Most Native Instruments sample libraries (e.g. the ABBEY ROAD DRUMMERS, the SYMPHONY SERIES or pianos like UNA CORDA) are designed to be used with the KONTAKT 5 Sampler. In case you do not own the full version of KONTAKT 5, there is a free KONTAKT 5 PLAYER version which allows you to use all the features of a KONTAKT-based Instrument.
This article explains the first steps to follow when you want to use a NI sample library based on KONTAKT, including:
Guitar Sample Library for Kontakt Version 5.3.1 (or Later) with 22GB+ of Uncompressed Content, 5 Categories, 8 FX Options, and Kontakt Player 5 - Mac/PC Standalone, AAX, RTAS, VST, AU $ 399.95 Or $67 /month § for 6 months. AURORROR by Fluffy Audio. This excellent free Kontakt library is definitely the one I use the most. The extracted sample library always includes one or more Kontakt instrument files (NKIs) and the audio samples – usually in Kontakt's lossless compression format (NCW). For most libraries there will also be two resource files which use the NKC and NKR file extensions and are used to store scripts, images, and impulse-responses if any are.
How to Move a KONTAKT Library Note: If you are on Mac OS X 10.10 (and higher) or Windows 7 (and higher), you can also use the Relocate function in Native Access as explained in this article. This article explains how to move an already installed KONTAKT Library - including the KONTAKT Factory Library - to another location on your computer. Mac: Macintosh HD Applications Native Access; Windows: C: Program Files Native Instruments Native Access; Install the latest version of KONTAKT or KONTAKT Player, if available. In the tab Not installed, find the Library that you want to set up and click ADD LIBRARY: Click the BROWSE button: Navigate to the Library folder.
- Finding out if your sample library requires KONTAKT.
- Downloading and installing KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER).
- Downloading and installing your Sample Library.
- Loading your Sample Library in KONTAKT 5.
- Loading your Sample Library in a Host Sequencer.
1. Finding Out if your Sample Library Requires KONTAKT
To find out if your product requires KONTAKT to run, go to the corresponding product page in the NI webshop and scroll down to the AT A GLANCE section. Here you can see if your sample library has to be used with KONTAKT.
2. Downloading and Installing KONTAKT 5 PLAYER
Download KONTAKT 5 PLAYER from this page and install it. If you intend to use your product within a host sequencer, make sure to install all available plug-in formats.
Note: if you own the full version of KONTAKT 5, you do not need to install KONTAKT 5 PLAYER. You can find a comparison chart of these two products here.
3. Downloading and Installing your Sample Library
If you have not already, install your NI KONTAKT-based product with Native Access.
4. Loading your Sample Library in KONTAKT 5
- Open KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) standalone. By default the location of your standalone application is here:
- Mac OS X: Macintosh HD > Applications > Native Instruments > Kontakt 5 > 'Kontakt 5.app'
- Windows: C: > Program Files > Native Instruments > Kontakt 5 > 'Kontakt 5.exe'
- The KONTAKT Browser's Libraries tab displays all your installed KONTAKT Libraries. If your KONTAKT instrument is not listed here, you can add it manually.
- Configure the Audio- and MIDI-Settings for KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER).
- Click the Instruments button on the Library's icon to open the different available patches for the instrument. You can drag the patch of your choice into the Rack. Alternatively you can simply double-click the patch's name.
5. Loading your Sample Library in a Host Sequencer
Important note: Whether you intend to use your sample library with KONTAKT standalone or within a host sequencer, you must start KONTAKT in standalone mode once before using it as a plug-in. This step is necessary for KONTAKT 5 to build its database.
To use your sample library within a host sequencer, you must first load the KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) as a plug-in and then load the sample library into the KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) plug-in:
- Open your host sequencer.
- Insert KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) as a plug-in in your host sequencer.
- The KONTAKT Browser's Libraries tab displays all your installed KONTAKT Libraries. If your KONTAKT instrument is not listed here, you can add it manually as explained in this article.
- Click the Instruments button on the Library's icon to open the different available patches for the instrument. You can drag the patch of your choice into the Rack. Alternatively you can simply double-click the patch's name.
You can search our Knowledge Base to obtain more information about how to manage and insert NI plug-ins in your host sequencer.
You can find more information on how to operate KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) and your KONTAKT Instrument in the corresponding manuals. Manuals can be found in the installation folder under 'Documentation'.
Library Manager Kontakt Mac
In this article I'm going to list 5 great sources of free Kontakt instruments. These libraries will not only work in orchestral scoring - you can easily use them in electronic music or any other genre. I hope you'll find something you like!
1. The Alpine Project
This website is entirely dedicated to free orchestral libraries. I think it's the best orchestral library out there right now. Bear in mind that the patches are not velocity sensitive - for dynamics, you're going to have to work the modwheel.
„Alpine Project' libraries are split into 3 categories - brass, strings and woodwinds.
The brass section responds very nicely to modwheel movements. The option to turn off legato is great - this way you can play multiple notes at once. My favourite patches here are the trombones and trumpets.
The string section is divided into 4 parts, like in a real orchestra. Unfortunately there's no „ensemble' patch with all 4 in one, but if you really need that - this freebie does that. My main complaint is that all of these patches are monophonic - meaning that you can't play more than one note at once.
All the woodwind patches have two versions, I like the ones labeled as „Try'. Some patches sound a bit unnatural at times, but some sound great. My favourite patches are the saxophone and the clarinets.
Demo: Brass - Horns, Strings - Violin & Bass, Woodwinds - Saxophone & Bass Clarinet
Ever wondered what VST instruments are the most popular? Find it out here.
2. Pettinhouse Audio
This site offers 5 stunning guitar libraries. There's a beautiful acoustic guitar, electric guitar (labeled DG), classical guitar, jazz guitar and a bass. You can also find some hammond organ patches on the site.
Here's a demo of the guitars: Acoustic, Classical, Electric & Bass, Jazz
3. Hugo Kant
This guy made a few awesome libraries and shared them for free on his website. There's a little collection of world instruments, a rhodes piano, a bass guitar and a vibraphone.
Here's a demo of the world instruments: Nanga, Banjo, Zither
4. Ivy Audio
On this website you'll find 4 professional sample libraries - a grand piano, a vocalist, a trombone and a drum kit.
„Piano in 162' is a professional sampled grand piano, ready to use in a track. It includes two mic positions and sounds really great.
Btw, an alternative free grand piano is the 'Amore Grand Piano' by Precisionsound. Free mac os for windows.
Looking for more free pianos? Check out this article with top 5 free VST pianos.
„Clare Solo' is a solo vocalist patch. It sounds great in legato but allows unison as well. It's very realistic and sounds professional. The modwheel response and reverb are also awesome features.
The „Carpenter Trombone' is very cinematic. Make sure to use the modwheel!
Library For Kontakt Mac Osx
„Scott Drums' is a pretty standard drum kit. There's some effects built in too, you can edit each sound individually.
Looking to improve your chord progressions? Check out this tip.
5. Bigcat Instruments
This is a blog run by Joe Stevens, a free sample library enthusiast. He's got hundreds of free sounds, so I checked all of them and picked my favourites.
Natural Concert Guitar,Acoustic Nylon Guitar, Steel Guitar
Acoustic Bass, Pick Bass
Church Organ, Drawbar Organ, Percussive organ
Upright Piano 1
Upright Piano 2
Sanza,
Toy Piano,
Thanks for checking out this list, I hope you found something useful!
k-pizza
I'm a music maker who likes to share his experiences with other producers.
I regularly show up with tutorials, articles & project files at PML.
Most Native Instruments sample libraries (e.g. the ABBEY ROAD DRUMMERS, the SYMPHONY SERIES or pianos like UNA CORDA) are designed to be used with the KONTAKT 5 Sampler. In case you do not own the full version of KONTAKT 5, there is a free KONTAKT 5 PLAYER version which allows you to use all the features of a KONTAKT-based Instrument.
This article explains the first steps to follow when you want to use a NI sample library based on KONTAKT, including:
Guitar Sample Library for Kontakt Version 5.3.1 (or Later) with 22GB+ of Uncompressed Content, 5 Categories, 8 FX Options, and Kontakt Player 5 - Mac/PC Standalone, AAX, RTAS, VST, AU $ 399.95 Or $67 /month § for 6 months. AURORROR by Fluffy Audio. This excellent free Kontakt library is definitely the one I use the most. The extracted sample library always includes one or more Kontakt instrument files (NKIs) and the audio samples – usually in Kontakt's lossless compression format (NCW). For most libraries there will also be two resource files which use the NKC and NKR file extensions and are used to store scripts, images, and impulse-responses if any are.
How to Move a KONTAKT Library Note: If you are on Mac OS X 10.10 (and higher) or Windows 7 (and higher), you can also use the Relocate function in Native Access as explained in this article. This article explains how to move an already installed KONTAKT Library - including the KONTAKT Factory Library - to another location on your computer. Mac: Macintosh HD Applications Native Access; Windows: C: Program Files Native Instruments Native Access; Install the latest version of KONTAKT or KONTAKT Player, if available. In the tab Not installed, find the Library that you want to set up and click ADD LIBRARY: Click the BROWSE button: Navigate to the Library folder.
- Finding out if your sample library requires KONTAKT.
- Downloading and installing KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER).
- Downloading and installing your Sample Library.
- Loading your Sample Library in KONTAKT 5.
- Loading your Sample Library in a Host Sequencer.
1. Finding Out if your Sample Library Requires KONTAKT
To find out if your product requires KONTAKT to run, go to the corresponding product page in the NI webshop and scroll down to the AT A GLANCE section. Here you can see if your sample library has to be used with KONTAKT.
2. Downloading and Installing KONTAKT 5 PLAYER
Download KONTAKT 5 PLAYER from this page and install it. If you intend to use your product within a host sequencer, make sure to install all available plug-in formats.
Note: if you own the full version of KONTAKT 5, you do not need to install KONTAKT 5 PLAYER. You can find a comparison chart of these two products here.
3. Downloading and Installing your Sample Library
If you have not already, install your NI KONTAKT-based product with Native Access.
4. Loading your Sample Library in KONTAKT 5
- Open KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) standalone. By default the location of your standalone application is here:
- Mac OS X: Macintosh HD > Applications > Native Instruments > Kontakt 5 > 'Kontakt 5.app'
- Windows: C: > Program Files > Native Instruments > Kontakt 5 > 'Kontakt 5.exe'
- The KONTAKT Browser's Libraries tab displays all your installed KONTAKT Libraries. If your KONTAKT instrument is not listed here, you can add it manually.
- Configure the Audio- and MIDI-Settings for KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER).
- Click the Instruments button on the Library's icon to open the different available patches for the instrument. You can drag the patch of your choice into the Rack. Alternatively you can simply double-click the patch's name.
5. Loading your Sample Library in a Host Sequencer
Important note: Whether you intend to use your sample library with KONTAKT standalone or within a host sequencer, you must start KONTAKT in standalone mode once before using it as a plug-in. This step is necessary for KONTAKT 5 to build its database.
To use your sample library within a host sequencer, you must first load the KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) as a plug-in and then load the sample library into the KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) plug-in:
- Open your host sequencer.
- Insert KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) as a plug-in in your host sequencer.
- The KONTAKT Browser's Libraries tab displays all your installed KONTAKT Libraries. If your KONTAKT instrument is not listed here, you can add it manually as explained in this article.
- Click the Instruments button on the Library's icon to open the different available patches for the instrument. You can drag the patch of your choice into the Rack. Alternatively you can simply double-click the patch's name.
You can search our Knowledge Base to obtain more information about how to manage and insert NI plug-ins in your host sequencer.
You can find more information on how to operate KONTAKT 5 (PLAYER) and your KONTAKT Instrument in the corresponding manuals. Manuals can be found in the installation folder under 'Documentation'.
Library Manager Kontakt Mac
In this article I'm going to list 5 great sources of free Kontakt instruments. These libraries will not only work in orchestral scoring - you can easily use them in electronic music or any other genre. I hope you'll find something you like!
1. The Alpine Project
This website is entirely dedicated to free orchestral libraries. I think it's the best orchestral library out there right now. Bear in mind that the patches are not velocity sensitive - for dynamics, you're going to have to work the modwheel.
„Alpine Project' libraries are split into 3 categories - brass, strings and woodwinds.
The brass section responds very nicely to modwheel movements. The option to turn off legato is great - this way you can play multiple notes at once. My favourite patches here are the trombones and trumpets.
The string section is divided into 4 parts, like in a real orchestra. Unfortunately there's no „ensemble' patch with all 4 in one, but if you really need that - this freebie does that. My main complaint is that all of these patches are monophonic - meaning that you can't play more than one note at once.
All the woodwind patches have two versions, I like the ones labeled as „Try'. Some patches sound a bit unnatural at times, but some sound great. My favourite patches are the saxophone and the clarinets.
Demo: Brass - Horns, Strings - Violin & Bass, Woodwinds - Saxophone & Bass Clarinet
Ever wondered what VST instruments are the most popular? Find it out here.
2. Pettinhouse Audio
This site offers 5 stunning guitar libraries. There's a beautiful acoustic guitar, electric guitar (labeled DG), classical guitar, jazz guitar and a bass. You can also find some hammond organ patches on the site.
Here's a demo of the guitars: Acoustic, Classical, Electric & Bass, Jazz
3. Hugo Kant
This guy made a few awesome libraries and shared them for free on his website. There's a little collection of world instruments, a rhodes piano, a bass guitar and a vibraphone.
Here's a demo of the world instruments: Nanga, Banjo, Zither
4. Ivy Audio
On this website you'll find 4 professional sample libraries - a grand piano, a vocalist, a trombone and a drum kit.
„Piano in 162' is a professional sampled grand piano, ready to use in a track. It includes two mic positions and sounds really great.
Btw, an alternative free grand piano is the 'Amore Grand Piano' by Precisionsound. Free mac os for windows.
Looking for more free pianos? Check out this article with top 5 free VST pianos.
„Clare Solo' is a solo vocalist patch. It sounds great in legato but allows unison as well. It's very realistic and sounds professional. The modwheel response and reverb are also awesome features.
The „Carpenter Trombone' is very cinematic. Make sure to use the modwheel!
Library For Kontakt Mac Osx
„Scott Drums' is a pretty standard drum kit. There's some effects built in too, you can edit each sound individually.
Looking to improve your chord progressions? Check out this tip.
5. Bigcat Instruments
This is a blog run by Joe Stevens, a free sample library enthusiast. He's got hundreds of free sounds, so I checked all of them and picked my favourites.
Natural Concert Guitar,Acoustic Nylon Guitar, Steel Guitar
Acoustic Bass, Pick Bass
Church Organ, Drawbar Organ, Percussive organ
Upright Piano 1
Upright Piano 2
Sanza,
Toy Piano,
Thanks for checking out this list, I hope you found something useful!
k-pizza
I'm a music maker who likes to share his experiences with other producers.
I regularly show up with tutorials, articles & project files at PML.
Skype lessons with me: http://bit.ly/pml_s_one2one
