Plugin interface — screenshot pending
Drums

Session Percussionist

Native Instruments

Where to get itAvailable from Native Instrumentsnative-instruments.com

Session Percussionist is a Kontakt-based percussion ensemble instrument delivering over 2000 rhythmic patterns and 58 meticulously sampled instruments organized into categories. It combines an intuitive pattern editing engine with advanced mixer controls, allowing you to build ensemble presets with up to five players whose realistic playback is ensured by dynamic tempo-based articulation selection and extensive timing/velocity/flam editing tools.

Written from the manual and checked against it. How we check

Key Features

01Over 2000 rhythmic patterns from session musicians
0258 sampled instruments in four variations each
03Up to five simultaneous players with dedicated MIDI octaves
04Pattern Editor with Articulation, Velocity, Timing and Flams panels
05Dynamic tempo-based articulation playback for natural transitions
06XY pad spatialization and room microphone placement for each player
07Mixer with per-channel Comp, EQ, Reverb and Delay presets
08Global Humanize, Swing and Shift controls for ensemble timing

Things to Try

  • 01Use the Ensemble Browser genre and playing technique filters to quickly narrow down from 117 presets to ensembles matching your production style
  • 02In the Velocity panel, apply the Tilt tool to create a crescendo effect across the pattern by moving the slider upward for a raising slope
  • 03Adjust the Timing panel's Velocity-based Shift slightly upward to bring high-velocity notes forward and delay low-velocity notes, enhancing perceived groove
  • 04Lock Humanize, Swing and Shift controls via the lock icon when auditioning different ensemble presets in the Ensemble Browser to maintain consistent feel while comparing
Formats
VSTVST3AUAAXSTANDALONE
User Manual↗

Own Session Percussionist?

Add it to your Plugin Library and it stops being a name in a folder — search it by sound, keep notes, and remember why you bought it.

Add to My Library

Free forever · no credit card

Already have an account? Sign in to add it

Similar plugins to explore

Drums

Steven Slate Drums

Slate Digital

Steven Slate Drums 5 is a next-generation drum sampler plugin featuring over 400 acoustic, percussion, and electronic drum instruments with playback that physically models real drum kit behavior. Unlike traditional polyphonic sample playback, SSD5's samples interact with each other realistically, eliminating the mechanical sound common in sampled drums. The plugin offers up to 24 velocity layers and 12 round-robin alternations per instrument, with multi-mic configurations that vary by library.

Drums

Stormdrum 3

EastWest

Layer world-class percussion performances from 150+ instruments with five mic perspectives and pro mixing tools.

Drums

Reason Drum Kits

Reason Studios

Record studio-quality drums with multitrack precision using dedicated overhead, room, and individual drum microphones you can mix independently.

Orchestral

Augmented BRASS

Arturia

Morph lush, evolving brass textures across 4 synth engines with real-time modulation and dual effects.

Orchestral

Augmented WOODWINDS

Arturia

Perform authentic woodwind solos and ensembles with nuanced articulations and realistic player variation in every note.

Bass

Bass Fingers

Waves

Play authentic bass lines with 14,000 hand-sampled sounds covering finger-style, legato, percussive, and slide techniques. Natural velocity and round-robin layers eliminate synthetic repetition.

Drums

BassDrum

Image-Line

Included with FL Studio

Synthesize massive, punchy kicks from dual oscillators, samples, and sub-bass—then saturate for aggressive impact.

Drums

Fruit Kick

Image-Line

Included with FL Studio

Design custom kick drums with dynamic pitch sweeps and distortion—from tight sub-bass to punchy electronic textures.

Get more out of the plugins you already own

Track your plugins and instruments, search by the sound you need, and learn what each one is for. Free forever for up to 50 plugins and instruments.

Get Started Free
Session Percussionist by Native Instruments | Plugin Library