Happy late Independence Day (was July 4th to those of you not reading from the US)! It's been more like Independence Month for me, editing like mad to get this post under the limit of 10 images and be legible, and having everything that can possibly go wrong do so IRL.

When I finally did all the editing and dealt with Murphy's Law, none of the images pasted, and I realized I was going to be VERY late posting, lol. Fumbled the bag for the producer freebie mag. Woops.

In keeping with the Indie theme, this month of the Music Producer Freebie Mag is all about the independents. We're going to go over all my favorite Indie plugins, samples, and sample instruments -- almost all of them for Decent Sampler!

If you don't know what Decent Sampler is, it's basically fancy sforzando, or Kontakt Lite ;) And yes, it's more than decent! Google it now, if you don't have it already.

Up first is a little creator appreciation for some seriously OCD sampling! Jazz producers take a peep, and possibly take notes.

Creator Spotlight - Larry Seyer

This guy makes some EXTREMELY detailed drum kits, with FINE tuned control in mind. Don't believe me? His snares have something like 8 zones on them, mapped from E2 to E3! Absolute mad lad!

Larry Seyer Acoustic Drums  Resonant Donut Surgical

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/larry-seyer-acoustic-drums-resonant-do/

Larry Seyer Acoustic Drums  Beefy Room Tuned High Rod

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/beefy-room-tuned-high-rod/

Why is this important? Well, for those of us (okay, well mostly just me) who strive to get the EXACT articulation we want, the average drum kit can literally be hit or miss. Most of them have 4-8 round robins on the snare, regardless of the spot hit and usually smack the same one at different velocities or a random spot at the same velocity RR.

It goes without saying that for a particularly picky producer (sometimes me), you might not want that. If you like deeply sampled kits, and you're not trying to play them on an e-kit, one of Larry's just might be for you!

Okay, enough nerd jazz, onto more cool ass patches! We got some real atmospheric horror in store for you with these next couple instruments.

Atmospheric/Filmscore

Pianodrop #68.4 - Scary Metal Shelves 668 MB Kontakt by Daniel Philistin

But wait, it gets better (scarier):

Spooky McSpookyFace (Scary Metal Shelves Demo)

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/scary-metal-shelves/

This instrument sounds absolutely bonkers good to me, like bowed cymbal bonkers. To be fair, I think that's kind of the whole principle behind this pack. The cheap amazon shelves basically create a giant reverberating sound prison. Have you ever rubbed them the wrong way and thought to yourself, wtf? Well, the creator of this patch certainly did, and it's no wonder why!

Spooky Organ (that sounds like it's dying inside) is next up.

SpookyOrgan - Soundpreview by Jonas Krug

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/spooky-organ/

Considerably smaller and pretty atmospheric. This one performs best with long tones, and I've loved playing with it. Check out the demo!

Braaaaaaam!

No shocker here what this is. Tons and tons of submissions went into this Pianobook Braam Library, the World's Biggest Braaam! Filled with tons of horns, trailer sounds, and straight up drama, this one is a slick add-on for anyone's collection.

The World's Biggest BRAAAM

Percussion

Next is one I was positively thrilled to try -- we got some taikos! If you know me, you know I love 'em. Here's the demo and a little profile of the pack.

Pianodrop #95.5 - LOW Explosive Taiko Drums

Link: https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/low-explosive-taiko-drums/

Creator: Performed by I Have No Mouth (Grady), Recorded by Sam Friend, Robert Katz, & Barret Ver Planck

Includes: 1 O-daiko (lowest), 2 okedo-daiko (tom-like medium pitch), 2 shime-daiko (highest pitch) in 7 articulations (center, edge click, mute hit, rimshot, flam, buzz, slap)

Mapping: Mostly symmetrical, so that they can be played with 2 fingers on 2 keys, mimicking the left and right hand.

I love, love, love ethnic drums, particularly taiko and daiko. Maybe it's the fact that I played a lot of Samurai Warriors as a kid, and you could legit slam the daikos in all the enemy camps, lol. There are even a few taiko/daikos hidden in the percs from my Adreanaline Sample Pack (but thankfully these are faithfully named!)

Here's a little making of the kit for those interested:

Recording/Mixing Taiko Drums for Low

Next is a little drum machine. Cute, minimal, and perfect for all sorts of occasions!

Pianodrop #45.5 - The Pocket Drum Machine

And a grungy acoustic kit perfect for your black metal/punk/lo-fi needs:

Basement Drums Pianobook Demo by Ryan C Herma

Followed by these sleek and sexy gongs. I haven't seen a good set of these since the old, relatively low quality, and hard to find Chai Gongs (32-bit). These ones below impress <3

Tuned Thai Gongs by Aarush Bothra (1.2GB Decent Sampler)

And these cans stoke my inner child, so I couldn't go without dropping them as well.

Tin Can Drums (Plus a Free Decent Sampler VST)

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/tin-can-drums/

And check out this funky little kit!

From The Groove by Adam Vito

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/michaels-drums/

Abbey Road Institute Drumkit - Carlos Bricio

NO DEMO, but the reviews are smacking good. Since Abbey Road is such a buzz word, I figured why not toss this one in for curiosity's sake.

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/c75-drums/

Back to demo land, we have a fair sounding standard kit here. I can never get enough drums, so you know I couldn't say no!

Garage Sale Kit - Sample pack

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/garage-sale-kit/

I've also had a TON of fun using this next patch, the bombo! Has a deep, earthy feel to it. A great addition to any ethnic perc groove!

Pianodrop #59.2 - Andean Bombo

Bells

I can't actually install this one since my Kontakt is too old (cries in useless updates), but these chimes sound CRAZY good.

Koshi Water Chimes

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/koshi-water-chimes/

Dream Vibes by Benjamin Freeland (pianobook) 1.8 GB Kontakt

I think the demo speaks for itself!

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/dream-vibes/#

Pianodrop #100.4 – Rental Marimba 181 MB Kontakt by David Michael Celia

One does not simply rent a marimba without recording every single note at multiple velocities ;)

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/rental-marimba/

Keys

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/southsea-glimmer/

UNBELIEVABLY SMALL AND GORGEOUS^^^

The Experience - Yamaha S6 5.6 GB Kontakt & SFZ by Dore Mark

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/the-experience-yamaha-s6/

Synths (some of these are actually nuts)

Americana Granular Pad - Joshua Meltzer

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/americana-granular-pad/

I particularly enjoyed this one below for pure nostalgia.

ASIMOV - PIANOBOOK PROMO (FREE SYNTH)

Retro Synth Alert: Yamaha PortaSound 130

For those of you that love soundblasts from the past, this section will be up your alley. Below I've compiled several demos and downloads from the absolute coolest retro patches I've ever seen! Or well, heard.

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/yamaha-pss-130/

80's Module - Decent Sampler Instrument (demo)

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/80s-module/

Little FM Module - Free instrument for Decent Sampler (demo)

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/fm-little-module/

Phase Distortion Synth for Decent Sampler

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/pd-big-brother/

Pianodrop #84.1 - Kawai K4 Collection

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/kawai-k4-collection/

Free Omnichord sample plugin (Omni-84)

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/omni-84/

Winds

We got some really sick instruments and ensembles coming out of the Pianobook community. I mean, seriously blew me away, no pun intended.

Shaba Flute Ensemble VSTi - Showcase (Pianobook) KONTAKT

Link: https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/shaba-flute-esnemble/

Creator: Pavel Sabacky

Includes: 3.2 GB 6 Flute Ensemble (Baby Ocarina, Ocarina, Recorder, Dizi, Xiao, Native American flute)

You might sneeze at the file size, but the articulations, recorded riffs, and ability to solo each individual flute is CRAZY. Don't believe me, watch the video. Perfect for scoring, with multiple patches.

And probably better than your favorite paid library. It was for me at least!

STRINGS

Probably my absolute favorite toys, the strings below, whether I wrote a blurb or not, are friggin' ear tickling good!

MANDOLIN GUITAROPHONE (MARXOPHONE) and 3 Choirs. by Black Aurora

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/mandolin-guitarophone-marxophone/

A Clearing at Dusk (Wildmother's Dulcimer Only) by Hunter Rogerson 4.6 gb Kontakt

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/the-wildmothers-dulcimer/

Three string patches that MIGHT make your Kontakt solo violins/cellos obsolete

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/scary-flautando-violin/

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/flautando-violin/

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/beyondbow-cello/

And the sickest eastern European dulcimer/lute/mandolin replacer ever:

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/three-strings-domra/

This one pairs nicely with the Mountain Dulcimer (with controllable strumming) by PMEDig

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/strummed-mountain-dulcimer/

And you can toss in this next patch for a little extra spice… I think I have a problem lol.

The Vintage Japanese Mandolin (Plus a Free Decent Sampler VST)

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/the-vintage-japanese-mandolin/

There's also Lyre-Lyre:

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/lyre-lyre/

And even an Ornamental African Banjo! (Decent Sampler 42 Mb)

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/ornamental-african-banjo/

Another perfect add-on for your family of plucked strings is the Taishogoto:

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/taishogoto/

And last but not least, we have the Bulbul Tarang

Free Kontakt Instrument - Bulbul Tarang

https://www.pianobook.co.uk/packs/bulbul-tarang/

Do basically all of these instruments sound similar? Yes. Do you think it will stop me from downloading them all and taking over the world? OF COURSE NOT MWAHAHAHAHA!

But in all seriousness, I copped all these and am currently in the process of creating a frankenmonster of stringed folk instrument bliss!

Closing thoughts

Usually I would use this space to ramble on about something or other FOREVERRR, but it's been a long, long month. Tbh I just want to go to bed. IRL we've had an assassination attempt on the former president, and online, the Audio Deathmatch AND Underdog Audio Competition (NGADM & NGUAC) are raging, with the conclusion of auditions just around the corner. Today was a busy day at work, and my brain is fried. I'm so, so tired.

I haven't had much time to think of what to write, but what I want to say is this -- internet impermanence is as real. If you like something and think it's cool, find a way to save it!

Whether that means getting several cheap USBs to hold you over for 6 months to a year, CD or DVDs (because yes, they're coming back in style), or even a big ol' suitcase of platter drives, do what you gotta do. External HDDs and cold storage solutions are cheap and getting cheaper. $150 bucks will get you a few externals that can last you up to 5 years or even longer, and they're pretty big for the price nowadays.

I remember 10 years ago a 64 gig flash drive was something like 80 bucks on sale, and now a 512 gig drive goes for the same price. Shocking, but super cool.

I thought about this after I switched PCs, only to catch that a sizeable cache of my photos were missing from my new drive. Then I noticed some missing plugins in my library, so I tried to go get them, and that process sucked. Some of the developers straight up no longer existed. Some of their DRM completely locked me out of putting my plugs on a new PC from scratch. And still more assholes straight went to a subscription service and tanked their lifetime licenses (Fuck y'all for that)

Not only were some of my favorite plugin companies going under or giving their old customers the finger, but as I restored my old setup, I caught onto a disturbing trend. Several more digital streaming platforms and consoles were caught deleting digital content that their customers paid for, straight out of their libraries. That'd be like Walmart breaking into my house and stealing my Xena collection because they decided to stop selling it (Ty for the analogy, Louis Rossman).

I came to one conclusion. The only way to actually own the content you have is to physically control it. And you can't do that with a movie you purchased the right to stream. You CAN however on a hard drive or USB, if you save it ;)

This isn't just limited to online purchases. Sites like YT constantly remove my favorite content from my playlists for one reason or another, even if you select to download their encrypted file format videos to your device for offline streaming. The only solution to that is to download your favorite content to a device you control, in a format you can access easily. Cough. YT downloader. Cough.

I do this infrequently, when I really like something, like a mashup that's almost certainly going to get taken down for copyright violation or a provocative indie artist's videos. Does this mean I'll stop streaming them to show my support? Nah, just saving for posterity, when either it or YT falls off the face of the earth.

We've had our own scares here on Newgrounds, albeit for less draconian money-grubbing reasons. Anyone remember Numa Numa's debut, or the old Naruto AMVs that used to flood the portal? Me too. They're gone because record labels rained down some scary DMCAs over the "unlicensed" use of their music on other submissions; in the aftermath, NG was forced to remove potentially offending content in advance, just to be safe. Had all of us had the mind of fighting internet impermanence, a lot of NG history would still be intact.

Just a little food for thought. Get yourself some storage, and use it wisely!

-A

This edition was made possible by viewers like you. Shoutout to my amazing supporters: @MATRVG, @MariogD, @Cyberdevil, and @JimmyTheCaterpillar.