SeriesNative Instruments Komplete

I first fell for Komplete in 2009, when I bought version 5 on sale. I have then followed all updates up to version 7. I was seduced by the sonic quality of the instruments and effects. It's really impeccable. The interface is OK, without being an example of usability. The offer is so vast that can you can lose yourself easily: Almost 8000 instruments and 2000 effects. The versatility of the synthesis (additive, FM, subtractive, granular....) is incredible. The software instruments samples are excellent. Effects cover a wide palette for mixing and mastering, not to forget the extreme effects for artistic experimentation. The percussion lines are countless. This pack was conceived for studio production with a DAW. It is harder to use live. There are several possible approaches, including Kore 2 Mainstage, Live, etc... But you need a lot of time to program everything. Despite its superior audio quality, I returned to my all-in-one workstation (Korg Krome). Software instruments require a lot of programming and time to set up. They also lack a more user-friendly interface to allow faster working: Separate applications, too tiny on the screen, no arpeggiator, no dedicated hardware, etc. Machfive or Omnisphere seem to have better, more cohesive, interfaces. Komplete has no iPad-specific interface for all its plug-ins, like Omnisphere, for example. In short, for creativity, fast working and live: All-in-one workstation. To fine tune an arrangement from the DAW: Komplete. Sounds, diversity, originality and flexibility: Excellent or almost perfect, 9 to 10 Interface, ease of use, live usage: From fail to good, 4 to 7

This version of Komplete 8 is the standard version, and is basically the more affordable version from Native instruments. They have the full version that is called Komplete 8 Ultimate which cost twice as much has Komplete 8 (standard). I do recommend if you have the money to just go ahead and get the Komplete 8 Ultimate because you will get so much more. Using the Komplete 8 standard version is still good though. It comes with Guitar Rig Pro, Reaktor 5.6, and Kontakt 5. As far as the synths you will get Absynth 5, FM8, Massive, Reaktor Spark, Reaktor Prism, and MK2. You will have all of the VST’s that you need to start making music right away. I have been using the Native Instruments Komplete bundles since 3 came out years ago. There are over 110 gigs of sound with this bundle and that is including all of the drum programs and kits you get as well like Studio Drummer and Battery 3. You will need to take some time to learn to use these entire plug ins and effects. It will take some time if you have not worked with them before but there is no doubt you will have enough sounds and effects to play with to keep you busy for a long time. The great thing is that Native Instruments keeps most of their plug ins similar every time they update so you will not have to re-learn anything. In order to load all of these effects and VST programs and kits into your computer you will have to have a fast processor and 2 GB of RAM. Using any of these plug ins and effects especially Guitar Rig will eat your CPU right up so I do not recommend getting this bundle unless you have a fast computer with a lot of RAM.

(Originally written by Rouxxx/translated from Audiofanzine FR) Very comprehensive plug-in bundle with lots of good-quality virtual instruments. I like almost everything about Komplete: Akoustik piano: I never thought I would have such a beautiful emulation in my PC. Elektrik Piano is also very pleasant and B4 is an excellent simulation. I like Battery3 very much, its sound and nuances... I can't imagine making music without it anymore. You can even create totally crazy drum kits and have a blast playing them. The synth collection offers a large palette ranging from magic to surprising and mind-blowing sounds... The main problem is you can spend hours looking for a preset and editing it without making music... but it's still a pleasure. Another weak point: the filters don't sound like analog filters. Anyway it's still a very comprehensive bundle. Based on my experience I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again.

Native Instruments Komplete 8 Ultimate is a must have, anyone who produces music most have this loaded up on either their Mac or PC right way. If you are looking for the “Ultimate” collection of sounds, and plugins/effects; you will have to purchase this. The reason a lot of people don’t go out and get the full Ultimate version of Komplete is because of the price tag. With tax, this bundle will cost you well over a thousand dollars which is a lot of money for software but it will be the only software you will ever need. This bundle comes with over 240 GB of sounds and all of them are of great quality and usable. One of the major differences between Ultimate and the standard version of Komplete is the effects that you will get. You get Solid EQ, The Finger, Traktor 12, The Mouth, Reflektor, Solid Bus Comp and a few more. All of these effects are worth so much individually and with them all being in a package makes it worth the money. Some of my favorite sounds in this bundle are the drum sounds. You get so many kits like the Abbey Road kits, it comes with the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s drum kits plus a bonus “Modern Drums”. If you want to get realistic sounding bass or guitars you can get that in no time with all of the plugins like Scarbee Jay-Bass. You also get Alicia’s Keys, which is a great piano plug in that alone cost over 100 dollars to buy. Before purchasing this bundle you have one thing you need to think about. That is can your computer handle everything. After purchasing this, I had no choice but to get a newer computer within the next year because running all of the effects and plug ins will slow your system down big time. Also if you are using it on a PC it is best to have Windows 7 for the latest drivers and updates. There is nothing to think about with this bundle, don’t think about the price tag. Think about the quality of instruments you are getting.

Native Instruments Komplete 6 cant be purchased anymore from Native Instruments so if you want it you will have to find someone with it that is selling it and make sure you get all the licensing info from it. If you do get a chance to have it you will love everything that comes with this. It comes with award winning software that can fit into any genre of music. My favorite that it comes with is probably FM or Absynth. Massive is pretty good as well, I don’t think I have any songs done that doesn’t contain anything from Native Instruments. My computer is full of Native Instruments Software. Its not the easiest to understand the software unless you just want to use everything as is and make your music out of nothing but the presets that it comes with. But if you want to start to make your own sounds in one of the softwares like absynth it will take some time and understand of how to do it. There are a lot of knobs and things you can just mess with untill you get something you like and once you find something you like you can save it as a preset for use in another song. Overall, Native Instruements always brings great software to us musicians. I have been using NI Komplete 6 for around a year or so now, maybe a little longer and it was one of the first things I ever got from Native Instruments since then I have purchased so much of there other products because I was blown away by how good they are. I really recommend this bundle from NI or get the more recent and upgraded version Komplete 7. They also provide all updates right to your system without a problem as long as you have internet connection.