6 Excellent Tambourine VSTs With Realism (Free and Paid)

Rhythmic elements like tambourines generally are added near the end of a song’s production. While we can record tambourine parts the old fashioned way, sometimes it’s beneficial and more efficient to use virtual instruments for auxiliary percussion. Tambourine VSTs provide producers with readily available grooves in a drag-and-drop fashion. Today we are looking at six…

Gear Guides

Nick Cesarz
February 21, 2025

We made sure to find, review, and rate cheaper acoustic drum sets and shell packs that

Best Tambourine VSTs

Have everything included

If you’re looking for a complete drum kit that includes hardware and cymbals, this is the category for you. These kits come with all the essentials—bass drum, snare, toms, cymbals, stands, pedals, and sometimes even a drum throne. They are perfect for beginners or drummers who want a ready-to-play setup without purchasing additional components separately.

Are shell packs only

Shell packs include just the drums—typically a bass drum, snare drum, and toms—without cymbals, stands, or pedals. These are ideal for drummers who already own hardware and cymbals or want to customize their setup with high-quality components.

Best Tambourine VSTs

Rhythmic elements like tambourines generally are added near the end of a song’s production. While we can record tambourine parts the old fashioned way, sometimes it’s beneficial and more efficient to use virtual instruments for auxiliary percussion.

Tambourine VSTs provide producers with readily available grooves in a drag-and-drop fashion. Today we are looking at six of the best tambourine VSTs you can utilize in your productions.

Ultra-Realistic Timing & Sound
Sharine by Wavesfactory
Sharine by Wavesfactory
4.8
Includes 8 shakers and 4 tambourines. Records with 3 mic positions: close (mono), mid, and far (stereo). Retains pre-roll for on-beat transients. Requires full version of Kontakt. Variety of materials: wooden, metal, skin, plastic.
Pros:
  • Variety of instrument options
  • Pre-roll script for precision
  • Multiple mic positions
  • Natural rhythm syncing
Cons:
  • Requires full Kontakt version
  • Dry close mic sound
  • Limited sound customization
  • No standalone option
Specifications:
  • 8 shakers included
  • 4 tambourines included
  • 3 microphone positions
  • Pre-roll sample retention
  • Bi-directional shakes
  • Hits, sticks, rolls articulations
  • Advanced scripting
  • Requires Kontakt full version
View Price at Plugin Boutique
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Sharine by Wavesfactory: Overview

Sharine is the ultimate tambourine VST, giving you many different types, as well as shakers.

The plugin runs inside of Kontakt. You need the full version if you don’t want the demo mode to time out (15 minutes).

Included are eight shakers and four tambourines recorded with three microphone positions.

Choosing an instrument is as simple as clicking on them.

Sharine’s shakes are ultrarealistic. I also love that the rhythms sound “humanized;” they’re somewhat unbalanced and “less-perfect” sounding — a plus.

Sharine by Wavesfactory

Sharine by Wavesfactory

Includes 8 shakers and 4 tambourines. Records with 3 mic positions: close (mono), mid, and far (stereo). Retains pre-roll for on-beat transients. Requires full version of Kontakt. Variety of materials: wooden, metal, skin, plastic.

Endless Creative Possibilities
David Oliver's Rhythmic Odyssey
David Oliver's Rhythmic Odyssey
4.5
Flexible loop-based virtual percussion instrument for Kontakt Player. Over 130 distinct instruments. 6500+ loops in a non-encrypted 24bit/48kHz WAV library. Compatible with any DAW or hardware. Rich multi-track arrangements with extensive customization options.
Pros:
  • Extensive percussion library
  • Endless customization options
  • High-quality sound production
  • Efficient workflow integration
Cons:
  • Limited user support
  • Complex setup process
  • Resource-intensive performance
  • Steep learning curve
Specifications:
  • Loop-based virtual instrument
  • Compatible with Kontakt Player
  • Modular loop library
  • Over 130 percussion instruments
  • Covers multiple genres
  • 100+ percussion track sets
  • Multi-track WAV library
  • 6500+ total loops
  • Long human-readable sample names
  • Detailed loop database included
  • Wet and dry stereo tracks
  • 24bit/48kHz audio quality
View Price at soundiron.com
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David Oliver’s Rhythmic Odyssey: Overview

David Oliver is a well-known percussionist and composer who has worked on numerous award-winning films and TV shows.

While not a standalone tambourine VST, Rhythmic Odyssey is a loop-bassed percussion instrument that allows you to step into David Oliver’s world of percussion.

The library contains 100 percussion track loops with everything from traditional ethnic arrangements to driving “Hollywood” percussion grooves.

David Oliver’s Rhythmic Odyssey

David Oliver’s Rhythmic Odyssey

Flexible loop-based virtual percussion instrument for Kontakt Player. Over 130 distinct instruments. 6500+ loops in a non-encrypted 24bit/48kHz WAV library. Compatible with any DAW or hardware. Rich multi-track arrangements with extensive customization options.

Legendary Groove Creation Tool
Spectrasonics Stylus RMX
Spectrasonics Stylus RMX
4.1
Groove-based virtual instrument plug-in. Features S.A.G.E. technology, Time Designer, and Chaos Designer. Includes thousands of grooves and sounds. Supports custom kits and audio loop imports. Compatible with various DAWs. Extensive third-party library support.
Pros:
  • Amazing sounds and samples
  • Full control over parameters
  • Up to 8 parts per setup
  • Excellent for realistic drum kits
Cons:
  • Outdated sounds quality
  • Lack of updates
  • Limited sample importing
  • User interface feels dated
Specifications:
  • Groove Control
  • S.A.G.E. technology
  • Time Designer
  • Chaos Designer
  • Multi-page user interface
  • Core sound library
  • Thousands of grooves
  • Individual track Elements
  • Kit modules
  • 250 Kit patches
  • User Kit construction
  • 500 Multi grooves
  • Includes five S.A.G.E. Xpanders
  • Nearly 10,000 sounds
  • Third-party library support
  • REX file compatibility
View Price at pluginfox.com
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Spectrasonics Stylus RMX: Overview

Stylus RMX has been my “go-to” for years when it comes to tambourines and other textured percussion instruments. The library is massive and high-quality.

Included in Stylus is a massive 14GB core library with nearly triple the sounds of the original Stylus. There are 500 multi grooves and 250 kits.

The ease of use is another point: I love that you can drag and drop MIDI clips from Stylus into your digital audio workstation.

The only downside to Stylus is that it’s overused in commercial productions. I’ve heard many presets in indie films and television commercials.

I think this okay, though, since most people listening to your music will not have a clue!

Spectrasonics Stylus RMX

Spectrasonics Stylus RMX

Groove-based virtual instrument plug-in. Features S.A.G.E. technology, Time Designer, and Chaos Designer. Includes thousands of grooves and sounds. Supports custom kits and audio loop imports. Compatible with various DAWs. Extensive third-party library support.

Epic Hollywood Soundscapes
SampleTank Cinematic Percussion
SampleTank Cinematic Percussion
4.3
Library for SampleTank 3. 40 instruments including gongs, taiko drums, frame drums, djembes, and darbukas. Over 2,000 samples, 400 MIDI patterns, 166 audio loops. Recorded with high-quality mics and preamps for cinematic realism.
Pros:
  • Broad frequency range
  • Enhanced orchestration capabilities
  • Versatile cinematic sounds
  • Professional film scoring utility
Cons:
  • Limited sound variety
  • Not intuitive interface
  • High CPU usage
  • Expensive for features
Specifications:
  • Compatible with SampleTank 3
  • 40 percussion instruments
  • Over 2,000 samples
  • 400 MIDI patterns
  • 166 audio loops
  • Recorded with high-quality mics
  • Private studio recordings
  • Multiple velocities
  • Round robin techniques
  • Unique percussion collection
  • Ethnic and orchestral blend
  • Flexible audio loops
  • 10 source tempos
  • Master performances by Greg Ellis
  • Timbral orchestration approach
View Price at pluginfox.com
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

SampleTank Cinematic Percussion: Overview

Again, Cinematic Percussion from IK Multimedia is not a standalone tambourine VST, but it does include them. Many percussion libraries will function this way, so be sure to keep that in mind.

IK’s Cinematic Percussion is “a producer’s treasure chest of sounds, loops, and patterns.” The library contains the actual instruments used in “Argo,” “Godzilla,” “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “Iron Man,” “Watchman,” “300,” “The Matrix,” and many others.

If you need lots of great-sounding percussion in addition to a tambourine VST, check out Cinematic Percussion.

SampleTank Cinematic Percussion

SampleTank Cinematic Percussion

Library for SampleTank 3. 40 instruments including gongs, taiko drums, frame drums, djembes, and darbukas. Over 2,000 samples, 400 MIDI patterns, 166 audio loops. Recorded with high-quality mics and preamps for cinematic realism.

Exquisitely Free Sound Library
Vintage Toy Tambourine
Vintage Toy Tambourine
3.9
Vintage Toy Tambourine made of thin metal. Three pairs of rusted jingles. Compatible with Kontakt (Full-Version) 5.6.2 or higher. 27.1 MB disk space. Includes single hits, loops, mod-wheel shakes, 3-band EQ, and reverb. Unique vintage sound.
Pros:
  • Free downloadable sample library
  • Deeply sampled audio quality
  • Unique vintage sound
  • Versatile sample options
Cons:
  • Requires full Kontakt
  • Limited jingle pairs
  • Thin metal construction
  • Niche sound profile
Specifications:
  • Free sample library
  • Vintage toy tambourine
  • Stereo Neumann mic capture
  • Universal Audio pre-amp
  • Thin metal construction
  • Three pairs of jingles
  • Tempo locked
  • Tons of samples
  • Single hits
  • Mod-wheel shakes
  • Special hits
  • Loops and special loops
  • 3-band EQ
  • Reverb effect
  • Requires Kontakt 5.6.2+
  • 27.1 MB disk space
Free at samplehero.com
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Vintage Toy Tambourine: Overview

Here is a sample company I just discovered today: Sample Hero! The Vintage Toy Tambourine is an excellent free option for those looking to add rhythm and pulse to a production.

The sound is a bit more trashy, which I do love. Why not have another color in your sonic palette?

Vintage Toy Tambourine

Vintage Toy Tambourine

Vintage Toy Tambourine made of thin metal. Three pairs of rusted jingles. Compatible with Kontakt (Full-Version) 5.6.2 or higher. 27.1 MB disk space. Includes single hits, loops, mod-wheel shakes, 3-band EQ, and reverb. Unique vintage sound.

Gear Guide

Kontakt may be a requirement

Many times, plugin developers use the Kontakt sampler. While it is a popular option, many young producers and composers don’t have Kontakt or the money to shell out for it. ($399.00).

Make sure you pay attention when buying virtual instruments as they are often non-refundable.

If you only have the free Kontakt Player, check if the plugin works with it and won’t time out.

For VIs without a Kontakt license, the free Kontakt Player will stop functioning after 15 minutes, and you’ll have to reload it, which can be annoying.

How to use Kontakt instruments for free

An easy workaround is to write your MIDI on a different instrument.

Once finished, load up the free player, find your preset or instrument, drag the MIDI over, and print the clip.

It’s not the ideal solution, but it does work if you’re trying to use the free version of Kontakt effectively.

Try recording it yourself

Even with all the most excellent libraries and samples in the world, sometimes you must record it yourself.

I find that often tracks can feel stale when using all programmed instruments and having a layer of human-played tambourine can work wonders.

If you don’t have access to a tambourine or a space to record one, use a VST.

Verdict

When using rhythmic elements from plugins like tambourine VSTs, it can be easy to overdo it. I used to be very guilty of this when using Stylus RMX.

Layer and experiment, but do your best to keep it simple. As a general rule of my own, I usually pull back one or two elements of production at the end, and the piece often gels better. Try doing that and see what happens on your next composition.

Have you used a tambourine VST? Which one(s) is your favorite? I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment down below and share this article with your producer buddies if you’d like!

Thanks for reading.

top pick

Ultra-Realistic Timing & Sound
Sharine by Wavesfactory
Sharine by Wavesfactory
4.8
Includes 8 shakers and 4 tambourines. Records with 3 mic positions: close (mono), mid, and far (stereo). Retains pre-roll for on-beat transients. Requires full version of Kontakt. Variety of materials: wooden, metal, skin, plastic.
Pros:
  • Variety of instrument options
  • Pre-roll script for precision
  • Multiple mic positions
  • Natural rhythm syncing
Cons:
  • Requires full Kontakt version
  • Dry close mic sound
  • Limited sound customization
  • No standalone option
Specifications:
  • 8 shakers included
  • 4 tambourines included
  • 3 microphone positions
  • Pre-roll sample retention
  • Bi-directional shakes
  • Hits, sticks, rolls articulations
  • Advanced scripting
  • Requires Kontakt full version
View Price at Plugin Boutique
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

1 comment

  • Brad Dickson
    6 years ago Reply

    Amazing article. I actually use Sharine, it’s expensive, but it is top-notch for modern producers like myself.

    Thanks, Nick!

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