Native Instruments Debuts Kontakt at Winter NAMM
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(Click for a close-up) |
January 20, 2002
KONTAKT was designed by NATIVE INSTRUMENTS to be the most powerful sampler
ever created. KONTAKT fuses an innovative design with an advanced sampling
engine. The result is an inspiringly fast and intuitively flexible sampler
with exceptional sound quality.
In addition to supporting all the standard sample playback and
manipulation abilities of its hardware and software predecessors, KONTAKT
adds several technologies to give sampling a new dimension. Realtime
time-stretching and resynthesis, graphical breakpoint envelopes, an
integrated loop editor, analog-modelled filters, visually displayed
modulation, and breathtaking efficiency create a sampler with the power to
realize the most ingenious ideas. An outstanding sample library containing
more than three gigabytes of sounds in various styles and categories is
also included.
Architecture and Engine
KONTAKT's advanced design and dynamic resource allocation ensure that its
audio engine is always running at optimal efficiency, for up to 256 stereo
voices per instance on a standard computer. The semi-modular architecture
of KONTAKT's audio engine corresponds exactly to its on-screen layout.
Filters, effects, and modulations can easily be added with one click. If
an audio-process is not active, it is neither displayed on the screen nor
calculated by the CPU.
Unlike a conventional sampler, where pitch and length are always linked,
KONTAKT's integrated granular resynthesis engine frees you to compose with
pitch and timestretch independently. KONTAKT can play back each sample in
one of three modes: Classic mode, Time Machine mode, and Tone Machine
mode. The Time Machine allows real-time manipulation of length, pitch, and
formant. The Tone Machines imprints a playable pitch onto the sample and
maintains the same length across the keyboard. The comprehensive filter
section offers 14 varieties from analogue lowpass and highpass to exotic
sound-design filters. A broad range of insert and send effects, including
EQs, waveshapers, delays, and reverbs, are available to position the
instruments in the mix. All effects are inherent parts of the instrument,
regardless of how many instruments are playing at once.
Modulation
Even a noise sample in KONTAKT's hands is no static thing. Nearly all of
KONTAKT's parameters can be dynamically modulated by LFOs, breakpoint
envelopes, step-sequencers, or via MIDI velocity or controller. Naturally,
all time-based modulation can be synced to song tempo. Nothing is hidden
behind the scenes, since all modulation is shown graphically. For
instance, if a filter cutoff is modulated by a step-sequencer, the filter
cutoff knob will display its modulation movements in addition to its
current value. Despite the power of KONTAKT's modulation abilities, there
is no need for a complex modulation matrix, as only the active modulations
are shown.
Efficient Workflow
KONTAKT's elegant user interface takes just seconds to learn, yet is
exceptionally flexible during the creative process. An integrated
file-browser supporting drag and drop makes it quick to set up
multisamples. Samples can be trimmed and looped within the main sampler
window. The built-in graphical loop-editor features seamless looping with
a sophisticated autocorrelation algorithm and supports up to eight loops
per sample.
Content
More than three gigabytes of top-quality samples are included, ranging
from acoustic pianos, drums and percussion, basses and guitars, to vintage
instruments. The library, produced by Yellow Tools and NATIVE INSTRUMENTS,
makes extensive use of KONTAKT's dynamic modulation abilities for patches
that are truly alive. KONTAKT ships with five sample CDs, with each CD
focusing on a different musical category. KONTAKT can also import AKAI CDs
and many other common formats for immediate access to an immense library.
Integration
KONTAKT supports every professional native interface to seamlessly fit
into all computer-based studios. KONTAKT can be used as a plug-in with VST
2.0, DXi, DirectConnect, and MAS. In the studio or during a live
performance, KONTAKT can be used with less latency than a hardware sampler
with ASIO, offering 32 outputs and 256 stereo voices.
KONTAKT will be released in March 2002 at a retail price of $399.
Supported Sample Formats:
BATTERY, AKAI S-1000/S-3000, SF2, REAKTOR Map, LM4, AIFF and WAV from 8 to
32 bits
Interfaces:
VST 2.0, DXi, DirectConnect, MAS, ASIO, DirectSound, MME, SoundManager,
FreeMIDI, OMS
System Requirements:
- PC: Windows 98/2000/XP/ME, Pentium II 300 Mhz, 128 MB RAM
- Mac: MacOS 8.6 or higher, G3 300 Mhz, 128 MB RAM
For more information, visit their web site at www.native-instruments.com. |
