Strezov Creative ToolboX: Drums and Percussion

The first release in Strezov’s 10th-anniversary Creative ToolboX series, Drums and Percussion packs a lot into one free Kontakt Player instrument. You get two drum machines (Roland TR-808 and Behringer RD-6 in Kit 1 and Kit 2 configurations), one acoustic drum kit (multi-branded with Sonor, Ludwig, Yamaha, and Zildjian pieces), and a full world-percussion section: bongos, congas, cajón, rototom, castanets, guiro, cabasa, two shakers, agogo, cowbell, claves, and chimes.

For a free library, that range is pretty epic. I use the TR-808 and acoustic kits most, and the world percussion for filling out arrangements. The main limitation is that everything runs through a single stereo output in Kontakt Player (no multi-out support for separate drum channels). For basic mixing, that’s fine. But if you want to route each drum to its own channel, you’d need full Kontakt. Otherwise, it’s an easy recommendation.

Two very different choir libraries. One is the most unusual free choir I’ve ever heard. The other is a classic pop vocal sound that’s nice to have in your DAW.