Abbey Road Orchestra: Low Percussion
The professional composer series
The professional composer series
Introducing the most detailed sample library we have ever created, and the first in a new flagship series. Crafted for professional composers, producers and sound designers, Abbey Road Orchestra will bring you every section of the orchestra in breathtaking detail.
Low Percussion offers you a whole new level of expression, thanks to over 20 years of sampling experience and innovation. Performed by internationally-renowned percussionist Joby Burgess (Black Panther, Mission: Impossible), and engineered by Grammy-winning engineer Simon Rhodes (Skyfall, Avatar), it’s like having your very own world-class percussionist.
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Our dedicated plugin
Spitfire Audio App required
20 drums
323 articulations
16 signals
New two-handed mapping
Listen to Abbey Road Orchestra: Low Percussion
Trailer Music — Paul Thomson
Chasing Omens — Homay Schmitz
feat. CDT and Ólafur Arnalds Chamber Evolutions
Daydream Pursuit — CAIROXVI
The Brigand — Louis Rugg
feat. Specultive Memories and eDNA Earth
Cracks In The Foundations — Dan Keen
feat. Fractured Strings
Walkthrough
5 Tips for Better Orchestral Drum Programming
There is a delicious naturalness to these sounds. They are beautifully open, three dimensional, and truly cavernous, without leaning into artificial processing. Perfect for when one really wants to sink into the abyss.
The lowest drums, the highest quality
Lay the groundwork for your compositions with unrivalled realism with this collection of truly thunderous orchestral and indigenous drums that are beautifully captured in the legendary acoustic of Abbey Road Studio One. Distinguished by its extremely responsive and highly tactile nature, Low Percussion explores the timbral and textural range of 20 drums from across the orchestral repertoire and further, with up to seven beater options per drum, performing hits, rolls, swirls and sweeps sampled in incredible detail. All performed by virtuoso percussionist Joby Burgess.
The ultimate in expression and feel
Priceless instruments
Diverse drums spanning a huge tonal palette
- 20 Drums, from orchestral staples to traditional folk instruments (including a 60” Giant Taiko)
- Up to 7 beaters per drum
- Multiple techniques and striking positions per drum
Next-level control
Shape percussion for your composition
- 16 signal options
- Up to 12 round robins
- New Discrete Right/Left hand mapping feature
- New 'Soft Takeover' option for dynamics
- Ultra expressive feel
Ultimate precision
Broadcast-ready quality, out the box
- Over 1800 hours recording and editing time
- Over 166,500 samples
- Captured with over 25 mics per drum
- Up to 10 dynamic layers
If you seek thunderous, high-quality, huge dynamic, pristinely recorded cinematic drums, Abbey Road Orchestra: Low Percussion is hard to beat.
The opportunity to perfect every strike and roll in the glorious acoustic of Studio One was not missed and we took time to make the best microphone choices and hone their positions.
Joby Burgess
Joby Burgess
Black Panther, Mission: Impossible
Joby’s playing can be heard on major film and TV scores, notably leading the percussion sections on Black Panther, Rocketman, Ad Astra, Mission: Impossible, The Darkest Hour, Dr Who and The Green Planet.
Simon Rhodes
Titanic, Skyfall
Simon joined the EMI Abbey Road Studios in 1987. He is now Senior Engineer and has a long standing association with various composers including the late James Horner with whom he worked for 18 years on over 40 projects including Avatar, one of the highest grossing films of all time.
What's included
Instruments
Bass Drum
A vintage concert bass drum with a single 32” head on a shallow open shell. This drum combines a defined attack, woody overtones and balanced resonance.
Sticks
Performances with wooden drum sticks producing a hard and immediate attack with a powerful tone
- Hits
- Hand damped hits
- Rolls
Hard Felt
Performances with a hard felt mallet producing a strong attack and a balanced tone
- Hits
- Rolls
Hard Felt (Damped)
Performances with a hard felt mallet and a cloth placed over the drum head producing a muted sound
- Hits
- Rolls
Medium Felt
Performances with a medium felt mallet with a less immediate attack revealing clear undertones
- Hits
- Hand damped hits
- Rolls
Brushes
Performances with fine metal brushes for a more delicate timbre
- Open hits
- Closed hits
- Open edge hits
- Closed edge hits
- Short Sweeps
- Long Sweeps
- Swirls
Rods
Performances with wooden rods producing an articulate sound with reduced resonance
- Hits
- Rolls
- Rim hits
- Rim rolls
All-in-one
All available beaters and techniques for the Bass Drum presented across the keyboard
Bass Drum (Gran Cassa)
An orchestral staple, this 36” gran cassa is a two-headed concert bass drum with huge dynamic range and a very deep, complex sustain.
Sticks
Performances with wooden drum sticks producing a hard and immediate attack with a powerful tone
- Hits
- Hand damped hits
- Rolls
Hard Felt
Performances with a hard felt mallet producing a defined attack and a balanced tone
- Hits
- Hand damped hits
- Rolls
Medium Felt
Performances with a medium felt mallet with a less immediate attack revealing clear undertones
- Hits
- Hand damped hits
- Rolls
Poly Beater
Performances with a plastic/poly beater to create a narrower sound with less low frequency information
- Hits
- Hand damped hits
- Rolls
Super Soft
Performances with a super soft beater creating an extremely mellow attack and a boomy resonance
- Hits
- Hand damped hits
- Rolls
Brushes
Performances with fine metal brushes for a more delicate timbre
- Hits
- Closed hits
- Rolls
- Short Sweeps
- Long Sweeps
- Swirls
Rute on Rim
Performances with wooden rute, creating an intricate and earthy high pitched 'tap'
- Hits
- Flams
- Rolls
All-in-one
All available beaters and techniques for the Gran Cassa presented across the keyboard
Bombo
An Argentinian bass drum with a 20" hide head tuned with rope. It produces a low, organic sound with a very short sustain.
Hard Felt
Performances with a hard felt mallet producing a defined attack
- Hits
- Rolls
Hard Felt (Damped)
Performances with a hard felt mallet and a cloth placed over the drum head to produce a muted sound
- Hits
- Rolls
Soft Felt
Performances with a soft felt mallet producing a rounded attack
- Hits
- Rolls
Soft Felt (Damped)
Performances with a soft felt mallet and a cloth placed over the drum head to produce a muted sound
- Hits
- Rolls
Sticks (Sides)
Performances with wooden sticks on the sides of the drum
- Hits
- Flams
- Rolls
All-in-one
All available beaters and techniques for the Bombo presented across the keyboard
Buffalo Drum
Constructed from a shallow wooden frame clad with a 22” buffalo skin head, this drum produces strong overtones with a rich, blooming sustain.
Hard Beater
Performances with a hard beater producing an articulate attack
- Hits
- Rolls
Soft Beater
Performances with a soft beater producing a rounded attack
- Hits
- Rolls
All-in-one
All available beaters and techniques for the Buffalo Drum presented across the keyboard
Dhol Drum
A two-headed drum from the Indian subcontinent. Each head is struck with a different beater to produce the dhol's signature tones.
Dhol Sticks
Performances with traditional wooden dagga and tihli sticks
- Dagga closed hits
- Dagga closed hits
- Thili hits
Djuns
A pair of djuns (dundun) hailing from West Africa, these instruments are adept at carrying strong rhythms with a balanced, 'forward' tone.
Hard Felt
Performances with a hard felt mallet producing a defined attack with a balanced tone
- Hits
- Closed hits
- Rolls
Dragon Drums (Dagus)
Originating from China, thIs large pair of dagu drums (or ‘Dragon Drums’) produce strong and characterful tones with lengthy sustain.
Sticks
Performances with wooden sticks to produce the traditional dagu sound
- Hits
- Rolls
- Rim hits
- Rim rolls
Hard Felt
Performances with a hard felt mallet for a less pronounced attack
- Hits
- Rolls
All-in-one
All available beaters and techniques for the Dragon Drums presented across the keyboard
Epic Toms
A pair of floor toms positioned on opposing sides. These drums provide a tight, powerful attack and an explosive, hard-hitting tone.
Taiko Sticks
Performances with taiko sticks producing a hard attack and accentuated top end
- Hits
- Rolls
Taiko Sticks (Damped)
Performances with taiko sticks and a hide skin placed over the head of the drum for a muted sound
- Hits
- Rolls
Rods
Performances with wooden rods producing an articulate sound with reduced resonance
- Hits
- Rolls
All-in-one
All available beaters and techniques for the Epic Toms presented across the keyboard
Giant Taiko
With its 60” diameter shell this giant taiko (or O-Daiko) produces deep, controlled lows whilst remaining dexterous and agile.
Taiko Sticks
Performances with taiko sticks producing a hard attack
- Hits
- Rolls
- Rim hits
- Rim flams
- Rim rolls
- Shell hits
- Shell flams
- Shell rolls
Taiko Sticks (Damped)
Performances with taiko sticks and a blanket covering the rear head of the drum to reduce resonance
- Hits
- Rolls
Medium Felt
Performances with felt mallets for a variation on the classic taiko sound
Medium Felt (Damped)
Performances with felt mallets and a blanket covering the rear head of the drum to reduce resonance
- Hits
- Rolls
Hands
Performances with fists on the head of the drum producing a softer attack with a darker tone
- Hits
All-in-one
All available beaters and techniques for the Giant Taiko presented across the keyboard
Gong Bass Drum
This gong drum is constructed with a single oversized head, producing a very fat and 'modern' sound with a fast attack and punchy low end.
Hard Felt
Performances with a hard felt mallet producing a strong attack
- Hits
- Rolls
Soft Felt
Performances with a soft felt mallet producing a rounded attack
- Hits
- Rolls
Puili
Performances with bamboo puili sticks creating a detailed, high pitched attack with a tight resonance
- Hits
- Rolls
All-in-one
All available beaters and techniques for the Gong Bass Drum presented across the keyboard
- Hits
- Rolls
Surdo
A Brazilian instrument which traditionally provides the lower rhythms in samba music. This 22" aluminium shell variant produces a dense sound with a distinctive attack.
Medium Felt
Performances with a felt beater to produce the signature surdo sound.
- Hits
- Closed hits
- Rolls
Hands
Performances with the hands on the head of the drum
- Hits
- Closed hits
All-in-one
All available beaters and techniques for the Surdo presented across the keyboard
Taikos
A pair of Japanese solid Siam oak taiko drums producing a very focussed sound with which to create impactful, driving rhythms.
Taiko Sticks
Performances with wooden taiko sticks to produce the traditional taiko sound
- Hits
- Rolls
- Rim hits
- Rim flams
- Rim rolls
Hard Felt
Performances with hard felt mallets for a variation on the classic taiko sound
- Hits
- Rolls
Medium Felt
Performances with medium felt mallets producing a mellower attack
- Hits
- Rolls
Brushes
Performances with brushes for a more delicate timbre
- Hits
- Edge hits
- Rolls
- Short sweeps
- Long sweeps
- Swirls
- Shimmers
Hands
Performances with the hands on the head of the drum
- Hits
- Rolls
All-in-one (Taiko Low)
All available beaters and techniques for the Low Taiko drum presented across the keyboard
All-in-one (Taiko High)
All available beaters and techniques for the High Taiko drum presented across the keyboard
Toms
A spread set of vintage silver single headed toms, adept at both slow and rapid accented passages owing to their extremely clear and resonant tone.
Sticks
Performances with wooden drum sticks producing a hard and immediate attack with a powerful tone
- Hits
- Rolls
Sticks on Rims
Performances with wooden drum sticks on the rim of the drum to produce a 'tapping' sound
- Hits
- Rolls
Sticks (Damped)
Performances with wooden drum sticks and a tea towel placed over the head of the drum for a muted sound
- Hits
- Rolls
Hard Felt
Performances with a hard felt mallet producing a strong attack with a balanced tone
- Hits
- Rolls
Rods
- Performances with wooden rods producing an articulate sound with reduced resonance
- Hits
- Rolls
Brushes
Performances with dense nylon brushes producing a softer attack but with plenty of body
- Hits
- Rolls
All-in-one (Low Toms)
All available beaters and techniques for the lower pitched Toms presented across the keyboard
All-in-one (High Toms)
All available beaters and techniques for the higher pitched Toms presented across the keyboard
Mics and mixes
Mix 1
A full-sounding room mix by Simon Rhodes, formed from Tree 1, Overheads, Outriggers 1, and a curated blend of spots.
Mix 2
A tighter mix by Simon Rhodes, formed from Tree 2, Mids and Outriggers 2 with a curated blend of spots.
Section Overhead
A set of large diaphragm condenser microphones above the orchestral section capturing a clear representation of the instruments in the space.
Close 1
A blend of spot mics close to the source. Used in conjunction with the other close mics and section overhead to achieve the desired close sound.
Close 2
An alternative blend of spot mics which add body and air to the source.
Close Ribbons
A pair of close ribbon mics capturing a rounded and detailed image.
Tree 1
A decca tree formed of Abbey Road’s finest trio of classic valve omnidirectional microphones creating a lush and full sound.
Tree 2
A tighter, closer decca tree formed from mics with a more directional pattern, suited to faster, more detailed material.
Outriggers 1
Used in conjunction with either tree to obtain a wider image. This pair utilises omnidirectional mics to reproduce the full width of Studio One.
Outriggers 2
Used together with either tree to obtain a wider image. This pair uses mics with a more directional pattern, pulling the edges of the room inwards.
Mids
A pair of valve REDD mics placed between the conductor and the source which adds extra focus to the sound when combined with the Tree and Outriggers.
Ambients
A pristine pair of small diaphragm omnidirectional microphones to the rear of the room for a natural ambience.
Vintage 1
A pair of original RM1B microphones placed in front of the conductor, combined with some classic ribbons to form a vintage scoring stage sound.
Vintage 2
A pair of classic 44BX microphones placed by the conductor for an alternative vintage scoring stage sound.
Pop Close
A Simon Rhodes mix of close mics panned centrally to give a flexible image not restricted to the orchestral layout.
Spill
A summation of spot mics placed around the other sections. These capture the natural 'spill' from the source across the orchestra for added realism.
Effects
Reverb
A bespoke IR developed at Abbey Road Studios
Testimonials
A Studio One Percussion library has been on my mind for quite some time. I heard an early first build of this instrument over the speakers in Studio One control room and it really sounded, and felt like, Joby was out in the room playing, it was quite disorientating and rather extraordinary. Spitfire Audio are undoubtedly the best team in the world to deliver something truly groundbreaking. The bar has been raised exceedingly high and this is only the beginning for the Abbey Road Orchestra series. It feels like we are all in for a remarkable journey.
Mirek Stiles — Head of Audio Products, Abbey Road Studios
I can easily see myself going to this as a main percussion library - Playability is excellent, mic selection and control is fantastic... What really jumps out at me is you can get a focused sound while still getting a really great sense of the room - and what an incredible room!
Jeff Grace — Composer, Sweet Tooth, Netflix
Huge yet capable of delicacy, natural and lively, and with the legendary sound of Abbey Road Studio One, this percussion collection is a fantastic foundation for any score. It coexists nicely in my template with the more aggressive and processed sound of Hammers, and is an exciting first chapter in Spitfire’s latest Abbey Road Orchestra series!
Charlie Clouser — Composer, SAW
I love this library. I’m so impressed with what you all have created with this. This library means a lot to me because I can’t always find the right textures and timbres for low percussion instruments. I’ve been geeking out the past few days while feeling around. Still going digging, but I love it. And the brushes?!?!? Thank you for incorporating brushes. It’s sooooo hard to find sample libraries that include brushes and even hot rods. I’m so impressed. And it all feels authentic.
EmmoLei Sankofa — Composer and Producer
There is a delicious naturalness to these sounds. They are beautifully open, 3 dimensional, and truly cavernous, without leaning into artificial processing. Perfect for when one really wants to sink into the abyss. What I like about these sounds is that, although they beg to be used at full-pelt and full-blast, the space they imply they make me want to hide them just out of earshot. This is a hard trick to pull-off, and that it does with such class is a testament to the quality of these sounds
Sebastian Gainsborough — Composer, The Northman
FAQs
What is the difference between Abbey Road Orchestra and Abbey Road One?
Abbey Road Orchestra - Low Percussion is the first instalment in the new Abbey Road Orchestra product line. Crafted for professional composers, producers, sound designers and music editors, Abbey Road Orchestra brings you every section of the orchestra in breath taking detail. It’s the culmination of over 20 years of sampling experience and innovation.
Abbey Road One is a range of ensemble libraries captured in Studio One at Abbey Road, created by Spitfire Audio in partnership with Abbey Road Studios. This is made up of a core library called Abbey Road One: Orchestral Foundations, and then smaller libraries called Abbey Road One: Film Scoring Selections series.
The Selections are smaller and more focused libraries inspired by classic films, offering pre-orchestrated instrument pairings and themes. Featuring pre-arranged ensembles of classic orchestral pairings, each Selection is designed to help you accomplish a simple task phenomenally well.
What makes Abbey Road Orchestra modular?
Over the coming years, Spitfire will release each section of the orchestra, bit by bit in huge detail. Similar to that of the BML / Sable range in Spitfire's history, each section can be purchased separately to suit your needs. The practical difference is that each Abbey Road Orchestra release will install into the same plugin, ensuring you don't need to load multiple different libraries as it will all be housed in one plugin.
Is this product available with an educational discount?
Yes, this library will be available with an educational discount. Request your educational discount here.
The Educational Discount will apply to the full RRP of the library, not the introductory offer, so any codes received during the promotional period will only “top up” the discount to 30%.
Read more FAQs for this productTech specs
Mac system requirements
Mac OS X 10.15 to OS 14
Minimum: 2.8GHz i5 minimum (quad-core), 8GB RAM
Recommended: 2.8GHz I7 (six-core), 16GB RAM
Both Intel and Apple Silicon/ARM are supported
32-bit systems are not supported.
PC system requirements
Windows 10 or Windows 11 - (Latest Service Pack, 64-bit)
Minimum: Intel 2.8 GHz i5 (quad-core) or AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM
Recommended: Intel Core i7 6th gen and later or AMD Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM
32-bit systems are not supported.
File size
~166528 samples
95.3 GB download size
100 GB disk space required during install
Abbey Road Orchestra: Low Percussion sounds great with…
