Spitfire Audio has released LABS Percussion, the latest addition to its series of free sound libraries for the LABS virtual instrument.
LABS Percussion (like all LABS instruments) runs in the free Spitfire Audio app for macOS and Windows (AU/VST/VST3/AAX).
The LABS series has grown pretty quickly since it was first introduced. It now includes pianos, strings, guitars, and more, and it’s all free. I haven’t tried all of them yet, but there’s a couple I really like, the Rare Groove Piano and the Tape Orchestra.
In true Spitfire Audio style, LABS percussion was recorded in the ideal location, Rosewood Studios. Rosewood Studios, in the UK, is a purpose-built facility for recording immaculate percussion.
The collection includes drum hits, timbales, congas, and more. You can tell from a quick listen to the demo on the product page that the quality is excellent. Typically, I don’t think twice about downloading instruments like this one, and that’s not a sales pitch! I look at them like I do a great sample library and assume that I’ll need it at some point.
LABS Percussion is one of the most versatile instruments in the entire series because it can adapt to infinite styles/genres. You might even find that you use a single hit from it, mixed with other percussion sources/samples/instruments rather than creating an entire groove. So, it has quite a universal appeal.
Whereas some others, like the Pipe Organ, well, there’s no dressing it up, it is what it is, and you’d probably need to have something particular in mind before using it. That’s the only reason I haven’t downloaded the whole range yet, but I’m sure I’ll get there.
There’s nothing I can say that will sum up LABS Percussion better than just listening to the demo, so please do so. But, personally, I tend to use percussion like this in two ways.
The first is percussion only (or almost), big, bold, and very rhythmic, like most chase scenes ever filmed. If I want to double down on scoring clichés, I’ll do it in 7/8 or something; now it’s a real chase!
The other way is to create a simple pattern that sits way, way back and is only heard enough to create slight momentum under some kind of pad/drone. I don’t often do much in between.
Spitfire Audio sometimes seems unapproachable because they can be so expensive. I’m a fan of their work, and I’m glad they do stuff like LABS to help more people get into composition in a serious way.
More info: LABS Percussion
More articles:
11 Comments
Darren Miffitt
onI own Spitfire stuff that costs real money (BBCSO Core/Albion One/Intimate and Epic Strings/Abbey Road Sparkling Woodwinds) but I probably use a mixture of LABS and Pianobook stuff just as much or more. Regarding Pianobook: I broke down and got the full version of Kontakt, but I’ve noticed that a lot of the Pianobook stuff is being released in the completely free Decent Sampler format!
Tomislav Zlatic
onYeah, we covered those Decent Sampler releases recently. Great stuff! https://bedroomproducersblog.com/2021/03/22/pianobook-decent-sampler/
James N
onHey Darren,
Intimate/Epic strings are a bargain! I think a lot of people still don’t realise that Spitfire have some budget instruments, too.
The flagship libraries are fantastic, and if you create orchestral scores often enough, they are worth the hefty investment. Failing that, I think the entry price puts a lot of people off.
Pianobook/Decent Sampler is great stuff!
Orin
onA casual visitor of site here, and for some reason I had never even heard of the LABS collection before today. Currently downloading everything. Cheers for all the hard work, James!
James N
onBrilliant! I hope you enjoy the collection, LABS is quite a find when you haven’t seen it before.
Cheers!
Jean-Baptiste
onI have this fantasy to record a series of pieces/songs with just LABS instruments. I’m completely in awe that this is for free, and with my recent discovery of pianobook, I feel this is a blessed time for sound lovers. Now if I could only go beyond the usual tinkering and just get started with it ;)
James N
onThat sounds like a great idea! I think you’ve given me something else to add to a list of projects that I already don’t have time for! haha. One day……
If you do get into it, let me know where I can have a listen. Good luck.
Cheers!
Fotis
onThis guy actually did it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8NEhGkCZqA
James N
onThank you very much, Fotis. That was great!
Fotis
onI was pleasantly surprised when I found out that the LABS Percussion library is General MIDI compatible! It will sound great with GM-mapped drum MIDIs. Probably one of the most realistic free GM libraries available right now. Thank you, Spitfire!
Tomislav Zlatic
onYeah, easily the best free GM percussion kit around.