German music software maker Native Instruments GmbH offered up a veritable blizzard of announcements including new software updates, a new collection, and some partnership news.
New software bundle, major upgrades
First up is the release of NI Komplete, a software bundle that combines Reaktor Session, Kontat, Battery, Absynth 2, Vokator, Ni-Spektral Delay, FM7, B4 Organ and Pro-53. The instrument set provides musicians and audio producers with a wide set of tools suitable for use on stage, in the studio and on the road, according to the developers.
NI Komplete runs on Mac OS or Windows — although it’s worth noting that for now, NI-Spektral Delay, Battery and Pro-53 only support OS 9 (Native Instruments pledges that users will get a free upgrade to OS X-compatible versions once they’re released). The collection retails for US$1,499.
Also announced is Kontakt v1.5, a new version of the company’s sampler, now with “Beat Machine,” which divides any percussive loop into individual hits; Time Machine II, a reworked time stretching and pitch shifting engine; VST automation designed to simplify integration with VST-compatible host sequencers; Drag & Drop support from the Finder; Mac OS X compatibility with support for Core Audio and Audio Units technology; and much more.
Look for the Kontakt v1.5 upgrade to be released at the end of October for US$29. Users who have bought Kontakt since August 1, 2003 can update for free.
Traktor DJ Studio v2.5 has been released. Designed for live mixing, remixing and performance, Traktor DJ Studio v2.5 gains a new time stretching engine that adjusts track speed without changing pitch, and vice versa. The interface has been fine-tuned; OSC integration has been added to control other network-based computers or sequencers; database compatibility has been added for Final Scratch, and much more.
Traktor DJ Studio v2.5 is available for $199. Registered Traktor users can upgrade for $49.
Sibelius, Berklee partnerships
Native Instruments also noted that its sampling technology has been licensed to Sibelius Software Ltd. for use with the company’s eponymous music notation software, Sibelius 3. Kontakt Player Silver is bundled with Sibelius 3, to allow Sibelius users to play back music using instrument samples.
Sibelius and Native Instruments are also making available Kontakt Player Gold, an enhanced version with more orchestral and band instrument sounds. Sibelius 3 just started shipping in late September.
In related news, Native Instruments indicated that it has teamed up with Sonic Network Inc. to provide the sound libraries used by Sibelius 3. Many of the instrument samples used by Kontakt Player Silver were culled Sonic Impants’ Symphonic String Collection, according to both companies.
Native Instruments also announced that it has struck a partnership with the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. Native Instruments will outfit all of the college’s own computers with the company’s complete line of software instruments for use by both faculty and students, in labs, studios and classrooms.
Berklee announced earlier this year that it would require all incoming freshmen to have a Mac laptop.
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