There’s a thrill in discovering sample libraries that don’t just fill space, but actively spark new ideas (and make you lose track of time!). Noon Instruments’ Toska and Vessels are two such tools—distinctive, characterful, and designed to inspire. After spending quality time with both, I’ve discovered that they are far more than the typical “cinematic libraries” that saturate the market. Here’s my hands-on take, with a closer look at what each library offers for creative sound design.
Toska: Melancholy as a Creative Engine
Toska is a Russian word describing a deep, often inexplicable longing or melancholy (see what Nabokov had to say about it). Its sounds are steeped in that emotional territory. This library is a 6.5GB collection for Kontakt or Kontakt Player (version 6.4.2+), featuring 168 meticulously crafted presets divided into three main banks: Instruments, Curated Presets, and Relics.
- Instruments: Here you’ll find 83 patches built from a blend of analog synths, brass, strings, woodwinds, vocals, and field recordings. Each patch layers multiple sound sources, introduces subtle modulation, and generates organic movement, so you can easily craft evolving pads, drones, and textural beds.
- Curated Presets: These 58 patches push the sound engine further, offering more experimental and performance-ready options, including leads, pulses, and rhythmic textures. They’re great for those moments when you want instant inspiration but still crave depth.
- Relics: The 27 Relics patches have been re-recorded onto tape and cassette, introducing a beautiful layer of saturation, noise, and lo-fi character. These are perfect for adding warmth and nostalgia to your tracks.
The Interface
The interface is minimalist but full of personality, with controls named Wash, Fog, Mist, Gloom, and Haze. Each parameter is mapped to a specific aspect of the sound—think saturation, stereo width, reverb, micro-delays, and more. There’s also a flexible modulation section, with twin LFOs and assignable macros, making it easy to add movement and complexity. I found that using a MIDI controller like my Novation Launchkey with Komplete Kontrol really unlocks the hands-on potential here, but even with a mouse, it’s intuitive—though some finer adjustments can be fiddly on a trackpad
Toska’s sound is unmistakably cinematic (for lack of better words), but it’s the emotional nuance and evolving, imperfect textures that set it apart. Whether you’re scoring a film, crafting ambient electronica, or adding a layer of depth to experimental pop, Toska delivers sounds that feel alive and full of narrative potential.
If you want to explore the full specs or listen to demos, check out the Toska product page.
Vessels: Resonance and Sonic Materiality
Vessels is Noon Instruments’ largest and most ambitious library to date, weighing in at 26GB and requiring Kontakt or Kontakt Player 7.7.2 or later. The concept here is all about “sonic materiality”—taking analog and digital synths and re-amping them through a range of physical objects and devices, including oil drums, thundersheets, guitar amps, the Korg MS-20, tape decks, and various effects pedals. The result is a set of sounds that feel tactile, resonant, and deeply physical.
- Convergent: This bank offers clean, detailed synth captures, recorded with an ear for natural resonance and subtle overtones. These sounds are perfect for lush pads, atmospheric beds, and evolving textures that don’t overwhelm your mix.
- Divergent: Here, the same sources are re-amped and processed to bring out grit, distortion, and character. The Divergent patches are ideal for darker, edgier moods, and they excel at adding tension or industrial undertones.
- Relics: The Relics category features 20 heavily processed patches, drenched in tape saturation and effects. These are the go-to choices for lo-fi, degraded, and otherworldly textures.
Blending and Space
Vessels’ interface allows you to blend up to four layers per patch, with each layer offering its own set of controls for filtering, envelopes, and effects. The modulation system is robust, with assignable LFOs and macros for dynamic sound shaping. There are over 400 presets in total, spanning arps, atmospheres, keys, pads, and pulses. The onboard effects—filter, EQ, envelope, and a well-chosen selection of reverbs and delays—make it easy to sculpt and personalize each sound.
One thing I really appreciate about Vessels is the sense of space and physicality in every patch. The re-amping process gives the sounds a “lived-in” quality that’s hard to replicate with pure synthesis. It’s a library that rewards deep exploration, and I often found myself layering Convergent and Divergent sources to create hybrid textures that felt unique to each session.
For more details and audio examples, visit the Vessels product page.
More than once during testing, I found myself losing track of time…
What Sets Toska & Vessels Apart
As said, both libraries avoid the trap of generic “cinematic” sounds. Instead, they offer a sense of imperfection and unpredictability that makes them genuinely inspiring. I often found myself writing around a single patch—letting the evolving textures guide the direction of a cue or track. The user interfaces are streamlined, encouraging hands-on exploration without being overwhelming.
If you’re already a fan of experimental libraries, you’ll find a similar creative spark here as in some of my other favorites. For example, Slate + Ash’s Primaries (see our Primaries review) is all about blending orchestral and electronic textures in new ways. We also covered Slate + Ash’s Auras and Cycles, both of which push the boundaries of sound design and creative sampling. Toska and Vessels, albeit consideraly simpler, fit right into that lineage, but with their own distinctive voice.
Pros & Cons
What I love:
- Deeply evocative, evolving textures that invite musical exploration
- Interfaces that make sound shaping intuitive and playful
- A fresh blend of analog, acoustic, and experimental sources
- Sounds that inspire new directions, not just fill space
What could be better:
- Some controls, especially smaller parameters and sliders, can be tricky to adjust precisely if you’re using a trackpad or mouse. A MIDI controller or knob box makes a real difference for hands-on tweaking.
- Vessels is a large install (over 24GB), so plan accordingly
- It’s not Noon Instruments’ fault, but I found that using the libraries within the standalone NI Komplete Kontrol app can lead to audio dropouts. Switching presets can sometimes clear up the issue temporarily.
Pricing and Availability
- Toska: £89, requires Kontakt/Player 6.4.2+
- Vessels: £99, requires Kontakt/Player 7.7.2+
- Both are NKS compatible and run in the free Kontakt Player
- There’s also a bundle option for those who want both at a discount
Final Thoughts on Toska & Vessels
Toska and Vessels are creative partners that invite you to dig deeper, take risks, and find new emotional territory. They are ideal for leftfield electronic music producers and composer. If you’re into labels like Warp, Ghost Box, or the more experimental corners of scoring, you’ll feel right at home. In fact, this is the kind of stuff you can easily get lost in. More than once during testing, I found myself losing track of time, absorbed in the possibilities each patch opened up.
If you’re looking for something with genuine character, handcrafted and full of possibilities, Toska and Vessels are worth your attention. For me, they’re sources of real musical inspiration.
A final recommendation: I found that there is some sonic overlap between the two. You may consider purchasing the bundle. The price is quite reasonable, making it easy to justify having both in your collection. If you can only get one, I would suggest starting with Toska, as it’s more compact (both in terms of file size and presets) and yet highly inspiring.
