February 4, 2008
I noticed that I get a lot of visitors coming to my website looking for information about Kontakt. I present to you answers to many of the search queries about Kontakt 3. At the bottom of the page there are links to some useful websites.
Kontakt library vs EXS24 Kontakt can import EXS24 files. As for which has a better library straight out of the box, my vote would go for the Kontakt library. I was not really impressed with the jam packs that came included with Logic Studio. The Logic 7 included library was not that great either. If you are looking for loops, the Logic Studio library would be best. However, the Kontakt library has a miniature Vienna Symphonic Library and Horns that were made by Chris Hein. Although alot of the sample were produced by NI, it’s still a pretty good library to get one started. Bottom line is Logic Studio comes with “over 10 gigabytes of incredible sounds to complement any production,” according to the apple website. Kontakt 3 comes with “over 33 GB of world-class samples and 1000 instruments.”
Logic 8 and Kontakt I have been running Kontakt 3 and Logic Studio and have had no problems. I have been able to crash it though. I ejected an Akai formatted cd while it was visible in the sample browser. That caused it to freeze and also crashed Logic. One of the things that I greatly enjoy much more in Logic 8 is that it is easier to setup Kontakt. When you select it from the AU list, it presents you with several configurations, i.e., 8 Stereo 8 Aux, Surround, etc. Also it should be noted that
the Audio Unit (AU) and RTAS versions of Kontakt 3 only allows for a maximum assignable 16 mono channels. While the VST version allows for up to 32 mono channels. To use it as a multi-out instrument, you will need to setup auxiliary channels in some programs such as Logic and ProTools. If you make any changes to the outputs of the Kontakt 3 plugin, you will need to reinitialize it. When the plugin is initialized, it notifies the host sequencer of how many outputs it has available.
Kontakt 3 multiprocessor support There is some talk in the Native Instrument user forums that say that Kontakt 3 is having problems with multi-processor support and the plugin has it turned off by default.
Kontakt player Intel MAC compatibility The latest version 3.02 will work on Intel MACs. Kontakt 3 can also open many of the the libraries that the Kontakt Player can open. But it is often recommended by the library manufacturer to use the Kontakt player due to the fact that Kontakt 3 has some changes under the hood that can affect the sampler libraries sound.
EXS24 vs Kontakt Both of these are fine samplers. I actually use both depending on what I am doing. I have not experienced the new sampler editor that comes in logic 8. However, I do prefer Kontakt over EXS24 because it fits my style of working better. I find the sample setup in the EXS24 slows down my work flow. I wrote a post on this previously. You can read it here: Samplers.
Using Kontakt with Cubase The VSTi versions should work with any version of Cubase that supports VST technology. According to the Steinberg website, Nuendo 4 ( this should be the same for Cubase) supports VST3 and is backwards compatible with previous VST standards but they recommend to use only VST2.3 or VST2.4 Standard and higher. If you make any changes to the outputs of the Kontakt 3 plugin, you will need to reinitialize it. When the plugin is initialized, it notifies the host sequencer of how many outputs it has available. I am no authority on whether older versions of Kontakt will work properly in the recent versions of Cubase. I’m still using Cubase SX2 and I have yet to install Kontakt 3 on my windows machine. Still rocking Kontakt 1.5!!!!
Propellerheads Reason vs Kontakt 3 I would strongly recommend a Kontakt + Sequencer set up but the answer to this is really up to the person. Reason has everything you need in it. It has samplers, rex players, synths etc. But that’s all it has. You only get what Propellerheads give you. I never been a big fan of Reason. Mainly because I like my VST/AU plugins. I did try using Reason 1 but didn’t like the way it was designed. I do have a version of Reason Adapted for Digidesign installed on my MacBook, but I have yet to really use it.
Can Kontakt open Reason’s NN-XT format? The answer is not directly. Reason Refills are encrypted. The Kontakt manual says that you need to export the sample out of the NN-XT as an SXT file, then import it in to Kontakt.
Kontakt 3 dongle There is no dongle for Kontakt 3. Native Instruments opted to use an over the internet activation using the N.I. Service Center. It’s pretty painless but can be a bit of a hassle if your computer is not hooked up to the internet.
Does kontakt 1 work with Cubase SX2? Yes it does. If you are using Kontakt 1 I would recommend that you upgrade to the 1.5. It has several improvements over the original. Nothing major but small things like direct from disk and bug fixes. If you got the cash, I would say just update to the latest version. It will cost about $150 if you order direct from Native Instruments.
Using Plugins in Kontakt Kontakt does not have the capability to host plugins. It does have it’s own set of effects.
Using Kontakt 3 in Logic Pro 7 I have written a tutorial on how to setup Kontakt 3 and Logic pro 7. This should also work with Kontakt 2.
Is Kontakt 3 backwards compatible?Kontakt 3 can import instruments that were made in previous versions of Kontakt. I have used Kontakt 2 and 1.5 instruments in Kontakt 3 without a problem. However there appears to be some problems with the Garritan Big Band and Jazz Library in Kontakt 3.
Kontakt 3 importing refills Kontakt can not import refills. See the reason above in “Can Kontakt open Reason’s NN-XT format?”
How to sample using Kontakt Kontakt has never had the ability to record like a hardware sampler. In order to sample you will need to do record or edit your audio in an audio editor and then import the sample in to, Kontakt. From there you can setup your instrument to your liking.
Converting Kontakt program to Akai s2000The s2000 can not import a Kontakt instrument directly. If you want to use a Kontakt instrument in an Akai, you will need to use a sample converter such as Chicken Sys’ Translator or CdExtract. It also depends on the way the sample is saved in Kontakt. Often times the samples will not be embedded in the Kontakt file. If this is the case you can just import the samples in to an Akai. Just for your information Kontakt 3 can import Akai s1000 (cd-rom), s3000 / Mesa (cd-rom, .s3p, .sp), s5000/6000 Program and Multi (.akp, .akm), z-4/z-8 (.akp), MPC Sound/Program (.snd, .pgm).
Native Instruments Kontakt 3 users manual Kontakt 3 comes with a printed manual and a Spanish, German and English pdf version that is included when you install it. When I bought my Kontakt upgrade here in Japan, the printed manual was in English and it came with a cd that contained a pdf version in Japanese.
Kontakt Player and Reason Kontakt player is just a sample player that loads samples from pre-made (Garritan, East West, etc.,). Reason is a closed system that can not use any outside plugins. In short both are closed systems that can not access each other.However you can import samples into Reason’s samplers and many sample libraries are available as refills.
Kontakt 3 and Kontakt 2 samples Kontakt 3 is backwards compatible with most samples from previous versions of Kontakt. I have not had any problems with any of my samples that I have made in Kontakt 1.5 or from Kontakt 2. However it has been documented that the Garritan Jazz and Big Band sample library does not work properly with Kontakt 3.
Kontakt player vs EXS24 The big difference between the 2 is that Kontakt player is just a sample player as mentioned above. EXS24 is a full fledged sampler that is available in logic.
Kontakt 1.5 and Intel Macs Kontakt 1.5 is not compatible with the Intel mac line. Native Instruments made it compatible from version 2.2.
How to record (audio / midi) using Kontakt Kontakt relies on midi from the host sequencer or input source for it to play anything. You can record MIDI to trigger Kontakt. To record audio, all you have to do it just export or bounce the MIDI part to audio in your sequencer’s export options.
Where to put the Kontakt library You can put the Kontakt library anywhere you want. Kontakt can add the location to it’s database. I didn’t install my library to my hard disk due to space issues. Since the library is not in the monolith format, I have the .nki files from the library update installed on my drive. However they don’t point to anything because the samples are still on the cd’s. If I try to use one of the .nki files from the library I have to tell Kontakt the location of the files. If you move the library, you will need to have Kontakt rebuild the sample database. In Kontakt 3 file browser select the database tab and select rebuild.
How to make a mono channel in Kontakt 3To make a mono channel, select the conf. button on the bottom of the channel strip in the Kontakt mixer. In the upper right of the option window it will have a setting that says audio channels. In the box enter or select 1. This setting controls how many channels a channel strip can control.
Many of the questions that most users will have can be answered at the following websites.
Native Instruments Kontakt user forum
how to setup Kontakt 3 and Logic pro 7
Native Instruments
Supported Sample Formats that Kontakt 3 can Import.
Apple’s Logic Studio and Logic Express information at apple.com
Apple’s Logic Forum
Big Blue Lounge Forums
Logic Pro Help Forum a great place for all your Logic information.
Logic Users Group
Sonik Matter Logic Forums
Steinberg’s Website
Steinberg User Forums
Propellerheads Website
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