The Best (Free & Paid) Orchestral [Kontakt Instrument] [2024]

Orchestration is the arrangement of a piece of music for performance by a band, but what are they performing? They perform a different family of an instrument in a unified way, and this is where orchestral is abstracted, it is a collection of a different family of instruments, e.g a bowed string instrument (violin, double bass, etc), percussion instrument (bass drum, snare, cymbal, hats), brass instrument (trumpet, horn), and the likes.

So, in this guide, I'll review the best free and paid recommended orchestral libraries for the Kontakt instrument, some include multiple families of an instrument, while others are just a single instrument, starting with...

Orchestral Kontakt Library (Paid)

Note: These are the current prices as of the time of writing this review, so, it might change.

Another Note: If you have the thought about buying fancy libraries in the hope that they would make your music sound cool, you are joking. Learn how to compose good tunes before investing a dime, how? Use the free ones first (use the table of content above), and then come back to the paid ones for advance realism. This advice is geared towards beginners!

1.) Heavyocity Forzo Modern Brass ($554.00)

The first one on our list is Forzo Modern Brass by Heavyocity, and looking at the price, it's in a higher range, which might not be worth it for everyone, here are a couple of reasons you might want to opt for Forzo:

Forzo has been polished and recorded by the award-winning composer - Jason Graves, and A-list Hollywood Film Score Engineer Satoshi Mark Noguchi, which in turn creates a high-resounding orchestration in whatever niche you are opting for, be it film scoring, or just in your music tracks.

It isn't a mere orchestral library, it is a collection of 12 french horns, four trumpets, eight trombones (tenor, bass, & contrabass), and two tubas that deliver 25 GB of sheer brass power straight into the hands of the cinematic composer. Looking at the amount of work and the flexibility Forzo provides to record a stunning composition, it is well worth the price. Did I mention it features articulation? well, now you know, Forzo creative articulations give you further options to harness the power of the library.

The team at Heavyocity traveled across the country to record in a room where Hollywood’s finest films were scored, which they are now sharing with you to simulate the same environments in your tracks and or scoring, enjoy.

However, you might not want to use an extensive orchestral library, so, you might want to check other simple ones below.

Video SneakPeak:

Features:

• 25 GB uncompressed (16 GB on Disk with NI lossless compression)
• Available as direct download only
• 11,475 Samples
• 237 Snapshot Presets
• 57 NKAs
• 107 Articulations
• 432 Tempo-Synced Loops
• 9 NKIs
• 5 Traditional Sections: French Horns, Trumpets, Trombones (Tenor, Bass, Contra Bass), Tubas, Full 26-piece Ensemble
• Hybrid Brass Designer
• Brass Loop Designer
• Intuitive Sample Browser
• CYCLE page for advanced granular & rhythmic playback
• MACRO knob for dynamic multi-parameter control

System Requirements:

• Powered by the Kontakt 5 Engine
• Kontakt 5 (Player) ver 5.8 or later
• Komplete Kontrol integrated (NKS-ready)
• Mac: OS X 10.11, macOS 10.12 or 10.13 (latest update), i5, 4 GB RAM
• PC: Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 (latest Service Pack), Intel Core i5 or equivalent CPU, 2 GB RAM
• An Internet connection and a graphics card that supports OpenGL 2.1 or higher are required to download and activate this product. Once installed and activated, the product can be used offline.
• 4 GB RAM (6 GB recommended for large KONTAKT Instruments)

Download

2.) Output Analog Brass & Winds ($129.00)

Output Analog Brass and Winds is based on (which you might have guessed) brass and wind type of instrument, Output sampled an 18-piece brass section, an 18-piece wind section, and hand-selected soloists at the stunning BMC Hall in Budapest. Capturing contemporary stabs, flutters, trills, and unusual techniques.

The interface feels natural and clean, you also get built-in advanced modulation routing, dual tape loopers, dual arpeggiators, flux sequencing, and four macro sliders for advanced customization.

Video Walkthrough

Features:

• 500+ Presets for instant playability
• 28 GB sound library (14 GB compressed)
• Syncs to tempo
• Powerful dual-layer engine
• Preset menu with smart tagging
• Layer FX and global FX
• 4 central macro sliders unique to each preset
• Dual arpeggiators
• Built-in help menu
• Requires Kontakt 5 Full Version or Kontakt Free Version 5.7.1

System Requirements:

• Analog Brass and Winds runs in Kontakt or Free Kontakt player version 5.7.1 (R35) or higher
• Mac OS X 10.10 or later
• Windows 7 or later
• At least 4 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended), and 17 GB of free drive space
• Access to a stable internet connection for digital delivery and activation is required
• All new Native Instruments software requires a minimum of OS X 10.10 or Windows 7

Download

3.) Heavyocity Novo Modern Strings ($549.00)

Another one by Heavyocity, this time they capture a modern string. Novo is packed with over 38GB of fully-customizable sound-designed string samples and enables you to tweak, process, sequence, and create an imaginable string composition.

Recorded at the famous Eastwood Scoring Stage at Warner Bros. Studios, which you can guess, it is not only a well-researched string instrument, but also deeply sampled for used in hybrid film, game, and television scoring. Simply put, this is one of the best cinematic strings instruments and if you know what you are doing, you would absolutely enjoy Novo Modern Strings.

Again, it is pretty expensive and it is costly for several reasons:

It not only delivers a sought-after string sound of famed composers like Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman, but also features orchestral violin, viola, cello, and bass ensembles. You also get an auto down-and-up bowing for the most natural-sounding staccato and spiccato string performances you’ve ever heard. With close, room, and hall mic positions and a core set of key articulations.

Other interesting features that can create a vast possibility of string customization are the CYCLE and Macro control.

The Cycle is a brand-new dynamic playback engine that comes built-in with a set of controls that can quickly create rhythmic pulses, swells, stutters, and glitch effects, as well as effectual granular-style pads for ambient drones and textures.

and the...

Macro control act as the front and center control knob for the String Designer and Loop designer, whether you are planning to control multiple parameters across each channel such as volume, pan, envelope, EQ, and the like, using the macro control gives you the option to do that and on top of that, you can program swells, stutters, and sequenced effects for subtly evolving timbres or frenetic, aggressive modulation.

Each preset comes with a unique set of MACRO knob assignments, allowing you to instantly alter each sound to your specific needs.

and

one of my favorites is the...

LOOP Designer is packed with over 400 loops across three individual channels, you can cue-build, sketch, and, craft complex rhythms, multi-layered motifs, and lots of stuff. If you are looking for instant inspiration for your cinematic composition, you can always seek the help of the Loop Designer.

Demo Walkthrough:

Features:

• 38 GB uncompressed (25 GB on Disk with NI lossless compression)
• Available as direct download only
• 21,254 Samples
• 308 Snapshot Presets
• 57 NKAs
• 8 NKIs
• 6 Traditional Sections (Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, High Ensemble, Low Ensemble)
• String Designer
• Loop Designer
• Intuitive Sample Browser
• CYCLE page for advanced granular & rhythmic playback
• MACRO knob for dynamic multi-parameter control
• Stand-alone, VST, AU, AAX

System Requirements:

• Mac: OS X 10.10 or higher, Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB RAM
• PC: Windows 7 or higher (latest Service Pack, 32/64 Bit, Intel Core Duo or AMD Athlon 64 X2, 4GB RAM)
• Powered by the Kontakt 5 Engine
• Kontakt 5 (Player) ver 5.6.6 or later
• Komplete Kontrol integrated (NKS-ready)

Download

4.) Viola da Gamba ($97.38)

Unlike Novo, which is expensive and to be honest, most newbies wouldn't be able to afford that kinda range. But, it depends on what features and style of composition you are going for. This is where Viola da Gamba comes in, it is an old orchestra string instrument with 6 nylon sides and a range from C2 to C5. Its sound is rough and coarse - a wonderful addition to classical strings.

What I love about this library, is the simplicity and a clean GUI. It is also inexpensive compared to Novo. This is a great alternative to conventional orchestral string instruments.

Features:

• An exciting mix of microphones: The velvety sound of the Schoeps mics, Neumann U87 as well as Coles 4038 ribbon
• Six articulations: Beside arco, pizzicato, staccato, and spiccato, there are also unconventional articulations like arco-fragile, textures, and Xylo-mallet-hits
• An extensive number of round robins: Up to 16 with up to four dynamic layer
• The ability to play different amounts of instruments: All articulations can be played either as solo Viola da Gamba or as an ensemble trio with 3 instruments
• Additional FX: Delay, chorus, amped and drive
• Nine reverb types: Besides several different sizes you get special types such as an infinite and deep valley.

System Requirements:

• Approx. 0.6 GB of compressed data
• Kontakt 5.6.8 Full version is required

Download

5.) Grand Harp ($70.33)

Grand Harp is well suited for classical music, and that is not to say, you can't blend it to whatever composition you are making, even if it is outside classical music, it all comes down to creativity. Cinematique Instruments focuses on capturing the notes in a very realistic and organic way and recorded the Grand Harp with several big condensers around the instrument. All main articulations are provided in four times round robins and up to 5 velocity layers, recorded in stereo 24 Bit. Only the Harmonics articulation was recorded in one round-robin.

You would also find six articulations in one patch, this way, you can easily and quickly change the articulation, and on top of that, you have an option to use reverb and sustain control sliders as well as a tiny but powerful arpeggio with separate voicing options and a very useful glissando mode. Lastly, you also get to use the auto-velocity button which sets the note length automatically. This is extremely handsome.

Video Walkthrough:

Features:

• One complex Grand Harp instrument
• 6 articulations
• Six presets and snapshots
• approximately 1000 Samples
• 1.3 GB of compressed data

System Requirements:

• Kontakt 5.6 full version is required to run this software

Download

6.) Hyperion Strings Micro ($32.83)

Hyperion Strings Micro is one the most inexpensive string library on this page, it is suited for songwriters and music producers just getting into orchestral writing, as well as seasoned composers wanting new colors in their orchestral palette.

This robust string library is recorded at the historic Studio A at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, CA, coupled with plenty of spatialization, environment simulation, and positioning controls and options to let you dial in the sound and character you need. While I personally use Hyperion for EDM kinda style, it is also perfect for rock, pop, to fully orchestral compositions.

If you care about a highly polished and configurable GUI, then I would recommend you go for this one, you can also watch the video walkthrough to get the feel of the refined and simple to use interface.

You would find various kinds of combined ensembles preset such as 8 Violins, 6 Violas, 5 Cellos, and 4 Double Basses. You would also get a handful of articulations for each section, e.g a multi-dynamic sustains both with and without natural vibrato, staccatos, spiccatos, and pizzicatos, as well as two basic dynamic expressions: long crescendos and decrescendos.

Video Walkthrough:

Features:

• 5 nki Kontakt instrument Banks
• 2,950 Samples
• 2.5 GB installed
• 24-bit, 48 kHz Stereo Lossless NCW Format
• 5 master section presets: Ensemble, Violins, Violas, Cellos, Basses
• Multi-dynamic sustains, with smooth real-time control over natural vibrato and dynamic transitions
• Multi-dynamic staccatos, spiccatos, and pizzicatos with 2x round-robin
• Dynamic auto-release and tempo-synching for Crescendo and Decrescendo expressions
• Flexible and intuitive user interface with pro features, deep customizability, and simple workflow
• Free soundstage positioning for each section within dozens of custom rooms, halls, chambers, and FX environments
• Adaptive Play Assist and Arpeggio systems for instant inspiration
• Made for the free Kontakt Player (version 5.7.3+), Komplete Kontrol, all S-Series Keyboards, and NKS software and hardware by Native Instruments

System Requirements:

• Supported by the latest version of the free Kontakt Player (VST, AU, AAX) and the special “Libraries” rack.
• Windows 7 or higher is required for the PC. OSX 10.10 or higher is required for Mac.
• Dual-Core CPU, 3+ GB System Ram, SATA, or SSD hard drive recommended for this library.
• Works with the Kontakt "Libraries" browser and Native Access.

Download

7.) AEON Collection ($399.00)

AEON is a collection of over 27GB of organic and synth melodic instruments, Arpeggiated instruments, and one-shots. If you are into traditional, ethical, or orchestral composition, you'll find sounds in this library edgy and soothing.

The Melodic module provides 315 presets and over 9,800 samples of playable instruments in a deeply customizable interface. This vast collection is comprised of traditional instruments, unique ensembles, aggressive analog synths, hybrid presets, and signature lots of sounds to create a great composition.

Video Teaser:

Features:

• 14 GB (compressed)
• Available as direct download only
• 10,100+ samples, 48kHz/24-Bit
• 725+ NKIs
• AEON Melodic
• 130+ Organic Presets
• 160+ Synth and Hybrid Presets
• 39 Signature AEON Hits
• AEON Rhythmic
• 9 Tonal Loop Menus
• 315 Single Loop Presets
• 46 Loop ARP Presets
• 43 Three Loop Combo Presets
• Distortion, Modulation, Delay, Reverb, ADSR, Filter, EQ, and LFO controls
• Advanced Trigger FXTM performance controls
• Advanced Arpeggiator (AEON Melodic)
• Loop Mutator (AEON Rhythmic)
• Stand-alone, VST, AU, AAX

System Requirements:

• Powered by the Kontakt Engine
• Kontakt 5 (Player) ver 5.5.1.451 or higher, NKS compatible
• Mac: OS X 10.10, Intel Core Duo, 4 GB RAM
• PC: Windows 7 (latest Service Pack, 32/64 Bit, Intel Core Duo or AMD Athlon 64, 2GB RAM

Download

8.) Solino String Proto Ensemble ($8.00)

The cheapest of all! Solino String Proto Ensemble is a recreation of an imaginary EMINENT SOLINA STRING ENSEMBLE 'PROTOTYPE', which is sampled from the original MARK1 version. What I love about this version is that, you can configure the ultimate string synth, with as many as possible combinations of any of the 6 instruments as your system can handle, the more you go, the higher the CPU resources are used.

Sampled through vintage valves and transformers - no tape was used to preserve the purity of the wave - a taped version may well surface one day as a free upgrade.

Featuring customizable 'EQ MODULATION' EFFECT plus 2 PHASERS - allowing a different variety of ensemble with a wide range of movement, for complex and evolving synthesized orchestral sounds.

Video SneakPeak:

System Requirements:

• Powered by Kontakt (VST / AU / RTAS / Pro Tools 8 & Higher) - Please note the full version of Kontakt is required.
• Windows 7 (latest Service Pack, 32/64 Bit), Intel Core Duo or AMD Athlon 64, 2 GB RAM
• Mac OS X 10.6 (latest update) or 10.7, Intel Core Duo, 2 GB RAM}

Download

9.) Senfine ($139.00)

Going further, we have the Senfine which is a handmade stunning library that features a collection of truly atmospheric and emotive sounds that will inject elusive magical atmosphere into your productions and or compositions.

If you are into composing a cinematic ambient and or post-rock, then you might want to inject this atmospheric and deep sound into your production, but really! - this library is beneficial if you are into any kind of deep emotional atmospheric project in any number of genres. There is everything you might need for making atmospheric and deep sound inside Senfine library: from guitars and orchestral ambient instruments to drums and synths.

Senfine is influenced by the styles of composers and artists such as Hammock, Tony Anderson, Lights & Motions, Jon Hopkins, Explosions In The Sky, Sigur Ros, Ólafur Arnalds, This Will Destroy You, and many more.

Wavelet Audio (the maker of the library) built a powerful engine from the roundup to add a variety of unique and high-class tools such as equalizer with graphical representation inside GUI, atmosphere designer, all-controls related macros, LFOs, and the likes. You are in total control of the GUI, you can shape the sound much further making deep and rich sonic architecture.

Video Walkthrough:

Features:

8 Ambient Keys

• 6 Pianos (Scoring piano plus 5 Ambient pianos)
• Marimba, Glockenspiel, Synth

23 Guitars

• 3 Tremolo guitars
• 6 Ambient guitars
• Overdrive guitar
• 5 Distortion guitars
• Bass guitar
• 8 String guitar
• 6 Swell & Ebow guitars (plus Multi instruments)

8 Orchestral Warps (plus Multi Instruments)

• Viola
• Violins
• Clarinet
• Horn
• Trombone I
• Trombone II
• Trumpet
• Piano Warp

59 Synths (plus Multi Instruments)

• 26 Pads
• 13 Plucks
• 5 Dream Synths
• 6 Basses
• 8 Leads

Full Drums

• Kick
• Snares
• Toms
• Hi-Hats
• Cymbals
• Rides
• Sticks

System Requirements:

• Requires the full version of Kontakt 5.8.0 as the minimum.
• lossless.NCW format, 48kHz / 24bit.
• 5,94 GB of hard drive space (9,92 GB of original sample material).
• More than 130 instruments
• 3600+ samples.

Download

10.) Intimate Textures ($149.00)

Intimate Texture is a collection of over 14GB (uncompressed) library of cinematic orchestral textures. It comes with premade techniques such as vibrato waves and octave pulses, plus more traditional extended articulations like sul tasto and sul ponticello, Intimate Textures empowers composers to create unique orchestral landscapes in an entirely new way.

Similarly to the NOVO Modern strings, it features both the Macro control, which gives you the ability to modulate and automate multiple parameters across each channel such as (volume, pan, EQ, envelope, and various effects). As well as CYCLE, which features the ability to create rhythmic pulses, swells, and granular-style pads with this cutting-edge dynamic playback engine.

Video Overview:

Features:

• 14.2 GB uncompressed (9.46 GB on Disk with NI lossless compression)
• Available as direct download only
• 5,265 Samples
• 192 Snapshot Presets
• 7 NKIs
• 43 unique articulations across three sections:
• Violins – 14 Articulations: Sul Pont, Sul Tasto, Scrapes, Sul Pont Spiccato, Sul Pont Grace (minor), Sul Pont Grace (major), Vibrato Pulses, Butterfly Tremolo, Octave Pulses, Vibrato Waves, Droplets, Wavers, Shudders, Overtones
• Violas – 15 Articulations: Sul Pont, Sul Tasto, Scrapes, Sul Pont Tremolo, Sul Pont Spiccato, Sul Pont Grace (minor), Sul Pont Grace (major), Vibrato Pulses, Butterfly Tremolo, Octave Pulses, Vibrato Waves, Droplets, Wavers, Shudders, Overtones
• Celli – 14 Articulations: Sul Pont, Sul Tasto, Scrapes, Sul Pont Tremolo, Sul Pont Spiccato, Sul Pont Grace (minor), Vibrato Pulse, Butterfly Tremolo, Octave Pulses, Vibrato Waves, Droplets, Wavers, Shudders, Overtones
• Intuitive Sample Browser
• CYCLE page for advanced granular & rhythmic playback
• MACRO knob for dynamic multi-parameter control
• Stand-alone, VST, AU, AAX

System Requirements:

• Kontakt 5 (Player) ver 5.6.8 or later
• Komplete Kontrol integrated (NKS-ready)
• Mac OS X 10.10, 10.11 or macOS 10.12 (latest update)
• Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 (latest Service Pack, 32/64-bit)
• Minimum of Intel Core 2 Duo
• At least 4 GB RAM

Download

Orchestral Kontakt Library (Free)

11)ImpactSoundWorks – Stroh Violin

Stroh Violin is an instrument invented by Augustus Stroh, an electrical engineer in London, the instrument is a type of musical instrument that is mechanically amplified by a metal resonator and horn attached to its body.

ImpactSoundWorks, come up with a favorable and a remarkably sampled version of the Stroh Violin, featuring three custom-mapped articulations, and a pleasing rhythmic sequencer, which is perfect for adding different character when composing.

Content

• Original Multi sampled Stroh Violin
• Three times dynamic Layers/ Up to 5 times Round Robins
• Spiccato, Sustain, & pizzicato articulations

Features

• Free for Kontakt full version 5.4 or later
• Low CPU intensive and easy to use
• Option for Customizable mapping
• 3-layer rhythmic sequencer/gate
• Quick controls for grit, dirt, and vinyl

System Requirements

• 250MB disk space
• KONTAKT full version 5.4 or higher and not Kontakt Player
• 2GB of RAM required

Download ImpactSoundWork [Stroh Violin]

12.) The Free Orchestra

The Free Orchestra is a free cinematic sound taken directly from ProjectSAM’s acclaimed libraries. From orchestral string staccatos and brass clusters to symphonic percussion and dystopian sound design.

Note: This requires registration

System Requirements:

• Kontakt version 6.2.1 or higher, including the free Kontakt Player!
• Mac macOS 10.12 or higher
• Windows 7 or higher
• Minimum CPU i5
• Minimum RAM 4 GB (recommended)

Download The Free Orchestra

13.) The Alpine Project Strings

The Alpine Project Strings is divided into four sections: Violins, Violas, cellos, and basses. The Violin utilizes samples from Christian F. Perucchi, Sam Gossner of Versilian Studios, and ldk1609 at freesound.com, as well as the free Saint James Orchestra Soundfont.

Violas use samples from Nicolaj Nielsen and Sam Gossner of Versilian Studios, as well as the free Saint James Orchestra Soundfont.

Cellos library utilizes samples from Erick Kvist, and Sam Gossner of Versilian Studios, as well as the free Saint James Orchestra Soundfont. and the

Basses library uses samples from Erick Kvist, Sam Gossner of Versilian Studios, as well as the free Saint James Orchestra Soundfont.

Download all The Alpine Project Strings Library

14) Pettinhouse – 6 astonishing guitars & 3 Drum Kit Kontakt libraries

Pettinhouse is one of the best websites to buy or download free stunning guitar libraries and drum kit sample libraries.

Now, Pettinhouse is offering over five stunning guitar Libraries for Kontakt – FunkyGuitar 1.0, Mute&Slap, Acoustic Guitar, Classical Guitar, Humbucker Guitar and Direct Guitar for Kontakt.

Drumkit for Kontakt includes – Brush Kits, Yamaha kit, Garage Vinyl Full Kit for Kontakt, and many more.

Note: No registration required to download this file

Download Pettinhouse [6 astonishing guitar and 3 Drum Kit Kontakt libraries]

15) Redroom Audio - Palette

Palette is a series of thematic professional orchestral and cinematic Kontakt virtual instruments for songwriters and media composers. It was recorded in a dedicated hall with world-renowned performers by a passionate and experienced team of sample makers.

You will get 1.3 GB of samples featuring strings, woodwinds, and brass ensembles with a limited set of articulations and a single microphone position, but the same 3 dynamic layers and up to 7 round robins included in the larger products, so you can get a sense of the rich sound and depth of sampling you can expect with the entire lineup.

While this library is free, you can support the developer with any token of an amount to motivate the release of more free tools in the future.

Features:

• Strings, Brass and Woodwinds ensembles
• True Ensemble Recording
• Recorded in a fairly dry hall by some of Europe’s finest professional musicians
• 1 microphone position
• Up to 4 articulations
• Up to 3 dynamic layers and 7 round-robin
• Modern, easy to use GUI with an articulation control system and onboard FX rack
• 1.3 GB of content / 1,239 samples (24 bit/44.1 kHz NCW)
• Works only in the Full version of Kontakt 5.6.8 or above

System Requirements:

• NI Kontakt, version 5.6.8 or above
• 2 GB disk space
• 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended)
• 2008 or later processor. Your system must also meet the requirements for version 5.6.8 of
• Kontakt. If you cannot run that version, you will not be able to load this library.

Download Redroom Audio - Palette

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