Every December, Orchestral Tools drops a little gift into the inboxes of their newsletter subscribers – a tradition that’s been going on long enough that many composers now expect it the way you expect the first cold day of winter. 2025’s present is a €25 voucher, and while that might sound modest at first glance, it’s actually one of the few holiday promotions in the sample library world that can get you something genuinely useful without spending a cent. The credit works on any single item in their store that isn’t already discounted.
To claim your free Orchestral Tools library or instrument enter code holidays-25 at checkoutThe rules are simple, and they’re consistent with what OT has done in previous years: the voucher applies to one product only, it can’t be split across multiple purchases, and it stacks with an EDU discount if you’re eligible. The expiration date is generous too; according to user reports, this year’s code runs all the way until January 31, 2026. That gives you enough time to actually think about what you want and do your research instead of panic‑buying something you’ll never load again.
Now, here’s where things get interesting: Orchestral Tools has a surprisingly deep catalog of individual instruments and small packs priced at €25 or less. That means the voucher doesn’t just soften the price – it zeroes it out. You can walk away with a fully commercial instrument for nothing, and depending on what you pick, it can be a legitimately useful addition to your musical palette. Also, you don’t need a full Kontakt license or any other commercial software since OT offers a free sample player named SINE – compatible with Windows PC and macOS (supported plugin formats are Standalone, VST, VST3, Au, AAX).
And just to be clear, these aren’t stripped‑down teaser patches or “lite” freebies. The instruments you can grab with the voucher come from OT’s commercial catalog, which means you’re getting the real deal: proper round‑robin sampling, multiple dynamic layers and velocities, and the same microphone setups used across their larger libraries. Even the smaller packs follow the same production standards – detailed recordings, consistent editing and enough depth to sit comfortably next to their flagship collections. In other words, you’re not downloading a demo; you’re getting a fully featured instrument built to the same spec as the rest of the SINEplayer ecosystem.
If you browse their Under 50€ guide, you’ll see just how much is on the table. Some of the most popular choices include Andea by Richard Harvey – a collection rooted in South American instruments that’s become one of OT’s sleeper hits – and Salu, which leans into intimate, human textures. There’s Drones by Alexander Hacke for anyone who likes their sound design dark and atmospheric, and the Low End Orchestra which is exactly what it sounds like: a focused toolkit for massive, weighty bottom‑end orchestral colors.
You can also grab material from the acclaimed Berlin Series, which has several components priced low enough to qualify. That includes Berlin Percussion, Berlin Strings SFX and Berlin Brass – all part of OT’s long‑running flagship orchestral line. Beyond the Berlin family, there’s the Korven series, Cetra, LA Sessions, Modus by Jeff Russo, Phoenix Orchestra and multiple entries from the Metropolis Ark line, including Ark 3 and Ark 5. Even some of the more boutique or thematic releases fall into voucher range: Tides by Rachel Portman, Svara, TIME Macro and TIME Micro, depending on which individual instruments or sections you choose.
The variety is wide enough that you can go in almost any direction. If you want a single solo instrument, you’ll find it. If you want a wind, string or brass section, that’s there too. Percussion? Plenty. Drums? Covered. Orchestral textures? Obviously. But there are also non‑orchestral options, hybrid tools, ambient‑leaning packs and FX‑oriented material that can slot into electronic, cinematic or experimental work just as easily as traditional scoring.
What makes this voucher genuinely worthwhile is that it isn’t tied to a specific “holiday instrument” or a curated freebie. You choose what you want. If you’re new to the OT ecosystem, it’s a painless way to test the waters without committing to a full library. If you’re already deep into SINE, it’s a chance to fill a gap – that one missing articulation, that one color you always meant to grab but never prioritized.
In a season full of flashy sales and overhyped “limited‑time” deals, this one stands out because it’s simple and honest. No strings attached, no hoops to jump through. Just a €25 credit for being on their mailing list – a small tradition that, year after year, ends up being one of the most practical holiday offers in the sample library world.
