Results for Native Instruments

Some interesting things I found recently:

# Electric Independence: Vince Clarke and the Temple of Synth

The new episode of Electric Independence documents a visit to Vince Clarke's incredible home studio that features more analog gear than, well, probably anyone we've ever encountered. The founding member of Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and Erasure is enjoying the country life in Maine but still cranks out the jams, or as he likes to put it "making something from nothing."

# Micro Tutorial 20 – ReWire with Logic (YouTube)

How to set up a session with Logic as the ReWire host for Reason & Record.

We'll look at how to set up ReWire inputs in Logic and how to patch separate audio outputs in Record.

# Propellerhead CEO discusses iPad music software

From MusicRadar:

Propellerhead Software's Reason is an app that many (not least MusicRadar) are touting as a perfect fit for Apple's iPad, and it seems that a port to the new tablet may not be beyond the realms of possibility.

Our sister magazine Computer Music was recently in touch with Propellerhead Software's CEO Ernst Nathorst-Böös, and when asked about the potential of the iPad in a music-making context, he said: "From a technical standpoint, the iPad has very similar capabilities to the iPhone.

"We have yet to see if the difference in form factor between the two is a big enough differentiator to turn the iPad into something different. I suspect it is."

While Nathorst-Böös was unwilling to be drawn on whether Propellerhead will develop iPad apps, he did say: "the iPad is at least as powerful a computer as the ones we started making software for back in the 90s. And that's pretty exciting!"

Kreativ Sounds has released version 2.1 of ABYSS PRO-53 Sounds, a collection of patches for Native Instruments Pro-53 synthesizer, with full Kore 2 support and a new Pro-53 Kore 2 template.

ABYSS PRO-53 Sounds features

• 128 outstanding presets in NATIVE (p5p, p5a), FXP and FXB format for Native Instruments PRO-53.
• The same 128 presets in KSD format for Native Instruments KORE 2 Workstation.
• Each KORE2 preset has macro knobs assigned and all 8 pad variations (128 presets x 8 variations = 1024 sound variations).
• PRO-53 KORE2 template for creating very easy your own sounds with pad variations.
• Each preset features velocity and modulation wheel information for more control over the sounds.

ABYSS PRO-53 Sounds is a available to purchase as a “Pay What You Wish” product (minimum 5 EUR to cover costs).

More information: Kreativ Sounds / ABYSS PRO-53 Sounds

Sonic Fiction is Jeremiah Savage’s second sound library for Native Instruments’ Kore and Kore Player.

Similar to Acoustic Refractions, in Sonic Fiction Jeremiah takes sampled material and shapes it into completely new and playable instruments with the help of the advanced synthesis and sound processing capabilities of Absynth, Kontakt and Kore.

Expanding on sound design paradigms established with Jeremiah Savage’s previous ACOUSTIC REFRACTIONS collection, the sounds in SONIC FICTION are inspired by imaginative Science Fiction scenarios and concepts.

Jeremiah’s passion for the philosophical hypotheses in the best of sci-fi literature and film translates into 100 evocative, otherworldly and yet always highly-playable instruments, with 800 individual sound variations.

I am not too big on science fiction but I do enjoy sci-fi sounds and since I enjoyed Jeremiah’s Acoustic Refractions much I had high expectations for Sonic Fiction.

The introduction video on the Native Instruments website shows the ways Jeremiah created the sounds of Sonic Fiction; turning non-musical objects into flexible instruments.

Sonic Fiction uses Kontakt, Absynth and Kore FX engines for processing the sampled sources. You get a total of 100 Kore presets, with the usual 8 variations per preset for a total of 800 sounds.

I went through these presets and picked a few personal favorites to show you.

Note: The 5 star rating doesn’t mean anything more than a way for me to remember which ones I wanted to play in the video, so don’t think I disliked the other ones.

So what do I think?

Sonic Fiction is exactly what I hoped for; another collection of unique and well designed sounds. Although the sounds in Sonic Fiction are all sci-fi inspired, they are more versatile than you would think. Many sound variations offer radically different sounds. Soundscapes, massive percussive hits, pads, bells, glitchy effects, and lots more.

I find Sonic Fiction one of the most inspiring SoundPacks to date. I truly liked every single sound in the pack. You can find some great musical audio demos on the Sonic Fiction product page. Although Sonic Fiction will probably appeal mostly to those who are into sound design, the audio demos demonstrate that these sounds can be used in any all kinds of electronic music.

More information: Native Instruments / Sonic Fiction

Native Instruments has announced the release of Evolve Mutations 2, a new Kontakt Player-based instrument for movie, TV and game composers.

Developed in collaboration with the renowned sound design house Heavyocity and powered by the industry-leading KONTAKT engine, EVOLVE MUTATIONS 2 includes a further arsenal of highly expressive instruments, rhythms and ambiences that can add profound depth and impact to any dramatic piece of music.

As the latest addition in Heavyocity’s widely acclaimed “Evolve” series, EVOLVE MUTATIONS 2 contains over 300 new sounds based on 2 GByte of exclusive high-quality samples. The material is organized into four categories that provide the crucial elements for powerful scores: “Rhythmic Suites” include stirring percussive and tonal loops complete with individual slices and keymapping; “Percussive Kits” allow the
creation of original percussive beds; “Stings & Transitions” support a composition with striking and suspenseful transitional elements; “Tonality & FX” provide a range of highly expressive, evocative instruments and pads.

EVOLVE MUTATIONS 2 also introduces the new “Trigger FX” feature, a versatile and intuitive sound processing section that takes advantage of KONTAKT’s comprehensive effects capabilities. With “Trigger FX”, the keys within a certain octave on the keyboard activate different specific sound treatments including saturation, panning, delay effects and more, which can be intuitively layered and combined to create spectacular special effects and transformations on the fly.

Evolve Mutations 2 is available to purchase now for $119 / 99 EUR. A DVD bundle that combines both Evolve Mutations products is also available for $169 / 149 EUR.

More information: Native Instruments / Evolve Mutations 2

Native Instruments has announced Alicia’s Keys, a new software that recreates Alicia Keys’ personal grand piano with outstanding authenticity and playability.

Developed in close collaboration with the Grammy-winning artist, the software is used as the primary instrument on her new album and on the current world tour. ALICIA’S KEYS is a unique and highly affordable way for musicians of all experience levels to utilize Alicia’s acclaimed signature piano sound in their own music production, live performance, and recreational playing. Designed as a comprehensive digital recreation of Alicia Key’s own custom Yamaha “C3 Neo” grand piano, and based on Native Instruments’ industry-leading KONTAKT 4 sampler platform, ALICIA’S KEYS provides a soulful and intimate piano sound that perfectly accommodates R&B, soul and pop styles. The instrument was meticulously recorded in Alicia’s personal studio by her engineer Ann Mincieli and renowned sampling expert Thomas Scarbee over the course of two years, using vintage microphones and high-end outboard studio gear that produced an exquisite piano tone with supreme sonic fidelity.

“I love this software so much that I used it on my entire new album. Not once did I record a live piano because there was just no need”, says Alicia Keys. “I plan to tour with this sound and use it all around the
world. I love how it gives those who may not be able to buy an acoustic piano a true piano experience.”

Utilizing 17 GB of high-resolution samples with 12 discrete velocity layers per note, and sophisticated emulation of crucial sonic aspects like key release, sustain pedal functionality and sympathetic resonance, ALICIA’S KEYS sets a benchmark in the digital recreation of acoustic instruments. The convenient user interface of the software gives intuitive control over the sound to further adjust it to the specific musical context and personal playing style, and also includes a studio-quality convolution reverb that provides various authentic room ambiences ranging from a small piano chamber to a large stage or concert hall.

Alicia’s Keys will be available to purchase for Windows and Mac (includes Kontakt Player, also can be loaded into the full-featured professional Kontakt 4 sampler for additional in-depth sound editing) in April 2010 for a suggested retail price of $119 USD / 99 EUR.

More information: Native Instruments / Alicia’s Keys

Twisted Tools has released version 1.1 of Vortex, a six track polyphonic sampler and sequencer for Native Instruments Reaktor 5.

It comes pre-configured for Kore 2 and Maschine and features an original 200mb+ sample map with samples by artists such as Antonio Blanca, c2, Richard Devine, Josh Hinden, Noklip, GlitchMachines.com, Mike Huckaby, Sonictwist, Timonkey, Tipper and Vinja.

Changes in Vortex v1.1

• Double-click to reset parameter knobs to default value — Double-clicking on a parameter knob on the A-view resets the knob to the default value.
• Bipolar Swing with scene memory — Click and drag the swing button in either direction to add alternate shuffle/swing to your rhythms. The swing and swing is stored with the scene you’re working on.
• Zero-Modulation Sequencing — Turn on zero-modulation sequencing by clicking the necessary ‘z’ buttons on the sequencer tabs. When on for a given sequencer, that sequencer will send zero-values for steps that are set to zero.
• Randomization Exclude Buttons — The B-View now features randomization exclude buttons. This way you can choose which parameters/modulators you would like to be randomized. When cyan colored, that parameter will be randomized. When grey, it won’t be randomized. This is especially useful if you’d like to exclude parameters like volume and pan from being randomized.
• Various small fixes.

Vortex for Reaktor 5 is available to purchase for $29 USD.

More information: Twisted Tools / Vortex