Free Instruments Organized by Type

[bigcat]

VSTs to play file types in this list
http://www.camelaudio.com/AlchemyPlayer.php plays SFZ files
http://www.plogue.com/products/sforzando/ also plays SFZ
http://www.dskmusic.com/dsk-sf2-v2/ plays SF2 files

Multi Instrument Plugins (similar to Cakewalk Sound Center)

Kontakt 5 Player (VST)
http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/synths-samplers/kontakt-5-player/free-download/
Or the Kontakt 5 Player, Reaktor 5 Player, Guitar Rig 5 Player bundle
http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-players/free-download/

Independence Free (VST)
http://pro.magix.com/en/independence/independence-free.1013.html

Alchemy (VST) (also a SFZ Player)
http://www.camelaudio.com/AlchemyPlayer.php

Sampletank Free (VST) (this is a pain to get working correctly, needs admin privs)
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/sampletank/index.php?pp=sampletank-2-xl-versions

Proteus VX (VST) (haven't tried this one yet, more synth than instrument player)
http://www.creative.com/emu/proteusvx/

Entire Orchestra

Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra (SFZ)
http://sso.mattiaswestlund.net/

Bellatrix Orchestra Final and SJ Orchestral GM (SF2) along with others
http://www.n e w g r o u n d s.com/bbs/topic/1200140

DSK Overture (VSTi)
http://www.dskmusic.com/dsk-overture/

String Section Only

Squidfont Orchestral (SF2)
http://paperstreetfreesamples.blogspot.com/2013/02/squidfont-orchestral.html

DSK Strings (VSTi)
http://www.dskmusic.com/dsk-strings/

Orchestral Strings One (VSTi)
http://www.supremepiano.com/product/string1.html

D. Smolken's multi-sampled double bass (SFZ)
http://www.drealm.info/sfz/DSmolken/

Brass

DSK Brass (VSTi)
http://www.dskmusic.com/dsk-brass/

NoiseCrux Multisampled Brass Ensemble (SFZ)
http://www.noisecrux.com/2013/09/29/brass-ensemble-sampler-instrument/

Woodwinds

Anthony's Philharmonic (SFZ/SF2) Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Sax
http://www.anthonydeaton.com/philharmonic.html

Organs

Orgue de Salon (SF2) (a house organ)
http://sonimusicae.free.fr/orguedesalon-en.html

Harpsichords

The Blanchet 1720 (SF2)
http://sonimusicae.free.fr/blanchet1-en.html

The Small Italian (SF2)
http://sonimusicae.free.fr/petititalien-en.html

Pianos

Piano One (VSTi) (Best Free Piano, Yamaha C7)
http://www.supremepiano.com/product/piano1.html

Salamander Grand Piano V.2.1 (SFZ)
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fterzmagazin.de%2Fterz%2Fcreative-commons-libraries scroll down the page a bit

Steinway Grand Piano (SFZ/SF2)
http://www.anthonydeaton.com/philharmonic.html scroll to bottom of page

4Front Piano (VSTi) (Nice Upright)
http://www.vst4free.com/free_vst.php?plugin=4Front_Piano&id=971

DSK AkoustiK KeyZ (VSTi)
http://www.dskmusic.com/dsk-akoustik-keyz/

Jazz Baby (VSTi)
http://www.vst4free.com/free_vst.php?plugin=Jazz_Baby&id=200

General and Le Piano (Bar Piano) (VSTi)
http://smatni.tripod.com/safwanmatnivstplugins/

Upright Piano (pre 1900) (SF2)
http://www.soundbrewer.com/downloads.php

Skerratt London Piano (SFZ and VSTi)
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=351332

E-Pianos

4Front E-Piano (VSTi)
http://www.yohng.com/software/epiano.html

4Front R-Piano (VSTi)
http://www.yohng.com/software/rpiano.html

DSK RhodeZ (VSTi)
http://www.dskmusic.com/dsk-rhodez/

Mister Tramp 2 (VSTi)
http://www.genuinesoundware.com/?a=showproduct&b=40#dl

HS Vintage Keys (SF2) 6 keyboards along with other instruments in a zip
http://www.hispasonic.com/noticias/dsk-music-presenta-hispasonic-sampled-series/3685

Acoustic Guitars

FS Ibanez Steel String Acoustic Guitar with Fender Reverb (SF2)
FS Seagull Steel String Acoustic Guitar with Fender Reverb (SF2)
http://www.flamestudios.org/free/Soundfonts#fswashburn

Ultimate Guitar Kit 2 (SF2) from the guy who owns orange tree samples now
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=74825&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=75 part way down the page
or if that doesn't work http://ocremix.org/forums/showthread.php?p=150526

Spicy Guitar (VSTi)
http://www.spicyguitar.com/

Revitar 2 (VSTi) (Acoustic, Electric and Bass)
http://www.vst4free.com/free_vst.php?id=1348

Richman-2 (VSTi)
http://www.krakli.com/krakli-free-synths/

HS Dynamic Guitars (SF2) 3 guitars along with other instruments
http://www.hispasonic.com/noticias/dsk-music-presenta-hispasonic-sampled-series/3685

Electric Guitars

All FS Guitars are SF2s
FS Fender Jaguar Electric Both Pick-ups Guitar and Amp
FS Fender Telecaster Both Pickups and Amp
FS Gibson Les Paul Electric Both Pick-ups Guitar and Amp
FS Fender Jaguar Electric Guitar Both Pickups Direct In
FS Fender Telecaster Electric Guitar Bridge Pickup Direct In
FS Fender Telecaster Electric Guitar Neck Pickup Direct In
FS Gibson Les Paul Bridge Pick-Up Electric Guitar Direct In
FS Gibson Les Paul Neck Pick-Up Electric Guitar Direct In
http://www.flamestudios.org/free/Soundfonts#fswashburn

DSK Electrik GuitarZ (VSTi)
http://www.dskmusic.com/dsk-electrik-guitarz/

DVS Guitar (VSTi)
http://www.dreamvortex.co.uk/instruments/

NoiseCrux Peavey Predator electric guitar (Sfz)
http://www.noisecrux.com/2013/09/13/multisampled-electric-guitar/

Les Paul SG Custom (VSTi)
http://free.chokehold.net/kriminal-lp-sgc/

Bass Guitars
(note if bass guitar makes no sound, transpose midi 1 octave higher)

FS Washburn Acoustic Bass Guitar (SF2)
FS Ibanez Electric Bass Guitar (SF2)
FS Yamaha Electric Bass Guitar (SF2)
http://www.flamestudios.org/free/Soundfonts#fswashburn

Rickenbacker 4001 electric bass (SFZ)
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=349745

DSK BassZ (VSTi)
http://www.dskmusic.com/dsk-bassz/

4 Front Bass (VSTi)
http://www.yohng.com/software/bass.html

Drum Sets

DrumMic'a (VSTi) Amazing drumset with midi patterns, but you have to register in German. Needs Free Kontakt Player to work, I believe it is included.
This site walks you through it. It's a pain, but likely the best free instrument in existance.
http://bedroomproducersblog.com/2013/07/16/drummica-sennheiser/

Salamander Drumkit (SFZ)
http://archive.org/details/SalamanderDrumkit

This is a bit complicated. You need to download the samples and Kontakt instrument. Then you add the sfz files as instructed.
Free Jazz Funk Drum Sample Library (SFZ)
http://www.orangetreesamples.com/blog/2009/10/free-jazz-funk-drum-sample-library/
Get the sfz files here. It will tell you where to put them.
http://www.drealm.info/sfz/GregJazz/#frollo9386

Like the previous set. First download the Raw Samples. Then add the sfz file.
12 piece pearl master custom drum kit with zildjian cymbals (SFZ) Raw Samples
http://rhythminmind.net/STN/?page_id=14
save the sfz file and put it in the directory with the raw samples
http://bedroomproducersblog.com/2010/06/24/free-sample-shootout-2-acoustic-drums-full-kits/

Saxophones

DVS Saxophone (VSTi)
http://www.dreamvortex.co.uk/instruments/

DSK SaxophoneZ (VSTi)
http://www.dskmusic.com/dsk-saxophonez/

HS Saxotopia (SF2) 3 sax along with other instruments in a zip
http://www.hispasonic.com/noticias/dsk-music-presenta-hispasonic-sampled-series/3685

Country Instruments

FS Kay 5-String Banjo (SF2)
http://www.flamestudios.org/free/Soundfonts#fswashburn

World Instruments

DSK World StringZ (VSTi) (Celtic harp, Cumbus, Dobro, Kanun, Koto, Dulcimer,
Tar, Turkish Oud)
http://www.dskmusic.com/dsk-world-stringz/

DSK Indian DreamZ (VSTi) (Sitar, Sarod, Veena, Tar, Tampura & Tabla)
http://www.dskmusic.com/dsk-indian-dreamz/

DSK Asian DreamZ (VSTi) (Pipa, Pipa tremolo, Luan, Guzhen, Erhu,
Ban di, Percussion kit)
http://www.dskmusic.com/dsk-asian-dreamz/

[bigcat]

Free Kontakt Instruments
You can play these in the free Kontakt player for 15 minutes, then you have to restart the player. As many have noted, just bounce them to audio tracks and then close the player.

Kontakt 5 Player (VST)
http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/synths-samplers/kontakt-5-player/free-download/

Orchestra and Strings

Total Composure Orchestra
http://www.kvraudio.com/product/the-total-composure-orchestra-by-total-composure

Orchestra One (thanks to idfpower for the links)
Part one: {COLLEGAMENTO RIMOSSO}http://www.mediafire.com/?ec7gg8b692h6dju
Part two: {COLLEGAMENTO RIMOSSO}http://www.mediafire.com/?21th6g8wbpi351m

Embertone Intimate Strings LITE
http://embertone.com/freebies/intstrings-lite.php

Piano

Amore Grand Piano
http://www.store.precisionsound.net/amoreinfo.php

Hephaestus
http://hephaestusitalia.altervista.org/blog/steinway-grand/
http://hephaestusitalia.altervista.org/blog/bright-acoustic-piano/
http://hephaestusitalia.altervista.org/blog/honky-tonk/

Organ

http://www.wavesfactory.com/1850-pipe-organ-free.php

Guitars

Pettinhouse
http://www.pettinhouse.com/html/acousticguitar_free.html
http://www.pettinhouse.com/html/wj_free.html
http://www.pettinhouse.com/html/classicfree.html
http://www.pettinhouse.com/html/free_download_guitar_samples_k.html

Bass

Very Early Orangetree Xmas Bass
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2866143

Pettinhouse
http://www.pettinhouse.com/html/db_free.html

Rickenbacker 4001
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=349745&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[HeyJoe77]

Have you ever played MC6 Touch with Kontakt? Does it work good?

[bigcat]

Yes Kontakt works nicely with MC6T. I've used Kontakt in several DAWs and Kontakt by itself and Kontakt works the same and the instruments sound the same in each case.

[Laurie]

Oh my god.... I think I have found heaven 0[]0

[bigcat]

Glad you like! I've done a little expansion of the idea on my blog, http://bigcatlists.blogspot.com/

[Laurie]

Messaggio originale di joestevensus:

Glad you like! I've done a little expansion of the idea on my blog, http://bigcatlists.blogspot.com/

well, I know where to come to get my instuments now :D

[Albin (no sound)]

Many thanks. I was looking for a banjo sf2 :D