In this review, we’ll take a look at what’s new in Kontakt 7 by Native Instruments and why it might be time to upgrade from earlier versions. And if you don’t currently own Kontakt, now might be a good time to take the leap.
Kontakt 7 is a software sampler that allows users to manipulate sampled instruments and synthesized sounds within a digital environment empowering musicians and producers with an expansive library of samples and innovative functionalities to achieve high-end sound production. With each iteration, Native Instruments has pushed the boundaries introducing new features and enhancements to empower creators worldwide.
So what’s new in Kontakt 7 and is it time to upgrade? Let’s take a look at some new features and advancements offered by Kontakt 7 and how it can enhance your production.
NEW IN KONTAKT 7 – IMPROVED BROWSER
Maintaining a smooth workflow is essential when it comes to sound production. However, nothing disrupts this flow more than spending excessive time searching for the perfect sound. To alleviate this issue, Native Instruments made a complete overhaul of the user browser experience inside of Kontakt 7. Introducing a new browser that enables you to effortlessly search, filter, and even audition sounds from a wide array of instruments, as well as view, presets, editable tags, and custom instruments. For those who have grown used to the traditional library browser interface, NI decided to keep that familiar look while introducing a new browser that can be toggled through the browser icon.
Beyond just aesthetic improvements and the ability to resize the window for a wider view, the new browser gives the user access to sounds, rather than solely focusing on instruments. Sounds are easily discovered through filtering, search functionalities, and audio previews. Imported 3rd party libraries and custom instruments are now accessible from one interface.
IMPROVED INTEGRATION WITH KONTROL S-SERIES MK3
With the launch of the Kontrol S-Series MK3 keyboard, utilizing Kontakt has become more tactile and user-friendly than ever before. The Kontrol S-Series serves as the hardware interface for your software instruments. Including a high-resolution screen to easily and conveniently set up key switches and auto-mapping controls for a satisfactory workflow at your fingertips all thanks to the next-generation NKS technology.
INTRODUCING THE KONTAKT 7 FACTORY LIBRARY
The newly redesigned Factory Library raises the standard for sonic quality and variety. It includes 7 brand-new collections with over 900 meticulously sampled instruments and 43GB of recorded samples ranging from organic sounds to ethereal synthesizers. It is an expansive variety of acoustic and electronic instruments offering endless playability and customization options. It includes:
Vintage
As a fan of vintage gear and analog tones, I found myself spending countless hours exploring Vintage, one of the latest instruments included in the new Kontakt library. This collection alone comes equipped with a diverse selection of 292 electronic instruments, each including the familiar warm essence of analog synthesis, tube compression, and tape saturation. As well as iconic tones of sought-after synths, drum machines, and vintage equipment that traditionally cost an arm and a leg to own.
Synths
Synth is fully loaded with ethereal soundscapes full of life and vintage vibes of FM modular synthesis. I spent countless hours diving deep into its presets, and let me tell you, it’s a treasure trove. Whether I’m crafting ethereal pads, soaring leads, or intricate arpeggios, Synth delivers with outstanding results. Synth comes equipped with over 500 presets will a wide option to modify and control your sounds.
Choir
The Choir collection has everything you need for all your vocal instrument needs. What particularly caught my attention in the latest version are the individually crafted presets featuring vowels like Aah, Eh, I, Ooh, Uh, and Mmm, alongside sustain, marcato, staccato, and further articulations. From my several hours of diving into this instrument, I felt this addition alone brings a new level of depth and realism for composers looking for authentic-sounding vocals to their production.
Band
As a musician myself, I find that Kontakt 7’s Band collection provides all the organic instruments I need to compose a jam session with myself. Whether I am diving into rock, funk, or my poor attempts at being a jazz musician, the Band collective offers a wide variety of authentic sounds that resonate with musical sensibilities. From newly added acoustic and electric guitars to basses, organs, horns, and pianos. Band makes my struggle of being a solo musician slightly easier with quality instruments at my fingertips.
What’s particularly impressive about Band is the attention to detail and tone in every single instrument provided. Not only does it feature such a diverse range of sounds, but also includes a section of drum kits with complete preset grooves that can be easily exported using MIDI drag and drop. Therefore, it has become my versatile tool to bring my musical ideas to life.
Beats
Every musician requires a great balance between authentic acoustic instruments and electronic instruments. As someone who enjoys not only producing rock music, but also hip-hop and synth wave, the overhaul of Kontakt 7’s Beats collection has truly made my musical exploration a more enjoyable experience. Now, when I’m looking to find my flow and lay down rhythmic patterns fast, the Beats collection is officially my go-to tool in Factory Library 2.
Built with 288 pre-made grooves ranging over 90 kits to choose from, or the option to free-play your own rhythms using your MIDI keyboard. Perhaps what excites me the most is the ability to export groove patterns into my DAW for further editing via MIDI drag and drop which is a major convenience to my workflow.
Acoustic
Orchestral
When it comes to fulfilling my cinematic orchestral needs, there’s no doubt that Kontakt 7’s Orchestral collection is my first and final stop to achieve the highest quality of symphonic creation. This comprehensive and integrated collection of sampled strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments is nothing short of extraordinary.
This overhauled collection is filled with rich instruments from Orchestral Tools, the folks that brought you The Berlin Series. It achieves a level of authenticity and quality that resonates with every note played. What truly sets the Orchestral collection apart is the widespread acclaim among AAA production. Whether I am composing for film, television, or video games, the Orchestral collection stands to deliver the majestic emotions I am looking for in my production.
Returning Libraries
- Analog Dreams: Seamlessly merge timeless vintage synth sounds with contemporary creative effects. Filled with rich mellow pads, sharp bass tones, and cutting-edge leads to recreate an 80’s new wave vibe.
- Hybrid Keys: Blending sampled pianos, synthesizers, mallets, and a plethora of other sonic elements, infusing them with creative effects to forge an entirely new sound. Whether you are craving a gritty distortion, lush reverb, or warm tape saturation, Hybrid Keys delivers the tools to forge your own sonic creation.
- Ethereal Earth: Sonic exploration filled with soundscapes and textures that defy convention. Ethereal Earth is a perfect tool for cinema that blends versatile instruments with endless possibilities of synthesized modulations. Create immersive soundscapes and pads that transport listeners to otherworldly realms.
- Retro Machines: A curated selection of 16 iconic analog synthesizers and keyboards, carefully sampled and optimized for easy use within Kontakt. Covering the essence of 1970s and 1980s electronic pop that shaped the era’s sonic landscape. While the original hardware counterparts have become rare and expensive, Retro Machines provides that vintage sound experience without the hassle of maintenance and costing an arm and a leg.
CONCLUSIONS
Kontakt stands out as a pillar of excellence, offering a vast and diverse collection of sounds that cater to the needs of musicians and producers across all genres and styles. As someone who values quality over quantity, I found that Native Instruments aims to provide quality in every intricate detail they put into their products–sonically and visually. Whether you are a professional or a newcomer to music production, Kontakt 7 offers a level of accessibility that empowers artists of all skill levels to explore new sonic territories to push the boundaries of creativity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jonathan Ontiveros is a sound designer and content creator with roughly 10 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He worked as Lead Sound Designer for Audio Design Desk, a new innovative software that has earned multiple awards such as NAB’s Product of the Year, and has been credited on productions for popular streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu. His passion for audio originates from his background as a musician with over 15 years of experience playing guitar and performing at live events. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Audio Production and has an insatiable thirst for new technology and a natural curiosity regarding sound in general.
EXTRAS
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