SeriesNative Instruments Spotlight Collection

I have had no compatibility issues so far. I run this library in Kontakt Stand alone, as well as both Logic 9 and Ableton 8. It's a pretty simple setup, all you need to do is load the Library, then load the instrument you want. There are some features like the Sequencer for creating patterns that you will benefit in reading the manual, which is a pretty concise read. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE So far, I have had zero drop outs or glitches. I run all my samples at a buffer rate of 128. According to Kontakt, that puts me around 5 milliseconds of latency, which I can deal with. It has never caused any crashes and any no work whether in standalone or host has been lost. As for performance it gets a 9 out of 10. The samples all sound excellent, and the GUI is polished and user friendly. The playability of the instruments can be a little challenging however. With pattern access on the keyboard and a host of "utility" samples (i.e. clicks from striking instrument) as well as odd scale patterns, there is a little bit of a learning curve. I have been using this for about two months. OVERALL OPINION What I like most about this set is the quality of the samples brings instruments, some of which I have never even heard of, into my instrument choices that would be otherwise very hard to get. Native Instruments really does a good job on the pattern sequencer too. It's user friendly and setup to stay true to the feel of African Music by encouraging poly rhythms. I don't really have any complaints about it. I paid $119 for this which is a good deal for this many solidly sampled instruments. I have come across many hardware and software versions of similar instruments, but I put West Africa on the top of the list. I highly recommend this to people who want to expand there instrument possibilities and expand percussion writing.

While I've never had any issues relating to installation when it comes to the Native Instruments Balinese Gamelan software, I can't speak about the process of installation since I have only used this on a system that it was already installed on. I can however speak a bit about the interface of the software, which isn't hard to follow and is an overall easy piece of software to use. The typical functions are easy to find, but if you aren't familiar at all with the make up of the sounds and instruments in a real Balinese Gamelan, it may take some time to get used to. However, if you are using this I am assuming that you know something about a Gamelan and want to use it for that reason. I've never seen any manual for this so I can't say if it would be helpful or not. SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE The system that I have used the Native Instruments Balinese Gamelan software on is an Apple G5 computer along with MOTU Digital Performer 5 as a sequencer and the software works great within the configuration. As long as you have a system that you are able to run a sequencer and other pieces of software like this one on, this won't give you any trouble at all. OVERALL OPINION Overall, the Native Instruments Balinese Gamelan does a great job of replicating the sounds heard in a Balinese Gamelan. These are definitely interesting sounds, but I can see how they would be hard to incorporate into western forms of music, although this software does make it a bit easier because you can really zero in on pitch and tone. If you are into the sounds of a Balinese Gamelans, this software is the closest that you can get to one. The price of this software isn't all that expensive and is one that I would definitely recommend to those looking for world music sounds to use in the box.