Native Instruments announces new versions of its core products

On Tuesday, Native Instruments announced a slew of updated products to its line of music software.

Kontakt 4

, the company’s software sampler, adds “Authentic Expression Technology,” sample compression for improved playback, an extended studio-grade sound library with a new database system, and an enhanced sound library.

It will be available in October for $399, with upgrades from previous versions costing $149.

Absynth 5

, NI’s semi-modular software synthesizer, enhances sonic capabilities with additional synthesis and effects features and as overall improved audio quality, and offers an new way to create complex sounds based on musical attributes using the Aetherizer algorithm.

It will be available in October for $199, with upgrades from previous versions costing $79.

Guitar Rig 4 Pro

, the company’s guitar hardware and software studio, adds new speaker and microphone emulation technology, dedicated master effects selection, and overhauled preset browser, and more.

It will be available in October 2009 in several different flavors. The software will cost $199, software plus an included foot controller/audio interface will cost $449, Guitar Rig 4 Essential (a software version with a reduced feature set) will cost $99, Guitar Rig Session (which combines Guitar Rig 4 Essential with the Session I/O audio interface will cost $249, and Guitar Rig Mobile will cost $119.

Komplete 6

, the company’s software bundle, includes the latest releases of Absynth, Kontakt, Guitar Rig Pro, Battery, FM8, Massive, and Reaktor. It now includes Electrik Piano, but not Akoustik Piano, B4 II, or PRO-53, which have been discontinued.

It will be available in October for $599, with upgrades from versions 2, 3, 4, or 5 costing $169. Also, owners of any version of Kontakt or Reaktor will be able to purchase Komplete 6 for $339 until the end of 2009.