May 28, 2008
Apparently this is a common problem. After upgrading Logic from 7 to 8, things get broken. During the upgrade things get moved around and because logic depends on a lot of garageband content, some of these files ended up missing. I looked for some way online to fix the problem. Most said to reinstall Logic or to use a program called pacifist to dig out the needed files from the Logic discs. I decided that if it is missing Garageband content, why don’t I just reinstall it. I uninstalled GarageBand recently because I don’t use it do reinstalling it was easy.
If you have missing EXS files in Logic Studio, try reinstalling GarageBand. That might fix it.
Thread on Logic Pro Help forum regarding the missing files after upgrade
Tutorial on the Apple Logic Forum for fixing the missing files
May 27, 2008
Apparently Logic Studio has some new presets. However, Apple also removed many presets that were in Logic Pro 7. I spent the morning moving presets around and installing new (old) ones. If you have any presets saved, you will most likely have to move them to the new installation. You can find them in MAC OSX/Library/Application Support/Previous Logic Settings/ The Logic Studio preset location is MAC OSX/Library/Application Support/Logic/
There is also a section of the Logic Pro Help Forum that is for uploads of presets, and channel strips. http://logicprohelp.com/index.php You can find all the old presets and others there.
May 25, 2008
Being that I don’t have negative hard disk space, I needed to find a way to install the Jam Packs and other audio content to an external drive. I figured that maybe all I would need to do is just put in the Jam pack discs and it would let me install. Wrong, all I got was a file that said use the Logic installer. Apparently the files on the disk are hidden. But doing a little search in google I found a help article on the apple site that explains everything I wanted to know.
Apples help article on how to install Logic content to a different location
Update: It took a little over 2 hours to install the extra content. However I was disappointed to find that there was no option to install the Jam Pack Instruments to a different location. So in the end I just ended up installing the Apple loops and the SoundTrack content.
February 7, 2008
I had a bit of hard time figuring out how to get Logic 7 and Kontakt 3 to work together. It all came down to just setting things up right. This is something I never really had to deal with when I was using Cubase. In Cubase you just select your VSTi and it automatically creates channels in the mixer. No need to worry about how to set route things. If you try to do it the same way in Logic it just doesn’t work out right. You can assign additional instrument channels in Logic to different MIDI channels in Kontakt. The only problem with this is that Kontakt will have only one output in the Logic mixer..
Here’s the way I setup Logic and Kontakt to work together.
Step 1: Select Kontakt in the input section of your instrument channel.
Step 1.5: Let’s stop here and look at how Kontakt deals with audio. There is a built in mixer in Kontakt. You can assign any of the instruments to any of the channels. If you make any changes, you will be prompted to reopen Kontakt so that the changes can take effect. The reason for this is because Kontakt advertises it’s number of outs during instantiation. Therefore it can not change out configuration during use. Also remember that the Kontakt AU (audio unit) plugin only supports up to 16 mono channels (8 Stereo). As you can see I have 8 stereo channels open.
Step 2: Open the environment by selecting Windows>Environment or press command-8.
Step 3: In the box below the tools on the left of the environment (the layer menu) click in it to open a menu and select create. This will create new layer in the environment titled “unnamed”
Step 3.5: Now lets give our new layer a name. I named my layer Kontakt 3 multi.
Step 4: Select New on the menu bar and then from the drop down menu select Multi Instrument.
Step 5: When the new Multi Instrument object appears, all the numbers will have a diagonal line indicating that the MIDI channel is not active. Click on a number to make a channel active. At this point we can also change the name of the Multi Instrument. In the parameter box, click on (Multi Instr.) to change it.
Step 6: While holding alt, click on the right hand side of the Multi Instrument object to select the instrument channel that Kontakt is on. Select Audio>Audio Instrument> choose which instrument channel your plugin is on. In our example it is on Inst 1.
Step 6.5: You will now be presented with a dialog box about the port and channel settings being set. Choose Remove.
Step 7: Next we will setup auxiliary outs, that Kontakt will connect to, in logic. Click New and in the drop down list choose Audio Object at the bottom.
Step 8: In the Audio Object properties, assign the Audio Object’s channel to Auxiliary by clicking on Channel and select Aux and the Aux channel you desire. In our example we assigned it to Aux 1. If you notice in the picture it only shows 3 Aux channels. When you create more, Logic will automatically add more channels.
Step 9: Click on the input button on the Audio Object to assign it to one of Kontakt’s outputs by selecting the the Instrument channel Kontakt is on. In our example it shows Instrument 1. The available channels will always start at 3 because channels 1&2 are already in use by the instrument channel that the plugin is loaded on. As you can see our picture shows stereo channels. To switch the channel type click on the little button below the fader that has a circle or two interlocking circles. 1 circle = mono, 2 interlocking circles = stereo.
Step 9.5: To add more auxiliary channels repeat steps 7 through 9 until you have enough for all your output needs.
Step 10: After setting up you Aux Channels, click on the Icon on the Multi Instrument object.
Step 10.5: Choose Edit and select Copy from the drop down menu.
Step 11: Close the environment. In the arrangement window, create a new track by clicking Track and selecting Create or command-enter or double click on an empty track.
Step 12: After creating a new track select Edit and Paste or command-v to create the midi tracks that you will use for Kontakt.
Step 13: Now check to make sure that the instrument track that the Kontakt plugin is located on has its MIDI Channel set to ALL.
Now you have Kontakt setup as a multi channel instrument that utilizes multiple outs in Logic that can be accessed from logic’s mixer. But what if you want to do automation on the plugins that you have on the auxiliary channel strips?
Step 14: Create a new audio track or convert an existing one to an auxiliary channel by selecting Channel and choosing Aux and the corresponding channel.
If you have any questions or comments don’t hesitate to ask.
I have to give props to Logic-Cafe.com for their Use Multi Channel Audio Instruments as multi timbre synthesizers and Route separate audio channels from Multi Channel Audio Instruments
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.
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
January 6, 2008
Here’s tip for quick mastering. This is for when you want to get your track hot and nothing really else. Here’s a couple of examples as to why you would want to use this technique; You want to show it off at a party, radio, djing, etc.
1. Import your stereo mixdown into your favorite wave editor/ sequencer.
2. Normalize your track to 0dB. I know there are a lot of people out these who don’t recommend normalization. It has a purpose though. We just want it to get as hot as possible before we add an effects chain.
3. Next add a compressor to the channel/ main bus. Set the threshold to -30 to -36. Adjust the ratio 1.14:1. Add about 6dB of gain. Now adjust the attack and release to taste.
4. Put a parametric eq in the chain. Roll of the high end as much as possible so it doesn’t effect the highs. Roll the bottom off at about 30Hz. Do any fine tuning of eq here if you want.
5. Now put a limiter on the chain. Set the level to -0.3 and pull the threshold down to about -4 or -6.
6. At this point we are going to go back the parametric eq and make some adjustments. The limiter will bring out the mid-highs and highs. You will probably need to make a cut in this range. If you want to be fancy you can add a multiband compressor in the chain to tighten up any frequency ranges that you want.
7. Finally we export it out to 16 bit/44,100kHz. Be sure dither if your track is higher than 16 bit.
That’s it. Now you have your quick mastered track. If you want to hear an example you can go listen to my EP preview of AMe one and the Depressed Robot in the music section or go to http://ameone.imeem.com or http://www.myspace.com/ameone. Unfortunately all these tracks are 96kbit mp3s.
Remember this is just a quick mastering job. For those times when you need it hot. I recommend doing it properly or getting someone else to master your tracks.
