Top 7 Accordion VST Plugins Available In 2024

Let’s look at some of the best accordion virtual instrument plugins and libraries in 2024.

The accordion is an instrument that boasts character and personality. Created in the wakening of the 19th century, this instrument was initially very relevant in European-related cultures before spreading worldwide.

It was originally developed in Berlin and was very present in Germanic music, but later in the 20th century, it was gradually introduced in other countries, causing a great impact on many popular music styles.

The shape of an accordion changed as the decades passed, but we can generally say that they include bellows (the structure that allows for an airflow to run inside the instrument), the body itself, a set of buttons for playing melodies, and a keyboard.

The accordionist – whoever plays the accordion – generates music by constantly shrinking and expanding the bellows for consistent airflow, with precise control over the notes resonating.

Since this instrument is very specific, it’s nice to know that some virtual options exist. And, of course, they are good-quality virtual renditions of the authentic instrument.

Top 7 Accordion VST Plugins & Libraries For Musicians 2024

1. Wavesfactory Le Parisien

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A sample library based on three accordion models.

It isn’t easy to fully translate the acoustic aspects of an accordion into the virtual world. The instrument’s subtle variances are enormous, with intrinsic details attached to its performance. Luckily, Wavesfactory managed to do so with some different models in Le Parisien.

Key Features:

• Three models

In Le Parisien, you’ll find three models included in the package. You can select “Rouge,” which is rightfully coloured red and features five registers (master, bandom, bassoon, musette, and violin), “Blanc,” which is white-coloured and offers single and double reed registers, and finally “Noir,” a Frontallini accordion with the same two registers as the previous one.

• The mixer

The “Mixer” section sets the perfect balance between the available microphones. They are divided into “Close,” “Mid,” and “Far,” with individual “Pan,” “Volume” controls and “Mute/Solo” switches. The last two options, “Mid” and “Far,” also have a “Width” control. 

• Effects

If you want to add effects to your virtual instrument without creating new tracks or buses, Le Parisien offers a range of suitable options to expand your sonority further. You can freely add EQ, saturation, reverb, amp simulator, distortion, compressor, and much more in any order, you’d like to.

• Sequencer

Usually, accordionists can play melodies via the keyboard in their right hand and accompaniments via the buttons in their left hand. However, it’s tricky to do that simultaneously digitally, so Wavesfactory brilliantly included a sequencer in Le Parisien.

The notes arrangement is similar to an authentic accordion, with “Bass Fundamental,” “Bass 3rd,” and “Bass 5th” divisions.

• Chord recogniser

A chord recogniser feature can also be explored using the aforementioned sequencer section. Essentially, it triggers variable chords depending on what you’re playing, with examples recorded directly from an actual accordion instead of simply stacking the samples.

• General settings

The “Settings” page allows all customisations to be made inside Le Parisien. For example, you can alter the round-robin repetitions between “1x,” “2x,” “3x,” “4x,” “5x,” and “6x,” increase or decrease the “Dynamic Range,” set the perfect velocity curve, adjust specific volumes (like the airflow and all key sounds), and even set the sample starting accordingly.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in Kontakt version 5.7.3 or higher (it will not run in the Free Kontakt Player).

Summary:

Wavesfactory offers a good accordion rendition, mainly due to the various models added to this collection. The variations in the question of timbre are significant, but they also differ in functionality.

Further adjustments available, mostly on the “Settings” page, are relevant and can help increase the sonority of your virtual instrument. Special attention to the included sequencer can bring more authentic aspects of the accordion’s playability to your production.

2. Best Service Accordions 2

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A comprehensive collection of accordion sounds merged into a single software.

Like in previous instalments, Accordions 2 was conceived by Eduardo Tarilonte to be the ultimate option for a reliable and realistic accordion sample library. As a result, it features extended content than previous versions, aside from a revamped user interface screen and newly added features that improve its playability.

Key Features:

• Models

Accordions 2 features a nice range of accordions to be used seamlessly. You can opt to play with the classic accordion, the bandoneon, the bass accordion, the folk accordion, the concertina, the wooden melodica,  the French musette, the concert accordion, and the Steirisches accordion.

• Bellow shake

The ultimate virtual recreations tend to nail down even the slightest details about a certain instrument, and Accordions 2 does that brilliantly by adding bellow shake sounds to your playing, which can naturally occur when dealing with a real accordion. There are three variations in sound, each best suited for a determined occasion.

• Ready rhythms

The accordion’s left segment features the buttons that create rhythm parts in the instrument. In addition, Accordions 2 includes premade rhythms that can help you write accordion parts more quickly, bearing the same results as an accordionist but in a much quicker workflow to get that nailed down the best way possible. 

• Noises

Eduardo Tarilonte always wanted to nail down the best recreation of an accordion in his sample collections, and Accordions 2 features the most innovative methods. One element that makes this library more realistic than most is the key and button noises, resulting in natural sonorities resembling an accordionist’s performance.

• Huge library size

Besides the great features included in its second version, Accordions 2 always boasted high-quality and multiple samples to get the perfect accordion sound. Version 2 counts double the sample files, with over 8,000 files to be used as you wish. In addition, all sounds were masterfully recorded with a Neumann U87 microphone to ensure the best quality was added to this sample library.

• Dynamics

The unique aspects of an accordion’s dynamic range are fully captured within Accordions 2. You can select three dynamic profiles bearing a particular sound and nuance. Additionally, you have three round robins that ensure your repetitions are organic, respecting each dynamic profile description.

Compatibility:

This plugin 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:

This complete and immersive library has many offerings for the user. The previous instalments were created to be the most cohesive and complete accordion-oriented sample libraries maintained in Accordions 2.

Of course, there are even more samples to mess with (almost twice!), but the software has also improved. The instrument’s subtle noises are fully translated here, adding even more richness and naturality to your playing.

3. Sonokinetic Accordion

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The traditional sounds of a classic accordion are brought to you in an intuitive package.

Most libraries either capture the samples as perfectly as possible or model them via complex algorithms and scripts. Sonokinetic Accordion gets closer to the former approach, but it’s not as ideal as you’d expect: the main goal is to get real sounds, not perfect ones, thus providing more authenticity to this instrument’s timbre.

Key Features:

• The samples

Every sample file included in the Sonokinetic Accordion was captured with the best possible recording quality in 44.1kHz, 24bit, NCW format. There are over 5,500 sample files in this library, with an uncompressed size of only 3GB.

All samples are royalty and copyright free, meaning you can use them as you wish in your productions without fearing an infringement.

• The instrument

Accordions can vary significantly, but Sonikinetic decided to include one that would be recognisable to most producers and musicians. Therefore, they sampled a 96 basses accordion, fully loaded with a keyboard and the register buttons on each side.

As the real instrument demands two hands to be played simultaneously, Sonikinetic divided your keyboard controller so that your right and left hands play each section accordingly.

• Interface

The user interface is very candid, resembling a lot of an actual accordion. All functions and controls you would see in the real instrument are included here, with dedicated controls for the overall sound or to adjust the instrument’s timbre.

Aside from that, several key switches can easily control the accordion and its registers.

• Registers

With Sonikinetic Accordion, you can count on an authentic 96 basses accordion, as previously disclosed. The good thing about this is that you can swipe through all the five registers via key switches – this way, it’s much easier to transition between lower and higher notes while maintaining an organic approach to your playability.

• Reverb

You can add effects to your virtual instrument anytime, but sometimes just a pinch of reverb might do the trick of setting a perfect ambient sound. For this, you can use the “Reverb” knob below the master “Volume” control, adding as much ambience as required to your accordion sound.

• Left hand

Both single notes and chords played with the left hand were heavily sampled by Sonikinetic, with its brilliant playback engine detecting whatever you play automatically to correspond with the relative intervals. Below you can see which key combinations trigger which samples.

Sample played	Examples in the key of C
Root	C
Major chord	C + E + G
Minor chord	C + E♭ + G
Dominant 7th chord	C + E + B♭
Diminished 7th chord	C + E♭ + G♭

Compatibility:

This plugin 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:

This is a complete sample library, not only samples per se. Sonikinetic Accordion was developed to fulfil every producer’s need for an accordion, with all the best features that might make its virtual use more organic and natural to the ears.

The team took time to craft a very useful virtual instrument, which paid off consistently. So if you’re looking for a reliable yet not-so-heavy accordion sample library, this is a great choice to look out for.

4. Insanity Samples Gypsy Squeezebox

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A professional team of developers carefully sampled this distinct accordion model.

With multiple reed options and parameters, Gypsy Squeezebox is a colourful virtual instrument showcasing character and personality. These instruments are very present in popular music, so the allusion to a “Gypsy” style might orient you to what to expect from this exquisite accordion sample library.

Key Features:

• The accordion

Insanity Samples chose a 120 bass accordion to be sampled in Gypsy Squeezebox. The extended digits and selected controls can make it sound as full as the real instrument, especially if you dwell with the key switches and MIDI CC controls.

• Reed selection

The five rounded buttons slightly above the keyboard are responsible for selecting which reed you might want to use. They are used to choose different reed combinations, just like the real instrument, with the correct markings of each combination set displayed above each button.

One concert pitch reed + 1 octave below reed

Two concert pitch reeds (the second is slightly detuned)

Two concert pitch reeds + 1 octave below reed (the second is also slightly detuned)

Three concert pitch reeds (the second and third are slightly detuned)

Three concert pitch reeds + 1 octave below reed (the second and third are slightly detuned)

• Effects

To give the user the ultimate ambience experience, Insanity Samples included two main effects: reverb and delay. The former has some options, like “Concert Hall,” and can be controlled via the “Size” and “Amount” knobs, while the latter can be set properly through the “Time” and “Feedback” controls.

• Key noises

Sample libraries like Gypsy Squeezebox are renowned for their resemblance to the real instrument, and one aspect that helps set the perfect recreation for it is the noises coming from the keys when played. The “Release” knob sets the key noise when you lift your finger off a note, and the “K/S Sounds” knob sets the perfect volume for each key’s noises.

• Dynamic slider

The big slider on the left side of the user interface screen is dedicated to nailing the perfect dynamic for your song. It controls the velocity of the virtual instrument and can be changed and modified mid-performance for an even more natural and organic sound.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in Kontakt version 5.8.1 or higher (it will not run in the Free Kontakt Player).

Summary:

Gypsy Squeezebox might look too specific for an accordion if you judge it by the title, but you’ll be impressed. The 120 basses accordion sampled was meticulously recorded in many ways, always considering capturing all sounds related to the accordion that would be musical or relevant to make it even more realistic to the ears.

The superb reed selection might be very useful for experienced players who know what to do with it, but it can also be a good collection of presets for beginner producers.

5. Xperimenta Project La Fiscarmonica

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The sounds of a handmade Italian accordion are inside this exquisite collection.

As expected, Xperimenta captured an accordion with the best possible configurations in the most appropriate recording studio to deliver an organic-sounding result. But, again, the focus was an Italian handmade accordion that sounds like you’re sailing through the waters of Venice, boasting character and personality.

Key Features:

• Split mode

The digit and the keyboard sections were recorded separately, mainly for a more accurate rendition encompassing all accordion’s sonic features. You can hear each section isolated, but the “Split” mode allows for an instant combination of both segments.

• Mic selection

You can opt to have three different microphone configurations in La Fiscarmonica: “Close,” “Mid,” and “Room,” with additional faders that control the overall mix volume (“Mix”), the key noises (“Keys”), and the release sound of each played note (“Release”).

• Registers

One of the most distinctive aspects of an accordion’s sound lies in the register section, allowing many octaves to be explored at will. You can activate four, eight, and sixteen voices, with additional “Single” and “Double Musette” also available.

• Bellow simulator

The bellows are imperative for an accordion to resonate properly and ring each note clearly, as the airflow lies inside it. The included bellow simulation sets the perfect balance between pressing and pulling it, providing even more naturality to the final sound.

• Musette tuning

If you need more than activating a “Single” or “Double Musette,” then be ready to alter its tuning seamlessly: you can choose configurations like “Swing,” “Italian,” “Cajun,” “French,” “Scottish,” and many more.

• Night mode

Modern producers spend many hours staring at a computer screen, and it’s always nice when developers include a night mode in their software. La Fiscarmonica can be viewed with a “Day” (white) or “Night” (dark grey) mode to spare your eyesight properly.

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 Kontakt version 5.6.8 or higher (it will not run in the Free Kontakt Player).

Summary:

The sweet tone aspects behind a handcrafted instrument are envied and cherished by all musicians and producers, independently of the genre covered.

La Fiscarmonica delivers such sound character brilliantly, with concise controls and useful configurations that may be everything you’ll ever need for nailing an authentic accordion timbre. In addition, the microphone and reed selections are great features that are not common in most items in this article.

6. Virtual Acoustic Guerrini Professional 4

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A classic rendition of accordion tones made by professionals.

Few companies can claim to be experts when it comes to sampling accordions. Luckily for us, Virtual Acoustic does that, bringing multiple sample libraries containing different versions of this instrument for you to explore.

Key Features:

• The instrument

Guerrini is an Italian company specialising in manufacturing accordions, based in Ancona, Italy. Their models are classic, and Virtual Acoustic based Guerrini Professional 4 in one of their products: a 1974 Professional 4 accordion with 120 digits.

• Samples

The sample files included in Guerrini Professional 4 display high-quality and provide all the tiny details about an accordion’s timbre. There are over 2,200 samples in 44.1kHz/24bit, totalising over 480 MB.

• Dynamic levels

The dynamic levels are always a good place to begin tweaking if you need to have as much personality as possible with an accordion’s sound. All right-hand controls feature three different dynamic layers, which can be imperative to create an expressive and organic sound.

• Organtone

The left-hand in Guerrini Professional 4 houses the registers that make up the digit section in the accordion. There are 120 of these digits, featuring an “Organtone” bass character that can help provide the best accompaniments and bassy melodies to your lead voice.

• Effects

As expected, you can increment your final sound with some onboard effects. In addition, you can add reverb, setting the perfect amount of it through a knob in the main screen, aside from tailoring echo and attack time – which can be essential in determining a consistent ambient simulation.

• Key noises

Most libraries seen today have this feature, and Guerrini Professional 4 couldn’t be any different. Three controls help set the perfect key noises in your track: “Key Noise On,” “Release Noise On,” and “Register Noise On,” each dealing with a specific noise from a particular section in mind.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.11 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in Kontakt version 6.2.2 or higher (it will not run in the Free Kontakt Player).

Summary:

It’s nice to see how Virtual Acoustic is dedicated to recreating the most diverse and varied accordion models into the virtual world. Sample libraries are hard to assemble, and we must be thankful that this company offers so many different models with exquisite quality.

Guerrini Professional 4 stands out as a legit Italian accordion, with characteristic sample files that capture the best elements of its sonority. Special attention to the lightweight size of this library, comprising less than 500 MB in your hard drive.

7. Lostin70s Harmonus 300 (FREE Plugin)

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A good freeware alternative for nailing the accordion sound without breaking the bank.

A Harmonium is an organ based on reeds to resonate properly. The resulting sound is very warm and cosy, resembling that of a harmonica and an accordion altogether. Lostin70s is known for capturing great gear used in the 1970s in many recordings, so it’s nice to see a faithful reproduction of such a classic instrument.

Key Features:

• One finger mode

The Harmonium presents small keys, even in the real-life version of the instrument. To create complex melodies and accompaniments is somewhat difficult, but not anymore: Harmonus 300 has a “one finger mode,” in which you can press any key on the left keyboard to get an instant major chord played. Want to play a minor chord? Just go ahead and use two fingers instead.

• Full octaves

The original Harmonium is small in size if compared to similar models. To explore the best sounds that may come out of it, Harmonus 300 has the full extension of an 88-key piano. This can be ideal for stimulating your creativity, even if the original instrument couldn’t possibly cover that vast range of octaves.

• Effects

Harmonus 300 offers some nice built-in effects that can expand its sonority: you can use classic options, like reverb and EQ, to get the perfect sound from the plugin, but be ready to venture further with tremolo and chorus as well.

• Stereo capture

All samples included in Harmonus 300 were captured in a stereo set, meaning that the left and right channels provide specific information that sounds amazing when heard simultaneously. This can be extremely crucial in recreating an authentic ambient sound with the instrument.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.9 or higher (32 and 64-bit) and Windows 7 or higher (32 and 64-bit). It runs in VST, VST3, and AU plugin formats.

Summary:

Although not technically an accordion, Harmonus 300 is a great rendition of a Harmonium – which can sound very similar to one. This simple software was designed to be as intuitive as possible, with few tweaks resulting in major changes in sound.

However, making it sound musical is not hard, as the tiny keyboard can provide straightforward playability. One nice increment is that the instrument works with the full key length of any keyboard MIDI controller, thus offering a wider note range after all.

Conclusion

Accordions are interesting instruments. For example, they’re not as popular as the piano, but their contribution to world music is enormous. You can hear their beautiful sounds in different genres, from Brazil’s forró to Argentina’s tango, from German traditional songs to Scottish folk tunes.

It’s undeniable that the world loves and cherishes this wonderful-sounding instrument.

As we’ve seen quite often in multiple articles, it’s not easy to recreate any instrument in the virtual realm. However, the subtle aspects of an instrument making the air around it resonate with a specific note are the main reasons we love to see and hear musicians perform live, and that’s what most producers tend to focus on doing in the studio. Gladly, modern technology tends to evolve in a way that it’s more viable by the day.

Our list brought some nice sample library options that should meet your accordion needs. Among the best items, we can highlight plugins like Best Service Accordions 2 and Sonokinetic Accordion, which display awesome audio quality and useful functionalities that make the accordion sound just as natural when played virtually (or via your MIDI controller).

Other options tend to focus on a specific timbre, and not coincidentally, they were based on existing accordion models. Such libraries are Insanity Samples Gypsy Squeezebox, Xperimenta Project La Fiscarmonica, and Virtual Acoustic Guerrini Professional 4, each with a particular sound character that may be just what you need in your next production.

The most crucial part of all the items listed in this article is testing them. Of course, it would be best if you were sure they fit your needs, so try the demos before buying any software.

See you next time!