Did you know that over 8 million musicians worldwide choose Native Instruments for music production? This fact isn’t shocking. Given Native Instruments’ influence on music tech, it’s no surprise. They have been leading the way for nearly two decades with cutting-edge synths, real-to-life sampled instruments, and top-notch effects.

Komplete 14, their latest innovation, is a major game-changer. It brings tools for every kind of music maker, no matter the skill level or budget. From beginners with Komplete 14 Select at $199 USD to pros with the Komplete 14 Collector’s Edition, there’s something for everyone. Let’s look at why so many prefer Native Instruments’ gear and software.

Key Takeaways

• Native Instruments serves over 8 million users globally, solidifying its prominence in music technology.
• The Komplete bundles, including the latest Komplete 14, offer versatile synths, sampled instruments, and powerful effects.
• Komplete 14 is available in various editions, starting with the budget-friendly Komplete 14 Select at $199 USD.
• The Komplete series addresses diverse production needs, making it suitable for beginners and seasoned producers alike.
• Native Instruments continues to innovate, setting industry standards in music production software.

Introduction to Native Instruments

Native Instruments has always been at the forefront of music technology. Their products, such as digital audio workstations and virtual instruments, are highly respected. Their significant impact on the music production world is undeniable.

History and Evolution

The story of Native Instruments started in the mid-90s. They quickly made a name with their innovative Generator software. This was the beginning of their famous Reaktor platform. Thanks to advancements in technology, setting up a music studio has become more affordable. This makes Reaktor more accessible to rising musicians¹.

But, Native Instruments didn’t stop there. They kept growing by embracing new technologies. The Komplete suite, for example, has set new standards. It offers a vast range of instruments and effects, serving various musical styles and production needs.

Key Contributions to Music Production

Native Instruments is known for their high-quality virtual instruments and effects. Their Komplete bundle is considered a must-have by many. It’s packed with tools that are essential for every music producer.

They have made strides in ensuring their products work well with others in the industry. Kontakt, their top sampler, is a good example of this. It can run Lua API scripts, offering flexibility to users². Maschine is another product that stands out. It holds everything needed for a song and allows detailed control over each part. This shows how Native Instruments continues to lead³.

Their partnerships with other big names in music production have bolstered their product line. These collaborations provide a vast array of tools and effects. This enriches the music-making process for producers. Today, there’s a wide range of software available for music production. It’s a great time for creators to try new sounds and techniques¹.

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Overview of Komplete 14

Komplete 14 has really changed the music production software game, thanks to Native Instruments. It’s perfect for musicians at any level and comes packed with everything you need to up your music game.

Versions and Pricing

Komplete 14 is available in four versions: Select, Standard, Ultimate, and Collector’s Edition. There’s something for everyone, from beginners to pros. The Select version is a great start at $199, while the Collector’s Edition offers everything you could need at $1799⁴⁵. The size of each version varies a lot, from 34GB for Select to a huge 1TB for the Collector’s Edition⁴.

What’s New in Komplete 14

Komplete 14 brings cool new updates and additions, showing off the latest in music tech. Kontakt 7 is a big highlight, now with 40GB of top-quality sounds⁴. Plus, Ultimate and Collector’s Editions have amazing instruments like Piano Colors and Ashlight, for deep, rich sounds⁴. Plugins from Brainworx, Plugin Alliance, and iZotope make this version even more versatile⁵. Kontakt 7 is easier to use now, with nearly 1,000 instruments for a smooth experience⁵.

The Ultimate version of Komplete 14 has over 139 top-notch instruments and effects, and 62 sound packs tailored to different genres⁶. Space needed varies by version, from 12GB for Select to 200GB for the Collector’s Edition⁶.

Komplete 14 Select

Komplete 14 Select is a superb starting point into Native Instruments’ world. It offers a wide range of sound design tools and virtual instruments. Perfect for both beginners and experienced producers, it’s an affordable package that greatly boosts your music production.

Included Software and Effects

Komplete 14 Select features 18 premium instruments and effects, with over 15,000 sounds and 8 expansions⁷. You get 4 synthesizers, 8 sampled instruments, 2 percussion tools, and 4 effects⁸. This robust selection opens up endless creative possibilities, from making lively beats to composing detailed soundtracks.

• Massive – A versatile synthesizer
• Monark – An analog mono-synth
• Drumlab – A hybrid drum instrument
• Replika – A professional-grade delay effect

Who Should Consider This Bundle?

If you’re considering Native Instruments for the first time, Komplete 14 Select is an excellent choice. It offers an exceptional value, saving users over 85% compared to buying each product separately. Both newcomers and advanced producers will find something to love⁷. The bundle’s system requirements are manageable for most, requiring macOS 10.15 or Windows 10/11 and 12GB of free disk space for a basic setup, although a full install needs about 40GB⁷.

Komplete 14 Standard

Are you a music producer looking for great tools? Komplete 14 Standard by Native Instruments is the top pick. It costs $599 USD. You will get a huge array of virtual instruments, effects, and tools to boost your music-making⁸.

Core Features

Komplete 14 comes with key software like Kontakt 7 Player and Ozone 10 from iZotope. This enhances your sound design and mastering skills⁸. You also get cool Plugin Alliance Effects and specials from Brainworx, including the BX_Oberhausen synthesizer⁸.

This version is packed with various instruments and synthesizers. It gives you all the needed tools for top-notch music production⁸. With a wide range of instruments and advanced synthesizers, you can create endless new sounds and music.

Target Audience

Komplete 14 Standard aims at producers wanting to improve their setup. With a $599 USD price, it’s great for those wanting to boost their toolkit with top virtual instruments and effects⁸.

This bundle suits intermediate to advanced producers wanting to widen their sound options. No matter your music style, Komplete 14 has a vast array of tools to fit your needs.

Komplete 14 Ultimate

Start your musical journey with Komplete 14 Ultimate. It’s a must-have with more than 141,000 sounds and 250 products. Perfect for anyone into advanced music production and sound design⁹.

Specialized Instruments and Tools

Komplete 14 Ultimate brings music technology to new heights. It includes 21 orchestral and cinematic tools such as Action Strings 2 and Piano Colours. It’s great for those into film and game music⁹.

With 103 Expansions, it covers all music genres with synth presets, drum kits, samples, and loops⁹.

This edition features classics like Reaktor 6, Massive X, and FM8, plus new Brainworx products. It’s perfect for expanding your creative tools and exploring the possibilities with Native Instruments⁹.

Is It Worth the Extra Cost?

At $1,199 USD, Komplete 14 Ultimate is quite an investment. But, upgrading from previous versions saves over 90% off buying each product separately⁹. Its vast library and specialized tools make it valuable for pros in music production, film scoring, and game developing⁹.

You’ll need 120 GB free space and an internet connection for product activation⁹. With its significant features and huge library, Komplete 14 Ultimate is worth considering for top-notch music production and sound design.

Komplete 14 Collector’s Edition

Komplete 14 Collector’s Edition is an amazing tool for producers. It has a huge selection of virtual instruments and recording software. You get 147 top instruments and effects, plus 103 expansions. This gives you over 141,000 sounds to explore different musical styles¹⁰.

Massive Library Inclusions

This edition boasts Choir: Omnia and Lores, adding nearly 150GB of samples¹⁰. You also get a mix of instruments like Picked Nylon, Knifonium, and Console Focusrite SC. From Cinematic Instruments to Synthesizers, everything you need is here¹⁰. It works smoothly with any DAW, Maschine, and Komplete Kontrol keyboards¹⁰. Komplete 14 Collector’s Edition represents Native Instruments’ commitment to top-notch music production tools.

Who Needs This Edition?

The Komplete 14 Collector’s Edition is perfect for producers and artists seeking a full suite of Native Instruments’ products. Whether you need Cinematic Instruments or Mastering Effects, this package has it all¹⁰. You can save more than 90% compared to buying each item separately¹⁰. Upgrading from Komplete 14 Ultimate? You can switch for a great deal—normally $600, but only $300 during the summer sale¹¹.

Kontakt 7 Player

The Kontakt 7 Player is taking the lead in music production tools. With its latest update, this free version from Native Instruments offers a professional experience. It’s perfect for those without a full Kontakt 7 license.

New Features

The Kontakt 7 Player now has a fresh HiDPI interface. This ensures sharp visuals and easy use. Its better browsing makes finding presets and instruments quicker, saving time.

New tools let musicians make custom instruments from single samples. This greatly boosts creative options for producers.

Kontakt 7 works on its own or as a plugin in programs like Ableton Live. This fits different work styles well. Plus, it’s easy to set up, with guides for free instruments like the Jacob Collier Audience Choir¹².

Importance in Modern Studios

In busy recording studios today, Kontakt 7 Player is crucial. It’s known for advanced sampling and effects, making it a must-have worldwide. Its presets are a top choice for producers¹².

Getting Kontakt 7 Player is easy. You make a Native ID and download Native Access to install it. It works on Windows and Mac, making it user-friendly¹². It’s designed to fit into any musician’s routine, from experts to newbies.

Ozone 10 by iZotope

Ozone 10 by iZotope is a top choice for mastering software among music makers. It’s loaded with cutting-edge features to fine-tune and polish your audio tracks. The interface is easy to use, making complex mastering tasks simple.

Mastering Capabilities

Ozone 10 shines with its mastering skills. It includes Master Assistant, an AI guide that tailors your mastering chain. This feature speeds up your work and guarantees great sound. It’s perfect for both beginners and pros, helping you get a professional master effortlessly.

Ozone 10 also has many modules like EQ, dynamics, and imaging. These tools let you tweak your tracks just right. They’re especially useful for handling different music types, making sure every song sounds its best.

Integration with Komplete 14

It fits perfectly with Native Instruments’ Komplete 14. This combo lets you blend Komplete 14’s vast tools with Ozone 10’s mastering strength. Together, they form a powerful team that boosts your work and creativity.

Coupling Ozone 10 with Komplete 14 means you don’t just make music; you finish it to perfection. This fusion offers an unparalleled mix. You get to tap into extensive sounds and effects, ensuring your tracks meet the highest standards.

1. Master Assistant: AI-powered starting points for mastering.
2. Comprehensive Modules: EQ, dynamics, and imaging tools for detailed mastering.
3. Seamless Integration: Works perfectly with Komplete 14 for an enhanced production experience.

Soundwide Group Collaboration

The Soundwide Group, known for its impressive lineup of music technology solutions, has recently undergone significant restructuring. With key players like Native Instruments, iZotope, Brainworx, and Plugin Alliance under its umbrella, the collaboration aims to enhance the offerings of the Komplete 14 suite through innovative effects and virtual instruments.

Despite recent layoffs at Native Instruments, the company ensures there will be no changes to product offerings. This addresses broader industry trends of job cuts¹³.

Brainworx

Brainworx, famed for its high-quality audio tools, has teamed up with Native Instruments. Together, they aim to bring top-notch plugins to the market. More Brainworx products will be available on Native Access next year, making things easier for users¹³.

Additionally, Brainworx’s professional audio tools will boost the Komplete 14 production arsenal. They will enrich your creative possibilities.

Plugin Alliance

Plugin Alliance, another key player within Soundwide, offers a large collection of quality plugins to Native Instruments. They plan to make customer experiences better while keeping their unique brand identities. The focus is on coordinating sales and special pricing, improving value for music creators¹³.

This collaboration will provide seamless access to Plugin Alliance’s diverse toolset. It will enhance your music production workflow.

iZotope

iZotope’s software, especially its Ozone 10 mastering suite, is vital in this collaboration. Since Francisco Partners acquired iZotope in early 2021, they’ve focused on enhancing user experiences through Native Access¹⁴. iZotope’s high-quality processing algorithms will transform mastering in Komplete 14. They offer you control over your final sound.

The joining of iZotope, Brainworx, and Plugin Alliance with Native Instruments brings a more robust suite of music tools. It lifts your creative possibilities and ensures a smooth experience across products¹⁴.

Top Virtual Instruments by Native Instruments

Native Instruments is famous in music production for their advanced virtual instruments. They make both synthesizers and sampled instruments, which are top quality and versatile. This makes Native Instruments a top name in the world of virtual instrument tech.

Best Synthesizers

The SYNTH-1 Mini Collection stands out, with its unique 80s sounds from six famous analog synthesizers¹⁵. It’s perfect for producers who want their music to have that analog feel. The Wavetable Experiment Mini-Pack is another gem, offering seven wavetable synths with an 80s vibe for creating sci-fi sounds¹⁵.

Sampled Instruments

Kontakt is the top tool for building sampled instruments, used in many hit songs and film scores for over twenty years¹⁵. The LMFree instrument brings back the classic sound of the LinnDrum LM-2 from the 80s. It lets you control the start of samples and adjust pitch¹⁵.

The Commodore 64 Sessions Deluxe VST is another standout, with 30 samples from the famous computer, perfect for chip-tune sounds¹⁵. The Jacob Collier Audience Choir VST brings real choir sounds from his world tour into your music, letting you create your own choir effects¹⁵.

Why Choose Native Instruments for Music Production

Native Instruments shines when you’re looking for a trusted music production system. They’ve created a full range of software and sound tools respected in music circles.

Even with a few hitches, like slow updates for new processors and a tricky interface¹⁶, many producers pick Native Instruments. They offer digital workstations and sound tools that cater to all your needs in one place.

Native Instruments is known for its top-notch sounds. Despite financial hurdles and job cuts as part of the Soundwide group¹⁶, their cinematic and ambient sounds are highly valued.

Some aren’t happy with their pricing and the absence of free trials¹⁶. Yet, Native Instruments is commended for giving away free instruments with impressive sounds¹⁶. This mix of high-end and free products makes them a good choice for newcomers and experts alike.

Moving towards products for regular consumers hasn’t hurt their quality. Native Instruments continues innovating with software like Playbox, at prices similar to a whole DAW¹⁶. They keep offering new sound packs and instruments. Despite economic woes and changes in the industry, they remain committed to delivering premier music production software and sound tools that professionals rely on.

Tips for Getting Started with Native Instruments Software

Starting with Native Instruments means setting it up right from the start. Whether you’re recording or using advanced tech, these tips will make things easier. They help streamline your music-making process.

Initial Setup and Configuration

First, ensure you’ve installed and updated all Native Instruments software, like Komplete, Kontakt, and Maschine. Komplete offers several versions, such as Standard, Ultimate, and Collector’s Edition¹⁷, to fit your needs and budget.

To setup smoothly, do the following:

• Use Native Access to manage your products and updates.
• Register your Maschine hardware and keep the firmware up to date.
• Connect your Kontrol S-Series MK3, which comes in three sizes, to your DAW.
• Try out Traktor Pro software for DJing, which pairs well with the Traktor X1 MK3.

Creating Your First Track

With everything in place, it’s time to make your first track. Just follow these steps:

1. Open your DAW and add your favorite Native Instruments plugins like Massive X.
2. Start with pre-set patches to discover new sounds. Guitar Rig 7 Pro, for example, is great for guitar effects.
3. Explore different instruments within Komplete, like the full version of Kontakt 7, for more sounds.
4. Use Traktor Kontrol S4 for mixing on four channels, which adds depth to your music.
5. Polish your track with Ozone 10 to ensure it sounds professional.

Following these steps will set you on the path to creating great music. Native Instruments provides tools for newcomers and experienced producers alike. The secret is to keep experimenting with the software to unlock all its possibilities.

Sound Design with Native Instruments

Native Instruments is known for its wide range of sound design tools. They are perfect for anyone from beginners to pros. With these tools, you can create and change complex audio easily.

Tools and Plugins

Native Instruments has many plugins for different soundscapes. KOMPLETE START, for example, gives you over 2,000 free sounds¹⁸¹⁹.

There are also 16 professional synthesizers in the suite. They let you explore various synthesis methods like FM, granular, and more¹⁸. These tools provide the flexibility needed for creative sound design.

Advanced Techniques

Knowing advanced sound design techniques can improve your music. Modulation changes waveform properties over time. It can alter pitch, volume, and sound texture¹⁸.

Native Instruments’ tools are also great for video game sound design. For example, Loïc Couthier used MASSIVE for engine sounds in WipEout Omega Collection¹⁹. This shows how the software can be used for more than just music, adding to exciting audio experiences.

Native Instruments’ products are essential in today’s studios. They help sound designers and music producers to make unique and detailed soundscapes.

Native Instruments in Professional Studios

Native Instruments is a big deal in music production. It’s found in studios all over the world. The company makes powerful tools that are loved by music pros. Because of this, it’s a key player in both small and big studios.

Notable Users

Some top music makers rely on Native Instruments. Richie Hawtin, a big name in electronic music, uses their stuff a lot. Alicia Keys, who won a Grammy, worked with them to make her own piano sound, called “Alicia’s Keys.”

Success Stories

Hans Zimmer, a famous movie music composer, uses their tools for films like “Inception” and “Dunkirk”. Big studios, like Abbey Road, also use Native Instruments to stay on top of their game. This shows how important Native Instruments is in making music today.

In short, Native Instruments is huge in the music world. Artists and composers like Richie Hawtin, Alicia Keys, and Hans Zimmer use its tech for top-notch music production. Its technology is a must-have in the recording industry.