German developer Native Instruments has been busy recently. On Wednesday, the company introduced six products compatible with Mac OS X: the synthesizer sound collection FM7 Sounds Volume 2; the B4D drawbar controller; a new series of software keyboards called XPRESS KEYBOARDS; the synthesizers, samples, and effects collection NI Komplete 2; Elektrik Piano, which reproduces the sound of four popular electric pianos; and the modular guitar studio Guitar Rig.
FM7 Sounds Volume 2 assembles 256 new presets for Native Instruments’ FM7 software synthesizer. Taking advantage of the FM7’s modulation and tempo sync abilities, the collection features lead sounds, bass, organ, electric piano, pads, atmosphere, effects, percussion, and more. The company expects to ship it in April for US$59.90.
The B4D drawbar controller is a piece of hardware that connects to your computer via MIDI and allows you to control Native Instruments’ B4 organ software, which emulates the B3 tone wheel organ. The B4D controller offers nine mechanical drawbars, two rotary knobs, and 22 buttons. It will be available in June for $449. The company will also offer a bundle containing the B4D controller, the B4 software, and the Vintage Collection tone wheel set for $559.
XPRESS KEYBOARDS features three software keyboards available separately for $49 each or $119 for all of them ($99 as a download). The B4 XPRESS reproduces the classic tone wheel organ, complete with its signature rotary speaker effect. The PRO-53 XPRESS emulates a well-known analog synthesizer. Finally, the FM7 XPRESS reproduces the sound of ’80s synthesizers. Native Instruments will ship them during the second quarter.
NI Komplete 2 offers two DVDs packed with 11 applications: the sound design studio Reaktor 4; Kontakt 1.5, a professional sampler; the synthesizer Absynth 2; FM7; B4; PRO-53; Kompakt, which includes over 200 sampled instruments; the loop sampler Intakt; Battery, which is packed with drum samples; vocoding tool Vokator; and NI-Spektral Delay, which provides unique delay effects. It will ship in June for $1,149.
Elektrik Piano is a software instrument that reproduces four well-known electric pianos: the Fender Rhodes MK I and MK II, the Hohner Clavinet, and the Wurlitzer. Each features a broad range of presets that can be combined into individual performance sets, in addition to effect modules that include chorus, phaser, reverb, and tremolo. Look for it in May at a price of $229.
Finally, Native Instruments bills Guitar Rig as “a revolutionary one-stop solution” aimed at guitarists and music producers. It comes with a foot controller as well as a software package that features classic and modern guitar amplifiers, cabinets, microphones, and effects, which can be combined into a wide variety of setups. The foot controller, Rig Kontrol, offers four foot switches and a parameter pedal. You can expect to see the complete package in June at a suggested price of $499.