New novel instrument concept for Native Instruments Kontakt 4
Cinematque Instruments has announced Gecko, a novel instrument concept for Native Instruments Kontakt 4, which gives you the ability to quickly compose countless variations of certain instrument categories.
The principle of Gecko is based on the simultaneous use of up to 6 sounds – each of them can be loaded into sound-slots with an excess of 20 well-prepared sound-sources which come from the entire Cinematique Instruments library enriched by several new sound creations.
Gecko features
- SSM Core. (Simultaneous sound matrix: 6 slots x each 20 sounds = over several thousand options mathematically speaking).
- No loading time.
- Easy and intuitive use.
- Timbre switches (EQs, speaker simulation).
- Master edit knobs (Attack/ Release, Highpass/ Lowpass and Reverb).
- Separate pan and volume control.
- Volume automation via midi-controller and sequencer recording.
- Outstanding „Randomize !“ function – Leave to chance!
- Seven instrument categories.
- Scenes (pre installed sound programs).
Gecko Complex Environs (featuring a limited amount of functions) is now available as a free download. The first Gecko instrument — Odd Mallets, will be available shortly.
More information: Cinematique Instruments Gecko
Kontakt 4.2 is here
NI is pleased to announce that the KONTAKT 4.2 update is now available for free download. The update contains several new features, workflow improvements, and fixes.
Some new features and bugs fixed:
– Even faster loading and saving, thanks to a new binary file format.
– A new zero-latency convolution engine, with optimized performance for low-latency settings.
– Revised master output section with presets – for saving complex routing setups – and advanced macro functions.
– Improved file import for most standard workstation formats.
– You can now enter numerical values for parameters directly.
– On Mac OS X®, 64 bit support for VST® plug-ins and REX file import.
The Kontakt 4.2 update is now available to download using the NI Service Center or the Online Update Manager. 
Microhammer for Kontakt
Microhammer has released the February 2011 Bundle, a collection of sample libraries for Native Instruments Kontakt.
We are excited to bring you our latest four products: “Metal Bowls”, “Borosilicate Bells”, “99 Beer Bottles” and “Gnomehammer Vol. 2″ in an affordable bundle collection. The bundle is only valid until our next release, so grab it while you can. The original price is $66, however we are offering it for mere $45.
Microhammer February 2011 Bundle features
- Metal Bowls
- Borosilicate Bells
- 99 Beer Bottles
- Gnomehammer Vol. 2
- Format(s): Kontakt 3 and .wav
- Note: Native Instruments Kontakt 3.5 and later. Full retail versions required for Kontakt instruments.
- Note: Free Kontakt Player does not support this product. Full version required.
The Microhammer February 2011 Bundle is available to purchase for $45 USD (original price $66 USD). The offer expires upon the next microhammer release.
More information: Microhammer / February 2011 Bundle
Sounds of the Quadra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CXuc89lzgg
Update to Sounds of the quadra,now with better interface,sequencer updates, resonance in poly synth now better and lots of other great features.
Here’s what Synth Magic has to say about their virtual ARP Quadra:
This instrument has an user interface based on a real Quadra’s front panel. Once loaded into your Kontakt sampler, the thousands of lines of programming code creates a virtual Quadra synth experience with all the functionality of a real Quadra. All Sliders and envelopes have been calibrated and timed to behave like a real Quadra and there are lots of great extra features that really bring the Quadra synthesiser into the modern world.
Each section of the Quadra has been sampled.Every single note in every octave for every sound. There are no stretching of any samples across a key range for a true authentic sound.The programming code creates all the envelope calibrations as well as the Bass synth, String synth, Poly synth and lead synthesiser’s beautiful graphical user interface which allows the user to shape the sound from the front panel, just like a real Quadra. There are seperate effects sections for each synth section of the Quadra and an analogue sequencer that, again, draws its inspiration from ARP’s 1970′s sequencer and really gets the creative juices flowing.
Sounds of the Quadra retails for £19.99 GBP.
A pure Mellotron M400 treat
Puremagnetik has released Microtron™ XL, a bundle of 3 tapes from Puremagnetik’s popular Microtron series.
All of the original performance nuances of the Mellotron M400 have been immaculately captured through a Neumann U47 Microphone and Reeves Custom 50 Amplifier.
Microtron XL integrates seamlessly into Ableton Live 8, Kontakt 3/4 and Logic 8/9. It comes packed with a palette of 9 expertly recorded instruments and over 1 Gigabyte of multisample content.
The Ableton Live version contains 9 individual multisampled instruments and a full “tape” instrument that has similar sound blending functionality as found on the original M400. Microtron XL also comes packed with over 150 professionally performed phrases complete with Macro and effects integration.
Microtron XL for Kontakt includes all 9 multisampled instruments complete with effects and a custom KSP user interface. Logic and Kontakt versions both come with a collection of over 150 professionally performed Apple Loops in SIAL format.
Microtron XL includes the following instruments as programmed from the original tapes.
- MK II Flute – Undoubtedly the sound that defines Mellotron, the MKII flute instantly conjures images of 1967 Abbey Road. Not only the most famous Mellotron sound, but perhaps the eeriest, the MKII flute’s dubious pitching has been in question throughout the decades. The change in timbre (they say two flutes were used) and odd intonation only adds to the haunting and mesmerizing character of this timeless sound.
- Octave Recorders – The Octave Recorder is a newer sound composed of soprano, alto and tenor recorders. Playing fast staccato chords on this one can make it sound a bit like a harmonium. It has a solid woody tone with breathy articulations and is definitely a contender to fill up the mix with some organic elements.
- Cello – Renown for its melancholy timbre and described by some as “wheezing and groaning” the Cello sound was originally recorded in the 1960s. A double bassist was used for the lower registers. Apparently the original session cellist did not wish to detune his cello for fear of damaging the instrument. Nonetheless, the Microtron Cello recording is undoubtedly a unique character in the tape library.
- Clarinet – The original Mk1 Clarinet that was discontinued but re- introduced for Puremagnetik’s Microtron series. Warm and woody, the Microtron clarinet has an authentic sound that captures a vintage flavor all its own. The Microtron clarinet patch is programmed an octave higher for quick harmonic layering with other Microtron sounds.
- French Horn – Big and brassy, the Microtron French Horn is a uniquely expressive addition to the Microtron collection.
- Glenn Miller – Glenn Miller disappeared from the radar in 1944, but now he has returned for one last swingin’ arrangement in your DAW!
Glenn Miller inspires hours of fun and creativity with layered brass sounds, warped, flanged and mangled in the classic Mellotron tape style. - Brass – The recorded combined output of two saxophones, two trumpets and a trombone, this is a powerful and punchy sound much beloved of King Crimson, Rick Wakeman, The Moody Blues and even John Lennon who thoughtfully recorded most of a demo of ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ using the black Mellotron Mk II he kept on his half landing. Never fails to impress. Never fails to scare small children either.
- 8 Voice Choir – Certainly one of the major ‘classic’ Mellotron sounds, and perhaps the most arresting, this recording of four females and four males was first used in the early 1970s with the advent of the M400 and was widely used by rock groups who found that the sound of a Mellotron was a bit better than the sound of their chronic off-key harmonising.
- String Section – A combination of violins, viola and cello, these multisampled strings are pre-arranged to sound huge! Layer them together in chords or clusters for some outlandish string effects.
Microtron XL is available to purchase for $29 USD
More information: Puremagnetik / Microtron XL
Quick demo of virtual Quadra for Kontakt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0z4nJieGeE
SPFX has released Sounds of the Quadra , a sample library for Native Instrument Kontakt. This is a fully fledged instrument for Kontakt 4, based on ARP’s 1978 Quadra synthesizer and has a beautiful, intuitive user interface based on the real Quadra’s front panel. As you may be aware the ARP Quadra has four synthesizer sections; there are Bass Synth, String Synth, Poly Synth and Lead Synth sections
SPFX has released Sounds of the Quadra, a sample library for Native Instrument Kontakt.
This is a fully fledged instrument for Kontakt 4, based on ARP’s 1978 Quadra synthesizer and has a beautiful, intuitive user interface based on the real Quadra’s front panel.
As you may be aware the ARP Quadra has four synthesizer sections; there are Bass Synth, String Synth, Poly Synth and Lead Synth sections. Each section has been recreated and a whole host of exciting extra features have been added, such as velocity to volume, pitchbend, effects processors, extra filters, lfo’s and more. There is even a 16 step analogue style sequencer based on ARP’s 1970′s design.
Plughugger brings you Nerd Electro
Plughugger has announced the release of Nerd Electro, a new loop and sample library in Kontakt 3, SFZ, Reason and WAV formats.
Before house, acid, techno and trance – there was a magical world often referred as ‘the 80s’. In the eighties the unicorns roamed free on the streets and people had hairstyles that defied style, sense and gravity. Before house – and particularly the nasty acid house – came and destroyed everything, and made everybody so incredibly hip, life was cute, poppy and quite naive.
Nerd Electro is the Plughugger take on the eighties, when synthesizers were expensive as hell, weighted a ton, were impossible to program, and sounded just slightly better than the keyboards for Very Small Children.
Nerd Electro features
- Nerd Electro is built around ten construction kits that includes loops, individual sounds and ready to go sampled instruments.
- All loops have a fixed tempo of 128 BPM.
- All drums both come as complete loops and individual stems.
- If a sound source is heavily processed, it also comes dry (if it makes sense).
- Everything was originally created in 24 bits and later resampled and dithered down to 16 bit.
- The Kontakt versions of the sounds comes with a special interface for quick editing of the most common parameters.
- Formats: Kontakt 3, Reason, SFZ and WAV.
Nerd Electro is available to purchase for €9.90 EUR.
More information: Plughugger / Nerd Electro
Capture the characteristics of the legendary EDP Wasp synthesizer
Vespine is a free sound a Micropack from Puremagnetik that includes over 30 expertly tailored programs that fully capture the characteristic charm of the legendary EDP Wasp synthesizer. Owners of Ableton Live 8.2.1, Kontakt 3.5 or Logic 8 can load up an arsenal of sounds derived from the classic analog hardware. Get the Vespine Micropak now from http://www.puremagnetik.com/…
The Wasp is a quirky little synthesizer that, despite its toyish look, is quite capable of funky analog sounds. It really is black and yellow too, just like the insect it is named for. Probably its most distinguishing feature is the keyboard and its non-moving touch-sensitive keys. That’s right, the flat little keys are only sensitive to your electro-static touch. It’s a nifty technology for 1978, but in reality they are difficult and unreliable to play. The WASP is powered by two digital oscillators supported by analog filters, envelopes and controls. This makes it one of the earliest digital/analog hybrid synthesizers to come in such a compact package, and it sounds great! The Wasp offers flexible and traditional synthesis of cool bass, synth, and other classic monophonic sounds. Its designer, Chris Hugget, also designed the Oxford Synthesizer Company’s OSCar Synthesizer. The Wasp has been used by 808 State, Dave Holmes, Vince Clarke, WhiteHouse and Add N to (X).
Vespine comes packed with a variety of programs that fully exhibit the characteristic sound of the Electric Dream Plant’s Wasp synthesizer.
Vespine Features:
• Close to 600 hi quality 24-bit multi-samples
• Programmed with modern sampler features for voice layering & polyphony variations
• Live version includes over 30 expertly designed rack instruments
• Kontakt version includes native Kontakt effects and a custom KSP GUI for easy editing
Free samples from the legendary waldorf microwave xt
Max Pfetscher is proud to announce his first free sample release titled: noizefield – noizedrumz vol.1 All sounds are sampled from the legendary waldorf microwave xt. you can download the samples includind 3 Native Instuments Kontakt patches for free. Get it now from http://www.noizefield.com/wp…
Kontakt 4.2 public beta
Native Instruments has announced the release of Kontakt 4.2 public beta, the latest version of its flagship sampler instrument for Windows and Mac.
The upcoming free KONTAKT 4.2 update will bring a lot of enhancements, including a new and more efficient binary file format, zero-latency convolution, additional import formats as well as 64-bit VST and Rex file support under Mac OS X.
For this reason, the Kontakt team has decided to set up a public beta test. This means that, starting immediately, registered Kontakt 4 owners can download a fully functional 4.2 beta version, and submit eventual bug findings to the Kontakt team over a special “bug tracker” web page.
As a Kontakt user, your main motivation to join the public beta test should be to help make sure that version 4.2 is rock solid! This is a pre-release version and should be used with caution in performance-critical environments.
Registered Kontakt 4 owners may participate in the public beta by signing up at Native Instruments.
More information: Native Instruments / Kontakt 4.2 public beta
DATAMASKIN
