SampleScience have launched Taiko Drums, a free virtual instrument that uses synthesis to offer the sound of traditional Japanese taikos. Available in its own plug-in, or in Kontakt and Decent Sampler formats, the instrument offers a range of drums sounds along with some built-in effects and sound design functionality.
The plug-in version of the instrument contains three taiko drum sounds, as is equipped with polyphonic, monophonic, and legato voice modes. Built in reverb and distortion effects are included alongside low- and high-pass filters, and a Multi-LFO feature provides a range of modulation options. A set of controls in the GUI present users with adjustment for Size, Damping, Width, and Mix parameters, as well as two dedicated knobs for Distortion and Drive effects.
In addition to standalone, plug-in, and Kontakt versions, Taiko Drums is also provided as a library for the free Decent Sampler player.
Both the Decent Sampler and Kontakt versions of the instrument include the same set of sounds, but each offer slightly different effects and sound shaping capabilities. Both are equipped with a built-in reverb, and the Kontakt version also includes both amplitude and filter ADSR controls.
Compatibility
The plug-in version of Taiko Drums is supported on PCs running Windows 8.1, 10, and 11, and Macs running macOS Mojave and above. It is available in VST / VST3 / AU formats, or as a standalone application, and requires 11.4MB of disk space.
Decent Samples’ free Decent Sampler is supported on Windows, macOS, Linux, and iOS, and is available in VST, VST3, AAX, AU, and AUv3 formats. 30.1 MB of disk space is required.
The Kontakt version of Taiko Drums requires the full version of Native Instruments’ Kontakt 5 or 6, which is available in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats. 155MB of disk space is required.
Availability
Taiko Drums is available now as a free download from the SampleScience website.
