- Best Free Harp VST Plugins and Libraries
- Free Harps & Celtic Harps
- Versilian Studios: Etherealwinds Harp II: Community Edition
- DSK Music: DSK World StringZ
- DAT: Microharp
- Performance Samples: River Harp
- Sonatina Symphony Orchestra Harp
- Other Harp Instruments
- Decent Samples: Bowed Nagoya Harp (Taishōgoto)
- Over to you…
- Harp vst fl studio
- 11 Best Free Harp VST Plugins & Free Harp Samples
- Best Harp VST Plugins
- 1. Etherealwinds Harp II
- 2. Sonatina Harp
- 3. DSK World StringZ
- 4. Etherealwinds Free Harp VST
- 5. VSCO2 Harp
- 6. Crystal Harp
- 7. Stringy Stringazoide Stringer
- 8. Labs Autoharp
- 9. St David’s Harp ( Kontakt )
- 10. Microharp ( Kontakt )
- 11. Sonatina Symphony Orchestra ( Kontakt )
- 12. Box Harp ( Kontakt )
- 13. Looperman ( Harp Samples )
- 14. Sample Focus
- Additional Harp Sounds
Best Free Harp VST Plugins and Libraries
No matter if you’re making classical music, writing underscores or producing hip hop beats, harps are beautiful instruments that can add a whole other level of atmosphere to a track. Unfortunately, many commercial harp sample libraries are pretty expensive – especially if you want to use harp sounds only occasionally. That’s why I’ve put together a short list of good free harp VST plugins and libraries on this page.
Free Harps & Celtic Harps
Versilian Studios: Etherealwinds Harp II: Community Edition
Formats: VST, AU, SFZ
Audio example:
A few years ago, Versilian Studios released Etherealwinds Harp. This free harp VST became so popular that Versilian has now published version 2, which updates both interface and sound. Etherealwinds Harp II: Community Edition is a reduced version of Etherealwinds Harp II, which the company calls “quite possibly the most complete lever harp library in existence”.
The 255 samples span over five octaves (C2 – A6) and come across very smooth, harmonious and easy to blend into any soft, dreamy arrangement. To get more control over your sound, you can change the amp envelope, volume, pan and reverb. While not accessible through the instrument interface itself, the download of Etherealwinds Harp II Community Edition comes with seven effect samples (.wav) and 16 vocal samples, taken from the vocal library included in Etherealwinds Harp II.
DSK Music: DSK World StringZ
Format: VST
Audio example:
DSK World StringZ offers more than just harp sounds. In fact, the instrument includes a total of eight world instruments: cumbus, dobro, kanun, koto, dulcimer, tar, Turkish oud and a Celtic harp. Obviously, this Celtic harp is what I was mostly interested in for this list. Playing around with it, I found the sound to be quite present and earthy as I would expect from a Celtic harp. I especially enjoyed the lower tones, which feel a little more mysterious.
The interface offers you control over the amp envelope, the fine tuning and a filter (HP or LP). You can also automate all these values via MIDI. One word of warning: The fine tuning slider does not give you numeric values or offer a simple way to reset (that I know of) – so if you change the tuning, it might be difficult to get back to the original tuning setting. One feature that DSK World StringZ doesn’t have is a built-in reverb. Obviously, you can always slap on your DAW reverb (or any of your favorite effects plugins) if you want to add more space. No matter if you’re looking for a Celtic harp or if you can use some world strings in your production, this is a cool little plugin to try out!
DAT: Microharp
Format: Kontakt Library; full retail version of Native Instruments Kontakt 4.2.4 or higher is required
Audio example:
Microharp from Dream Audio Tools is another Celtic harp. In this case, a “very small wooden Celtic harp” was sampled with four round robins for each articulation. The instrument comes with two main articulations, picked and fingered, as well as with a patch that mixes both articulations. While the picked samples sound smoother and more traditionally harp-like, the fingered patch has an almost surprising “ethnic” feel to it. Its particular character might not work that well in classical pieces, but it could add some interesting textures to other genres.
The Kontakt library features four octaves, with the lowest note being C2 (not surprising due to the size of the instrument). For effects, it offers a delay and a reverb. Not a ton, but certainly useable!
Performance Samples: River Harp
Format: Kontakt Library; full retail version of Native Instruments Kontakt 5.5.1 or higher is required
Audio examples:
River Harp by Performance Samples is a little different from most instruments in this article. Instead of offering individually plucked string samples, you will find a collection of textures and glissandi here. The name “River Harp” is quite a fitting description of the sound as the performances come across as flowing and organic. These are the kinds of textures that we composers and producers would love to create and re-create with harp VST plugins but typically have a hard time doing so.
While the sounds themselves are fun, using them can be tricky because they’re not time-synced. While this is not such an issue with the glissandi (which you wouldn’t expect to stick to being time-synced anyway), it might take some additional time stretching work to fit the textures into an existing arrangement.
What’s really cool (and definitely not expected for a free instrument) is that River Harp is recorded with two mics (close and far), which you can mix and pan to your taste. This added flexibility makes the River Harp easier to mix. The creators of River Harp also want you to know that some of the tails are cut-off and only minimal noise reduction was applied (the honesty is appreciated!).
To get River Harp, you will have to check out through Performances Samples’ online shopping system.
Sonatina Symphony Orchestra Harp
Format: Kontakt Library; full retail version of Kontakt is required (unfortunately, I’m not sure which one, but I’m guessing 4 and higher).
Audio example:
Sonatina Symphony Orchestra was a project by Mattias Westlund. More than 10 years ago, he created a free orchestral sample library primarily aimed at beginner composers. Today, this original library is not online anymore, however, a derivative version still exists at Bigcat Instruments. This version also includes a concert harp patch, which I found surprisingly useable due to its straight, classical sound.
The Kontakt patch allows you to change the amp envelope, the reverb and the EQ (at 100 Hz, 1kHz and 5kHz – which turn out to be great frequencies to play with). I would probably use this with a convolution reverb, since the built-in reverb sounds somewhat unflattering (at least in the wetter settings).
Sonatina Symphony Orchestra Harp is super easy to install: Simply download and save the patch into your Kontakt libraries folder.
Other Harp Instruments
Decent Samples: Bowed Nagoya Harp (Taishōgoto)
Format: Kontakt Library; full retail version of Native Instruments Kontakt 5.3.1 or higher is required
Audio examples:
The Taishōgoto is also known as the Nagoya harp and is a relatively modern string instrument, being invented in 1912. The pitch of the individual strings can be changed by pressing a number of typewriter-like keys. Although the Taishōgoto is typically strummed, for this Kontakt library by Decent Samples, the instrument was played with a violin bow. So if you’re looking for a plucked sound, this instrument won’t match your needs.
Instead, this library offers a texture-heavy bowing sound that lies somewhere between viola, harmonica and world instrument (check out the audio example to hear what it sounds like). While this is maybe not the most powerful sound on its own, I could imagine using this as a layer to add an interesting texture. One drawback I found while playing it is that the samples are somewhat short and the loop very noticeable. Unfortunately, this means that the library is not great for creating longer static pad sounds (if you use different note start points, you can achieve a nice effect where notes are rhythmically fading in and out, though).
Besides ADSR envelope and reverb, you also have control over the level of the two microphones that were used: an Oktava mic and a contact microphone. Since these are quite different in character, I’ve found it fun to play around with them and dial in a sound I enjoy.
To get the Bowed Nagoya Harp by Decent Samples, you will have to register with your name and email address.
Over to you…
Do you know of any other good free harp VSTs or libraries? Let us know in the comments!
Harp vst fl studio
Toontrack — EZkeys Hybrid Harp 1.0.1 STANDALONE, VSTi, AAX, AUi WIN.OSX x86 x64
Дата Выпуска: 08.2020
Версия: 1.0.1
Разработчик: Toontrack
Сайт разработчика: toontrack.com/product/ezkeys-hybrid-harp/
Формат: STANDALONE, VSTi, AAX, AUi
Разрядность: 32bit, 64bit
Таблэтка: присутствует
Системные требования: 850 MB of free hard disk space.
Windows 7 or newer, Pentium 4 or Athlon processor with 2 GB RAM.
macOS 10.9 or higher, Intel-based Mac with 2 GB RAM.
Audio Unit, VST or AAX host application (64-bit on Mac) and professional sound card recommended. Stand-alone version included.
Размер: 1.26 GB
Не смотря на то, что законы термодинамики давно исключили возможность вечного двигателя, EZkeys Hybrid Harp почти изобрёл его. Законы физики могут по-прежнему применяться, но факт остается фактом: этой своеобразной «машине» присуща врожденная сила духа, которая, кажется, гарантирует, что у вас никогда не будет недостатка в идеях. Он буквально работает и питается вами и вашим собственным воображением.
EZkeys Hybrid Harp представляет пять отдельных инструментов, все они многослойные, текстурированные и насыщенные с различными характеристиками для формирования уникальных и никогда ранее не слышанных гибридов звуков. Бесспорный звезда группы является знаковая арфа Style 23. В дополнение к этому, были отобраны традиционная шведская никельхарпа (или «скрипка с клавишами»), две фисгармонии, смычковый глокеншпиль и набор окарин. В совокупности эта, казалось бы, странная группа инструментов, которая, с логической точки зрения, не имеет никакого отношения к земному, разделяя одно и то же звуковое пространство, выливается в то, что можно описать как чрезвычайно загадочную звуковую вселенную щипковых, перкуссионных, парящих, воздушных, красивых и неповторимых слегка диссонирующих звуков.
Добро пожаловать в одну из самых многогранных сторон EZkeys на сегодняшний день, которая задействует те части вашего творческого ума, о существовании которых вы даже не подозревали. Эти звуки идеально подходят для всего, что вы можете себе представить.
11 Best Free Harp VST Plugins & Free Harp Samples
Here are the best free Harp VST plugins, Harp Kontakt libraries, and free harp samples to use with your music projects. We’ve included harp plugins for Windows and Mac.
What Is A Harp VST Plugin?
A Harp plugin is a virtual instrument that can be used in a digital audio workstation to emulate the sound of a Harp instrument. These plugins can include recorded samples from harps, or create synthesized harp sounds.
A harp is a musical instrument that consists of a frame with a series of strings stretched across it. The strings can be plucked by the player’s fingers or struck with a small hammer.
Harps come in various sizes and shapes, from small handheld instruments to large floor-standing models. They have been used for centuries as both solo and accompaniment instruments.
Harps are commonly used as a sound source for creating ambient music or soundscapes.
Best Harp VST Plugins
Instructions: Click the images below to visit each Harp VST plugin. Look around each website for the download link or button. Do not install any suspicious software.
1. Etherealwinds Harp II
Etherealwinds Harp II is a stunning instrument that will add magic and beauty to your music. This harp has been sampled at up to 3 velocity layers and 4 round robins in full 48/24 quality, resulting in 3,200 samples.
It includes normal plucks, pres de la table, muted plucks, pre-recorded glissandi, and effects, with natural hand-muting available. You’ll also find a variety of custom snapshots, from concert halls to surreal worlds.
As a bonus, you’ll get chromatically sampled two-octave tenor voice, plus 240 individual vocal phrases. Indeed, this is one of the best free Harp VST plugins for those who want to add a touch of realism and beauty to their music.
- Chromatically sampled
- 3 velocity layers
- 2 octaves
- 240 individual phrases
2. Sonatina Harp
Sonatina Harp is perfect for any musician looking for a realistic and easy-to-use harp sound. With its high-quality samples, this plugin can help you create beautiful music that sounds just like a real harp.
If you’re looking for a free Harp plugin that’s easy to use, this is a great option. You can add realistic harp sounds to your music with just a few clicks.
- Realistic harp samples
- Easy to use
Sonatina | OS: Windows / Mac
3. DSK World StringZ
DSK World StringZ is one of the best harp plugins available online. It comes with eight different world string instruments, each with its unique sound. The plugin is velocity-sensitive, so you can create different sounds by playing at different speeds.
You can also control the amplitude envelope and micro-detuner to create unique sounds. The plugin also comes with an HP/LP filter so that you can maintain the tone of your sound.
Lastly, the plugin is MIDI-automatable so that you can create complex sounds by programming different MIDI messages as well. This is one of the best free Harp plugins available.
- 8 different world string instruments
- Velocity-sensitive
- MIDI-automatable
- HP/LP filter
- Micro-detuner
- MIDI-automatable
4. Etherealwinds Free Harp VST
If you’re looking for a sampled harp with a delicate, warm tone, look no further than the Etherealwinds Harp. This plugin is a sampling of a diatonic folk harp, and it’s been recorded by the Newgrounds musician Etherealwinds.
The harp has been dutifully sampled, with two different round robins and three velocity layers. What’s more, the full decays have been captured so that you can achieve accurate results.
The samples included are mono, though the Kontakt version of the plugin comes with a faux stereo width option. So, if you’re looking for one of the best free Harp VST plugins, this is a great option.
- Diatonic folk harp sampled
- Two round robins
- Three velocity layers
- Full decays captured
- Mono samples
- Kontakt version has a faux stereo width option
- NKI version included
5. VSCO2 Harp
The VSCO2 Harp is one of the best free harp VST plugins available online. It is a sampled harp that has been recorded by Versilian Studios / Sam Gossner. The sound of the VSCO2 Harp is clear and pleasant, making it perfect for both beginners and pros.
Besides, its easy-to-use interface makes it an excellent choice for those who want to get started with harp music. You’re sure to find this plugin helpful in your music-making journey.
- Clear and pleasant sound
- Easy to use interface
- Perfect for beginners
- Lever harp library
6. Crystal Harp
This virtual instrument sounds like a crystal harp. This soothing, gentle sound is just right for ambient, meditation, and new-age music. There is a very pure sound and the decay is very slow.
Plugin | OS: Windows / Mac
7. Stringy Stringazoide Stringer
This is a perfect tool for creating lush, harmonic sounds. It features high-quality samples that can be layered to create thick, rich textures. The ADSR envelope can shape the sound, and the LFO engine can add depth and movement.
Plus, the built-in reverb creates a spacious sound, and the presets provide a starting point for creating your patches. Additionally, MIDI messages are recognized, so you can use a MIDI controller to play the stringed instrument.
Besides, this plugin is fully automatable, making it easy to create complex, evolving sounds. You’re sure to get a lot of use from this free Harp VST.
- High-quality samples
- Layerable sounds
- Fully automatable
- MIDI message recognition
8. Labs Autoharp
Spitfire Audio Labs Autoharp is a free harp plugin recorded by Christian Henson at Castlesound Studios. This harp plugin is a great free alternative to the Glissando Concert Harp Kontakt Library and other Native Instruments Kontakt instrument libraries.
9. St David’s Harp ( Kontakt )
If you’re looking for beautifully rich and realistic harp sounds, you need to check out St David’s Harp. This library comes with Welsh, Celtic harp samples that have been recorded in stunning detail, which is perfect for any music producer looking to add a touch of Celtic flavor to their tracks.
Not only that, but you also get access to an extensive synth engine that gives you plenty of options for sound manipulation. The custom scripted panel has excellent features like LP/BP/HP 12/24dB octave filters, 2 x ADSR envelopes, chorus, phaser, flanger, delay, and reverb multi-FX, and custom convolution reverb impulses.
With all of these options at your disposal, you’ll be able to create some truly unique and beautiful harp sounds and add an even more realistic touch to the sound. So this is one of the best free Harp plugins available.
- Welsh, Celtic harp samples
- Extensive Synth Engine
- 2 x ADSR envelopes
- Custom scripted panel
- Chorus, phaser, flanger, delay, and reverb multi-FX
- Custom convolution reverb impulses
10. Microharp ( Kontakt )
Microharp is a stunning harp plugin perfect for creating realistic-sounding Celtic music. This plugin offers two different articulations, four round robins, and a beautiful-sounding mixed layered patch.
It gives you the option to create a more full and realistic sound, perfect for creating various music genres. Moreover, the Microharp is very small in size, making it ideal for those who want to create music on the go.
- 2 different articulations
- 4 round robins
- Beautiful mixed layered patch
- Small size
11. Sonatina Symphony Orchestra ( Kontakt )
Sonatina Symphony Orchestra is one of the best free harps that you will find online. This program is perfect for beginners who want to create authentic virtual orchestrations.
The melodic instruments and chromatic percussion in this program are sampled in minor 3rds, and the staccato/pizzicato patches have a 2x round-robin. This makes it easy for you to create a realistic and lifelike sound.
- Melodic instruments and chromatic percussion sampled in minor 3rds
- Staccato/pizzicato patches have 2x round-robin
- Samples have varying amounts of stage ambiance
12. Box Harp ( Kontakt )
Box Harp has a rich, full sound that is perfect for adding depth and warmth to your music. Its finger plucked and picked with guitar pick layers both have four round robins and two velocity layers, giving you a wide range of sounds to work with.
Moreover, the FX layer is excellent for adding chorus and reverb to your harp parts, giving you even more options for creating exciting and unique sounds. While the Box Harp is not the most versatile harp VST on this list, it is undoubtedly one of the best soundings.
- 4 round robins
- 2 velocity layers
- FX layer with chorus and reverb
13. Looperman ( Harp Samples )
The website “Looperman” provides a wide variety of free harp samples for users to download. The site includes a range of different styles of harp playing, from traditional to contemporary, which makes it an excellent resource for those looking to add a new dimension to their music.
Plus, the samples are high quality and can be used for various music genres.
- Range of free samples
- Variety of styles
- High-quality audio
14. Sample Focus
Sample Focus is a website that provides high-quality harp samples. The website has a library of harp sounds that can be downloaded for free.
The website is easy to navigate and provides a wide variety of harp samples. Moreover, the samples are high-quality and can be used for various music genres. So you can find some great sounds on this website.
- Free and paid samples
- High-quality audio
- Easy to navigate
Additional Harp Sounds
Now that you know where to find some great harp sounds, here are a few more places you can look to for high-quality samples and loops.
- VST Buzz – This free orchestral sample library features harp sounds and is 654MB in size.
- Bowed Nagoya – Kontakt file using a violin bow to play a Nagoya Harp produces a unique sound.
- Stay On Beat – 10 Free Free Harp Loops.
We hope you found this list of free Harp VST plugins and free harp samples helpful.
Written By Mark V.
Hip Hop Makers is a music production website launched in 2008 to teach music lovers how to make music, sell beats, and make money from music.