Native Instruments Symphony Essentials Percussion KONTAKT DVDR-SYNTHiC4TE

probably becuase it's the 'essentials' version

because it's symphony essentials and not symphony series (which would be 29GB) - if not mistaken.

Well, what you 'need' is subjective, and you seem to be implying that 'Essentials' have the same amount of instruments and so on, that when put together they add up to the same as having the full Symphony Series, this is not accurate. Compare the two versions:

SYMPHONY SERIES – PERCUSSION
The full-sized set of professional scoring tools. SYMPHONY SERIES – PERCUSSION offers flexibility, versatility, and a creative workflow. With 55 individual percussion instruments, five separate mic mixes, on-board effects, and ergonomic controls, it’s the precision set of tools needed to cover any scoring task, from film to games to studio.

29 GB (compressed)
55 recorded instruments
66 NKIs, including 7 Kits
Tremolo, Crescendo Roll, Flam, Edge variations and FX articulations
Drum Head Resonance Simulation
5 microphone mixes including spot microphone, with Mixer page
Effects page with EQ, Reverb, Compression, and Filter


SYMPHONY ESSENTIALS – PERCUSSION offers the same professional sound in a compact library of the 18 most important percussion instruments. A wide range of articulations, powerful performance features, on-board effects, and a unified workflow make this an essential tool for composers and producers of all genres.

4 GB (compressed)
18 recorded instruments
21 NKIs, including 1 Kit
Tremolo, Crescendo Roll, Flam, Edge variations and FX articulations
Drum Head Resonance Simulation
1 stereo microphone mix, no Mixer page
Effects page with EQ, Reverb, Compression, and Filter