazil. He studied both music production and theory in college and has successfully launched his career as a solo artist in 2021. With over 10 years of experience with the music business, he currently acts as a session musician, music producer, audio editor, and content creator. Read more..