Synthesis with NIs Massive
Brian continues his discussion on Native Instruments’ Massive, demonstrating how to use the performance editor and filters to make sweet bass sounds.
Komplete 7 really looks impressive
Native Instruments has introduced Komplete 7, an expanded version of its complete software bundle.
Komplete 7 now combines 24 instruments and effects – including five entirely new products – with over 10,000 sounds and 90 GByte of samples, resulting in a comprehensive suite with unparalleled versatility for music production and performance.
Komplete 7 will be available in September 2010 for a suggested retail price of $559 USD / 499 EUR. An update for owners of Komplete 2/3/4/5/6 will be available for $229 USD / 199 EUR.
Details below.
Native Instruments Komplete 7
KOMPLETE 7 includes the latest versions of Native Instruments’ acclaimed full-featured instruments and effects, ranging from ABSYNTH 5, BATTERY 3.1, FM8, GUITAR RIG 4.1, KONTAKT 4.1 and MASSIVE to the upcoming REAKTOR 5.5. As the next generation of the legendary modular synthesis studio, the new REAKTOR version adds powerful modal and additive synthesis, a revised user interface, the unique “Lazerbass” synthesizer and many enhancements for both instrument builders and musicians.
KOMPLETE 7 also integrates a wealth of instruments and effects based on KONTAKT, KORE, REAKTOR and GUITAR RIG. Products added to the bundle include the acclaimed ABBEY ROAD 60s DRUMS vintage drum library, the radical performance effect THE FINGER by Tim Exile, the sampled electric bass SCARBEE MM-BASS and all four electric pianos from the SCARBEE VINTAGE KEYS series by sampling mastermind Thomas Scarbee, all four acoustic pianos of the CLASSIC PIANO COLLECTION, the cinematic ACOUSTIC REFRACTIONS instrument and the distinctive REAKTOR SPARK synthesizer.
KOMPLETE 7 also incorporates five completely new products that further expand the creative potential of the bundle: The powerful studio reverb REFLEKTOR with its advanced zero-latency convolution engine; the highly expressive REAKTOR PRISM modal synthesizer designed by NI founder Stephan Schmitt; the performance effects suite TRAKTOR’S 12, derived from Native Instruments’ leading DJ software; the new VINTAGE ORGANS instrument with its comprehensive arsenal of painstakingly sampled electromagnetic organs; and the new RAMMFIRE amp emulation that was developed in close collaboration with one of Rammstein’s guitarists, Richard Z. Kruspe.
Every copy of KOMPLETE 7 also includes an NI Online Shop voucher worth $60 / 50 EUR, valid towards any product from the KOMPLETE Instruments and Effects range that is not included in the bundle.
Serious updates with Komplete 7 and Reaktor
Komplete 7, announced today, is the latest edition of Native Instruments’ bundle of virtual studio software. As always, that means a refresh of what’s in the box to recent upgrades of synths like Absynth, FM8, and Massive, plus drum instrument Battery, guitar effects and amp simulation Guitar Rig, and the modular creation powerhouse Reaktor.
In addition, though, today’s Komplete 7 announcement brought some new tools to the table, as seen in the image gallery above. They include a number of surprise effects announcements, and one less-surprising – but intriguing – synth for the new release of Reaktor from NI’s sonic scientist-in-chief.
- Reaktor Prism is a new “modal synth” created by NI founder and Reaktor creator Stephan Schmitt. Stephan walked me through Prism when I visited him in Berlin earlier this summer, and I have to say, it’s one of the software releases I’m most excited about – Stephan’s ideas about synthesis are always refreshing and inspiring. It makes a lot of use of the new objects in 5.5. It’s hard to describe, so stay tuned for more on it soon.
- Reflektor is a “zero-latency” convolution engine for simulating reverbs and other effects.
- Traktor’s 12 brings some of the effects from Traktor into producer’s hands. That’s good news, because some of Traktor’s far-out and granular-based timbres seem a natural for non-DJs.
- Rammfire is a new amp emulation developed with Richard Z. Kruspe of Rammstein.
While some standalone instruments and effects have been casualties of a trimmed Komplete suite — Spektral Delay, Vokoder, B3, and Akoustic Piano come to mind — those are replaced in this version by the addition of extensive soundware for the remaining flagship instruments. Scarbee Vintage Keys and MM-Bass, Abbey Road 60s Drums, and the Classic Piano Collection more than make up for the omission of dedicated piano and organ instruments, folding these instead into the consistent interface of the Kontakt and Battery samplers. You also get some more unusual instrumental creations: Reaktor Spark (also by Schmitt), Tim Exile’s insanely-brilliant performance effect The Finger, and the sonically-adventurous Acoustic Refractions. But the new Komplete also represents some shifts in strategy, ones that mean cheaper access to sounds for those who don’t want all of the editing capabilities. That shift goes beyond even previous player and Kore soundware from NI.
Player for Guitar Rig, Reaktor
In addition to the expanded sonic palette, Komplete reflects a different way of delivering instruments. Guitar Rig Player allows effects to be delivered standalone in a “universal” effects platform. Reflektor and Rammfire are delivered on the Guitar Rig Player platform, a bit like the soundware we’ve seen for Kontakt. Reaktor Player means that Reaktor patches can finally be distributed without having to buy the full release of Reaktor. You’ll get the full, graphical user interface for some brilliant Reaktor patches, without having to buy the whole Reaktor package if you don’t want to edit them. Depending on how much NI exploits this idea, that could make Reaktor a more compelling tool for artists to create new instruments and effects for the platform, at least for those who work with NI directly.
Updated drum sequencer for Native Instruments Reaktor
Peter Dines has updated ParamDrum, a drum sequencer for Native Instruments Reaktor.
The impossible has happened: a ParamDrum update.
It’s got a brilliant skin courtesy of Jonathan Style, a new sound set based on samples from a very popular hardware synth (can you name it?), and at the moment only four new snaps. I could delay release and make more presets, but I want to get this out as soon as possible considering what a wait it’s been since the last update.
ParamDrum for Reaktor is available to purchase for $12.50 USD. The update is free for existing users. Note: this new skinned version only works in Reaktor 5.5 beta.
More information: Peter Dines / ParamDrum
Native Instruments is using a live appearance to tease new hardware
There are two jog wheels, so two “decks” in the sense of platters you can control physically at once. There indeed appear to be mix controls for up to four decks, which makes perfect sense for Traktor’s up-to-four-deck controls.
DJs have some choices when it comes to controller hardware for Traktor; NI themselves have pushed compatibility with a variety of hardware, NI will support MIDI, as that could open up fun applications well beyond just Traktor.
Demo of nativeKONTROL blockLive
This is a demo of nativeKONTROL blockLive, a preset for Livid Instruments Block that turns the controller into a powerful control surface for Ableton Live 8.
nativeKONTROL creates Windows and OS X software solutions that are designed to “empower your MIDI controller, allowing you to focus on making music, while spending less time with a mouse in hand.”
How to expert in oscillators, filters and more
Native Instruments’ Massive synth is a great tool for creating nasty, rocking bass and lead sounds.
In this video Brian demonstrates the basics of using Massive’s oscillators, filters, and other features. He also shows how to enhance your Massive sounds using plug-ins like Transformer
A closer look on NI’s Evolve Mutations
This 4-part video series takes a look at Native Instruments’ Evolve Mutations 2
EVOLVE MUTATIONS 2 takes audio-visual sound design to the next level, bringing 2 GB of new and original sounds for composers of film and TV scores, game sound designers and music producers seeking unique effects and textures. Split into four useful categories, EVOLVE MUTATIONS 2 delivers powerful and dramatic content in a highly convenient package. Created by working pros in the film TV and games industry, EVOLVE MUTATIONS 2 also contains the debut of the incredible new Trigger FX feature for effortless and inspiring transformations.
Evolve Mutations 2 contains over 300 new sounds based on 2 GByte of samples. The material is organized into four categories:
- “Rhythmic Suites” include stirring percussive and tonal loops complete with individual slices and keymapping;
- “Percussive Kits” allow the creation of original percussive beds;
- “Stings & Transitions” support a composition with striking and suspenseful transitional elements;
- “Tonality & FX” provide a range of highly expressive, evocative instruments and pads.
This is the first out of four videos:
Native Instruments and the Deep FREQ
Native Instruments has introduced DEEP FREQ, a powerful effects processing suite for use with KORE 2 and the free KORE PLAYER. Complementing the acclaimed DEEP RECONSTRUCTIONS and DEEP TRANSFORMATIONS packages, DEEP FREQ focuses on intense and intricate frequency manipulation to transform audio material in innovative and inspiring ways.
Created by expert sound designer and producer Denis Gökdag, DEEP FREQ provides 150 sophisticated multi-effect combinations based on the powerful sound processing engines of ABSYNTH, GUITAR RIG and REAKTOR integrated in KORE. Through complex combinations of filters, resonators, frequency shifting, resynthesis, granular synthesis and other advanced algorithms, DEEP FREQ can fundamentally alter and reshape the tonality of beats, melody lines, vocals and any other audio material with spectacular and unconventional results.
Despite the complexity of the underlying effect configurations, the operation of DEEP FREQ is entirely straightforward due to the KORE user interface. The unified parameter mapping within KORE 2 and KORE PLAYER gives immediate, intuitive control over the sonic characteristics of the effects, making DEEP FREQ an especially efficient and immediate sound shaping tool for musicians, producers and DJs.
NI summer special
Native Instruments has launched the Kickstart Your Summer special, which offers a 50% discount on all software updates and upgrades across the NI product range in June. Here’s all the details in their own words…
For producer products, the special offer includes the update versions of the KOMPLETE 6 bundle, the KORE 2 software and those of ABSYNTH 5, BATTERY 3, FM8, GUITAR RIG 4, KONTAKT 4 and REAKTOR 5, including the KONTAKT 4 crossgrade for owners of any KONTAKT PLAYER-based third-party software instrument.
For DJ products, the special offer applies to all update and upgrade versions of TRAKTOR PRO, TRAKTOR DUO and TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO, including the “TRAKTOR SCRATCH Certified” upgrade for selected DJ mixers.
Pricing and Availability:
The “Kickstart Your Summer” special offers are available exclusively in the NI Online Shop from June 1st to June 30th.
More information:
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